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NYC Restaurant Week is in full swing, but host José Francisco Ávila notices a heartbreaking absence on the list of participating restaurants: a proper Garifuna restaurant. In this impassioned episode, José explores why a dedicated, sit-down Garifuna eatery is urgently needed in New York City. He

delves into the economic paradox of why past Garifuna restaurants have struggled, highlights the incredible talent within the community, and makes a heartfelt plea for a visionary entrepreneur to step up. This isn't just about food; it's about cultural preservation, economic empowerment, and finally giving Garifuna cuisine the stage it deserves in the city that has become home to its largest diaspora.

In this episode of the Garifuna Experience Podcast, host Jose Francisco Avila passionately discusses the urgent need for a dedicated Garifuna restaurant in New York City. He highlights the absence of such a culinary space amidst the city's diverse food scene, emphasizing the cultural and economic significance of Garifuna cuisine. Avila calls for community support and action to establish a restaurant that can serve as a cultural hub, promote local businesses, and showcase the rich culinary heritage of the Garifuna people.

Resources:

The Garífuna Experience in NYC | Bronx walking tour

The Garifuna Experience in NYC

The Happy Land Memorial Walking Tour

Garifuna Heritage Walking Tour (BronxNet Video)

WEIGA/Let’s Eat! - Tastefully Garifuna

Bare Feet in NYC: Garifuna (Bronx)

Seis Vecinos Restaurant

Books by José Francisco Ávila

Pan-Garifuna Afro-Latino Power of Pride: My Quest for Racial, Ancestral, Ethnic and Cultural Identity

Garífuna Ancestry: The DNA Quest to Decipher the Garifuna Distant Past

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NYC isn't just a destination; it's a living, breathing tapestry of cultures. On this episode of "The Garifuna Experience in NYC Podcast," host José Francisco Ávila reveals how the vibrant Garifuna community is stepping up to become a powerful force in the city's tourism industry. 🏙️

We'll unpack the four key components of the travel trade—attractions, amenities, marketing, and destination management—and show how the Garifuna culture, with its rich heritage, dynamic businesses, and exciting events, is perfectly positioned to attract visitors and create a sustainable, prosperous future. 💃 Explore our unique tourism assets, from the annual Garifuna Heritage Month to local businesses like JRC Garifuna Collections, and discover how we are driving prosperity, power, and progress for our community and for New York City.

Join us to learn how tourism can be a tool for economic development and a celebration of our unique identity.

Resources:

The Garífuna Experience in NYC | Bronx walking tour

The Garifuna Experience in NYC

The Happy Land Memorial Walking Tour

Garifuna Heritage Walking Tour (BronxNet Video)

Lou Ramos Cruise Planners Travel Agent

JRC Garifuna Collection

The Garifuna Market

Books by José Francisco Ávila

Pan-Garifuna Afro-Latino Power of Pride: My Quest for Racial, Ancestral, Ethnic and Cultural Identity

Garífuna Ancestry: The DNA Quest to Decipher the Garifuna Distant Past

Send us a text

In this episode, host José Francisco Ávila unveils the ambitious strategy to brand New York City as the global epicenter of Garifuna arts and culture. Going beyond tradition, Ávila details the journey from his early efforts to promote Garifuna identity to the creation of a comprehensive cultural tourism plan.

Discover how the historical landmark of "The Drama of King Shotaway" and the Garifuna Coalition's iconic yellow, white, and black branding form the foundation of this innovative initiative. Ávila also explores the vital role of the NYC Tourism Foundation grant, the development of the GarifunaExperience.com website, and the launch of the @garifunaexperience social media channels.

Tune in to learn how this initiative is poised to drive prosperity, power, and progress, inviting the world to experience the vibrant Garifuna community thriving in the heart of New York City.

Resources:

The Garifuna Experience in NYC

The Happy Land Memorial Walking Tour

Books by José Francisco Ávila

Pan-Garifuna Afro-Latino Power of Pride: My Quest for Racial, Ancestral, Ethnic and Cultural Identity

Garífuna Ancestry: The DNA Quest to Decipher the Garifuna Distant Past

Send us a text

In this celebratory and forward-looking episode of The Garifuna Experience in NYC Podcast, host José Francisco Ávila invites you to join the festivities as we honor Garifuna Heritage Month!

Beyond parades and cultural displays, this special observance is a profound opportunity for reflection, education, and collective action. It's a time when the Garifuna community, particularly here in New York City – the largest diaspora outside of Central America – comes together to affirm its identity and amplify its voice.

Join us as we explore:

• The true significance of Garifuna Heritage Month as a period for celebrating our rich history, vibrant culture, and enduring resilience.
• How these annual observances serve as vital platforms for cultural transmission, ensuring our language, music, dances, and traditions are passed down to future generations.
• The critical role of Garifuna Heritage Month in fostering community pride, solidarity, and advocating for the needs and aspirations of our people.
• U.S House of Representatives Resolution 288 to establish a "National Garifuna Immigrant Heritage Month" in April
• How we leverage this heightened visibility to actively Shape a Vibrant Future, driving the Prosperity, Power, and Progress that is central to our mission.

This episode is a testament to the living, breathing legacy of Garifuna culture and how intentional celebration helps us build a stronger, more visible future. Tune in to feel the spirit of Garifuna Heritage Month and understand its profound impact!

Resources:

The Garifuna Experience in NYC

The Happy Land Memorial Walking Tour

Books by José Francisco Ávila

Pan-Garifuna Afro-Latino Power of Pride: My Quest for Racial, Ancestral, Ethnic and Cultural Identity

Garífuna Ancestry: The DNA Quest to Decipher the Garifuna Distant Past

Send us a text

In this deeply significant episode of The Garifuna Experience in NYC Podcast, host José Francisco Ávila delves into a cornerstone of Garifuna identity: the profound impact of UNESCO's official recognition of our culture as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

This episode goes beyond the mere title, exploring what this prestigious designation truly means for the Garifuna people, both in our ancestral lands and across the vibrant diaspora in New York City.

Join us as we discuss:

• The Genesis of World Music Appreciation, to foster lasting peace built on "mutual understanding" and "the intellectual and moral solidarity of humankind.
• The Smithsonian's critical role in documenting, preserving, and sharing the rich musical heritage of the Garifuna people.
• Andy Palacio: A UNESCO Artist for Peace and Garifuna Champion
• Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity Proclamation.
• The ongoing efforts, challenges, and opportunities in ensuring this legacy is not just preserved but actively thrives and continues to Drive Prosperity, Power, and Progress within our communities.

This episode is a celebration of our heritage and a thoughtful exploration of the responsibilities and possibilities that come with being a globally recognized cultural treasure. Tune in to understand the enduring power of Garifuna culture.

Resources:

The Garifuna Experience in NYC

The Happy Land Memorial Walking Tour

Books by José Francisco Ávila

Pan-Garifuna Afro-Latino Power of Pride: My Quest for Racial, Ancestral, Ethnic and Cultural Identity

Garífuna Ancestry: The DNA Quest to Decipher the Garifuna Distant Past

Send us a text

In this pivotal episode of The Garifuna Experience Podcast, host José Francisco Ávila unearths a remarkable, nearly 200-year-old piece of New York City history. We dive into 'The Drama of King Shotaway,' a groundbreaking play from 1823, widely celebrated as the very first African American play written by a Black playwright.

But what makes this play a cultural landmark is its subject: the heroic defense of St. Vincent by the Garifuna people, led by the revered Paramount Chief, Joseph Chatoyer.

Join us as we explore the profound connections between Chatoyer's valiant resistance and the pioneering vision of playwright William Henry Brown, founder of the African Grove Theatre—America's first Black theater troupe, located right here in New York City.

This episode is a powerful testament to Garifuna people's enduring spirit and serves as irrefutable evidence that Garifuna heritage has been an integral part of NYC's cultural fabric from its earliest days. It’s a story of resistance, art, and the indelible contributions that continue to Drive Prosperity, Power, and Progress for our community and the world.

Resources:

The Garifuna Experience in NYC

The Happy Land Memorial Walking Tour

Books by José Francisco Ávila

Pan-Garifuna Afro-Latino Power of Pride: My Quest for Racial, Ancestral, Ethnic and Cultural Identity

Garífuna Ancestry: The DNA Quest to Decipher the Garifuna Distant Past

Send us a text

In Episode 2, we build upon the foundational theme introduced in our first episode. This time, we shift from understanding to action.

We'll explore how recognizing our collective potential is just the beginning. The real transformation happens when we translate that potential into tangible power – the ability to create change, overcome challenges, and shape our future.

Join us as we discuss practical steps, inspiring examples, and a clear call to action designed to empower you to move from passive observation to active participation. Discover how you can harness your own potential and contribute to the collective power that drives meaningful impact.

https://www.garifunaexperience.com/

Hashtags: #GarifunaHeritage #CulturalIdentity #LidanAban #GarifunaExperienceNYC #GarifunaCulture #GarifunaExperience #GarifunaExperience Podcast #NYCGarifuna #BronxGarifuna #CulturalTourismNYC #UNESCOHeritage #GarifunaHeritage #GarifunaPodcast #ProsperityPowerProgress #Garifuna #GarifunaHeritage #GarifunaHeritageMonth #GarifunaCentennnial #PodcastHost #NYCLicensedGuide #GarifunaCulture

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In Episode 3, we delve into the compelling Garifuna Paradox. Despite the Garifuna community's rich cultural heritage, recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage, they remain underrepresented in New York City's thriving cultural and creative industries.

Explore the stark contrast between immense cultural capital and limited economic engagement and discover how the Garifuna Experience Podcast aims to transform cultural recognition into economic empowerment.

Join us as we navigate the challenges and opportunities to bridge this gap and claim our rightful place in the cultural landscape.

https://www.garifunaexperience.com/

Hashtags: #GarifunaHeritage #CulturalIdentity #LidanAban #GarifunaExperienceNYC #GarifunaCulture #GarifunaExperience #GarifunaExperience Podcast #NYCGarifuna #BronxGarifuna #CulturalTourismNYC #UNESCOHeritage #GarifunaHeritage #GarifunaPodcast #ProsperityPowerProgress #Garifuna #GarifunaHeritage #GarifunaHeritageMonth #GarifunaCentennnial #PodcastHost #NYCLicensedGuide #GarifunaCulture