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"New York lost a Congressional seat in 2020 by just 89 people. We cannot afford to let history repeat itself."

In this urgent episode of The Garifuna Experience, we sit down with the New York State Census Partnership to discuss the high-stakes battle for the 2030 Census. While 2030 feels far away, the decisions made in Albany this monthwill determine whether our community is seen or rendered invisible for the next decade.

We break down the technical—but critical—LUCA (Local Update of Census Addresses) program. If your basement apartment, attic, or multi-family home isn't on the official Master Address File by 2027, you won't even receive a census form. We discuss why this "hidden" housing is the frontline of the fight for Garifuna representation.

In this episode, we cover:

• The "89 People" Lesson: How close we came to keeping our seat in 2020 and why every single person counts.
• The $15 Million Ask: Why Governor Hochul and State Legislators must fund community-based outreach now.
• The 2026 Operational Test: Why the Census Bureau's plan to use English-only forms and fewer field sites is a major red flag for our community.
• Your Call to Action: How to contact your representative before the March 3rd deadline.

The future of our schools, hospitals, and political power is on the line. We don't get a second chance at the Census. Tune in and learn how to protect New York’s representation.

Take Action:

• Find your Assembly Member:  Assembly Member Directory 
• Find your State Senator Find My Senator
• Sign the Letter:  Leadership Conference Organizational Sign-on
• Download the  Email Template for NYS Representatives by March 3rd

Resources:

• Subscribe on your favorite podcast app
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• YouTube
• Amazon Music
• Subscribe to our newsletter 
• 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