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Garifuna Settlement Day in Nicaragua: The Legacy of Orinoco and the Sambola Family

Join host José Francisco Ávila for a special episode honoring Garifuna Settlement Day in Nicaragua. Celebrated every November 19th since its official recognition by Executive Decree in 2006, this is a story of enduring cultural roots and political achievement.

This week, we trace the incredible journey of the Garifuna people:

• The first documented arrivals in 1830 at Greytown (San Juan del Norte).
• The major settlement wave in the Pearl Lagoon basin, led by pioneers like Joseph and John Sambola, who founded communities including San Vicente and Orinoco—Nicaragua's "Garifuna Capital."

Plus, we highlight modern Garifuna leadership with a profile of Kensy Eloisa Sambola Solís, the great-great-granddaughter of Orinoco’s founder and current First Secretary of the Autonomous Regional Council of the Southern Caribbean.

Discover how the past and present connect to ensure the Power, Prosperity, and Progress of the Garifuna people in Nicaragua.

Resources:

• Subscribe on your favorite podcast app
• Apple Podcasts 
• Spotify
• iHeartRadio
• YouTube
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• The Garifuna Experience in NYC | Bronx walking tour
• The Garifuna Experience in NYC 
• The Happy Land Memorial Walking Tour 
• Garifuna Heritage Walking Tour (BronxNet Video)

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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The Trailblazing Legacy of Thomas Vincent Ramos: The Birth of Garifuna Settlement Day

Join host José Francisco Ávila as we trace the incredible historical journey of the Garifuna people—from their forced exile on St. Vincent in 1797 to their resilient settlement across Central America.

This episode delves deep into the significance of Garifuna Settlement Day (November 19th in Belize) and the extraordinary life of civil rights activist Thomas Vincent Ramos. Discover how Ramos, a true visionary, fought for cultural recognition in 1941 to establish what became one of the earliest official Black holidays in the Americas, cementing the Garinagu's contribution to Belize’s national identity. Learn why this annual celebration, featuring the symbolic Yurumein reenactment, is a powerful act of unity, pride, and affirmation.

Resources:

• Subscribe on your favorite podcast app
• Apple Podcasts 
• Spotify
• iHeartRadio
• YouTube
• Subscribe to our newsletter 
• The Garifuna Experience in NYC | Bronx walking tour
• The Garifuna Experience in NYC 
• The Happy Land Memorial Walking Tour 
• Garifuna Heritage Walking Tour (BronxNet Video)

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

On this Veterans Day episode, host José Francisco Ávila pays tribute to the remarkable, yet often overlooked, legacy of Garifuna soldiers in the U.S. Military. Discover the 200-year warrior tradition of the Garifuna people—from resisting colonial powers in St. Vincent (Paramount Chief Joseph Chatoyer at the  Carib Wars in 1795) and fighting in Central American independence wars (like Juan Francisco Bulnes at the Battle of La Trinidad in 1827) to serving in every major U.S. conflict since World War II.

We discuss the challenges of recognition, why the Department of Defense often classifies Garifuna personnel as "Latin American ancestry," and the vital work of the Garifuna Veterans of America (GVA). Hear inspiring stories of distinguished service members, including Master Chief Petty Officer George Lopez, Major Juan Arzu, and Sergeant Major Sonia Lambert, whose dedication has driven progress for the entire Garifuna community.

Theirs is a legacy of courage, commitment, and excellence.

Resources:

• Subscribe on your favorite podcast app
• Apple Podcasts 
•  Spotify
• iHeartRadio
• YouTube
• Subscribe to our newsletter 
• The Garifuna Experience in NYC | Bronx walking tour
• The Garifuna Experience in NYC 
• The Happy Land Memorial Walking Tour 
•  Garifuna Heritage Walking Tour (BronxNet Video)

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

The Garifuna community in New York City is on a mission to shift from a community of presence to a community of power.

Host José Francisco Ávila dives into the critical importance of increasing Garifuna political visibility and influence, arguing that a seat at the decision-making table is non-negotiable for securing resources and fighting systemic challenges.

Hear about the Garifuna political trailblazers—like Rosemary Ordonez-Jenkins and Gustavo Santos—who are opening doors. More importantly, learn about the ambitious, community-wide strategic plan to achieve local political representation in New York by the centennial year of 2030.

This episode lays out why every vote matters, detailing the need for a unified Garifuna front—a Grand Coalition of non-profits, cultural groups, essential workers, and faith-based organizations—to launch the Voting is POWER - Garifuna Representation 2030 Campaign.

Tune in to understand why Garifuna representation is the key to driving Power, Prosperity, and Progress for the entire community.

 Resources:

•  Subscribe on your favorite podcast app
• Apple Podcasts 
• Spotify
• iHeartRadio
• Subscribe to our newsletter 
• The Garifuna Experience Podcast YouTube
• 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)

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

The Garifuna Experience in NYC Podcast takes you back to the foundation, tracing the evolution of Garifuna civic strength in the diaspora. Host José Francisco Ávila chronicles how our community successfully transformed from informal Hometown Associations to powerful, modern non-profit organizations.

What You'll Uncover:

•  The Pioneers: Learn about the earliest formalized groups like The Carib American Association, Inc. (1946), and how the Hometown Associations served as vital social and mutual aid networks.
• The Modern Breakthrough: Discover the pivotal role of Garinagu Women on the March Pro Education (MUGAMA), the first modern Garifuna organization to achieve tax-exempt status (501(c)(3)) and secure major philanthropic funding in 1997.
• Tragedy and Transformation: Explore how the devastating Happy Land Social Club Fire in 1990 exposed the urgent need for a unified voice and propelled the community into a new era of political organization.
• The Pan-Garifuna Vision: Hear the story behind the First Intercontinental Garifuna Summit Meeting in 1991, held in Brooklyn under the defiant theme: “Uwala Busiganu, Garinagu Wagia” (“Don’t Be Ashamed, We Are Garifuna”).

This episode is an essential guide to the resilience, leadership, and unwavering cultural pride that built the Garifuna community’s power structure in New York City.

Resources:

•  Subscribe on your favorite podcast app
• Apple Podcasts 
• Spotify
•  iHeartRadio
• Subscribe to our newsletter 
• The Garifuna Experience Podcast YouTube
• 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)

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

Episode 21: Beyond the Narrative: The Garifuna American Law Enforcement Association, Inc.

Host: José Francisco Ávila

The Garifuna Experience in NYC Podcast goes "Beyond the Narrative" to highlight the powerful impact of The Garifuna American Law Enforcement Association, Inc. (GALEA).

Join host José Francisco Ávila as he explores how GALEA—a non-profit founded in 2017 by NYPD's Police Officer Jorge Rochez and Detective Sidney Valerio—is changing the landscape of public service in New York City.

Inside This Episode:

• Service and Unity: Discover how members of Garifuna heritage across various agencies (NYPD, FDNY, NYC Corrections, and more) united to form a beacon of support and cultural pride.
• Mission to Bridge: We break down GALEA's vital mission to strengthen relationships between the Garifuna community and law enforcement through outreach, cultural awareness, and mutual respect.
• Leadership Spotlight: Get to know GALEA President Stivin Benedith and the organization's dedication to mentorship, advocacy, and professional development.
• Legacy Building: Learn why joining GALEA is an investment in your career, your culture, and the future of Garifuna representation, driving Power, Prosperity, and Progress in the diaspora.

Tune in to hear how our community members are serving, protecting, and championing Garifuna identity in the heart of NYC's civic life. 

Resources:

•  Subscribe on your favorite podcast app
•  Apple Podcasts 
• Spotify
• iHeartRadio
• Subscribe to our newsletter 
• The Garifuna Experience Podcast YouTube
• 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)
• Garifuna-American in Law Enforcement Association Inc 

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

Episode Description

Celebrate International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples with host José Francisco Ávila as we journey into the powerful and persistent world of the Garifuna people. Far more than a historical footnote, the Garifuna are a vibrant Afro-Indigenous treasure and a testament to resilience, born from the unique union of shipwrecked enslaved Africans, Arawaks, and Kalinago in St. Vincent (Yurumein).

This episode uncovers:

• The Epic Saga: Learn about the tragic Carib Wars against the British, the forced exile of 2,248 Garifuna ancestors, and their eventual migration to Central America, forming communities in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
• The Land Rights Battle: Explore the critical fight for Indigenous Status and collective ancestral land rights, and the role of international treaties like ILO Convention 169. We detail the ongoing challenges faced by organizations like OFRANEH in Honduras and the pursuit of rights in Belize.
• A Culture of Survival: Discover how their deep roots—from the use of cassava (ereba) to their Amerindian Arawakan language—remain central to their identity and cultural survival in the face of modern-day threats.

Don't miss this essential look at how the Garifuna people continue to drive Power, Prosperity, and Progress while defending their heritage as a truly indigenous and African-descendant people.

 Resources:

• Subscribe on your favorite podcast app
• Apple Podcasts 
• Spotify
• iHeartRadio
• Subscribe to our newsletter 
• The Garifuna Experience Podcast YouTube
• 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)

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

Join host José Francisco Ávila as he explores the profound and inspiring history of Garifuna progress through education. This episode traces the community's journey from the immense sacrifices made by early generations—sending children from remote villages to the city just for a chance to attend school—to the modern-day achievements of Garifuna scholars in the diaspora.

Discover:

• The Unbreakable Value: How the Garifuna people's inherent regard for education fueled their rise to becoming one of the most literate groups in their region.
• Pioneers in the Classroom: The crucial role of early Garifuna educators, like Guillermina Martínez Solís in Honduras and the pioneering teachers in Belize Santiago Beni, Cirilo Guiterrez and Clifford Palacio, who bravely spread literacy in remote areas.
• Pioneers in the promotion of Education: Civil rights icon Mr. Pablo Roberto Mejia, in Guatemala and Lydia Sacasa-Hill, Mirtha Sabio, and Dionisia Amaya in New York.
• The Intellectual Surge: Spotlight on Garifuna Americans achieving PhDs across critical fields—from Social Anthropology to Chemistry—who are actively driving American progress and contributing as intellectual leaders.

This is a powerful story of resilience, sacrifice, and success, demonstrating how education has been the most consistent engine for Garifuna advancement, prosperity, and power.

Resources:

• Subscribe on your favorite podcast app
• Apple Podcasts 
• Spotify
• iHeartRadio
• Subscribe to our newsletter 
• The Garifuna Experience Podcast YouTube
• 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)

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

Host José Francisco Ávila dives deep into the power and necessity of Garifuna Literary Arts. For a people whose history was often deliberately erased from official records, the written word is not just culture—it's reclamation.

This episode explores why Garifuna authors must write, moving beyond the centuries-old oral tradition to create a permanent, authentic record. We highlight the pioneers—like Catarino Castro Serrano and Thomas Vincent Ramos—who first took up the pen to challenge dominant narratives.

Discover how literature serves as a crucial tool for cultural maintenance, healing, and historical correction, providing an authentic Garifuna voice to the world. José shares his personal advocacy journey and issues a powerful call to action to the NYC diaspora community: Write the next chapter of our history.

Featured Topics:

•  The historical erasure of Garifuna and Afro-Latino history.
• The role of literature in reclaiming and preserving Garifuna language and culture.
• Pioneering Garifuna authors and intellectuals.
•  The importance of the written word for community healing and activism.

  Resources:

•  Subscribe on your favorite podcast app
•  Apple Podcasts 
• Spotify
• iHeartRadio
• The Garifuna Experience Podcast YouTube
• 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)
• Black Caribs - Garifuna Saint Vincent' Exiled People: The Roots Of The Garifuna
• Garifuna Mother Tongue and Over Fifty Famous Garinagu
• The Garifuna, A nation across borders
• My Spiritual Journey, Knowledge & Guidance Vol. II 
• The People's Garifuna Dictionary: Garifuna-English
• Learn Garifuna Now!
• Garifuna: The culture and its people

 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

Join us as we celebrate the life and legacy of a Garifuna icon, the late singer, composer, and politician Aurelio Martínez Suazo, on what would have been his 56th birthday.

In this special episode, we explore one of his greatest artistic achievements: his powerful mentorship with West African superstar Youssou N'Dour through the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative.

We delve into how this landmark collaboration fulfilled Aurelio's dream of reconnecting Garifuna music with its ancestral roots and how his legacy continues to ensure the vibrant future of his culture.

Tune in to honor an artist whose unwavering commitment to his heritage continues to inspire

Resources:

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app

Apple Podcasts 

Spotify

iHeartRadio

The Garifuna Experience Podcast YouTube

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)

The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative Youssou N’Dour and Aurelio Martínez 

Youssou N’Dour and Aurelio Martínez, Rolex Mentor and Protégé in Music, 2008 - 2009 (VIDEO)

Aurelio Martínez

Los Bravos del caribe de Aurelio Marinez

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