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En este poderoso episodio extra, el presentador José Francisco Ávila nos transporta de vuelta a la vibrante energía de los años 80, una época de "Emancipación Mental" impulsada por el movimiento Black Power, las letras desafiantes de Bob Marley y el terremoto político de la "Rainbow Coalition" del reverendo Jesse Jackson.

José  Francisco revela cómo la histórica campaña presidencial de Jackson en 1988 sirvió como el catalizador directo para organizar la comunidad garífuna en la ciudad de Nueva York. Desde el primer encuentro decisivo el 5 de febrero de 1989, en el Club Cubano Interamericano del Bronx, hasta la lucha moderna por la visibilidad, este episodio une nuestra historia con nuestro futuro.

Sintoniza para escuchar:

• Cómo la era de "Black is Beautiful" redefinió la identidad garífuna en la diáspora.
• El legado de pioneras como la Sra. Dionisia "Nicha" Amaya Bonilla y la Sra. Lydia Sacaza-Hill.
• Por qué el Comité de Conteo Completo Garífuna del Censo 2030 (Haz clic para inscribirte) es la próxima frontera en nuestra lucha por la dignidad y la representación.

"La representación no se concede —se organiza." Únete al movimiento hoy mismo.

Recursos:

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• Suscríbete a nuestro boletín
• La experiencia garífuna en Nueva York | Recorrido  a pie por el Bronx
• La experiencia garífuna en Nueva York 
• La Ruta a Pie del Memorial Happy Land
• Únete al Comité de Conteo Completo Garífuna del Censo 2030 (Haz clic para inscribirte)

Libros de José Francisco Ávila

• El Poder del Orgullo Pan-Garífuna Afrolatino: Mi búsqueda de identidad racial, ancestral, étnica y cultural 
• Ancestros Garífuna: Descifrando a historia Garífuna a través del ADN

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From the coastal town of Dangriga to the rugged streets of Brownsville, the Garifuna spirit is leaving an indelible mark on the gridiron. In this episode of our special series, Hidden Voices: The Garifuna Demographic—Undercounted and Underrepresented, we pull back the curtain on the "Unseen Thread" connecting Garifuna heritage to the pinnacle of American sports: the National Football League (NFL).

As the world prepares for Super Bowl LX, Host José Francisco Ávila honors Black History Month by spotlighting two titans who have carried the Garifuna flag into the record books:

• Brian Flores: The defensive mastermind and Minnesota Vikings coordinator. We explore his journey from the Glenmore Plaza projects in Brooklyn to the NFL sidelines, fueled by the iron-clad work ethic of his Honduran Garifuna parents.
• Rakeem "Nacho" Nuñez-Roches: The history-maker. Learn about the infectious energy and pride of the first Belizean-born player to be drafted into the NFL and the first Garifuna Belizean-American to win a Super Bowl Championship.

This isn't just a sports story—it’s a story of the American Dream, the power of the "village," and the resilience of a culture that refuses to be sidelined. Whether you're a football fanatic or a student of the African Diaspora, this episode is a masterclass in excellence, identity, and the strength of ancestral roots.

Listen & Subscribe: Join us as we celebrate the legends who are writing their own stories and ensuring the Garifuna voice is heard loud and clear in the stadiums of the world.

Resources:

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• YouTube
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• 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 (Bronx
• Advocacy Toolkit - Template: Formal Request for Inclusive Curriculum

Books by José Francisco Ávila

• Pan-Garifuna Afro-Latino Power of Pride: My Quest for Racial, Ancestral, Ethn

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In this powerful episode of The Garifuna Experience Podcast, host José Francisco Ávila pays tribute to a woman whose legacy is woven into the very fabric of the Garifuna diaspora: Dionisia Amaya-Bonilla, known affectionately as "Mama Nicha."

From her humble beginnings in La Ceiba, Honduras, to being honored on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mama Nicha’s journey is a masterclass in resilience and community building. We explore her transition from a housekeeper in Texas to a Master’s-educated guidance counselor and activist who transformed New York City's educational landscape for Garifuna youth.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "Awakening": How the tragic Happy Land Social Club fire became the catalyst for the modern Garifuna advocacy movement.
• MUGAMA: The founding of Mujeres Garinagu en Marcha and its role in securing bilingual education recognition for the Garifuna language in NYC schools.
• Hidden Voices: The inclusion of Mama Nicha’s story in the NYC Department of Education curriculum and why demographic representation is a matter of civil rights.
• A Personal Legacy: José shares intimate reflections on his partnership with Mama Nicha—the woman who became his "spiritual mother" and the "glue" of a global community.

As we celebrate Black History Month, join us in honoring a pioneer who proved that "nothing is impossible" and ensured that the Garifuna voice would never be "hidden" again.

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: Pan-Garifuna Afro-Latino Power of Pride by José Francisco Ávila
• NYC DOE Curriculum: Hidden Voices: Latines in United States History
• The Garifuna Advocacy Toolkit for Parents and Educators

Resources:

• Subscribe on your favorite podcast app
• Apple Podcasts 
• Spotify
• HeartRadio
• YouTube
• Amazon Music
• 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 (Bronx
• Advocacy Toolkit - Template: Formal Request for Inclusive Curriculum

Books by José Francisco Ávila

• Pan-Garifuna Afro-Latino Power of Pride: My Quest for Racial, Ancestral, Ethnic Identity
• Garifuna Ancestry: The DNA Quest to Decipher the Garifuna Distant Past.
   

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In this powerful episode of The Garifuna Experience Podcast, host José Francisco Ávila takes up the challenge issued by Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams to “re-release the shackles off our mental bodies” by uncovering the hidden chapters of Garifuna history. While many associate the start of the African experience in the Americas with 1619, we pull back the curtain on a timeline that begins nearly a century earlier.

We explore "The Unseen Thread"—the historical connections that link the Garifuna people to the broader African Diaspora, from the shores of Honduras in 1540 to the stages of Manhattan in 1823. This episode isn't just a history lesson; it’s a toolkit for advocacy, designed to help parents, educators, and activists bring this "powerful history" into the classrooms of New York City and beyond.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The 1540 Arrival: Why the arrival of Africans in Honduras 79 years before Jamestown changes everything we know about Black history.
• The First Black Drama: How a Garifuna Chief became the hero of the first play written by a Black playwright in the U.S. in 1823.
• The Pioneers of Civil Rights: How the Garifuna founded organized land-rights movements 27 years before the NAACP.
• The Global Legacy of T.V. Ramos: A tribute to the man who established the 3rd historical Black holiday in the Americas, often cited as a predecessor to the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Call to Action: We’ve provided a formal Advocacy Toolkit in our show notes, including a downloadable one-pager and a template letter to send to your local school board or principal to demand inclusive curriculum.

Join the Conversation: Use the hashtag #UnseenThread and #GarifunaExperience to share your favorite "little-known fact" from today's episode.

Listen now and help us change the narrative.

Sungubei Lidan Aban – Unity is Strength!

Resources:

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• 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 (Bronx
• Advocacy Toolkit - Template: Formal Request for Inclusive Curriculum

Books by José Francisco Ávila

• Pan-Garifuna Afro-Latino Power of Pride: My Quest for Racial, Ancestral, Ethn

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Recruiting the Builders of the Garifuna Leadership Project

In this episode, José Francisco Ávila issues a call to action for the "Political Elders" and professionals of the Garifuna community. As we approach the 2030 Centennial, we are moving from being a "hidden demographic" to a visible force in NYC. Discover how the Mentorship Matrix and the concept of Sacred Time are creating a sustainable pipeline for 100 new leaders. Whether you are a Gen Z seeker or a veteran builder, this is how we secure our seat at the table.

Resources:

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• YouTube
• Amazon Music
• 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 (Bronx
• Garifuna Leadership Project Mentorship Matching Survey

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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Hidden Voices: The Garifuna Demographic Undercounted and Underrepresented 

Host: José Francisco Ávila

Summary: In New York City, the Garifuna community is a sleeping giant. With over 200,000 residents—100,000 in the Bronx alone—we are one of the city’s most vibrant demographics. Yet, there is a staggering gap in power: out of those hundreds of thousands, only one Garifuna individual currently holds local political office in New York State.

In this episode of The Garifuna Experience Podcast, host José Francisco Ávila explores how we move from being a "hidden demographic" to a political powerhouse. Inspired by the historic youth-led victory of Zohran Mamdani, this episode lays out the roadmap for the Garifuna Leadership Project  and our mission to train 100 new leaders in by  December 2026.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The Representation Crisis: Why cultural recognition isn't enough and why we need data-driven demographic visibility.
• The Road to 2030: Our strategic plan to celebrate the centennial of Garifuna establishment in NYC with true political representation.
• The Pipeline of Power: How the GLP is lowering barriers for Millennial and Gen Z candidates through technical training in NYC Campaign Finance (C-SMART) and strategic mentorship.
• Building the "Talent Bench": Our tactics for identifying leaders in nonprofits, tech, and grassroots organizing using platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

The torch is being passed. It’s time for the next generation to lead the way in driving Power, Prosperity, and Progress for the Garifuna people.

Connect with the Movement:

• Subscribe/Rate/Review: Help us amplify "Hidden Voices" by leaving a review!
• Join the Garifuna Leadership Project : Interested in running for office or joining a local board?  Click Here

Sungubei Lidan Aban – Unity is Strength!

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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

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How does a community move from being "hidden in plain sight" to becoming a recognized political force? In this pivotal episode, host José Francisco Ávila breaks down the strategic roadmap for the New York City Garifuna community as we approach the 2031 Decennial Redistricting.

We are shifting the focus from cultural celebration to political self-determination. With over 250,000 Garifuna residents in New York City—and a 100,000-strong concentration in the Bronx—our community has the density and the drive to demand a seat at the table.

In this episode, we explore:

• Defining a "Community of Interest": What it is, why it matters for electoral maps, and how it keeps our neighborhoods together.
• The Census Challenge: Navigating the complexities of Afro-Indigenous and Afro-Latinx identity to ensure we aren't fragmented across rigid data categories.
• The Bronx Stronghold: Identifying the specific geographic boundaries—from Tremont Avenue to 135th Street—that define our political heartland.
• The 2032 Vision: Marking the centennial of Garifuna settlement in NYC by achieving a historic benchmark: direct political representation.
• Civic Innovation: We aren't just drawing maps; we’ve launched an AI-Powered Advocacy Toolkit to help community members draft formal testimony and letters to the Districting Commission instantly.

This is more than a podcast; it’s a call to action. Learn how defining our "Community of Interest" profile today will drive the power, prosperity, and progress of our people for the next decade.

Listen, subscribe, and join the movement.

Stay united, stay proud. Sungubei Lidan Aban

Follow the Show: New episodes every Tuesday 

Resources:

•  Subscribe on your favorite podcast app
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• 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

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Why are we talking about 2030 in 2026? Because the blueprint for our community’s power over the next decade is being drawn TODAY.

In this vital episode of The Garifuna Experience Podcast, hosts José Francisco Ávila (Chairman of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc.) and Gregoria Flores Núñez (Executive Director of Garifuna Community Services, Inc.) pull back the curtain on the multi-year battle for Garifuna visibility.

The U.S. Census is more than a population count—it is a $1.5 trillion roadmap that determines the funding for our schools, the quality of our healthcare, and the strength of our political voice. For the Garifuna people, being "invisible" in official data means being ignored in the city budget.

In this episode, we discuss:

•  The launch of the Garifuna Complete Count Committee and why grassroots organizing must start five years early.
• The Identity Gap: Analyzing why thousands of Garífunas were missed in 2020 and how we are fixing the "Hispanic vs. Race" classification hurdle.
• Legislative Advocacy: Our work with the newly established NYC Office of the Census and our support for the "New York Counts Act."
• Data as Power: How an accurate count directly translates to better resources for New York City and beyond.
• How to Join Us: Why we need you to become a "Garifuna Census Ambassador" today. (Click here to join)

“If they don't count us, they won't fund us—and if they don't fund us, they won't hear us.”

Don’t let our community be sidelined for another ten years. Tune in to learn how you can help secure our collective prosperity and progress.

Resources:

•  Subscribe on your favorite podcast app
• Apple Podcasts 
• Spotify
• iHeartRadio
•  YouTube
• Amazon Music
•  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)
• The U.S. Census Bureau
• Join the Garifuna Complete Count Committee

Books by José Francisco Ávila

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

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In this episode, we bridge the gap between mainstream Hollywood accolades and the independent spirit of Garifuna filmmaking. As we prepare for the 2026 awards season, we reflect on how Garifuna narratives have moved from the background of the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema to the forefront of international festivals.

Key Takeaways:

• Awards Season Intel: A breakdown of the 83rd Golden Globes (Jan 11, 2026) and the 98th Oscars voting window.
• The Pioneer: Celebrating Juan José Laboriel(1906-1997), who starred in over 28 films during Mexico's cinematic heyday.
• Language Preservation: Highlighting Garifuna in Peril (2012), the first feature film with majority Garifuna dialogue.
• Modern Excellence: Discussion of the short film Lumalali Niwani (2025), which recently won Best International Student Short and Best Cinematography at the Latino Film Market Fest in NYC.

Films Mentioned:

• La Selva de Fuego (1945)
• Law & Order" Heaven (TV Episode 1991)
• The Garifuna Journey (1998)
• El Espíritu de mi Mamá (1999)
• Garifuna in Peril (2012)
• Wayunagu (2017)
• Niraü 20217
• Lumalali Niwani (2025)
• "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" Harm (TV Episode 2

Resources:

• Apple Podcasts 
• Spotify
• iHeartRadio
• YouTube
• 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)
• Garifuna International Indigenous Film Festival (GIIFF)
• IMDb: Garifuna Filmography

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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Happy New Year 2026!

We are kicking off the year with a special milestone episode. Just six months ago, The Garifuna Experience Podcastlaunched with a singular mission: to serve as a catalyst for Prosperity, Power, and Progress within the Garifuna community.

 Today, we reflect on how far we’ve come and pull back the curtain on the massive expansion coming in 2026.

In this episode, we revisit the highlights of our first 31 episodes—from the historical drama of King Shotaway to the vibrant celebrations of Garifuna Settlement Day in Belize. We also share the incredible data behind our growth, reaching listeners in 36 countries and 180 cities, proving that the Garifuna diaspora is more connected than ever before.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The 2025 Impact: A look at our journey from launch to 1,000+ downloads.
• Our Global Footprint: How the Garifuna narrative is resonating from the Bronx to the global stage.
• The Top 5 Countdown: A recap of the episodes that defined our first six months.
• Vision 2026: The launch of The Garifuna Experience Podcast Network, our shift into long-form storytelling, and the move toward video-forward, vlog-style content.

Featured "Top 5" Episodes Mentioned:

1. The Trailer – Where the mission began.
2. Episode 4 – The Drama of King Shotaway.
3. Episode 1 – Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress.
4. Episode 2 – From Potential to Power: Our Call to Action.
5. Episode 25 – Settlement Day Celebration in Belize.

Join the Movement:

As we evolve into a multi-show network, we invite you to be part of the progress. We are moving beyond short-form to build deeper relationships through long-form conversations and archival preservation.

The Garifuna Experience is more than a podcast; it is a profound medium for sharing narratives and building communities across global borders and generations.