March 15, 2010

New York. --The Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc., a non- profit, non-partisan 503 (c) (3) organization, advocating on behalf of  the Garifuna Community, urges all Garifunas  to answer questions 8 and 9 correctly on the 2010 Census form. The questionnaire will be sent to households throughout the United States by March 15-17, 2010.

March 15, 2010

New York – The Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization is pleased to announce the proclamation of March 11^th – April 12^th, 2010 as Garifuna Heritage Month 2010  in observance of the 213^th  anniversary of the exile of the Garifuna people from St Vincent on March 11^th, 1797 and their settlement in Central America on April 12^th, 1797 and 187 years of Garifuna Contribution to New York’s Culture.

March 5, 2010  Español

New York – The Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization is pleased to announce that   the Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of Honduras, will perform  during the First Annual Garifuna Heritage Awards and Cultural Night on March 13^th 2010 at 7 PM  at the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture,   450 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY 10451.

March 5, 2010  Español

New York – The Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization is pleased to announce that Kensy Sambola   will be presented a Garifuna Heritage Award, during the First Annual Garifuna Heritage Awards and Cultural Night on March 13^th 2010 at 7 PM  at the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture,   450 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY 10451.

March 5, 2010  Español

New York – The Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization is pleased to announce that Blanca Arzu   will be presented a Garifuna Heritage Award, during the First Annual Garifuna Heritage Awards and Cultural Night on March 13^th 2010 at 7 PM  at the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture,   450 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY 10451.

February 27, 2010  Español

New York – The Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization is pleased to announce that the Garifuna Heritage Foundation of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG)   will be presented a Garifuna Heritage Award, during the First Annual Garifuna Heritage Awards and Cultural Night on March 13^th 2010 at 7 PM  at the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture,   450 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY 10451.

February 24, 2010 Español

New York – The Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization is pleased to announce that Mr. Pablo Roberto Mejia  will be presented a Garifuna Heritage Award, during the First Annual Garifuna Heritage Awards and Cultural Night on March 13^th 2010 at 7 PM  at the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture,   450 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY 10451.

February 17, 2010   Español

New York – The Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization is pleased to announce that Mr. E.  Roy Cayetano  will be presented a Garifuna Heritage Award, during the First Annual Garifuna Heritage Awards and Cultural Night on March 13^th 2010 at 7 PM  at the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture,   450 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY 10451.

February 12, 2010 Español

New York – The Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization is pleased to announce that Crisanto Armando Meléndez, (Savaranga, Uayujuru), Executive Director of the Garinagu Cultural Center and Artistic Director of The Garifuna National Folklore Ballet of Honduras will be presented a Garifuna Heritage Award, during the First Annual Garifuna Heritage Awards and Cultural Night on March 13^th 2010 at 7 PM  at the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture,   450 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY 10451.

01/210/2010

New York – The Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization is pleased to announce The First Garifuna Heritage Awards which will be presented during the First Annual Garifuna Heritage Awards and Cultural Night on March 13^th 2010 at 7 PM  at the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture,   450 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY 10451. Español

01/08/2010                            Español

New York – The Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization is pleased to announce that  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr,   has agreed to issue the proclamation of March 11^th – April 12^th, 2010 as Garifuna Heritage Month 2010  in observance of the 213^th  anniversary of the exile of the Garifuna people from St Vincent on March 11^th, 1797 and their settlement in Central America on April 12^th, 1797.

December 8, 2009

As we conclude the first decade of the Twenty first Century,  I could not help but think about the naysayers who continue to predict the extinction of the Garifuna Culture and language. However, I continue to maintain that if the culture and language survived for 193 years through oral transmission; now that we have a traditional Garifuna Dictionary, as well as an electronic version on the Internet. We also have GAHFU offering Garifuna Classes in Los Angeles and webcasting  them over the Internet through Labuga.com, in addition, Casa Yurumein is offering Garifuna classes in New York City. When it comes to Garifuna Music yes we recognize the achievements of the late Andy Palacio, Aurelio Martinez, Pen Cayetano, etc. However, let us not forget that the biggest Punta Rock explosion of   the late 80s and 90s was a Punta Rock group by the name of Garifuna Kids, made up of first generation Garifuna-Americans and what makes all of this  more amazing, is that it  is all happening in the “Melting Pot of the World” The United States of  America! That is why I would bet my last Dollar with the naysayers that the Garifuna Culture is indeed here to stay and stronger than ever.

December 4, 2009

New York – The Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit is proud to announce that it was honored at the Union Square Awards celebration on Friday, December 4^th, as   one of the five organizations to receive the prestigious Union Square Award and $50,000 each for exceptional efforts addressing critical social and economic issues facing New Yorkers. The special ceremony was held at the historic Riverside Church in Manhattan. Español

November 25, 2009

New York – The Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit is pleased to announce that it will be honored at the Union Square Awards celebration on Friday, December 4^th, as   one of the five organizations to receive the prestigious Union Square Award and $50,000 each for exceptional efforts addressing critical social and economic issues facing New Yorkers. Español

 December 2009
NEW YORK, NY – The Union Square Awards has granted more than $15 million to New York City organizations. This year, ten organizations will be honored at the Union Square Awards celebration on Friday, December 4th. Five organizations will receive the prestigious Union Square Award and $50,000 each for exceptional efforts addressing critical social and economic issues facing New Yorkers; another five will receive the Union Square Arts Award, and each will receive a $35,000 grant in recognition of innovative work with youth and families in low-income communities.

November 15, 2009

For centuries, home has been a transient notion for the ethnic community known as the Garifuna.

Pushed around the Caribbean region by various colonial powers, many sought safe haven in New York beginning in the 1940s. They've kept coming in small waves, but have maintained a low profile — until now. 

On the cusp of the 2010 census, community leaders are asking Garifuna residents to stand up and be counted

April 12, 2009

New York – The Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit is pleased to announce that the it has been nominated for a Union Square Award.

The Union Square Award recognizes grassroots activists making important contributions to New York City. It identifies visionaries and risk takers who, motivated by a passion for human rights, address society’s most pressing social, political and economic concerns. Through organizing, advocacy, education and direct services, their actions bring diverse communities into public discourse and serve as an inspiration to others. Españo

August 1, 2009

New York – The Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization is happy to announce that Executive Director Jose Francisco Avila, has been appointed by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr to serve as a member of Bronx Community Board for a period of two years. Español

By ANDRÉS BERMÚDEZ LIÉVANO
April 03, 2009

A Central American ethnic group that has called the Bronx home for more than five decades is now trying to assert itself by becoming more active in borough affairs.