The Garifuna Experience Podcast

Episode 19 - The Garifuna Educational Journey: From Village Schools to the Doctorate

Jose Francisco Avila Episode 19

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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:

Books by José Francisco Ávila

Soundtrack 

HOST "Welcome back, family, to The Garifuna Experience Podcast! I’m your host, José Francisco Ávila. As we continue our journey, spotlighting how Garifunas are driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress, there’s one pillar that underpins it all—education. It's the engine of our advancement, not just for our community, but for the society’s progress as a whole. Let’s dive into the story of how our people became leaders in the classroom and beyond!"

The Deep-Rooted Value of Education

HOST: The drive for progress is a powerful, unifying force within the Garifuna community. And if you trace that force, you'll find it often starts with a book, a schoolhouse, or a determined parent.

The Garifuna have always held education in the highest regard. Think about this: years ago, families would endure great hardships and privations—sending their children from rural villages to cities like Trujillo or Belize to live with relatives, friends, or even non-Garifuna acquaintances. Why? Simply to access a better school. That sacrifice shows an inherent belief in the transformative power of learning.

Today, those of us in the Diaspora, particularly Garifuna Americans, have made exceptional use of the educational facilities available. It's why, even without all the up-to-the-minute statistics, we can confidently say the Garifuna have long been among the most literate people in the region of Central America.

Pioneering Educators: The Early Chapters

HOST: Our story isn’t just about receiving education; it’s about giving it. In the early expansion of education in Belize and Honduras, the pioneering work of Garifuna men and women is widely acknowledged. They were the ones willing to accept teaching positions in the most remote villages, enduring real hardships to light the lamp of knowledge across the country.

Consider that in 1884 Santiago Beni, became the first Garifuna teacher in Belize at the Dangriga Methodist School. As well as the role of Roman Catholic Church, which opened schools and specialized in teacher education. Who were some of the first? Cirilo Guiterrez from Punta Gorda and Mr. Arzu from Barranco, both pioneering Garifuna teachers starting around 1892. They spread learning and literacy, even in the wilds of the Toledo District.

And in Honduras, we celebrate Guillermina Martínez Solís, recognized as the first Garifuna Certified Teacher in 1933. Her illustrious career saw her mentor countless Garifuna generations—a true testament to the legacy she built. 

Meanwhile , in Belize, in 1946, when Primary School Certificate examination was first introduced in Belize by the Colonial Education Department, Clifford Palacio passed the test qualifying him to become a pupil (student) teacher.

Towards the end of the 1940's Garifuna students Theodore Palacio, Agustin Flores, Eugene Hernandez, Govel Morgan, and Clifford Palacio assisted in the compilation of a Garifuna dictionary headed Saint John's College in Belize City, working under the supervision of Father John Stochl S.J.  This was the first work that had the potential for stimulating interest and serving as a tool in promoting literacy in Garifuna.  

Around the same time, Alfonso  Lacayo Sánchez, (1923–1985), became the first Honduran Garifuna medical doctor to graduate from the National Honduran Autonomous University.

We must also recognize the monumental civil rights icon in Guatemala, Mr. Pablo Roberto Mejia, affectionately known as "Don Beto." He spearheaded the development of the Garifuna community of Livingston (Labuga), focusing on everything from constructing the main road and renovating schools to building the gym and securing the Martin Luther King School. But his ultimate tenacity? Focusing on economic empowerment and development through education.

Garifuna Education in New York: Milestones

The Garifuna community in New York City has long championed education. The movement gained significant momentum in 1989 when a group of dedicated Garifuna teachers working for the New York City Board of Education—Lydia Sacasa-Hill, Mirtha Sabio, and Dionisia Amaya—took action.

They organized Mujeres Garinagu En Marcha Pro Educación (MUGAMA) Garinagu Women on The March Pro Education. The organization was founded with clear, powerful goals:

  • To promote the highest quality of education for Garinagu children.
  • To create a space where parents and community members could discuss and seize educational opportunities.
  • To develop scholarship programs and family assistance to support educational pursuits.

MUGAMA's vision was to raise funds to provide scholastic awards and career scholarships for deserving Garinagu high school graduates who wanted to pursue higher education.

A Historic Breakthrough in Bilingual Education

Just two years later, in 1991, the United Garifuna Association, led by the late Felix Miranda,  achieved a major, historical breakthrough. After years of advocacy, the New York City Board of Education officially decreed Bilingual Services for Garífuna-speaking students within the Public School system.

This monumental decision recognized the Garifuna language within one of the largest school systems in the world, marking a decisive victory for cultural preservation and student success.

🎓 Doctor of Philosophy (PhDs) and Progress: Garifunas as Intellectual Leaders

HOST: Fast forward to today, and that tenacious focus on education is manifesting in a remarkable way. We are seeing an impressive number of individuals achieving PhDs across diverse, often critical fields. This signifies more than just personal ambition; it shows a deep community commitment to intellectual advancement.

What is a PhD or Professional Doctorate Degree?

PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy and is considered the highest postgraduate achievement you can earn. To complete a doctorate, you must produce significant and original research. You'll develop critical knowledge and understanding of a particular research area.

Since it is an earned research degree, those studying for a PhD are required to produce original research that expands the boundaries of knowledge, normally in the form of a dissertation, and, in some cases, defend their work before a panel of other experts in the field.

Several individuals with Garifuna heritage have earned PhDs and are making significant contributions in various fields. Garifuna  scholars are tackling pressing societal challenges. Their research, whether it's addressing public health disparities, creating innovative materials, or focusing on cultural preservationthrough bilingual education, directly contributes to a nation's knowledge base and innovation capacity. This positions the Garifuna not merely as beneficiaries of education, but as intellectual leaders and problem-solvers.

Just look at the impressive list of Garifuna academic achievers who hold or are achieving doctorate degrees. These are just a few examples of the powerful impact we are making:

1.     Dr. Theodore Roosevelt Aranda, PhD in Education from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 1971.

2.     Dr. Joseph Palacio, PhD in Social Anthropology, the University of California at Berkeley 1982

3.     Dr. Joycelin Palacio-Cayetano, PhD in Microbiology and immunology  University of Southern California, 1997

4.     Dr. Vincent Palacio,  PhD in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Montana, 1998

5.     Dr. Theodore J.M. Ogaldez, PhD in Education from  and Human Resources,  Colorado State University , 2003

6.     Dr. Boyd Servio-Mariano, PhD in  Anthropology, University of Albany, 2010. Professor in the Anthropology department at Baltimore City Community College. Garifunaduáü: Cultural Continuity, Change and Resistance in the Garifuna Diaspora (Doctoral dissertation). 2010

7.     Dr. Philip Tim Palacio PhD in  Educational Leadership and Management, Drexel University, 2012

8.     Dr. Gwen Nunez Gonzalez, PhD in  Education, Organizational Leadership and Higher Education, Nova Southeastern University. With a dissertation focus on Intercultural Bilingual Education. 2013

9.     Dr Doris Garcia,  PhD in Geography and Anthropology from Louisiana State University,. Her dissertation, "Place, Race, and the Politics of Identity in the Geography of Garinagu Baündada," investigates the historical and geographical processes that shaped the Garifuna people and their relationship to the land, particularly in Honduras.  2014

10. Dr. Paul Joseph López Oro, PhD in African and African Diaspora Studies, The University of Texas at Austin. Assistant Professor and Director of Africana Studies. He is a transdisciplinary Black Studies scholar whose teaching and research interests are on Black Latin American and U.S. Black Latinx social movements, Black diaspora theories and ethnographies, and Black Queer Feminisms. 2020

11. Dr. Rony Castillo, PhD Latin American Studies/Sociolinguistics, University of Texas Austin, He defended his dissertation: Iseri Lidawamari:  Territorial and Educational Autonomy in the Garifuna Community of Vallecito in Honduras. PhD in science (with emphasis on business administration), Catholic University of Honduras. 2020

12. Dr. Daisy Guzman Nunez, PhD in African and African Diaspora Studies,  University of Texas-Austin, 2024. Assistant Professor University of Massachusetts Amherst, W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies. Her teaching and research interests are on Hemispheric Blackness, Black Feminist Ethnographies and Oral histories, and Black Indigenous Feminisms. 2024

13. Dr. Nodia Mena, PhD in in Cultural Foundations of Education with a concentration in Garifuna Culture, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Part-Time Lecturer for Spanish at Guilford College 2024,

14. Dr. Hector E. Zapata David, PhD in Education., M.S.Ed., Marymount University, 2024

15. Dr. Nixon Ricardo Arauz Melendez, PhD in Social & Behavioral Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. He successfully defended his dissertation: "An Exploratory Study of Racial Disparities in Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Uptake Among Black Garifuna/Garifuna (H/L) Men: Insights into Vaccine Behaviors, Vaccine Information-Seeking Behaviors, Communication Preferences, and Tailored Messaging" Dr. Arauz’s research shines a light on vaccine. 2024

16. Dr. Johana Elizabeth Thomas Zapata, PhD in  Mathematics and Science Education. Teaching Beyond the Numbers: Mathematical Modeling As A Catalyst for Equity in Elementary Classrooms. 2025

17. Dr. Nestor Agustin Guity Zapata PhD in Social Sciences from the Centre for Urban Transitions at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia.  His research focused on housing cooperatives in Australia and Honduras.

18. Dr. Edelmy Janice Marin Bernardez PhD in Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Postdoctoral Research Associate at Savannah River National Laboratory. Successfully defended her dissertation, titled "Development of Innovative Materials and Electrolytes for Next Generation Batteries."

The Way Forward

HOST: From sacrificing to send children to primary school to earning the highest degrees in complex fields, the Garifuna journey is one defined by educational resilience and success. This progress is our contribution—driving our people forward and actively enriching the social, intellectual, and economic landscape.

We’re not done yet; this is a tradition we must continue to nurture and support.

Outro

HOST (Warm, appreciative): "And that wraps up another illuminating episode of The Garifuna Experience Podcast. I want to thank you for joining me on this powerful episode,  From Village Schools to the Doctorate: The Garifuna Educational Journey.  We’ll be back soon with another vital episode of The Garifuna Experience Podcast

Remember, the future of the Garifuna people is in our hands, and we are driving Power, Prosperity, and Progress. Until next time, stay united, stay proud. Sungubei Lidan Aban Ayo!

Host: Thank you for listening. Find new episodes of The Garifuna Experience Podcast every Tuesday. 

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