The Garifuna Experience Podcast

Episode 35 - Passing the Torch: Garifuna Millennials and Gen Z Leading the Way

• Jose Francisco Avila • Episode 35

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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!

Resources:

Soundtrack

HOST: Mabuiga! Hello, and welcome to The Garifuna Experience Podcast. I’m your host, José Francisco Ávila.

This episode is a cornerstone of our special series, "Hidden Voices: The Garifuna Demographic Undercounted and Underrepresented." Today, we are diving into a topic that is absolutely essential for our community’s survival and growth: Passing the Torch: Garifuna Millennials and Gen Z Leading the Way.

🛑 The Invisible Majority: The Representation Gap

For too long, the Garifuna community has been celebrated as a vibrant cultural group, but ignored as a distinct demographic category. When we are not counted in the data, we are not considered in the budget.

Right now, Garifuna youth leadership is thriving in the shadows—through cultural preservation, grassroots advocacy, and tech initiatives. But we need to move that energy from the community centers to the halls of power.

Consider these numbers: The Bronx is home to the largest Garifuna community in the United States. We are 250,000 strong in New York City, with an estimated 100,000 in the Bronx alone. Yet, despite our numbers, we are almost entirely absent from state and city politics.

As of today, we have only one Garifuna community member holding local political office in New York State: Gustavo Santos, Town Board Member in Guilderland, who has been serving since January 2024.

One person in 94 years,  for a community of a quarter of a million!

By 2030—the centennial of the Garifuna establishment in New York City—we must reach a new benchmark: True Political Representation. It is time for the Baby Boomer generation to pass the torch and for the Millennials and Gen Z, so they can ensure that the flame burns brighter for future torchbearers.

💡 The Inspiration: Why Now is Our Moment

The recent historic election of Zohran Mamdani in New York City serves as a powerful testament to what focused community mobilization can do. His victory as the city's first Muslim mayor, first of South Asian heritage, and the youngest in over a century, confirms that the political guard in NYC is shifting.

Mamdani’s success wasn't an accident. It was fueled by the highest voter turnout for a citywide election in a decade, led by voters aged 18 to 29. This is our proof point: Generational change is inevitable, and it is the only way to ensure the Garifuna demographic’s needs are met.

This is the spark behind The Garifuna Leadership Project. Our mission is to identify, recruit, and support young candidates to run for local and state offices, building a sustainable Pipeline of Power.

🔑 Reclaiming Civic Power: Our 2026 Goals

We are moving from being "excluded" to being "essential." To do this, we must demystify the political system—from county committees to the City Council.

To lay this groundwork, we have set three measurable goals for December 2026:

1.    📈 Increase Civic Engagement: Boost active participation among residents aged 16–35 by 40%.

2.    🤝 Pipeline Development: Support at least 100 New York City-based leaders in joining Community Boards, advisory councils, and district leadership positions.

3.    📢 Establish a Shared Agenda: Launch the Garifuna-American RoundTable, an annual event connecting business owners, activists, and youth to formalize our collective civic agenda.

🎯 The Pipeline of Power: Candidate Recruitment

The Garifuna Leadership Project is more than a program; it is our dedicated Interest Group. We are looking for "Homegrown Leaders"—people already volunteering, organizing, and mentoring in their own neighborhoods. We don’t want to convince you to move home to run; we want you to step up because you are home.

Lowering the Barriers to Entry

Politics can feel like an insider’s game. We are here to change that by providing "under-the-hood" technical support, including:

  • New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) Compliance: We help  provide training on C-SMART financial disclosure and navigating the Matching Funds Program.
  • Digital Fundraising: Master the "Contribute" platforms for both campaigns and donors.
  • Tactical Strategy: Expert advice on campaign mechanics, donor access, and political networking.

We are following the model of the late Senator Paul Wellstone, who famously said:

"Electoral politics without community organizing is a politics without a base. And community organizing without grassroots electoral politics is a marginal politics."

The Garifuna Leadership Project merges these two worlds. We are building a politics with a head and a heart.

🔎 Developing the “Talent Bench”

How do we find the next generation of leaders? We look where the talent already is:

  • Professional Networking: Quarterly sessions for young Garifuna professionals.
  • Digital Reach: Meeting our youth where they live—on Instagram and TikTok.
  • Structured Mentorship: A formal system connecting our experienced elders with Gen Z mentees to ensure skills and knowledge are passed down systematically.

📢 A Call to Action

The torch is being passed—not out of obligation, but out of necessity. The future of the Garifuna community rests in the hands of the leaders we support today.

If you are under 40, if you have the passion, and if you love your community: It is your time to step forward.

(Sound Cue: Music swells slightly)

OUTRO: And that wraps up another illuminating episode of The Garifuna Experience Podcast.

Thank you for listening. Remember: The future of the Garifuna people is in our hands. By passing the torch, we are driving Power, Prosperity, and Progress.

Until next time, stay united, stay proud. Sungubei Lidan Aban! (Unity is Strength!) Ayo!

HOST: Find new episodes every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, and iHeartRadio. 

Please follow, rate, and review the Garifuna Experience Podcast, your support helps us share our vital Garifuna experience with more people around the world.

Soundtrack

Head Shot

José Francisco Ávila

Host