The Garifuna Experience Podcast

How Jesse Jackson’s Vision Ignited the Modern Garifuna Movement

• Jose Francisco Avila

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In this powerful bonus episode, host José Francisco Ávila takes us back to the vibrant energy of the 1980s—a time of "Mental Emancipation" fueled by the Black Power movement, the defiant lyrics of Bob Marley, and the political earthquake of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s "Rainbow Coalition."

José reveals how Jackson’s historic 1988 presidential campaign served as the direct catalyst for organizing the Garifuna community in New York City. From the first pivotal meeting on February 5, 1989, at the Club Cubano Interamericano in the Bronx, to the modern-day fight for visibility, this episode bridges our history with our future.

Tune in to hear:

  • How the "Black is Beautiful" era redefined Garifuna identity in the diaspora.
  • The legacy of pioneers like Ms. Dionisia “Nicha” Amaya Bonilla and Ms. Lydia Sacaza-Hill.

·       Why the Census 2030 Garifuna Complete Count Committee is the next frontier in our struggle for dignity and representation.

"Representation is not given—it is organized." Join the movement today.

Resources:

Books by José Francisco Ávila


Soundtrack

Welcome back to the Garifuna Experience Podcast, I’m your host José Francisco Ávila, and today, as we mourn the loss of a giant among men, a symbol of hope, love, dignity, and unshakable courage, we’re stepping outside our usual schedule for a special bonus conversation. 

This special episode pays tribute to the late Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, who went to be with the lord on Tuesday, February 17. May he Rest in Power. 

Intro

José: "They told us, 'Say it loud I’m Black and I’m Proud!' They told us, 'Black is Beautiful.' And then, in 1984 and 1988, Reverend Jesse Jackson told us that we were a 'Rainbow and to keep hope alive!' 

Rev. Jesse Jackson’s 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns didn’t just change politics… they changed me.

We’re talking about the spark that turned a personal awakening into a lifelong movement, How Jesse Jackson's Vision Ignited the Garifuna Movement—and why that same spark needs to be a wildfire today as we look toward the year 2030."

Segment 1: The Mental Emancipation

José: "When I first arrived in United States of America, the air was thick with change. We weren’t just 'Negro' anymore; we were Black. We were proud. I remember listening to Bob Marley’s Redemption Song—that line about 'emancipating yourselves from mental slavery.' It hit me: we weren't just fighting for jobs or housing; we were fighting for our right to exist as the subjects of our own story.

In 1988, when Jesse Jackson ran again and doubled his results, he proved that our voices weren't just loud—they were a force. For me, his leadership was the catalyst. It was the sign I needed to begin organizing the U.S.  Garifuna community.

I saw the parallels immediately. The challenges facing the Garifuna people—invisibility, economic inequality, and the struggle for dignity, mirrored the systemic barriers faced by African Americans. I realized that if African Americans could mobilize and demand recognition, so could we.

My mission became clear:

·       To Inform and educate our people.

·       To Empower the next generation.

·       To Advocate for our collective rights.

I wanted Garifunas to become the subjects of our own history, no longer the objects of someone else’s narrative.

Segment 2: The Sunday That Changed Everything

José: "Fast forward to Sunday, February 5th, 1989. We were at the Club Cubano Interamericano on Prospect Avenue, in the Bronx. It wasn't a fancy gala. It was the birth of  the modern Garifuna organizational movement in New York.

I think about Leslie Avila Reyes, the late Dionisia 'Nicha' Amaya Bonilla and Lydia Sacaza-Hill. They weren't just attendees; they were architects. We realized that day that power isn't something someone hands you in a gift box. Power is something you build, brick by brick, meeting by meeting.

We didn't just want to be a footnote in NYC history. We wanted to be the authors of the chapter.

Building Power, Not Asking for Permission

Community organizing is about more than just meetings; it’s about direct action. We learned to identify our issues, train our leaders, and force our concerns into the public eye to affect policy.

Rev. Jesse Jackson taught us three fundamental truths that still guide our movement today:

1.    Representation is not given — it is organized.

2.    Power is not granted — it is built.

3.    Dignity is not requested — it is claimed.

His legacy helped ignite a flame of Garifuna consciousness that continues to burn, through Garifuna Heritage Month, March 11 – April 12. We honor that path by continuing the work.

Segment 3: The 2030 Mission (The "Why Now")

José: "So, why am I telling you this now? Because the fight for dignity didn't end in 1989. It’s evolving.

Right now, we are facing a massive obstacle: The Garifuna Demographics are Undercounted and Underrepresented and it’s time to be counted and heard in the 2030 Census. If we aren't counted, we don't exist in the eyes of the government. No funding for our schools. No resources for our youth and seniors. No political voice for our youth.

We are launching the Census 2030 Garifuna Complete Count Committee. We need the same spirit that Leslie, Mama Nicha and Lydia brought to Prospect Avenue thirty-seven years ago. We need yourleadership."

[8:30-Outro] The Call to Action

José: "Jesse Jackson said it best: 'Representation is not given—it is organized.'

I’m asking you to join me and Gregoria Flores Nunez. Visit our website or click the link in the show notes to join the Census 2030 Garifuna Complete Count Committee. Let’s make sure that when the history of the next decade is written, the Garifuna people aren't just a culture to be celebrated; we are a voting and power bloc ready to be activated!

May we continue to work in purpose.

HOST: I’m José Francisco Ávila. This has been a bonus edition of the Garifuna Experience. Stay empowered."

Thank you for listening. Remember: The future of the Garifuna people is in our hands, but that future is fueled by knowing our true worth in the past.

Until next time, stay united, stay proud. Sungubei Lidan Aban. Ayo!

HOST: Find new episodes of The Garifuna Experience every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your pods. Please rate and review—it helps our history reach the world.

Soundtrack

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José Francisco Ávila

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