The Garifuna Experience Podcast

Send us Fan Mail While the Presidential election gets the "big stage" every four years, the real engine of community change runs on a two-year cycle. In this essential explainer episode of The Garifuna Experience , host José Francisco Ávila breaks down the mechanics of the Midterm Elections and why they are the ultimate tool for Garifuna political accountability. Many of us are busy with...

Send us Fan Mail In this high-stakes episode of The Garifuna Experience , host José Francisco Ávila shifts the conversation from cultural advocacy to political accountability. As we move into the heart of the 2026 Bronx Primary season , we are mapping the "Garifuna Community of Interest" and proving that our 100,000-strong concentration in the Bronx is the ultimate tiebreaker in New York...

Send us Fan Mail On March 25th, 1990, the Bronx was shaken by a tragedy that would forever change the Garifuna diaspora. The Happy Land Social Club fire claimed 87 lives—most of them young Garifuna immigrants seeking a better life. But from the ashes of that devastating night, a movement was born. In this powerful episode of The Garifuna Experience , host José Francisco Ávila explores how a site o...

Send us Fan Mail Are we being counted, or are we being erased? In this landmark episode of The Garifuna Experience Podcast , we step into the halls of Congress to dissect the inaugural Congressional Afro-Latino Roundtable . Led by Rep. Ritchie Torres and Rep. Adriano Espaillat , this historic convening marked a turning point in federal advocacy for the Black diaspora. The Garifuna community lives...

Send us Fan Mail " Did you know that right here in New York, we celebrate the first and only official Garifuna Heritage Month in the world?." In this milestone episode of The Garifuna Experience , host José Francisco Ávila marks the 17th anniversary of Garifuna Heritage Month in New York. While we celebrate the vibrant music, food, and Afro-Indigenous traditions that define us, this year...

Send us Fan Mail "If you aren't in the data, you don't exist in the budget." In this powerful kickoff to Garifuna Heritage Month 2026 , host José Francisco Ávila bridges the 229-year gap between the shores of St. Vincent “Yurumein” and the streets of the Bronx, Brooklyn and Harlem. This episode explores the concept that civic engagement—specifically the fight for a "Comple...

Send us Fan Mail "New York lost a Congressional seat in 2020 by just 89 people. We cannot afford to let history repeat itself." In this urgent episode of The Garifuna Experience , we sit down with the New York State Census Partnership to discuss the high-stakes battle for the 2030 Census . While 2030 feels far away, the decisions made in Albany this month will determine whether our commu...

Send us Fan Mail "Nueva York perdió un escaño en el Congreso en 2020 por solo 89 personas. No podemos permitirnos que la historia se repita." En este episodio urgente de The Garifuna Experience , nos sentamos con la Asociación del Censo del Estado de Nueva York para hablar sobre la batalla de alto riesgo para el Censo de 2030 . Aunque 2030 parece lejano, las decisiones tomadas en Albany...

Send us Fan Mail "The history of the 'Banana Republic' begins with a loan that was never repaid." In this episode of The Garifuna Experience Podcast , host José Francisco Ávila pulls back the curtain on one of the most significant—yet silenced—chapters in the history of the African Diaspora. While history books often credit Italian immigrants and American corporations for the i...

Send us Fan Mail En este episodio de The Garifuna Experience Podcast , el presentador José Francisco Ávila desvela uno de los capítulos más significativos—aunque silenciados—en la historia de la diáspora africana. Aunque los libros de historia suelen atribuir a inmigrantes italianos y corporaciones estadounidenses la industrialización de la costa norte hondureña, la verdad reside en el "Hilo...

Send us Fan Mail 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 dir...

Send us Fan Mail 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 históric...

Send us Fan Mail 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 Nat...

Send us Fan Mail 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’...

Send us Fan Mail 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 time...

Send us Fan Mail 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 Sacre...

Send us Fan Mail 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 individu...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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-y...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail Happy New Year 2026! We are kicking off the year with a special milestone episode. Just six months ago, The Garifuna Experience Podcast launched 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...

Send us Fan Mail Dive into the spirit of a Garifuna Christmas as host José Francisco Ávila unveils the Wanaragua (or Jankunu ), a vibrant system of masked processionals performed from December 25th to Epiphany (January 6th). More than just a seasonal spectacle, the Wanaragua is a unique synthesis of African, English Mummer's Play, and Amerindian traditions. Discover how Garifuna men use color...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, host José Francisco Ávila dives deep into the Traditional Fedu , a cornerstone of Garifuna cultural identity and celebration, particularly in New York City. The Fedu, meaning "celebration" or "traditional women's dance," is powered by the fundamental Hüngühüngü rhythms. Listen to learn: The dual role of Fedu as both a communal holiday cele...

Send us Fan Mail The future of Garifuna prosperity is in our hands! Host José Francisco Ávila lays out a powerful, multi-faceted strategy to champion Garifuna entrepreneurship in NYC and beyond. This episode introduces the #BuyGarifuna movement—more than a hashtag, it's a commitment to creating an economic multiplier effect that builds generational wealth. Learn why Garifuna entrepreneurs fac...

Send us Fan Mail Join me as I celebrate the 56th anniversary of the Avila family's migration to the United States. In this touching episode, I retrace our steps from December 1969—traveling by train across Honduras and flying into the biting cold of a Boston winter to reunite with my father. We reflect on the "Vision of Tito Avila," my father’s prophetic advice on citizenship, and h...