The Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization is pleased to announce the filing of a Certificate of Assumed Name with the New York State Department of State, to register the assumed name Garifuna Renaissance Arts & Culture Center in compliance with Section 130 of the General Business Law. The goal is ensuring the viability of the Garifuna Intangible Heritage, raise awareness, and promote participation in the Cultural and Creative Industries.
The Garifuna are an ethnic group of mixed ancestry; descendants of African, Carib and Arawak people living along the Caribbean Coast in Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. New York City is currently home to the largest Garifuna population outside of Central America with an estimated 200,000.
As the Cultural Capital of the World, New York City is privileged to be home to one of the original Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangibles Heritage of Humanity. On May 18th, 2001, UNESCO proclaimed the Garifuna Language, Dance and Music as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The goals were to safeguard the heritage, to ensure respect for it, to raise awareness about its importance.
Furthermore, in 2014, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2015-2024 as the International Decade for People of African Descent, citing the need to strengthen national, regional and international cooperation in relation to the full enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights by people of African descent, and their full and equal participation in all aspects of society. One of the main objectives of the International Decade, is to promote a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to the development of societies.
According to UNESCO, the economic value of the Cultural and Creative Industries is critical in ensuring the restoration of justice, dignity and respect.The creative economy is an ecosystem that is built on age-old cultural heritage and traditions.
Garifuna Renaissance Arts & Culture Center aims to participate in Create NYC, a Cultural Plan for All New Yorkers of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, which is putting forth a set of strategies designed to increase equity in the City’s support for culture, artists and cultural workers from underrepresented groups. Among the guiding principles, is Equity, which acknowledges the rights of all people to participate, create, and celebrate all histories, cultures, and creative expression.
The Garifuna Intangible Cultural Heritage has enriched New York City’s cultural landscape since 1823, when William Henry Brown wrote and staged the first African American play, The Drama of King Shotaway, a historical drama based on the Black Caribs (Garifunas) defense of the island of St. Vincent in 1795 against British colonization, led by the Paramount Chief Joseph Chatoyer.
The Garifuna Renaissance Arts & Culture Center aims to leverage the historical intangible Cultural Capital of the Drama of King Shotaway, to resurrect Garifuna Art & Culture and to position New York City as the Epicenter of the Garifuna Arts & Culture. It aims to ensure the viabilityof the Garifuna Intangible Heritage, raise awareness, and promote participation in the Cultural and Creative Industries.
About Jose Franciso Avila
José Francisco Ávila is the Managing member of GALENT Entertainment, producers of the
Garifuna Music Awards and president of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc., a non-profit
advocacy organization. He was appointed by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, as a member
of the first Advisory Board of the City’s Night Economy for a period of two years.
José Francisco Ávila is the Managing member of GALENT Entertainment, producers of the
Garifuna Music Awards and president of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc., a non-profit
advocacy organization. He was appointed by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, as a member
of the first Advisory Board of the City’s Night Economy for a period of two years.
A native of Honduras, Central America, José Francisco Ávilais the chair and president of the Garifuna Coalition, USA, Inc., anon-profit advocacy organization. He has been appointed by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, as a member of the first Advisory Board of the City’s Night Economy for a period of two years. Avila is also a managing member of Galant Entertainment, producers of the Garifuna Music Awards.
For more information, GarifunaCoaliton.org or contact Jose Franciso Avila at [email protected]
