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The Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-partisan organization dedicated to the civic, social, and economic empowerment of the Garifuna-American community. Founded in 1998 in the heart of the Bronx, we serve as the primary bridge between one of New York City’s most vibrant Central American diasporas and the American dream. For nearly 30 years, we have proven that a fully engaged, informed, and mobilized Garifuna community doesn’t just benefit our families—it creates a more perfect and inclusive union for all Americans.
Empowering the Garifuna-American community and giving them a voice through civic, social, and economic engagement.
The Garifuna are an Afro-Indigenous people descended from Arawak, Kalinago, and West African ancestors. They are defined by a common homeland in St. Vincent (“Yurumein“), a history of forcible displacement by the British to Roatán, Honduras, in 1797, and a UNESCO-recognized oral and intangible cultural heritage encompassing language, spirituality, music, dance, and collective ancestral land title.
Today, Garifuna communities span the Caribbean coasts of Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and New York City.
Garifuna migration to New York City began in the 1930s, when men arrived as merchant marines seeking economic opportunity. Their numbers grew significantly during World War II through the National Maritime Union, headquartered in New York, which connected them to steady employment in the maritime industry.
Yet the community remained largely invisible to the broader city until March 25, 1990, when an arsonist set fire to the Happy Land Social Club in the Bronx, killing 87 people. The majority of the victims were Hondurans of Garifuna descent.
In the 36 years since Happy Land, the Garifuna community has emerged as a visible civic and cultural force, advancing civic engagement, economic inclusion, and cultural preservation.
New York City is now home to the largest Garifuna population outside Central America — an estimated 250,000 residents concentrated in the South Bronx, Harlem, Brownsville, and East New York in Brooklyn. Garifuna-led organizations continue to build awareness of the community’s contributions to the city’s cultural and civic life.
On May 18th, 2001, UNESCO proclaimed the Garifuna language, dance, and music to be among the “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”. Acknowledging a heritage worthy of recognition and cultural protection, UNESCO’s intervention has reinforced local efforts to promote Garifuna expressive culture, bringing renewed dedication to teaching the Garifuna language, dance, and music, particularly targeting young Garifuna at home and abroad.
Recognized annually since 2008 from March 11th – April 12th, Garifuna Heritage Month celebrates the rich history, culture, and contributions of the Garifuna people.
This observance commemorates the anniversary of the British Empire’s forcible exile of the Garifuna from their homeland in St. Vincent “Yurumein” on March 11th, 1797, and their subsequent settlement in Central America, on April 12, 1797.
Since 2010, Governors David Paterson, Andrew M. Cuomo, and Kathy Hochul, have proclaimed March 11, to April 12, as Garifuna-American Heritage Month in the State of New York.
In 2023, the Historic Districts Council (HDC), selected Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc., an organization representing a culturally dijerentiated Atro-indigenous community who began migrating to New York City in the 1930s, in their ejorts to be more ejective in their strategy to identify the historic resources in their community and promote the community’s significance.
Six to Celebrate, an annual listing of historic New York City neighborhoods that merit preservation attention. Six to Celebrate is New York’s only citywide list of preservation priorities.This recognition highlights the importance in preserving and promoting the history of the Garifuna people in New York City.
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