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Mabuiga! Welcome to The Garifuna Experience Podcast — the definitive voice for the Garifuna Community.
GALENT Media & Publishing | The Garifuna Experience Podcast and Newsletter
Editorial Mission Statement
Overview: GALENT Media & Publishing is an independent news and multimedia organization dedicated to the primary newsgathering, reporting, and analysis of issues affecting the Garifuna and Afro-Latino diaspora. Through our flagship platform, The Garifuna Experience Podcast and Newsletter, we serve as a critical journalistic bridge between the global diaspora and the local civic landscapes of New York City and New York State.
Our Journalistic Purpose Our mission is to amplify underrepresented voices through rigorous, authentic storytelling and investigative narratives that drive prosperity, power, and progress. We are committed to providing our audience with:
- Original Newsgathering: Primary coverage of legislative developments, civic initiatives (such as Census 2030), and community-led social movements.
- Accountability Journalism: Providing a platform for direct engagement with elected officials and candidates, specifically through our "2026 Election Spotlight" and "Know Your Representative" series.
- Cultural Advocacy: Reporting on the preservation of Garifuna language, landmarks, and economic equity within the multicultural fabric of New York.
Editorial Integrity & Independence GALENT Media & Publishing operates under the principles of editorial independence. Our content is designed to educate, engage, and mobilize the Garifuna community toward informed civic participation. We do not engage in lobbying; our primary function is the dissemination of news and the cultivation of an informed public sphere for the Garifuna people and the broader Afro-descendant community.
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48 Episodes
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Send a text 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 Invisible" del poder económico garífuna. Antes de que Standard Fruit Company (ahora Dole Food Company) se co...
Send a text "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 industrialization of the Honduran North Coast, the truth lies in the “Unseen Thread” of Garifuna economic power. Before the ...
Send a text 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, a...
Send a text 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 histórica campaña presidencial de Jackson en 1988 sirvió como el catalizador directo para organizar la comunidad garífuna en ...
Send a text 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 National Football League (NFL). As the world prepares for Super Bowl LX, Host José Francisco Ávila honors Black Hist...
Send a text 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’s journey is a masterclass in resilience and community building. We explore her transition from a housekeeper in T...
Send a text 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 timeline that begins nearly a century earlier. We explore "The Unseen Thread"—the historical connections th...
Send a text 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 Sacred Time are creating a sustainable pipeline for 100 new leaders. Whether you are a Gen Z seeker or a veteran builder, this ...
Send a text 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 Expe...
Send a text 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 250,000 Garifuna residents in New York City—and a 100,000-strong concentration in the Bronx—our community has th...
Send a text 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-year battle for Garifuna visibility. The U.S. Census is more than a population count—it is a $1.5 trilli...
Send a text 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 Globes (Jan 11, 2026) and the 98th Oscars voting window.The Pioneer: Celebrating Juan José Laboriel(1...
Send a text Happy New Year 2026! We are kicking off the year with a special milestone episode. Just six months ago, The Garifuna Experience Podcastlaunched 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, we revisit the highlights of our first 31 episodes—from the historical drama of King Shotaway to...
Send a text 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 colorful regalia, powerful drumming, and stylized movements to playfully mock and resist past British military op...
Send a text 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 celebration (Christmas, New Year's) and a spiritual ritual.The three pillars of the Fedu: live drumming (primero, segunda, tercera),...
Send a text 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 #BuyGarifunamovement—more than a hashtag, it's a commitment to creating an economic multiplier effect that builds generational wealth. Learn why Garifuna entrepreneurs face unique hurdles, and discover our ambitious plan to provide solutions: from launching a new Garifuna-Owned ...
Send a text 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 honor the legacy of our pioneer, Tia Berta. From the 1965 Immigration Reform Act to the modern struggles at the border...
Send a text Join José Francisco Ávila for a festive exploration of The Pororó, a unique and enduring Guatemalan Garifuna tradition! Discover how the Garifuna community celebrates the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe on December 12th with a magnificent three-day festival. We delve into the captivating cultural fusion of the Pororó—from the collective, circle dance accompanied by traditional Garifuna instruments, to the beautiful incorporation of Queqchi indigenous costumes (the huipil and cut)...
Send a text This week, we pause to honor the life and profound legacy of a man whose vision, music, and activism continues to shape our identity: Andy Vivien Palacio (1960–2008). Andy was not just an artist; he was a cultural champion whose journey was galvanized by a truly formative experience in the 1980s—a moment he described as a “real wake-up call” when he witnessed the near-disappearance of the Garifuna language in Nicaragua. The Man Who Gave Belize Its 'National Sound' In this episode,...
Send a text Join host José Francisco Ávila for an inspiring journey to the Caribbean coast of Guatemala as we celebrate Garifuna Settlement Day, observed every year on November 26th. This episode honors the historic arrival of the Garifuna people and their enduring legacy in Livingston ("LaBuga"). We explore the profound cultural significance of this national holiday, including the vibrant Yurumein Ceremony, which re-enacts the landing with drums and traditional music on the beach. We also ce...
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