President's Message

   

YOLANDA LEZAMA-CLARK
President of WIADCA, INC.

Once again it is my distinct honor to welcome you to the 42nd staging of the West Indian American Day Carnival in Brooklyn. We have come a long way!  It is certainly a brighter day in the life of this carnival than when my father, Carlos Lezama,  and other carnival standard bearers struggled to forge a cultural identity for Caribbean people in New York City. But even while upholding their legacy, we must eclipse their contributions.  For this reason, while we fulfill our mission of celebrating our heritage and putting our culture on the world’s stage, we cannot be silent about the social issues that impact the daily lives of our community. As President of West Indian American Day Carnival Association, I am committed to harnessing the titanic power of the millions of people on Eastern Parkway by putting the spotlight on social causes. This year we have chosen cancer prevention awareness and Census 2010. With the strength and support of the Association, we have chosen as our carnival theme for 2009 – ‘Jump for the cure! Jump up and be counted!’

By urging people to ‘Jump For The Cure,’ we have partnered with the American Cancer Society in a social awareness campaign aimed at getting people tested. According to the American Cancer Society, every week, 196 individuals are diagnosed with cancer in Kings County. Seventy-two of them die. These grim statistics are not meant to frighten, but rather bring an awareness that early screening can make a difference between life and death.

In addition, WIADCA has also teamed up with the Census Bureau to spread the message of the importance of being counted in the upcoming Census 2010. This is a particularly important issue for Caribbean people who have traditionally been undercounted. But more so, being counted is about our economic power. It is a means of identifying our community segment in such a way that the Caribbean American contribution to the $630 billion black buying power is no longer marginalized.  This commitment is important in order to ensure increasing community resources in the area of housing, health, and education, just to name a few.

On November 4, 2008 the Caribbean community joined the rest of the world in applauding Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. Further, we spoke with limitless superlatives when Eric Holder, a son of Caribbean soil -- became the nation’s first Black Attorney General. But for all our achievements, our efforts will be long on rhetoric and short on substance if we do not use the experiences of our pioneers to fuel our endeavors. We must be willing to hear their voices telling us  as a community, ‘we have cleared the path, now build a better world for our children.’

 
In our continued effort for self determination, we must take the responsibility to become curators of our own destiny. We must also be innovators. To be an innovator is to see hope when all else sees despair. An innovator is one who sees an art exhibit where there are discarded posters and used car parts in a neighborhood. An innovator is one who has the vision to turn a 2 block parade consisting of 1,000 people during the challenges 60’s era, into what is now considered to be one of the largest gatherings in North America.  It is to be bold enough, resourceful enough, creative enough, courageous enough to see opportunity where everyone else sees doom. It is to have enough spirit and discipline to take advantage of every situation.

In this spirit we are pleased to announce that this year, the WIADCA --  with the kind support of The City University of New York -- will be issuing five scholarships to college bound students within the mas and steelband community.  This is our way of investing in the future and creating a new generation of innovators who will carry the torch of community building.

Let me also take this opportunity to thank all our other sponsors have stood with us even through these challenging economic times. We also thank all those whose creative effort helps to make this carnival a success every year. Thanks also to the city’s service agencies whose support is essential to this endeavor. 

Finally, I am confident that, despite the economic gloom, that there is a brighter side.    It is by working in partnerships that we can rekindle the spirit of a proud, cultural vibrant and prosperous Caribbean New York. There is no doubt that we still have mountains to climb. But a new day has dawned, sparking a new climate for change. We at the West Indian American Day Carnival Association are committed to doing our part in the coming months to make sure that community empowerment, social awareness and cultural continuity thrive in this climate and become the cornerstone of a broader national agenda. Therefore, even as you are moved by the merry monarch of carnival, we encourage you to support the cause -- take a ‘Jump for the Cure’ and Jump up and be counted this Labor Day Carnival 2009.

Thank you.
Yolanda