Assembly Resolution No. 753
BY: M. of A. Bichotte Hermelyn
COMMENDING the West Indian American Day Carnival
Association (WIADCA) upon the occasion of hosting
its 2025 Annual West Indian Day Carnival Parade on
September 1, 2025
WHEREAS, The West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA)
was established in 1967 with the mission to promote, develop, and
celebrate Caribbean culture, heritage, and traditions through artistic
and educational programming; and
WHEREAS, WIADCA organizes the Annual West Indian Day Carnival
Parade, held the first Monday in September, as one of the largest
Caribbean and most significant cultural celebrations in the world,
drawing millions of attendees annually to the streets of Brooklyn, New
York, along Eastern Parkway for its iconic Labor Day Parade; and
WHEREAS, The Annual West Indian Day Carnival Parade stands as a
cultural cornerstone that brings together an array of artists and
performers across New York and beyond, featuring the rich and diverse
cultural traditions of music, dance, cuisine, and creativity brought
from the Caribbean diaspora; and
WHEREAS, WIADCA's events displays a variety of Caribbean art forms,
including calypso, soca, reggae, steel pan, and traditional mas
(masquerade), preserving these cultural expressions for future
generations while showcasing the community's many beautiful skills and
talents; and
WHEREAS, The West Indian Day Carnival Parade significantly
contributes to the local economy by supporting small businesses,
tourism, and hospitality, while also strengthening community pride and
multicultural awareness in New York City; and
WHEREAS, WIADCA plays a vital role in community development by
providing youth and family programming, cultural education, and
leadership opportunities to engage the next generation in the
celebration of their heritage, while also supporting the most vulnerable
by providing free hot meals, holiday season giveaways, scholarships, and
more; and
WHEREAS, The parade promotes cross-cultural dialogue, civic
engagement, and artistic expression, and provides a platform for
Caribbean Americans to celebrate their identities and histories while
making these communities feel welcome and embraced; and
WHEREAS, WIADCA further fosters unity and inclusion by inviting
elected officials, advocacy organizations, and community leaders to
march in the parade, further promoting community pride; and
WHEREAS, The organizers and community, including the West Indian
American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), work tirelessly to ensure
the safety, inclusivity, and success of the parade through partnerships
with local leaders, law enforcement, city agencies, and volunteers; and
WHEREAS, WIADCA continues to honor and uplift diverse cultural
traditions, and serves as a vital platform for youth empowerment,
economic opportunity, public safety collaboration, and community
leadership, all while strengthening the multicultural identity of
Brooklyn and the State of New York; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) upon
the occasion of hosting its Annual West Indian Day Carnival Parade; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The West Indian American Day Carnival Association
(WIADCA).
