Commending the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) upon the occasion of hosting its 2026 Annual West Indian Day Carnival Parade on September 7, 2026

Assembly Resolution No. 1459

BY: M. of A. Bichotte Hermelyn

        COMMENDING  the  West Indian American Day Carnival
        Association (WIADCA) upon the  occasion  of  hosting
        its  2026  Annual West Indian Day Carnival Parade on
        September 7, 2026

  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 on
September 7, 2026; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That copies of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to  The  West  Indian  American  Day  Carnival  Association
(WIADCA).