New York (March 13, 2023) - The Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc., a nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization is delighted to inform that The Historic Districts Council (HDC), New York’s city-wide advocate for historic buildings and neighborhoods, has announced the 2023 Six To Celebrate, its annual program honoring historic New York City neighborhoods and cultural sites and the local community groups working to preserve and enhance them. This year, HDC has selected the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. among the Six To Celebrate community
groups.
Six to Celebrate (STC) is a dynamic program of the Historic Districts Council, and New York’s only targeted citywide list of preservation priorities. The purpose of the program is to provide strategic resources and help groups achieve their preservation goals.
“The Historic District Council will support the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc., an organization representing a culturally differentiated Afro-indigenous community who began migrating to New York City in the 1930s, in their efforts to be more effective in their strategy to identify the historic resources in their community and promote the community’s significance.”
Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. has been chosen due to the architectural and cultural relevance of the proposed area, and because its goals are aligned with the Historic District Council's mission to preserve and promote New York City's historic buildings and neighborhoods, said Chairman of the Board José Francisco Ávila.
Applications for Six to Celebrate were submitted by neighborhood groups around the city. The winners were chosen on the basis of architectural, cultural, and historic merit, the presence and level of threats to the area, and the commitment shown by local advocates to promote their work.
Another important element was an assessment of where HDC’s citywide preservation perspective and assistance could be the most meaningful. Throughout 2023, HDC will work with and focus on these neighborhood partners to set and reach preservation goals through strategic planning, advocacy, outreach, programs, and building public awareness. This work is in addition to HDC’s ongoing support and advocacy for numerous neighborhood preservation efforts throughout the city.
Founded in 1970 as a coalition of community groups from the city’s designated historic districts, HDC has grown to become one of the foremost citywide voices for historic preservation. Serving a network of over 500 neighborhood-based community groups in all five boroughs, HDC strives to protect, preserve, and enhance New York City’s historic buildings and neighborhoods through ongoing advocacy, community development, and education programs.