As the “Cultural Capital” of the World, New York City has the privilege of hosting one of the original "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity." 

The Garifuna Heritage has enriched the cultural landscape of New York City for 200 years! Dramaturgist William Henry Brown wrote and staged the first African American play, The Drama of King Shotaway in 1823, a historical drama based on the Black Caribs (Garifuna) defense of the island of St. Vincent in 1795 against British colonization, led by the Paramount Chief Joseph Chatoyer.