Thousands of Jamaicans, Caribbean Diaspora Members and Friends of Jamaica Take to the Streets for Inaugural Celebration
BROOKLYN, NY — August 10, 2026 — Thousands of Jamaicans, members of the Caribbean Diaspora, elected officials, community leaders, entertainers, organizations businesses, families and friends of Jamaica took to the streets of Brooklyn on Saturday, August 8, for the historic inaugural Jamaica Rising Day Parade, marking an extraordinary new chapter in the celebration of Jamaican culture and heritage in New York City.
Against a sea of Black, Green and Gold, Brooklyn came alive with Jamaican flags, music, dancing and an overwhelming expression of national pride as participants gathered to commemorate Jamaica’s 188th anniversary of Emancipation and 64th anniversary of Independence.
Ribbon Cutting for the Inaugural Jamaica Rising Day Parade. Among those participating Dr. Bill Tinglin, Chair of the Founding Committee; Mickael Maribou & Claudette Powell, RN, Founding Committee Members; Jumaane Williams, NY City Public Advocate; Nadine Sutherland, Grand Marsha, and Honorary Grand Marshals Ariel Bowen, Consulate General of Jamaica; Kamar Samuels, NY City Schools Chancellor and Assemblywoman Monique Chandler-Waterman
Photo by Richard Scalzo / A Fixed Moment
Website: https://afixedmoment.com or Instagram: @a_fixed_moment
What began as a vision became a reality as Jamaicans from across generations, communities and backgrounds came together for a celebration rooted in Jamaica’s enduring national principle: “Out of Many, One People.”
“This was bigger than a parade. We witnessed the birth of a movement and, potentially, a new Jamaican tradition in New York City,” said Dr. Lawman Lynch, Co-Founder and Deputy Chair of the Jamaica Rising Day Parade, who also served as Parade Director.
“There were many challenges in bringing an inaugural event of this magnitude to life, but when we saw thousands of people proudly carrying the Jamaican flag through the streets of Brooklyn, we knew that every meeting, every obstacle, every sleepless night and every sacrifice had been worth it.”
The inaugural parade attracted a broad cross-section of the Jamaican and Caribbean community, including cultural and community organizations, entertainers, DJs, advocates, businesses, sponsors, volunteers, families and supporters from throughout the New York metropolitan area and beyond.
The celebration also welcomed distinguished elected officials, civic leaders and dignitaries, underscoring the important role Jamaica and the Jamaican-American community continue to play in the cultural, civic and economic fabric of New York City. Reggae legend and international recording artist Nadine Sutherland, OD, served as Grand Marshal. New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, Assemblywoman Monique Chandler-Waterman, the outgoing Officer in Charge at the Consulate General of Jamaica in New York, Jamaica’s Ambassador Designate to Japan Mrs. Ariel Bowen, and Jamaican-born NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuel served as Honorary Grand Marshals.
Jamaican reggae legend Nadine Sutherland (2nd right), Grand Marshal walk with Honorary Grand Marshals Kamar Samuels, NYC Schools Chancellor; Ariel Bowen, Consulate General of Jamaica, Officer in Charge and Assemblywoman Monique Chandler-Waterman
Photo by Richard Scalzo / A Fixed Moment
Website: https://afixedmoment.com or Instagram: @a_fixed_moment
A Historic Day of Celebration
The historic day began with a Pre-Parade Breakfast at the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) in Brooklyn, bringing together dignitaries, community leaders, partners and supporters before participants transitioned to the day’s parade activities.
For organizers, the event represented the fulfillment of a vision to establish a signature annual celebration that could unite the Jamaican community while showcasing Jamaica’s extraordinary cultural contributions to New York and the wider Diaspora. “The Jamaica Rising Day Parade was conceived as more than a one-day celebration,” said Dr. Bill Tinglin, Co-Founder and Chairman. “Its broader vision is to create an enduring annual platform through which Jamaica’s extraordinary cultural heritage, people, music, businesses, organizations and contributions to the Diaspora can be celebrated and elevated.”
Organizers acknowledged that producing a first-year event of this scale presented significant logistical and operational challenges, including changes to elements of the originally planned program. Nevertheless, the tremendous public response, enthusiastic participation and peaceful celebration demonstrated the strong demand for, and tremendous potential of, Jamaica Rising Day. “We learned tremendously from this inaugural year, and plans are already afoot for 2027,” Dr. Lynch added. “There are areas we will strengthen, and conversations with our partners and City agencies have already begun. We intend to listen, evaluate and improve. But today, we must also recognize what was accomplished: Jamaicans showed up. Our community showed up. And together, we made history.”
Jamaicans Take Over the Streets of Brooklyn for Jamaica Day Parade
Photo by Richard Scalzo / A Fixed Moment
Website: https://afixedmoment.com or Instagram: @a_fixed_moment
Gratitude to the Community
Organizers expressed profound gratitude to the City of New York, the New York City Police Department (NYPD), FDNY, participating City agencies, the Consulate General of Jamaica in New York, elected officials, sponsors, community organizations, entertainers, DJs, volunteers, marshals, media partners, vendors, supporters and the thousands of individuals who answered the call to participate. Thank you to Victoria Mutual Bank New York, MetroPlus, Jamaica National, Rainbow Car Service, Tower Isles and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) for their sponsorship support.
Special recognition was extended to the members of the Jamaica Rising Day Parade Steering Committee, particularly Co-Founders Dr. Karren Dunkley, Dr. Robert Clarke, Claudette Powell, Dr. Ionie Pierce, Dr. Donovan Longmore, Dr. Bill Tinglin and Dr. Lawman
Lynch, as well as the many individuals who worked behind the scenes for months to transform the vision into reality.
“The overwhelming display of Jamaican flags and national colors along the parade route became one of the defining images of the historic day,” Dr. Lynch noted. “It represented not simply a celebration, but a visible statement of cultural pride, community and belonging.”
Looking Ahead to 2027
With the inaugural celebration now complete, organizers have begun the post-event evaluation and planning process for Jamaica Rising Day Parade 2027. The next phase will focus on earlier coordination, expanded partnerships, strengthened operational systems and an even greater cultural experience, while building on the tremendous energy and community support generated by the inaugural celebration.
The Jamaica Rising Day Parade has established a foundation for what organizers hope will become a lasting annual tradition, one that brings Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica together to celebrate the nation’s history, culture, achievements and enduring influence in New York City and throughout the Diaspora.
For interviews or media enquiries, contact:
Lyndon Taylor
Lyndon Taylor & Associates
Jamaica Rising Day Parade