Caribbean Americans United in Support of Mamdani for Mayor (CAUISOMM) was launched virtually on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025.
During the Zoom meeting, CAUISOMM launched its program to put Democratic Party nominee Zohran Kwame Mamdani in New York City’s City Hall.
In his introductory remarks, Ernest Skinner, CAUISOMM’s Trinidadian-born founder, said that the motivation for the organization’s creation grew out of his “antipathy for Andrew Cuomo, who had been vanquished in the Democratic primary by Queens Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, despite the major odds against such an outcome and the arrogance of Cuomo for not accepting honorably the decision of 545,000 fellow Democrats who supported Zohran.”
Skinner noted that Cuomo decided to run as an Independent in the November general Election.
Skinner also criticized Mayor Eric Adams for “betraying the hopes and aspirations of people of color who voted for him in hopes that he would build on the goodwill which David Dinkins generated in his creation of an agenda to thwart the stranglehold that the moneyed interests have maintained over the aspirations of the lower-and middle-income residents of New York City.”
Multiple McDonald’s Gospel Fest winner Trinidadian Gerald Placide gave a soulful rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (the Black National Anthem) before a cohort of elected officials, including Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, whom Assembly Member Monique Chandler-Waterman introduced.
Chandler-Waterman, the daughter of Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants, who represents the 58th Assembly District in Brooklyn, stated that Mamdani’s agenda “resonates” with the attending legislators and their constituents.
Skinner said special guest speaker, Attorney General Letitia James, served as “an excellent surrogate for Mamdani as she extolled the virtues of Zohran’s platform, which has been fashioned around the theme that New York is too expensive to live in and what is needed is dramatic and bold initiatives to make life easier for long-time residents and newcomers alike.”
A highlight of James’s presentation was when she interrupted her speech to announce, to rapturous applause, the late-breaking news that Gov. Kathy Hochul had finally endorsed Mamdani for Mayor.
Skinner urged participants to visit and like CAUISOMM’s Facebook Fan Page, where they can “join the fall canvass for Zohran in neighborhoods across the city.”
Later, Skinner told Caribbean Life that the group’s purpose in forming is “to empower the Caribbean community within New York City since census reports estimate that 20 percent of New Yorkers have Caribbean roots.
“Having a seat at the table during the campaign provides the opportunity to have input after Mamdani becomes mayor,” he said.
During Labor Day weekend festivities, a bevy of Caribbean-American legislators welcomed Mamdani to the Little Caribbean community in East Flatbush, Brooklyn.
Besides Chandler-Waterman were Assembly Member Brian Cunningham, the son of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 43rd Assembly District; Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, who represents the 57th Assembly District; and City Council Member Rita Joseph, the Haitian-born representative for the 40th Council District; as well as Josue Pierre, the Haitian-American District Leader for the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn; and Anthony Beckford, the son of Jamaican immigrants, who serves as district leader for the 43rd State Assembly District in Brooklyn.
Skinner was also among members who accompanied Mandani to visit several businesses in the “Little Caribbean” neighborhoods.
Mamdani toured these businesses, held brief talks, and culminated the tour with a press conference adjacent to the Hills Restaurant at 4706 Church Ave., between Schenectady Avenue and East 48th St..
Other businesses toured were Nanni Health Food Store, 5222 Church Ave., between East 52nd St. and East 53rd St., and Mango House, Inc., 5117 Church Ave, between East 51st and East 52nd Streets.
“I want to express deep gratitude for being taken into this district,” Mamdani told the press conference. “For small businesses, I heard all different stories. I’ve heard from New York City residents. … We cannot separate the stories of the Caribbean (community). We deserve a leader who will stand up.”
Chandler-Waterman, whose district covers East Flatbush, Canarsie, Brownsville, Crown Heights, and Little Caribbean, said it was “fitting that we are here today on the heels of J’Ouvert and Labor Day.”
She said she was proud to stand with Caribbean Americans United in support of Mamdani for mayor and lead the Democratic nominee on a tour of Little Caribbean.
“He listened to our small business owners, we listened to our anti-violence groups, we listened to public safety concerns, we listened to the community,” Chandler-Waterman said.
“For too long, we have been loyal to leaders who did not listen to us,” she added. “We stayed loyal because we had no options. But hear me — we don’t have to settle anymore.”
Wayne Ragguette, the Vincentian-born owner of Nanni Health Food Store, told Caribbean Life afterwards that he was pleased with Mamdani’s visit to “Little Caribbean.”
“I think it was a good thing for him to see how to operate a small business and some of the issues and concerns we have as merchants in the area,” he said. “Hopefully, if elected, he will return to the neighborhood and address some of those issues.”
