The Mayor’s Office of Immigration Affairs (MOIA) on Dec. 10 launched the “We Love Immigration and Little Immigrant Enclave Illustration Series,” as part of Immigrant Heritage Week in New York City.
The 23-illustration pop-up exhibition showcasing immigrant enclave communities throughout the five boroughs marks a major milestone for immigrant communities, talented artists, city partners, and key stakeholders who brought the project to life before it was unveiled by Commissioner Manual Castro.
A Group of Guyanese was instrumental in bringing Guyana Gateway to life and was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of their outstanding partnership and creative contribution to the MOIA Immigrant Enclave Illustration Series.
Commissioner Castor applauded contributors, noting that “this is going to be a very important contribution to the city of New York. These are official illustrations by the City of New York, which means they will enter the public domain. They can be displayed all throughout New York City as an official recognition of our communities.”
“The names of the people who contributed to this work, and who are recognized here today, will be submitted with these illustrations to our official municipal archives where they will live as archival material for future generations,” said Commissioner Castro, adding.
“I have accessed this archive of materials that people did 100 to 150 years ago,” said Commissioner Castro, who played a significant role in coordinating responses to the arrival of over 200,000 migrants and asylum seekers to NYC.”
Dr. Terrence Blackman, a mathematician and professor, and associate professor and chair of the mathematics department at Medgar Evers College, who envisioned the name Guyana Gateway engraved into the illustration, told Caribbean Life that the launch of Guyana Gateway in Brooklyn marked a powerful moment of recognition for the vibrant immigrant communities that have shaped New York City for generations.
“As someone who first imagined and articulated this idea, it was deeply moving to witness its realization alongside partners whose dedication to community preservation has been unwavering, said Dr. Blackman, adding that what unfolded “today was more than the inauguration of a new home for the Landmark Preservation Commission.”
“It was an affirmation of the stories’ struggles and triumphs that define our shared urban life.”
Dr. Blackman added that Commissioner Castro’s reflections, rooted in his lifelong commitment to activism and his four years of public service, “underscored the profound role that immigrant neighborhoods play as living archives of belonging, resilience, and cultural continuity.”
“Commissioner Castro’s remarks echoed the spirit of the Gateway itself, that our landmarks are not simply structures, but touchstones of memory, identity, and aspiration.”
“Artists Jay Day’s collaborative work showcased through making poster illustrations, captured the beautifully visual testaments to the communities that first welcome, offer refuge, and become the soil in which the future takes root.”
“It is a symbol of the Guyanese presence woven into Brooklyn’s cultural fabric, and a signal that our stories deserve institutional visibility, investment, and care.”
“Today’s gathering celebrated not just the accomplishments of the last four years, but the possibilities ahead,” said Dr. Blackman.
“My hope is that future leaders continue this work with the same conviction and generosity of Spirit. For me, standing there as the concept came to life, it was an honor, and a reminder that when communities are seen, they flourish.”
Each enclave celebrates the substantial contributions, rich histories, and unique cultures of NYC’s immigrant communities in a way that leaves a permanent cultural legacy. After two and a half years, MOIA was proud to unveil its collection.
Pastor James Richmond, who was at the forefront of the project, along with – Dr. Blackman, Lear Matthews, and Sherif Frasier, to bring the Guyanese Gateway addition to fruition in the illustration series, said it was a proud moment for immigrants, “as we gather to celebrate the Immigrant Enclave Series and the enduring contributions of the Guyanese community to New York City.”
“This journey—now two years and six months in the making — has brought our stories, culture, and talents to the forefront, and today we stand as living proof of what collaboration and courage can achieve.”
“We are here to honor the Guyanese community and the important role of Little Guyana in Richmond Hill, Queens, and Little Guyana in the Bronx, and last but certainly not least, Guyana Gateway in Brooklyn,” said Richmond.
“I am joined by colleagues who conceived the Guyana Gateway Enclave in Brooklyn, recognizing Brooklyn’s pivotal part in the Guyanese American migration story. Brooklyn was not just a destination but a gateway—one that helped shape communities across the United States, Canada, and beyond.”
“Brooklyn’s own history is deep and enduring: the Guyanese community began to take root there in the early 1900s, and even the father (Charles Christopher St Hill) of the late U.S. Rep. Shirley Chisholm arrived in Brooklyn, among many families of African descent from Guyana,” said Richmond.
He added, “Through those early days, Brooklyn served as a launching pad for families who would go on to enrich our nation with leadership, culture, and resilience.”
Our contributions as Guyanese Americans are now indelibly marked and recognized today, underscoring the deep roots and ongoing impact of Guyanese heritage in Brooklyn and beyond. Our community that contributed their time and effort to make this possible. Sherif Fraser, Dr. Terence Blackman, and
Lear Mathews.
“I extend special acknowledgment to our esteemed partners from the Guyana Consulate General in New York: Ambassador Michael Brotherson, Consul General, Claire Patterson-Monah, and Tangerine Clarke. Thank you, Angel Gotlieb, for being the driving force behind this project, said Pastor Richmond.
