Celebrating Culture, Preserving Heritage, Ensuring Safety

We Are J’Ouvert is a cultural initiative dedicated to celebrating and preserving the rich heritage of J’Ouvert while ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all participants. Our mission is to highlight the historical and cultural significance of this vibrant celebration and to foster a sense of community and respect.

 

Our Story

Brooklyn J’Ouvert 2015 was marked by the tragic deaths of Josiah Denentro, 24, and more notably, Carey Gabay, 43, an aide to then-Governor Andrew Cuomo. These deaths, along with other acts of violence that night, outraged the city and sparked serious discussions among community and elected leaders about whether Brooklyn J’Ouvert should continue.

In response, J’Ouvert City International collaborated with former Mayor Bill de Blasio and then-Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams to convene leaders in the arts, education, anti-gun violence, and community, faith, and political sectors to develop strategies to improve safety and educate New Yorkers on the true cultural significance of the 30+ year-old parade.

2016 Palmcard developed for the campaign.

Our Original Mission

In 2016, the #WeAreJOuvert Campaign was launched with the aim of engaging Brooklynites in a conversation about how residents can create safer J’Ouvert celebrations. The original mission focused on:

  1. Engagement – Encouraging Brooklyn residents to participate in discussions about J’Ouvert safety.
  2. Education – Spreading positive visions of a more peaceful and joyous J’Ouvert and Carnival season.
  3. Community Outreach – Involving faith leaders, radio personalities, and community figures in promoting safety and cultural understanding.

Faith leaders worked with the police and visited gang members, making over two dozen visits in the weeks leading up to J’Ouvert. Radio personalities from Hot 97, WBLS, and local Caribbean stations used their platforms to speak on having a peaceful J’Ouvert. Dahved Levy from WBLS brought top artists from Soca and Dancehall to stand with Borough President Adams at a press conference encouraging a safe weekend. Members of the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit distributed tens of thousands of flyers and posters to businesses throughout Brooklyn.

These efforts, specifically the tighter security and the street teams of violence interruptors led to no J’Ouvert related incidences since 2019.

 

Our Current Mission

In Mayor Eric Adams’ current administration, the meeting that was known as We Are J’Ouvert is now the “West Indian Day Carnival and J’ouvert Celebration Public Safety Group Meeting.” Led by Pastor Gil Monrose, this coalition includes the Mayor’s Office, the Brooklyn Borough President’s office, City/State/Federal elected officials, NYPD, DYCD, MOCJ, CMS, WIADCA, J’ouvert City International, clergy, and numerous cultural, entertainment, and community partners. They meet to coordinate efforts to foster a peaceful and safe experience for all participants.

Today, We Are J’Ouvert is dedicated to informing people about the history and cultural significance of J’Ouvert in New York City and highlighting the efforts of coalition members working to make the streets and events safer, including violence interrupters and community initiatives.