On Sept. 24, Panama 507 Roundtable Group and members joined elected officials, community leaders and Panamanian leaders to unveil “Little Panama Way,” according to a press release from Panama 507 Roundtable Group.
The ceremony celebrated the co-naming of portions of Franklin Ave. in Crown Heights, and marked the announcement of the Panamanian Cultural District in New York State, and featured current president of Panama, José Raúl Mulino.
“Little Panama Way is a meaningful way to recognize the generations of Panamanian families who built businesses, raised children, and shaped what Crown Heights is today,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson.
“The unveiling of ‘Little Panama Way’ represents more than a street co-naming,” said Assemblymember Nikki Lucas. “It is the public recognition of a community whose history, culture and contributions deserve to be preserved and celebrated.”
Since the 1950s, Franklin Ave. and surrounding areas in Crown Heights have been an important center of Panamanian life in New York City. Panamanians have built faith communities, businesses, civic institutions and cultural traditions that have shaped Brooklyn as a whole.
According to Neilsberg, more than 30,000 Panamanians live in New York City.
“Little Panama Way” helps bring their history to light, creating a platform for cultural preservation, tourism, entrepreneurship, education and future community investment.
For Council Member Sandy Nurse, the only Panamanian-born member of the New York City Council, the project felt more personal.
“Little Panama Way celebrates the elders, families, entrepreneurs, artists and community leaders who carried our culture forward and made lasting contributions to Brooklyn and our city as a whole,” Nurse said.
The co-naming comes ahead of the community’s 31st annual Panamanian parade, which is set to be held on Oct. 10. The parade will begin at 10:00 am on Bergen St. and Franklin Ave, and proceed down Franklin Ave. to President St.
For more information, head to https://panamanianparade.org/.
