Brooklyn's Progress
April/May 2007

BY C. LAZAIRRE

Forty years ago, the Brooklyn Caribbean Carnival festivities extended just five blocks. Flourishing in the steadfast and impassioned spirit of its young director, Carlos Lezama, Brooklyn’s carnival has since become the largest outdoor parade in the United States, drawing over three million revelers to Eastern Parkway each year.

Beyond the annual carnival held on the first Monday in September, Mr. Lezama fashioned the West Indian American Day Carnival Association into a community service organization with year-round educational and cultural events, which gave away scholarships.

Mr. Lezama, who was also a retired machinist for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, has been described by former New York City mayor Ed Koch as “someone who had a dream and saw it fulfilled. This was on his mind more than trains.”

A charismatic figure, Mr. Lezama’s lifetime honors include recognition from city and state officials including Governor George Pataki and former Governor Mario Cuomo for his promotion of Caribbean culture and activism in New York City. During the 2001 carnival season, Eastern Parkway was dubbed Carlos Lezama Parkway. And in 2004, the Carlos Lezama Archives and Caribbean Cultural Center in Brooklyn was dedicated in his name.

“Brooklyn mourns the passing of legendary community leader and West Indian-American Day Carnival founder Carlos Lezama,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “Although he was ‘Trini’ to the bone, Carlos will be remembered as a truly great Brooklynite ... He truly was the spirit of a whole people, and although we are all saddened by this tremendous loss, Carlos’ legacy will live on in the world-renowned celebration that he built here in Brooklyn, the proud Caribbean Capital of the United States.”

Mr. Lezama’s story of a young Trinidadian immigrant to the United States who went from participating in carnivals to organizing his own thriving celebration of Caribbean heritage exemplifies the value of hard work and towering aspirations.

Herman Hall, publisher of EVERYBODY’S Magazine recalled, “As a young member and director of the West Indian-American Day Carnival Association in the early 1970s, Lezama influenced, motivated and inspired me…. He brought recognition to the Caribbean-American community, united us, and played a major role in enhancing the quality of life in New York City.”

In a statement mourning her father’s passing, Yolanda Lezama-Clark, incumbent president, West Indian American Day Carnival Association, said, "Throughout our lives my siblings, as well as my mother, have been privileged to share my father with the millions who are part of the Carnival family.”

Funeral services for Mr. Lezama were held on Friday, Jan. 23, at St. Gregory’s R.C. Church in Brooklyn. Mr. Lezama is survived by his daughter Yolanda, his son Kenwyn, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.