Panama President Jos\u00e9 Ra\u00fal Mulino and local elected officials gather in honor of generations of Panamanians who helped shape Crown Heights.<\/p>\n
On Sept. 24, Panama 507 Roundtable Group and members joined elected officials, community leaders and Panamanian leaders to unveil \u201cLittle Panama Way,\u201d according to a press release from Panama 507 Roundtable Group.<\/p>\n
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, Jos\u00e9 Ra\u00fal Mulino.<\/p>\n
\u201cLittle 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,\u201d said Council Member Crystal Hudson.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe unveiling of \u2018Little Panama Way\u2019 represents more than a street co-naming,\u201d said Assemblymember Nikki Lucas. \u201cIt is the public recognition of a community whose history, culture and contributions deserve to be preserved and celebrated.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
According to Neilsberg, more than 30,000 Panamanians live in New York City.<\/p>\n
\u201cLittle Panama Way\u201d helps bring their history to light, creating a platform for cultural preservation, tourism, entrepreneurship, education and future community investment.<\/p>\n
For Council Member Sandy Nurse, the only Panamanian-born member of the New York City Council, the project felt more personal.<\/p>\n
\u201cLittle 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,\u201d Nurse said.<\/p>\n
The co-naming comes ahead of the community\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n