On Her Garifuna Upbringing:
"I've always known that I was Garifuna," said Siria Alvarez, of The Garifuna Market. Born in Roatán and raised in La Ceiba, Honduras, until roughly the age of 3, the chief executive recalls times when her family would gather at events in Crotona Park in the Bronx and, most notably, at the annual Central American Day parade. Whether it was trips back to Honduras or family gatherings where each member helped to prepare a dish, like hudutu, she was always aware of her roots.
On Preserving Garifunaidad:
After visiting Honduras on a soul-searching and reflective trip, Alvarez connected with family members she'd never met before. "I traveled air, land, and sea and everything that I had to do to just learn more, ask a lot of questions, meet a lot of people," she told POPSUGAR. Though she had the idea in mind, this trip led to the 2019 unveiling of The Garifuna Market, a digital platform centered on Garifuna pride. Whether hosting an Instagram Live or an in-person event or educating their followers on Garifuna vocabulary, The Garifuna Market is a space to rep the culture and learn in community.
"I don't know everything, I don't have all the answers. I ask the community questions. I do research as well. I read articles and talk to other Garifuna people — older, younger, same age, of all areas; Garifuna people from different countries, different states. I've just learned so much, and I use that as an opportunity to share with others what I've learned."
