Carlos Lezama Archives & Caribbean Center

09/04/2026

Our little Sir Halo! ✨ Scripture reminds us, “A child shall lead them.”

Thank you, Sir Halo, for sharing your radiant spirit at our Gallery Reception last Saturday as you played our National Anthem 🇺🇸 on our Beloved Instrument 🇹🇹Surrounded by our elders, cultural pioneers, and community leaders who opened doors for generations to come, you stood as a powerful reminder that our heritage lives on through our youth.

With pride, grace, and the steel pan in your hands, you carried forward a legacy built by those who came before you while inspiring those who will follow.

From our elders to our youth, our culture continues to live, grow, and shine. This is our culture, our history, and, indeed, our enduring legacy. ❤️🥁✨ Mr. Lezama would be proud! ✨

📷 Ritchimage Francis

09/04/2026

Streaming LIVE tomorrow. The Jr. Carnival kicks off in front of the Carlos Lezama Archives & Caribbean Center headquarters on St. John's Place bet Brooklyn & Kingston Ave. We will be supporting & watching the LIVE coverage by I am living my life!

09/04/2026

A special thank you to the iconic Cheryl Wills for featuring CLACC-C on In Focus with Cheryl Wills and giving us the opportunity to highlight our culture, our mission and the importance of preserving our legacy for future generations.

We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to Charter Communications, Spectrum and the entire Spectrum family for their continued support of our Youth Pan Festival. Special recognition to Charter President and CEO Chris Winfrey, Rodney S. Capel and Jonelle Johnson, Director of Government and Community Strategy, for believing in our vision and supporting the young people who proudly carry our culture forward.

Thank you for helping us keep our culture visible, celebrated and alive! 🎥🎶🥁

Watch the full interview here.

09/04/2026

J'Ouvert City International- Tune into the LIVESTREAM on Monday at 6AM! !

Brooklyn J'ouvert 2026

09/04/2026

Give it up for PESO—can someone say ENERGY?! 🔥🎶

The reigning champions of CLACC-C’s Youth Pan Fest brought incredible talent and excitement to the stage! Now, we can’t wait to see what all our senior steel bands bring to Panorama.

Good luck to everyone—we’ll be watching and cheering you on! 🥁🏆✨

09/04/2026

What began 14 years ago with just three steel bands has grown into a powerful celebration featuring more than 250 young musicians! 🎶✨

How did it all begin? CLACC-C’s co-founders and senior members shared a vision: to ensure that the art of the steel pan—and the culture surrounding it—would be passed down to the next generation. From that vision, the Youth Pan Festival was born.

Yes, the competition adds excitement, but YPF is about so much more. It’s about mentorship, teamwork, discipline, community, and cultural preservation.

How amazing is it to see our young people proudly learning, performing, and carrying our culture forward? This is our legacy—and it is in great hands! 🥁❤️

Soloist- Shaquille Cummings Jr. with Genesis Pan Groove

09/04/2026

WHY RIDDIM IN THE YPF? 🥁🎶
The vision for Riddim came from CLACC-C Co-Founder Michael Younglao, who believed that preserving our culture meant teaching our young people more than how to play the steel pan—it was just as important for them to understand and learn the rhythm that drives the music.

Riddim is the heartbeat of Caribbean music. It is the rhythmic foundation—the pulse, timing and groove—that brings the music to life. From calypso and soca to the sounds of the steel orchestra, riddim connects the instruments, the musicians and the movement of our culture.

That is why Riddim is an important part of the Youth Pan Festival (YPF). The festival is not simply about competition. It is a cultural learning experience designed to give our youth a deeper understanding of the music and traditions they are inheriting.

Michael Younglao's vision was that our young people should learn the full musical experience—how to play the national instrument of Trinidad & Tobago while also understanding the riddim that supports it.

Because when we teach our children the music, the rhythm and the history behind it, we aren't simply preparing them for a performance.

We are preparing them to carry the culture forward. ❤️🥁🌴
YPF — Passing the Steel Pan. Preserving the Riddim. Carrying the Culture Forward.

09/04/2026

YPF 2026 featuring Pan Alley Steel Orchestra. The excitement of the audience says it all! The energy, joy, and love for our culture were truly unforgettable. This is what happens when community, culture, and our talented youth come together! 🎶🥁✨

09/03/2026

Get ready for A Taste of the Stars—Labor Day J’Ouvert 2026! 🌟🎨🔥

Come experience the excitement of Brooklyn J’Ouvert! Gather your crew, secure your package and prepare to hit the road with nonstop music, paint, powder and Caribbean energy!

09/03/2026

We were honored to welcome The Omalay Arts Collective, under the artistic direction of Valerie Mc Leod-Katz, to the CLACC-C Youth Pan Festival! 💃🏾🎶

Their beautiful performance brought movement, energy, and Caribbean culture to the YPF stage. Through dance and artistic expression, they reminded us that our traditions remain vibrant when they are shared with the next generation.

Thank you, Valerie Mc Leod-Katz, and the entire Omalay Arts Collective for helping us celebrate our culture, our community, and our youth! ❤️💛💚