The carnival is a week-long expression of Caribbean pride. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams’ parents are from Grenada, and he was born and raised in Brooklyn, and once represented much of the district that is home to this Caribbean population in the City Council. So, the parade holds special meaning for him. He’ll talk about that, and about the importance of the parade to the Caribbean-Americans living in Brooklyn. Kevin Parker has represented Flatbush and East Flatbush, and other Brooklyn neighborhoods, since 2002. He’s seen the vast changes in Brooklyn in recent years, and seen new neighbors embrace the tradition of the carnival. He’ll talk about those changes, and why allowing this part of Brooklyn to maintain its Caribbean roots is so important to this community, and to the city.