Crown Heights bursts into pomp and pageantry like a ripe Julie mango at the end of summer, as the age-old tradition of carnival struts into Brooklyn with a steel band contest, a Fat Sunday extravaganza, a kiddie cavalcade, and the West Indian American Day Carnival Parade — a Labor Day crown jewel encrusted with pulsating bands, fantastic floats, succulent aromas, and gloriously garbed revelers shimmying along Eastern Parkway.
“The carnival is a very important part of the joy and vibrancy of New York,” says Jean Alexander, the commercial whiz behind the million-dollar celebration of Caribbean pride.
The Ditmas Park resident has spent decades putting the sensational spectacle on the map, as board secretary and director of public relations and marketing at the West Indian American Day Carnival Association. She begins the preparations a year in advance, devising a marketing plan, raising funds, soliciting corporate sponsors, representing the group at corporate and government meetings, and promoting the jamboree on radio, television, and social media.
“I ensure outreach is done to every corner of the world inviting people to come and experience our culture,” says the retired clerical worker who instituted a pre-event reception at Gracie Mansion for sponsors, and a red-carpet VIP champagne breakfast at Lincoln Terrace Park on Labor Day morning with the mayor and governor in attendance.
The “60-something” powerhouse gets to the park at dawn and oversees every last detail — down to the curried goat, jerk chicken, and macaroni pie on the menu. Her supervision is the key to success, claims advisory board member Dolly Williams, who has known Alexander for more than 30 years.
“It takes a strong leader, such as Jean, to pull off this carnival off,” she says. “She brings so much Caribbean culture to the people, and educates them about it and makes sure they enjoy it, that New York is better off because of her.”
Her oceanic heritage of neighborliness propelled Alexander to form the Caribbean American Center of New York 28 years ago to help low-income immigrant and minority families access free educational, immigration, job training, and counseling services, while saluting the community with service and recognition awards. Such comity was scarce when she immigrated to America in the 1970s with her children from Trinidad — without work experience or a high school diploma — she claims.
“There were no groups to go to for referrals or a job program in those days, and I said if I am ever in a position to do something to help someone I would do it,” says Alexander, whose group organizes annual Thanksgiving dinners at St. Phillips Church in Bedford-Stuyvesant, distributes more than 1,500 gifts a year to citywide homeless shelters, and donated 45,000 new cardigans and school uniforms to public schools for displaced children after Hurricane Sandy.
The Woman of Distinction is in her element conquering difficult challenges, whether planning for the next dazzling carnival or helping strangers overcome their dire straits.
“I get a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment from turning lemons into sweet Julie mangoes!” she says.
OCCUPATION: Volunteer.
COMPANY: West Indian American Day Carnival Association.
CLAIM TO FAME: Promoting Caribbean culture.
FAVORITE PLACE: My office.
WOMAN I ADMIRE: Hillary Clinton because she is a bright and articulate woman.
MOTTO: Stick with whatever it is you enjoy doing in life.
