Sesame Flyers International continues to make footprints in the community.

Director of Sesame Flyers

What do you get if you mix Carnival, a public school, countless volunteers and a string of fabulous parties? Well, you get Sesame Flyers International Incorporated. Sesame Flyers-a community based not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 corporation founded in 1983-is nestled in the Caribbean neighborhood of East Flatbush in Brooklyn, NY. The 26 year old organization functions as a multi-service agency which provides a number of services to both youths and adults alike such as: steel pan instruction, Beacon Programs for youths and summer camps. The organization has been able to maintain its influence in the community because of the volunteers and professional staff. They are dedicated to empowering the lives of the youth and the community.

Although Sesame Flyers has clearly established itself in the community as an advocate for the youth, it has also made a name for itself as a force to be reckoned with in the West Indian American Day Carnival festivities. Sesame Flyers, which has the largest mas camp in Brooklyn, NY, has run laps around the competition winning “Band Of The Year” for the last ten years. With approximately 1,500 people “jumping up” with Sesame Flyers every year, it is no wonder that politicians like Marty Markowitz-Brooklyn Borough President-is a regular at the Sesame Flyers Mas Camp on Church Avenue during the Labor Day season. “At this point we are doing pretty well,” states Winston Munroe, Director of Sesame Flyers and one of the influential voices in the organization. Sesame Flyers also participates in the other Labor Day activities such as: Kiddie’s Carnival and Panorama.

Nevertheless, for Sesame Flyers after Labor Day the party does not end. The organization has 2 Beacon Programs (Winthrop and Bildersee) in Brooklyn that provide academic and recreational activities for youth after school. In addition Sesame Flyers just recently opened up a new $12 million dollar facility in Bayview Brooklyn. “The funded programs are doing pretty well,” states Mr. Munroe. Asked why Sesame Flyer’s Beacon programs are so important to Sesame Flyers and the community Mr. Munroe claims, “it’s about empowering the youth and keeping the focus on them through through youth development and youth leadership.” Now that’s a reason we can all “jump up.”

Not sure what the Labor Day hype is about? Check out below.

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