Haitian Artist Mickael Marabou Helps Power Historic Jamaica Rising Day Parade in Brooklyn

Haitian artist, entrepreneur and marketing executive Mickael Marabou played a key behind-the-scenes role in New York City’s first Jamaica Rising Day Parade, helping launch and promote a new celebration of Jamaican culture that drew thousands to the streets of Brooklyn on August 8.

Marabou served on the parade’s Founding Committee as Executive Director of Marketing, Strategic Partnerships & Talent Relations, working across publicity, media outreach, partnerships, talent coordination and event promotion. With no previous edition or established audience to build from, organizers faced the challenge of introducing an entirely new cultural event to New York and convincing people to show up.

The campaign gained momentum across social media, Caribbean community networks, artists, influencers and local media, including coverage from CBS New York, FOX 5 and News 12. Even after organizers announced a major route change shortly before the parade, updated promotional materials quickly circulated and the turnout remained strong.

On parade day, Ocean Avenue filled with Jamaican flags, music and crowds dressed in black, green and gold. Organizers have circulated estimates approaching 80,000 people throughout the broader celebration, although no independently verified official attendance figure has yet been published.

Marabou’s involvement also carried a broader Caribbean significance. As a Haitian woman helping build and market a major celebration dedicated to Jamaican heritage, her role became an example of cross-Caribbean collaboration in New York, where Haitian and Jamaican communities have long shared cultural and geographic space.

For Marabou, whose work increasingly spans music, marketing, publicity, entertainment and cultural events, Jamaica Rising became more than a successful promotional campaign. It demonstrated an ability to convert digital attention into real-world participation and helped establish a new Caribbean tradition in Brooklyn from its very first year.