Ernie Skinner and the Formation of Caribbean Americans United in Support of Mamdani for Mayor (CAUISOMM)
By Basil Roman
In the ever-shifting landscape of New York City politics, few names carry the respect and quiet influence that Ernie Skinner commands within the Caribbean American community. Known as a steady hand, a thoughtful strategist, and a leader more concerned with results than recognition, Skinner has again stepped forward—this time to link the aspirations of Caribbean Americans with the rising campaign of mayoral candidate Zohan Mamdani.
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Skinner saw what others missed. While Mamdani’s campaign was gaining momentum across certain constituencies, it had left large segments of the Black community—particularly Caribbean Americans—untouched. To Skinner, this was a lost opportunity, for the Caribbean diaspora in New York City is not only vibrant and diverse but also politically decisive. With that in mind, he initiated conversations with Mamdani and his team, laying the foundation for a formal bridge. Out of these efforts was born Caribbean American United for Mamdani, an organization designed to galvanize support, ensure meaningful outreach, and plant seeds of long-term engagement.
A Track Record of Planting Seeds
This was not Skinner’s first foray into the delicate art of political seed planting. Years earlier, when Jumaane Williams was still considered an outsider and an “upstart,” Skinner recognized his potential and offered early support. Williams went on to become New York City’s Public Advocate and later mounted a serious campaign for governor. Similarly, Skinner lent his backing to Zellnor Myrie, then a newcomer in the state senate race, who has since become a formidable voice in Albany.
These victories did not happen by accident. They were cultivated by leaders like Skinner, who have consistently invested in promising candidates long before the spotlight turned their way. His approach has never been about the photo opportunity or the self-congratulatory headline; instead, he has worked quietly, persistently, and strategically, helping candidates connect to communities that might otherwise have been overlooked.
Recognizing the Mamdani Opportunity
When Zohan Mamdani entered the race for mayor, his campaign initially had limited traction in Caribbean circles. Skinner understood both the risk and the promise: if Mamdani continued to bypass this vital bloc, the campaign would miss a crucial source of votes, energy, and legitimacy. But if engaged properly, Mamdani’s progressive, forward-looking platform could align with the hopes and aspirations of Caribbean immigrants and their children—New Yorkers who value opportunity, equity, and strong community partnerships.
It was Skinner’s foresight that led to a pivotal moment: arranging for the Mamdani campaign to enter Brooklyn’s “Little Caribbean” right before the annual Caribbean American carnival, a time when the community’s visibility and pride are at their height.
Walking Through Little Caribbean
The visit, orchestrated by Caribbean American United for Mamdani, was not a simple meet-and-greet. It was a carefully curated experience in which Mamdani and his team visited four small businesses, speaking directly with owners about their realities and their dreams. These were not one-sided exchanges. Mamdani listened as proprietors raised issues ranging from group violence and public safety to the need for fairer economic opportunities.
His response was not canned rhetoric; rather, he acknowledged that small businesses are the lifeblood of the city, and that the Caribbean American story is one that deserves recognition and tangible support. In these conversations, the seeds of trust were sown—trust that this campaign was willing to listen, to learn, and to include.
A Coalition of Leaders
The day was further bolstered by the presence of several elected officials who understood the significance of this outreach. Assembly Members Monique Chandler-Waterman and Brian Cunningham joined the tour, alongside City Council Members Rita Joseph and Farrah Forrest. Their presence signaled to the community that Mamdani was not stepping in alone but was arriving with a coalition that included trusted representatives.
The event also attracted additional leaders who saw the Caribbean American United initiative as more than symbolic—it was strategic, practical, and necessary. For Skinner, this was affirmation of his instincts: the community was ready to engage, and the campaign was ready to invest.
Beyond Elections: A Vision for Growth
What distinguishes Skinner’s work is his insistence that politics must be about more than winning votes. In his view, engagement should not vanish after Election Day. By framing the Mamdani outreach around economic opportunity, community development, and safety, Skinner shifted the conversation from transactional politics to transformational politics.
For the Caribbean American community, this meant being seen not just as a voting bloc to be courted every four years, but as partners in shaping the future of New York City. For the Mamdani campaign, it meant recognizing that meaningful alliances could only be built through dialogue, respect, and shared vision.
Ernie Skinner’s Legacy in Motion
As the founder of Caribbean American United for Mamdani, Skinner has once again demonstrated the quiet power of planting seeds. His efforts have created a pathway for Caribbean Americans to engage meaningfully with a campaign that could shape the future of the city. More importantly, his work reflects a larger philosophy: that leadership is not about shouting the loudest but about building bridges, nurturing trust, and ensuring that communities are not left on the margins of political progress.
In Little Caribbean, amid small business owners, community leaders, and elected officials, the impact of Skinner’s approach was visible. What began as a gap—an unengaged community—was transformed into an opportunity for connection and growth. The campaign benefited, the community benefited, and the seeds planted that day may yet bloom into a stronger, more inclusive New York City.
Planting Seeds for Tomorrow
The story of Ernie Skinner and Caribbean American United for Mamdani is more than a tale of one campaign season. It is a reminder of the power of foresight, the value of community-building, and the importance of political stewardship that extends far beyond any single election.
Skinner’s vision has always been generational. He sees political engagement not as a sprint to the ballot box, but as a continual investment in the prosperity and recognition of Caribbean Americans in New York City. Each candidate he has supported, each initiative he has nurtured, has been a seed planted in the fertile ground of the diaspora’s civic life. Some of those seeds have already blossomed in the form of leaders who now shape state and city policy; others, like the Mamdani partnership, are just beginning to break through the soil.
For the Caribbean American community, this is both a moment of pride and a call to action. Pride, because one of their own has once again opened doors and created space at the decision-making table. A call to action, because political power is only sustained when the community steps forward to claim it. Skinner has shown that pathways can be built, but it is up to the people to walk them, to remain engaged, and to demand accountability from those they help elevate.
As New York continues to evolve—a city of constant change, growth, and challenge—the Caribbean American voice must not only be present but strong, clear, and respected. Ernie Skinner’s effort with the Mamdani campaign proves that this is possible when vision meets organization, when leadership is rooted in service, and when communities understand their collective strength.
And so, the seeds planted today will bloom tomorrow—not just in electoral victories, but in stronger businesses, safer neighborhoods, and a deeper recognition of the Caribbean American story in the fabric of New York City. That is the enduring legacy of Ernie Skinner: a man who has never sought the limelight but has always ensured that his community would never be left in the shadows.
