Bronx, NY – Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson announced the appointment of Sulma Arzu-Brown as Executive Director of the Bronx Tourism Council. A former Director of Operations with the New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director of the Garifuna Coalition, Ms. Arzu-Brown is also author of the award-winning books, “Bad Hair Does Not Exist! Pelo Malo No Existe!” and “My Hair Comes With Me – Shifting the Paradigm of What Success Looks Like!” A life-long champion for diversity and inclusion, Ms. Arzu-Brown has also served as a consultant and mentor in expanding the narrative for justice and equity in communities across this borough, NYC, nationwide and globally.
“From our small businesses to our cultural institutions, restaurants, and more, the Bronx is undergoing a cultural revolution and I am excited to be working alongside Sulma as we create a new vision for Bronx Tourism,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “As someone who has lived and worked in the Bronx, Sulma’s experience comes with a deep knowledge and understanding of the Bronx and we look forward to working with her to find creative and innovative ways to highlight the food, music, culture and diversity of our great borough. Congratulations again to our new Bronx Tourism Council Executive Director, Sulma Arzu-Brown, for embarking on this new chapter with us to make the Bronx an international tourism destination!”
“I am honored to be joining Borough President Gibson during this pivotal chapter for Bronx Tourism. From the New Bronx Children’s Museum, the new Universal Hip Hop Museum, Poe Cottage, Orchard Beach and more, our Borough is primed for visitors citywide and those from across the country and world,” said newly-appointed Executive Director of the Bronx Tourism Council, Sulma Arzu-Brown. “It’s about putting my Bronx community first. My goal is to work with the powerful tenacity and spirit of all Bronxites to ensure we become the world’s Borough – a must-see global destination where our collective character and integrity is always a priority.”
Sulma Arzu-Brown is a proud Garifuna & Afro-latina woman who was born in Honduras and raised in the South Bronx. Sulma’s work as the Executive Director of the Garifuna Coalition USA and Director of Operations for the NYC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce merited her many awards and recognitions. She is the creator of the nation’s 1st Afro-Latino Sitcom TV Series entitled D’QUE LATINO. Sulma has also been selected to serve as a mentor for the Scholastic new book series “Rising Voices – Elevating Latino Stories” She utilizes her platform to bring honor to the Afro Diaspora while serving as an example of love and unity within all communities.
Sulma’s work has been featured in: Ain’t I Latina, Oprah.com, Black Enterprise magazine, Huffington Post, Univision’s Despierta America, Parents.com, and has partnered with major brands and educational institutions such as Barnes & Noble, MasterCard, Nasdaq, Edelman, Pepsico, Ubiquitous Preferred, Unilever, Columbia University, Stonybrook University, School of Visual Arts, Hostos Community College, Bronx Community College, Botanical Gardens and the New York City Department of Education.
About The Bronx Tourism Council
Established in 1991, The Bronx Tourism Council is a subsidiary of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC), creating a cohesive and symbiotic relationship between arts and culture and economic development. The role of the Bronx Tourism Council is to promote the borough’s rich history, its institutions, and cultural diversity on a local, national, and international level.