In June, Americans of all backgrounds will join to commemorate Caribbean American Heritage Month, which was established to create and disseminate knowledge about the contributions of Caribbean people to the United States.
According to Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS), the month-long Caribbean American Heritage Month celebration began in 2004 when a legislative bill was tabled in congress by Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Language, which was provided by the founder of ICS, Dr. Claire Nelson. The bill was reintroduced and passed the house in June 2005, and the senate in February 2006. A proclamation making the resolution official was signed by President George W. Bush on June 5, 2006.
ICS, the organization behind the monumental decision, is a Washington DC-based organization dedicated to building bridges between Caribbean Americans and the US population at large, and advocating for the wellbeing of the Caribbean American community.
The ICS explained, “Caribbean immigrants have been contributing to the wellbeing of American society since its founding. Alexander Hamilton, the First Secretary of the Treasury was from the Caribbean island of Nevis. We count among our famous sons and daughters, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Cicely Tyson, W.E.B. Dubois, James Weldon Johnson, Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier to name a few. ICS’ effort began in 1999 with a petition to President Bill Clinton for the recognition of a Caribbean American Heritage Month.
“In 2000, ICS began leading activities in celebration of June as Caribbean American Heritage Month in Washington DC, building on efforts started by a now defunct ad-hoc group of Washington DC residents to have a Caribbean Heritage Month designated in Washington DC in 1999.”
Naturally, considering the large population of Caribbean Americans who live in Florida, a variety of cultural and entertainment events will be held throughout the state this month.
