There is an interesting aspect to time. When time is targeted several years ahead, it seems to take forever to get there. But when the years have passed, it seems like time just flew by.
December 2024 commemorates 20 years since the first edition of the Caribbean National Weekly was published. The years have certainly flown by, making it seem like it was just a short time ago. However, so much has happened over these 20 years—years in which the newspaper has been privileged to report these events to the South Florida Caribbean community every week without fail.
Some of these events have been historic, like the two elections of the first and only Black president, Barack Obama, in American history, and the release from prison and subsequent elevation of Nelson Mandela as the first Black president of South Africa. There were sad events to report, such as the deaths of Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Queen Elizabeth II; the devastating earthquake in Haiti; Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas; and tragic mass shootings like the one at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. But there were also joyful moments to celebrate, including the brilliant achievements of Caribbean athletes in international sports, especially at the Olympic Games from 2008 onwards.
Over the past 20 years, for those involved in the media, it can truly be said there hasn’t been a dull moment. News has come rushing to journalists, rather than journalists having to seek it out, and the team at CNW has always been ready to meet the flood of information and report accordingly.
CNW is proud and appreciative to have survived significant challenges that have afflicted the print media over the past 20 years, including the competition from social media. Many newspapers folded due to this challenge, but CNW not only persevered but also succeeded in playing a role on social media with the development of its website, CaribbeanWeeklyNews.com, and its presence on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter).
Most importantly, the management of CNW is proud to have persevered through the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. During a bleak period when many businesses were forced to close, the newspaper continued its publishing commitments and survived.
Reaching this 20-year milestone has been a collective effort involving several individuals and entities, all of whom deserve profound thanks and appreciation:
The co-founders of CNW: Thank you for your many ideas and dedicated efforts behind the scenes that eventually led to the launch of Caribbean National Weekly on December 15, 2004.
Past and current staff: There were truly challenging days, but thanks to the dedication and commitment of each staff member, both full-time and part-time, the newspaper never missed an issue. Through their services, CNW overcame these challenges, and staff members kept their collective noses to the grindstone, ensuring that a newspaper has been published every week since December 15, 2004.
Advertisers: Special thanks to every business owner, large and small, who trusted Caribbean National Weekly to convey the message of their services or products to the thousands of Florida residents who regularly read the newspaper in print or online. These advertisers have been instrumental in enabling the newspaper to publish every week for the past 20 years. In turn, the management of CNW has made every effort to provide advertisers with optimal and reliable service in reaching their respective target markets.
Our partners: Throughout the decades, the viability of this newspaper has depended on collaboration with various partners, both formal and informal. These partners include printers, photographers, civic leaders, political leaders, community leaders, distribution outlets, community organizations, churches, schools, the media, utility companies, banking institutions, and suppliers.
Readers: When the newspaper first appeared in 2004, there were only a few thousand readers. Today, the paper is read by tens of thousands, both in print and online. Some of this larger community of readers includes those who opened the pages of that first publication. We heartily acknowledge all our readers over the years. Please remember that every edition is published with you in mind. Caribbean National Weekly is your paper—the news and information are meant for you. Our advertisers’ messages are directed to you. It is you, our readers, who have provided the motivation to endure and persevere against many odds. In the coming years, we plan to continue making our best efforts to provide you with relevant and reliable news, information, and advertising.
The Almighty: Even with the efforts of our co-founders, past and current staff, advertisers, partners, and readers, none of this would have been possible without the perpetual grace of the Lord. His blessings have guided us through these 20 years.
Thank you, Father, thank you!
