PRESS RELEASE….
For Immediate Release….
June 2, 2009
Contact: Jennifer Gore (443-414-3709)
CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH GROWING STRONG
The Caribbean American Heritage Month movement continues to grow with Tallahassee and Lee County, Florida joining the 2009 National Commemorative Committee. Despite the shortened planning season, owing to the inauguration activities in January 2009, community leaders around the country are mapping out plans to stake new ground in American territory.
Under the leadership of Faith Clarke, Tallahassee will plan commemorative events for the first time, to include an Ar t Show, Storytelling at the Library and a Community Awards Dinner. In Lee County, the newly established Caribbean American Business Network will organize a Meet and Greet Business Exchange and Reception. Chicago's Deon Lopez will once again bring the zest of Caribbean cuisine to Chicago with the much anticipated ChiTown JerkFest and a Town Hall meeting on HIV/AIDS. Noel Godfrey in Baltimore as Chair of the Baltimore Caribbean American Heritage Month Committee has ushered in a Commemorative InterFaith Service and Cricket Match. Wesley Kirton of the Caribbean Sun newspaper in Orlando, Florida plans to ensure practice makes exports with a return of the Caribbean Expo planned for June 10-12th. Other cities remain steadfast despite the challenge of lack of stimulus and other woes. Houston, Atlanta and South Florida have all returned to the table with a menu full of options from a Gospel Fest to a Reception.
Members of the National Commemorative Committee which includes community leaders from across America have been working feverishly to ensure a widened outreach. The purpose of the National Commemorative Committee is to put in place an organizing process that is able to withstand the rigors of national, language and racial and ethnic differences over time. Says, Dr. Nelson, “what we have is not perfect, but it is perfect for where we are now. We are a community in transition from the cocoon of near invisibility to staking our claim in American society and history. Given the awakening that took place in the 2008 election, I anticipate an increase in the number of events and an increase in participation of community organizations and leaders.
This June 2009, marks the fourth national celebrations of June as Caribbean American Heritage Month and the first under President Barack Obama. The Caribbean American community in the US is estimated at around 5 million. Given the current political and economic environment, the commemoration of June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month which began in 1999, remain critical to ensure and make visible the Caribbean American voice and agenda.
For more information about Caribbean American Heritage Month, visit www.caribbeanamericanmonth.org.
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