Celebrating Caribbean-American Heritage Month

The month of June is a time to celebrate and honor the rich history and heritage of Caribbean-Americans and their families. Caribbean-Americans from countries including Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Haiti, and Trinidad and Tobago are recognized for their outstanding success in such fields as government, sports, entertainment, and the arts. We celebrate the achievements made while living in the United States and the positive cultural influences to come. 

Rich Caribbean History

In the 19th century, the United States was attracting global talents, many of whom were of Caribbean decent. These talented professionals include craftsmen, scholars, teachers, doctors, inventors, poets, activists and many more. Some of the more notable Caribbean-Americans include Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, and Shirley Chisholm, the first African American congresswomen and first African American woman to be a candidate for president.  

On June 5, 2006, George W. Bush issued a presidential proclamation, a year after the House of Representatives unanimously adopted the official observance of the month of June as Caribbean-American Heritage Month.  

Caribbean-American Cultural Influence 

Since then, the month of June is a time of celebration for Caribbeans Americans. Traditional food, music and dance are all used to bring community members together and share in the love of common culture. 

Traditional Caribbean cuisine has African, French, Spanish, English, Dutch, East Indian, and Chinese influences as well as packing a punch with a hit of spice and notes of dark rum in many famous dishes. Additionally, Caribbean music combines many multicultural aspects that help shape the progression of many of today’s popular genres including reggae, salsa, and Latin tap. These cultural influences have been a cornerstone for Caribbean-Americans to come together and share in the celebration of appreciation for their rich history.  

Modern Contributions

The current Caribbean-American population in the United States is about 4.5 million individuals and growing. The largest Caribbean communities are in Florida, New York, Maryland, Georgia, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, and Texas. Today, Caribbean-Americans hold many influential positions as political leaders, professors, doctors, artists, and more. Notable names include Jennifer Lopez, a Puerto Rican-American entertainer, who has achieved global fame as a singer, actress, and dancer, while Alejandro Mayorkas, a Cuban-American, serves as the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, being the first Latino and immigrant to hold this position. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a Puerto Rican-American congresswoman recognized for her progressive policies and activism. Miguel Cardona, another prominent Puerto Rican-American, is the U.S. Secretary of Education, focusing on educational reform. Julia Alvarez, a Dominican-American author and poet, is celebrated for her literary works exploring identity and cultural heritage. These individuals are just a few among many distinguished figures. Here in the United States, we share in the celebration of the remarkable influence Caribbean-Americans have had on American cultural advances throughout the centuries. 

Connections at the Center

Here at The International Center, we embrace and thrive in an international environment. Dr. Kristie Johnson, Vice President of Development and External Affairs, is a Caribbean-American with roots in Jamaica. She shares with us:

As the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, concepts such as the diplomacy and global citizenship were instilled in me at a young age and essentially laid the foundation for my personal and professional work. Always open to traveling and encouraging me to do the same, my parents ensured that I had my first passport at only two years old! Quite appropriately, the Jamaican motto, “Out of Many, One People” is reflected throughout my interracial, multicultural family and allows me to bring a different perspective to my work at The International Center. Furthermore, I feel most joy when I have the opportunity to learn from and celebrate different cultural traditions.

Please join us in celebrating the vibrant Caribbean-American community and all of their invaluable contributions to our nation throughout this month. 

Sources 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean-American_Heritage_Month#cite_note-17 

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By Sophie Love, Marketing & Communications Intern