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Plans Underway For National Caribbean American Heritage Month 10th Anniversary

Washington, DC – Plans are underway for the observance of National Caribbean American Heritage Month (NCAHM) in June which will mark the tenth anniversary of this designation. Ten years ago US President George Bush signed the Bill designating June as Caribbean American Heritage month, thereby culminating decades of struggle to achieve such designation in recognition of the contribution of Caribbean nationals to the social and economic development of the United States and of the longstanding good relations that exist between the Caribbean region and the United States of America.

Each year this month (May) is celebrated with a Caribbean American Legislative Week in Washington, DC during which key issues affecting Caribbean Americans as well as US/Caribbean relations are addressed by Members of Congress and the US Administration including the White House and US State Department among others,  at a series of meetings and briefings. Celebrations are also held in cities across the United States where there are significant Caribbean American communities.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee
Congresswoman
Barbara Lee

This year National Caribbean American Legislative Week will be held  June 22 – 26th under the aegis of the Washington based Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) which spearheaded the lobby for the designation of June as Caribbean Heritage Month and the annual celebrations which have followed for the past decade. The patrons of the week’s activities are Members of Congress Barbara Lee and Yvette Clarke.

Co-Chair of the Planning Committee for this year’s Legislative Week activities, former Guyanese diplomat Wesley Kirton said plans are progressing well for the week of activities in Washington, DC with the various programs currently being finalized.

He said that the planning committee, working with ICS President, Dr. Claire Nelson, has already identified the issues to be discussed between stakeholders and various agencies and institutions including the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Organization of American States (OAS).

Wesley Kirton
Wesley Kirton

Among the scheduled highlights of the week’s activities is a Diaspora in Development Forum at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a Legislative Forum on Capitol Hill and briefings at the US State Department  and the White House.

Kirton said invitations had already been extended to several key agencies and organizations as well as governments in the Caribbean and some speakers have also already confirmed their participation. “The 10th anniversary celebrations are intended to raise the level of discussions of previous celebrations coming on the heels of the visit to Jamaica, and the meeting between President Barack Obama and CARICOM Heads-of-Government.”

This year, Kirton said, he is looking forward to heightened private sector support for, and participation in the planned program of activities for the celebrations.

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South Florida Caribbean News

The SFLCN.com Team provides news and information for the Caribbean-American community in South Florida and beyond.

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