FT. LAUDERDALE – Representatives of the Caribbean American Cultural Coalition Census Committee are encouraging Caribbean nationals in Miami and Broward counties to get an early start in the 2010 census process.
Acting on a challenge issued by the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) in Washington D.C. to engage the Caribbean community in the process, the Coalition deployed representatives to the Broward County Complete Count Committee.
State Representative Hazelle Rogers
The effort led by Florida State Representative Hazelle Rogers and others, began an early public awareness campaign at UNIFEST during Caribbean Heritage Month. The group also convened a strategy meeting in North Lauderdale of invitees to a census department-sponsored conference in Orlando. “My motivation is to increase the number of participants in my district and the immigrant community at large in the 2010 count to ensure that they understand the full benefits from an accurate count,” said Florida State Representative, Hazelle Rogers.
A delegation of South Florida Caribbean leaders attended the 11th Annual Legislative Conference sponsored by the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) June 24-26 in Washington, D.C. The group, which included State Rep. Yolley Roberson and Hazelle Rogers, Councilman Aster Knight, North Miami City Clerk Alix Desulme, Attorney Marlon Hill, Hulbert James, Roxanne Valies, and Maria Kong also attended a White House census briefing that focused on question 8 and 9. Hulbert James, chair of the South Florida census committee was selected as one of three national co-chairs of the National Caribbean Community Census Committee. “We will intensify our efforts to ensure a complete count by working with census staff and complete count committees at the local, state, and national level,” said James.
The Florida Delegation, along with other nationals from across the United States , committed to attending the Congressional Black Caucus annual conference in Washington, D.C., September 23-26, to support Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, co-chair of the weekend activities and representative of New York’s 11th congressional district, which has the largest number of people of Caribbean descent in the U.S. While in Washington, D.C., the Caribbean leaders will meet with members of the Unity Coalition, a group of over 50 Black organizations, to solidify support for question 9 which addresses the issues of self identification and country of origin on the 2010 census.
