By LeToya Stairs
MIAMI – “Caribbean Americans have prospered in every sector of our society and enhanced our national character while maintaining the multiethnic and multicultural traditions of their homelands. They are doctors and lawyers, public servants and scientists, and athletes and service members. Their successes inspire individuals in the United States and abroad…”. These words, shared by President Barack Obama in his National Caribbean-American Heritage Month Proclamation, ellipse the spirit of this diverse group. A spirit which is evident across South Florida, a tri-county community with one of the densest populations of Caribbean descendants in the U.S.
On Thursday, June 30 Miami-Dade School Board Members Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindigall and Dr. Wilbert “Tee” Holloway hosted a celebration full of this vibrant spirit in honor of Caribbean Heritage Month.
In attendance, a vast group of supporters including School Board Members Perla Tabares Hantman, Dr. Lawrence Feldman, Superintendent of Schools Alberto Carvalho, Consul General of Trinidad and Tobago Dr Anil Ramnanan, Regional Director of Starbuck Coffee Company, Attorney Marlon Hill amongst others.
Hosted by NBC Miami reporter Donna Rapado, the celebration showcased performances by percussionist Willie Stewart, Songstress Jenny Love, the Laissez Faire Dance Ensemble, 9th grade poet Kidjie Boyer and the Charles Drew Middle School Dance Company.
Willie, who many recognize from his days with the renowned band Third World, is a long time resident of South Florida and an avid prompter of Arts education in schools. The invitation to share the magic of music education with this audience was opportune as the influential group was all-ears. Willie, acting as a curator of culture, he passed on the stories of the Caribbean islands by taking the group on amid-day musical journey around the world. Symbolically, thru percussion the performance told the story of the Caribbean immigrant.
This performance was a small sampling of the upcoming production Rhythms of Africa, a recent recipient of the Knight Arts Challenge Award. The show will take place October 15, 2011 at Parker Playhouse. The compelling percussion performance of 60 at-risk students complimented by an array of accomplished international musicians will be led by Willie and will take attendees on a musical journey around the world.
