LAUDERDALE LAKES – The Institute of Caribbean Studies announces (ICS) the first Annual, National Caribbean- American Heritage Month Youth Essay Competition. The competition is designed to commemorate the historic passage of a Congressional Resolution declaring JUNE as National, Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
The Institute is partnering with area schools and colleges and organizations such as the Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce (“GCACC”), the University of the West Indies Alumni Association and others across the country to organize regional/local competitions.
The winning entry for each regional/local competition will be judged in the national level competition and the grand winner will receive tickets for two to a Caribbean destination, Courtesy of BWIA.
“This is an exciting time that we live in,” says Tanya Ragbeer, President of the GCACC, “to be able to recognize the Caribbean Diaspora as a viable force throughout this Nation and to be able to impart that knowledge onto our children and their classmates is a major accomplishment. I applaud the National Commemorative Committee and their efforts in making this a reality for 2006”.
“It is imperative that we use this historic occasion to build a bridge between generations so that all of the pitfalls of the past can be avoided and rectified in a fusion of peoples that reflect a ‘musaic of people, a montage of cultures’” says Glenn Joseph, Executive Vice President and Coordinator for the National Commemorative Advisory Council and National Commemorative Committee, and Past President of the GCACC.
The essay title is “Is immigration good for the United States” and the competition is open to 11th and 12th grade students who have a Caribbean heritage as defined by the competition rules. The closing date for the competition is May 20, 2006 and winning entries in the local/regional competition will be announced on June 15, 2006. The official entry form may be obtained at www.icsdc.org.
ICS was the leading supporter of the Bill and hosted a successful campaign launch on Capitol Hill in June 2004 in support of JUNE as National, Caribbean-American Heritage Month. The Bill was sponsored by Congresswoman Barbara Lee.
ICS formed coalitions with TransAfrica Forum, the Caribbean Association of the World Bank and Fund, and the Caribbean Professional Networking Series to organize events in the Metropolitan Area. The Bill had its foundations in the first White House Briefing to the Caribbean Community in 1999 which followed the urging of ICS for recognition of a National Caribbean American Heritage Month, through the Clinton White House.
The passage of the Bill is important to the process of empowerment for the Caribbean American Community and a significant milestone in their collective efforts to preserve a rich culture and heritage while staking their claim in American. ICS is coordinating with Community leaders across the US in a month-long celebration marking the FIRST official commemoration of JUNE as Caribbean American Heritage Month.
Essays should be mailed to attn:
Student Affairs Director, Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 491634, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33319.
Entries must be postmarked no later than May 20, 2006
Contact: Student Affairs Director
Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce 954-730-8885 or via email: [email protected]
