June is Caribbean-American Heritage Month and Atlanta kicked off the festivities with an opening ceremony at Atlanta’s City Hall. The event sponsored by the Georgia Caribbean American Heritage Coalition included foods from all over the Caribbean Diaspora, traditional folk dancing, cultural displays representing most of the Caribbean islands and also an address from Abdullah Skerritt, Director of The St. Kitts/Nevis Tourism Authority in Washington DC.
The event was well attended by many local leaders in the Caribbean community including Pat Baccus (Future Movement Radio), Denise Quinlan (President St. Kitts Nevis Association of GA), and Jackie Watson (Caribbean Association of GA).
ABOUT CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
n June 2005, the House of Representatives unanimously adopted H. Con. Res. 71, sponsored by Congresswoman Barbara Lee, recognizing the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and culture of the United States. On February 14, 2006, the resolution similarly passed the Senate, culminating a two-year, bipartisan and bicameral effort.
Since the declaration, the White House has issued an annual proclamation recognizing June as Caribbean-American Heritage Month. This year marks the eighth anniversary of June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month.
The campaign to designate June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month, was spearheaded by Dr. Claire Nelson, Founder and President of the Institute of Caribbean Studies. Through the commemoration of this month, we hope to ensure that America is reminded that its greatness lies in its diversity, with Caribbean immigrants from founding father Alexander Hamilton, to journalist Malcolm Gladwell, who have shaped the American dream.
