A COVID-19 research scientist, a corporate engineer, a sculptor and a Grammy winning songwriter are among the individuals that will be honored by the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) at the 28th Annual Caribbean American Heritage (CARAH) Awards Gala on Friday, November 19, 2021. The prestigious honors recognize the contributions and accomplishments of Caribbean diaspora leaders in various fields while celebrating Caribbean pride and the great promise of Caribbean immigrants to America and the world. The 28th staging of the Caribbean American Heritage Awards (CARAH) will once again be virtual this year as the world continues to grapple with the novel coronavirus.
ICS’ Caribbean American Heritage Awards is the leading honors event by Caribbean Americans for people from the Caribbean diaspora. The 2021 honorees include Vidia Roopchand, research scientist on Covid-19 Vaccine, of Guyanese heritage, who will receive Excellence in Science and Technology; Dominica-born Justina Nixon-Saintil, engineer and corporate social responsibility maven, who will receive the Trailblazer Award; Trinidad-born, Dr. Cindy Duke, medical doctor, and public health influencer, who will receive the Forerunner Award; WNBA basketball coach Daynia La Force of St. Lucia, will receive Excellence in Sports; Dr. Jason Mars, AI inventor of Guyanese heritage will receive the Vanguard Award; Haitian-American influencer and entrepreneur Wanda Tima, will receive the Outstanding Community Service Award; Jamaicans Lloyd Carney, corporate executive, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Outstanding Entrepreneur Award; Basil Watson, award winning sculptor, the Marcus Garvey Lifetime Achievement Award; and Grammy winning songwriter Gordon Chambers, also of Jamaican heritage, who will receive the Luminary Award. The CARAH Awards will take place on November 19 live online with virtual pre- and after-party entertainment by Image Band and live DJs.
The Caribbean American Heritage (CARAH) Awards, which is held under the patronage of the Caribbean Diplomatic Corps celebrates members of the Caribbean diaspora who have been exceptionally successful in their fields at the national or international level.
“ICS started this event more than 25 years ago in an effort to highlight to the American society at large the caliber of individuals that claimed Caribbean American ancestry, and to provide a forum for honoring and recognizing their contributions to America and the world,” said Dr. Nelson, Founder and President of the Institute of Caribbean Studies. “This remains important today when we consider that there is now a woman of Jamaican heritage serving as Vice-President of these United States of America.”
Since its founding in 1994, over 100 leaders such as Susan Taylor, former editor-in-chief of Essence magazine; Rita Marley, reggae matriarch and philanthropist; Dr. Velma Scantlebury, transplant surgeon; George Willie, CEO of Bert Smith and Company; and Aubrey Stephenson, CEO of Federal Management System have received a CARAH Award.
Friends of the Caribbean honored have included Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and Congressman Elliot Engel.
Noted broadcast television journalist Neki Mohan will serve as Anchor Host for the evening with entertainment provided by leading Caribbean Band in Washington DC, IMAGE Band; Becky Bass, Pan Virtuoso; Chef Oji Jaja, Ashebre; and others. Event partners include CaribNation TV which will co-executive produce the Gala for broadcast television.
To learn more about the Caribbean American Heritage Awards,
visit www.caribbeanheritageawards.org.
