CARIBBEAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA CHALLENGED TO CONTINUE REGIONAL UNITY THROUGH ARTS AND CULTURE
 
Commemorating this month of June as Caribbean American Heritage Month, the Caribbean American Heritage Committee of Central Florida kicked off the month-long activities with a Reception on Saturday, June 4th, at the Circa Restaurant in Winter Park.

The President of the United States, President Barack Obama, acknowledged the occasion with a Proclamation expressing his good wishes for the people of the region. The Mayor of Orlando, Mayor Buddy Dyer, also sent good wishes in his Proclamation. 

The event recognized sponsors, donors and organizers who have pledged support for Caribbean Culture and Community in the area. Representatives from the Office of the Mayor of Orlando, the Caribbean Chamber of Commerce, Caribbean Passport Newspaper, Caribbean Airlines/Air Jamaica, Sea Freight, Laparkan, Amerijet, Caribbean Supercenter, Breakaway Moments, Life Worth Living Pharmacy, BFA Environmental, the Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Property Appraiser’s Office, among others, were in attendance.  Other dignitaries in attendance were the Consul General of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Anil Ramnanan, and the former US Ambassador to the Republic of Senegal, Ambassador Harriett Elam-Thomas.

In addressing the gathering, the long line of speakers focused on the similar theme of the importance of maintaining unity among member groups in an effort to showcase the region and its people. Noting that although the countries may be separated by water, and share different ethnicities in some instances, the speakers emphasized that culturally, they are one vibrant region.  They also spoke to the richness of the Caribbean Culture and Arts, and the importance of promoting these activities to bring people together. Among the countries represented at the event were Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Grenada, Haiti, Guyana, and the Bahamas.

Throughout this month, there will be activities for everyone to enjoy.  On June 5th we celebrated Indian Arrival Day, On June 11th, we had the Soccer Tournament.  If you missed those then join us at the Caribbean Chamber Zone at BBIF’s Networking Event on June 17th  and then for Cricket on the 19th.  All of these activities will culminate with the Caribbean American Month Festival at Lake Eola on June 25th, where the supporting Caribbean American Organizations will come together to provide cultural entertainment that represent their various countries.