Caribbean excellence will be on full display at the 26th Annual Caribbean American Heritage Awards gala scheduled for Friday, Nov. 22 in Washington, DC and hosted by the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS).
CARAH celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of individuals of Caribbean descent. From scientists to musicians and artists, CARAH has been the premier event to honor emerging stars and experts of Caribbean descent within diverse fields who have made outstanding contributions to the community. It celebrates excellence in health care, public service, science, business, and corporate leadership.
The 2019 Honorees are:
Evens Charles – the real estate developer will accept the award for Outstanding Entrepreneurship. Mr. Charles is of Haitian descent.
Dr. Kingsley Chin – the orthopedic surgeon will receive the Excellence in Medicine Award. Dr. Chin is of Jamaican heritage.
Donnette Cooper – the lawyer and activist will accept the Forerunner Award. She is of Jamaican heritage.
Dr. Andre Fenton – a scientist and professor, Fenton will be presented the Award for Excellence in Science and Technology. He is of Guyanese heritage.
Dr. Winnette McIntosh-Ambrose – engineer and entrepreneur will receive the Trailblazer Award. She is from Trinidad and Tobago.
Morgan Heritage – reggae band of Jamaican roots will be presented the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Reggae Music.
Euzhan Palcy – writer, director and filmmaker from Martinque will accept the Luminary Award.
Erwin Raphael – chief operating officer for Genesis Motor America will receive the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Corporate America. He is of Dominican heritage.
Dr. Claire Nelson, ICS founder and president, described the CARAH Awards as a testament to Caribbean Americans continued contributions to the United States. “ICS started this event 26 years ago in an effort to highlight to the American and Diaspora community the caliber of individuals that claimed Caribbean American ancestry and to provide a forum for honoring and recognizing their contributions to the public.”
Over the years, well known individuals such as Susan Taylor, former editor-in-chief of Essence magazine, Rita Marley, reggae matriarch and philanthropist, and Earl Graves Sr., publisher of Black Enterprise, have received a CARAH Award. Friends of the Caribbean honored have included Congresswoman Barbara Lee and the Honorable Andrew Young.
The event will be hosted by WAMU 88.5 Kojo Nnamdi, who is himself of Caribbean heritage. Entertainment for the evening will be anchored by top caribbean band in Washington DC, the IMAGE Band. Event partners include CaribNation TV which will co-executive produce the CARAH gala for television and Boom Production Services.
To learn more about the Caribbean American Heritage Awards and the 2019 honorees, visit www.caribbeanheritageawards.org.
CONTACT: Melissa Williams, [email protected]