The United States Department of State joined the Institute for Caribbean Studies (ICS) to launch National Caribbean American Heritage Month Celebrations in June.
“Kierscht”The opening ceremony, scheduled for June 1, was hosted virtually on the Zoom social media platform. It was expected to feature keynote speaker Cynthia "Cindy" Kierscht, deputy assistant secretary of the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, which includes Haiti and the Caribbean.
Other scheduled guest speakers included Noel Lynch, ambassador of Barbados to the U.S., and Dr. Claire Nelson of the ICS.
“Our Shared History, Our Shared Future” is the theme for Caribbean Heritage Month, which is being celebrated across the U.S. in recognition of the contribution of the Caribbean people to the culture and economy of the nation.
“This year's events reflect the growing consciousness of our community on the need to show up and show off especially in this a presidential election year,” said Nelson, ICS founder and president.
Members of the Congressional Caribbean Caucus and experts and scholars are expected to participate in policy discussions affecting the Caribbean American community during “Legislative Week”, June 22-27.
National Caribbean American Heritage Month has been celebrated annually since June 2006.This year, it represents an opportunity to bring together Caribbean people across the world to address common concerns; allow Caribbean people to feel a sense of place in the public discourse on the post-COVID global future; and strengthen the Caribbean voice in the world.
