Food, music, dancing, and pageantry were on full display on Saturday, June 28, during the Annual Caribbean-American Heritage Month Celebration at 1222 East 96th St. in Canarsie, Brooklyn.
The co-chairs of the New York State Caribbean-American Delegation — Assembly Member Jaime Williams and Monique Chandler-Waterman and Senator Roxanne Persaud — told Caribbean Life that the “epic” event celebrated the “vibrant culture of the Caribbean through music, food, dancing, games and much more.”
Williams, the Trinidadian-born representative for the 59th Assembly District in Brooklyn, said: “Caribbean American Heritage Month is celebrated throughout the month of June to recognize and celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of Caribbean Americans to the United States.
“In addition to recognizing it here in my district, we celebrate with several events in Albany,” she said. “The month-long observance aims to highlight the diverse heritage and cultural influences of Caribbean people and their descendants in the US.
“I am honored to represent a district that is very diverse and is a melting pot of cultures,” Williams added. “The more we understand and embrace our differences, the stronger we are as a community.”
Chandler-Waterman, the daughter of Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants, said she was “proud to stand with my colleagues and community groups to celebrate our rich Caribbean culture through performances, food, and music.
Photo by Nelson A. KingPhoto by Nelson A. King
“As we celebrate Caribbean-American Heritage Month, we expose all Caribbean culture to the community,” said the representative for the 58th Assembly District. “This is important to learn about one another, especially at this time of uncertainty.
“It was amazing to see the community celebrating in a safe space without concern,” Chandler-Waterman added. “I will continue to work with my colleagues in government, especially my co-chair of the NYS Caribbean American Delegation, Assembly Member Jaime Williams, to ensure our culture is on display from Albany, NY to Brooklyn, NY. This is not an I thing, it is a WE ting!”
Persaud, the Guyanese-born representative for the 19th Senate District, also in Brooklyn, said Caribbean-American Heritage Month is “a meaningful time to celebrate the Caribbean community’s rich culture, history, and contributions.
“I am pleased that my colleagues and I, in collaboration with sponsors and supporters, were able to provide the community with a festive event that recognized the incredible impact Caribbean-Americans have had in shaping our borough and beyond,” she said.
The co-chairs said they were “delighted to present three scholarships via the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Association.”
They added that they appreciated, among others, the following for making the event possible: Frieda Menos, representing U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries; Emblem Health; Four Seasons; TriniJam BK; 69th Precinct Community Council; Clover Dewar; Melting Pot Restaurant; My Time, Inc.; Newton Foundation; Grenada Cultural Association; Guyana Folk Fest; Sesame Flyers; Tropical Fete; West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA); Golden Krust; East Flatbush Village, Inc.; Destination Dominica; Visit Canarsie; Millennium Development; DJ Chinee, BICAL Auto; and the Caribbean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI).
Williams, Chandler-Waterman, and Persaud also gave “a big shout out” to the Caribbean-American Correction Officers Delegation and all the local Community-Based Organizations that came out, along with our staff and volunteers.”
