The Caribbean American Society of New York (CASONY) and The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) will host a jubilant Caribbean American Heritage Month and Juneteenth Celebration under the theme “Building Together.” This free event will take place on Friday, June 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brooklyn Technical High School, 29 Fort Greene Place in Brooklyn, New York.
Dr. Beryl R. Williams, CAPA’s founder and president, told Caribbean Life she will perform at the event along with Chip Williford, Suffolk County Poet Laureate, the first African American to hold the title.
CASONY’s and NSBE’s Caribbean American Heritage Month and Juneteenth Celebration is made possible through collaborations with several civic, business, and educational organizations. The Caribbean American Poetry Association’s (CAPA) contribution to this event includes promotions and poetry performance.
“This year’s combined Caribbean Heritage Month and Juneteenth celebration will be a spectacular event which will recognize several distinguished African Americans and Caribbean-Americans who have made significant contributions to our history, life and culture,” said CASONY president and founder, Horace Davis. “The celebration will also feature poetry, music, dance, and other commemorative expressions.”
The honorees for this celebration are Julius Garvey, MD, son of the late Marcus Garvey; Patricia Chin, founder of VP Records; Raymond Joseph, former Haitian Ambassador to the U.S.; Kenneth P. Thompson, the first African American District Attorney of Kings County; and Jeanine Ramirez, Brooklyn Tech alumna and award-winning journalist and media consultant.
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to inform the last group of enslaved persons of their freedom, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law on June 17, 2021.
National Caribbean American Heritage Month, now in its 20th year, is observed each June to celebrate the rich history, culture, and societal contributions of Caribbean immigrants and their descendants in the U.S. The presidential proclamation establishing the commemoration was signed on June 5, 2006, by President George W. Bush.
“Both commemorative designations promote historical and cultural awareness and a commitment to future progress. It is a time to reflect on the past and step toward a future filled with possibilities,” Davis said. “We look forward to welcoming friends, family and the entire community to this event.”
CAPA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing Caribbean poetry in the United States; promoting the work of Caribbean-American poets; and bringing Caribbean-American poetry to the widest possible audiences. Learn more about CAPA @CAPAPoetryStory.
The Caribbean American Society of New York is a NYC based non-profit membership organization who seeks to improve the social, educational, and economic status of our people through activism, charitable giving, cultural events, and educational initiatives.
The NSBE is one of the largest student-led organizations in the U.S. Its mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.
For more information about CASONY’s and NSBE’s Caribbean American Heritage Month and Juneteenth Celebration please visit www.casony.org or request details at info@casony.org or call 718-276-5456.
