United States Virgin Islands Democratic Congress Member Stacey E. Plaskett this month reaffirmed her commitment to the Caribbean American community in recognition of National Caribbean American Heritage Month in June.
Plaskett serves as a co-lead on US House of Representatives Resolution 547, alongside Congress Member Yvette D. Clarke and Congressman André Carson.
They introduced the resolution in the House recognizing “the enduring contributions of Caribbean Americans to the history, culture, and progress of the United States.”
“Caribbean Americans have shaped this nation in ways that are too often overlooked,” Plaskett said. “From Alexander Hamilton, Malcolm X to Colin Powell and Sonia Sotomayor, from the arts to the military, Caribbean Americans have been woven into the very fabric of what makes this country great.
“As a proud Virgin Islander serving in Congress, I am honored to stand alongside my colleagues in formally recognizing this legacy,” she added. “The Virgin Islands is America’s sovereign soil in the Caribbean; our people have always understood the strength that comes from this shared heritage.
“As Virgin Islanders living in the heart of the Caribbean,” Plaskett continued. “We know that this resolution is a reminder that our diversity is not a footnote — it is a foundation.”
Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, said that “in observance of Caribbean-American Heritage Month, we celebrate our diversity, honor our legacy, and strengthen our unity.
“Above all, this month recognizes the resilience, contributions, and extraordinary achievements of Caribbean Americans across generations,” said the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. “As a proud woman of Jamaican descent, I am honored to represent those who came to the United States in pursuit of opportunity, as well as their descendants who continue to build upon their sacrifices while preserving the rich cultural values that shape the American story.
“That is why I am proud to co-sponsor the National Caribbean American Heritage Month Resolution with my colleagues in Congress,” Clarke added.
Carson, who represents Indiana’s 7th Congressional District, said that “throughout our history, Caribbean Americans have served our country and contributed to the culture of the United States through the arts, science, education, business, sports, military, and government.
“I was proud to join my colleagues in introducing a resolution to highlight the significance of National Caribbean American Heritage Month and honor the invaluable influence Caribbean Americans have had in the United States,” he added.
Plaskett said the resolution underscores that more than 13 million people in the United States were born in or have ancestry from the Caribbean.
She said it also acknowledges the “Caribbean Diaspora’s centuries-long contributions across every sector of American life — including business, science, education, government, and the armed forces.”
In addition, Plaskett said the resolution “recognizes the cultural richness Caribbean Americans bring to communities across all 50 states through music, food, art, and tradition.”
She said the resolution has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and has garnered support from members across the country.
On Monday, the San Diego-based Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA) joined communities across America in celebrating Caribbean American Heritage Month, honoring the “millions of Caribbean immigrants and their descendants whose contributions have helped shape the economic, cultural, political, and social fabric of the United States.”
HBA Executive Director Guerline Jozef told Caribbean Life that Caribbean immigrants represent “one of the fastest-growing immigrant populations in the country.”
In alluding to data from the Migration Policy Institute, she said the Caribbean immigrant population in the United States has grown by more than 40% since 2010, “with millions of individuals contributing to America’s workforce, entrepreneurship, healthcare, education, public service, and innovation.”
Jozef said Haitians and Jamaicans remain among the largest Caribbean immigrant communities in the United States.
“From our nation’s founding father Alexander Hamilton and Chicago’s founder Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable to trailblazers such as Shirley Chisholm, Malcom X, Colin Powell, Cecily Tyson, Wes Moore, the Governor of Maryland, and countless educators, healthcare professionals, small business owners, and public servants, Caribbean Americans have made an indelible mark on the American story,” she said.
“Caribbean immigrants embody resilience, excellence, and an unwavering belief in the promise of America,” Jozef added. “This month, we celebrate not only our heritage and culture, but also the generations of people of Caribbean descent whose contributions have strengthened our economy, enriched our communities, and expanded the possibilities of what our nation can achieve. Their story is an American story.”
As an organization dedicated to advancing the rights and dignity of Black immigrants and underserved communities, she said HBA “recognizes the profound role Caribbean immigrants continue to play in building a more prosperous, inclusive, and dynamic United States.
“HBA will continue to advocate for all immigrants from the Caribbean,” Jozef added, stating that during Caribbean American Heritage Month, HBA “encourages Americans of all backgrounds to learn more about the history, achievements, and cultural contributions of Caribbean communities and to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to welcoming those who contribute so much to its success.
“Diversity remains one of America’s greatest strengths,” she affirmed.
