About The Festival
Celebrating June, Caribbean American Heritage Month
One
of our core missions of The
Caribbean American Heritage Foundation of Texas is to recognize and
annually celebrate National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, June of every
year with our Cultural Heritage Festival; in doing so, we will work to bring
awareness to the contributions made to our society and culture of peoples of
Caribbean heritage and highlighting the contribution made by Caribbean
immigrants to the United States and Texas.
Our 1st Annual National Caribbean-American Heritage Month Festival began in
2010 on the steps of City Hall where we received a City of Houston
Proclamation from Council Members Jolanda “Jo” Jones and C.O. “Brad”
Bradford. The Proclamation, on behalf of Mayor Annise Parker, declared June
as National Caribbean American Heritage Month in the City of Houston. The
Festival, open to all groups and organizations of all backgrounds and
diversities, continues to grow and is becoming a cornerstone of tourism in
the Greater Houston Area, and will be for many years to come. The 2015
festival was a feast for the eyes and ears, and those in attendance enjoyed
the great Caribbean Heritage celebration, complete with fabulous native
music, exuberant cultural dancing and delicious authentic foods.
For
almost six years, The Caribbean American Heritage Foundation of Texas, since
President Bush’s historic signing of Proclamation 8026, has done our part in
Houston to celebrate Caribbean-American Heritage Month on a visible scale.
Caribbean American Heritage Month has highlighted the achievements of
Caribbean-Americans in Houston, which is the fourth largest city in the
U.S., the largest city in Texas and voted the most diverse city in the
United States. Our 5th Annual Festival demonstrated our commitment both to
Houston and to our Caribbean Community; our longevity also highlights our
determination to continue working and making our contribution
to Houston as an international city. We seek to continue the efforts of
the former International Festival to promote Houston as the most diverse
city in the country.
At Caribbean American Heritage Month
Caribbean immigrants have been contributing to the well-being of American
society since its founding. Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the
Treasury was from the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. We count among our
famous sons and daughters, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Cicely Tyson,
WEB Dubois, James Weldon Johnson, Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier to name
a few. Institute of
Caribbean Studies (ICS) effort began in 1999 with a petition to
President Clinton for the recognition of a Caribbean American Heritage
Month.
In 2000, ICS began
leading the celebration of June as Caribbean American Heritage Month in
Washington DC, building on efforts started by a now defunct Ad-Hoc Group of
Washington DC residents to have a Caribbean Heritage Month in Washington DC
in 1999. The official Campaign for a National Caribbean American Heritage
Month began in 2004, when the Bill was tabled in Congress by Congresswoman
Barbara Lee, with language provided by ICS Founder and President, Dr. Claire
Nelson. The Bill was reintroduced and passed the House in June, 2005, and
the Senate in February, 2006. A Proclamation making the Resolution official
was signed by President Bush on June 5, 2006.
President George W. Bush Signed Proclamation 8026 – Caribbean Heritage Month
2006 on June 8, 2006. The Proclamation stated in part: “Our Nation has
thrived as a country of immigrants, and we are more vibrant and hopeful
because of the talent, faith, and values of Caribbean Americans. For
centuries, Caribbean Americans have enriched our society and added to the
strength of America. There have been leaders in government, sports,
entertainment, the arts, and many other fields. During the month of June, we
also honor the friendship between the United States and the Caribbean
countries. We are united by our common values and shared history, and I join
all Americans in celebrating the rich Caribbean heritage and the many ways
in which Caribbean Americans have helped shape this Nation.”