Washington, DC (November 10, 2020)- The 27th Annual Caribbean American Heritage Awards (CARAH) will be staged virtually this year on Friday, November 20, 2020.
Among the 2020 Caribbean American Heritage Awards honorees is the Labour Member of Parliament for Tottenham, England, Rt Honorable David Lammy whose parents arrived in the UK from Guyana in the 1970s as part of the Windrush generation.
The award’s show which was held last year at the historic Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture is the brainchild of the Washington DC-based Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) and celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of outstanding individuals of Caribbean descent who have made extraordinary contributions to their fields of expertise.
Founder and President of ICS Dr. Claire Nelson
Founder and President of ICS, Dr. Claire Nelson, says the decision to host a virtual event, given their debut at the Smithsonian Museum of African American Heritage and Culture in 2019, was a tough but necessary one as the world grapples with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and the USA with the racial uprising, and a national election.
“We have lost many noble citizens in our community this year. Many who have come to America in search of the American dream have perished because of their diligent pursuit of honest work to support their families at home and abroad. We grieve with and for the loss of some of our supporters and CARAH honorees such as, the late Prime Minister Owen Arthur, of Barbados who joined us as Keynote Speaker in 1996 to lend credibility to our then-three-year-old toddler self. We also grieve the loss of the late Frederic ‘Toots’ Hibbert, who we honored in 2007, and who blessed us with his joy and luminous presence over the years. For them, we have decided to go forward together to face the reality of this ‘Covidemic’ scourge by finding reasons to celebrate life. Even though we cannot celebrate in a physical space, we believe the experience will still be intimate in a new way and joyful.” She said.
The Jamaican-born White House Champion of Change added that it is important that we celebrate and honor the success of Caribbean immigrants.
“Compounded with the racial uprising, we felt it important to let the world know that we who reflect the blood of Africa in our dark skins, we from the Caribbean are very proud of the indelible mark that our people have made and continue to make on the world, even in a world that often tries to negate us. We will not be stifled. We will make a sanctuary. This is a tribute to triumph and transformation. No matter what. We will rise”, stated Dr. Nelson.
Other persons who will be honored include Dr. Nicholas Brathwaite (Grenada), Dr Swinburne A.J. Augustine (Dominica), Andrea McKenzie (Trinidad & Tobago); Anaya Lee Willabus (Guyana); Frederick Morton, Jr. (St. Croix, US Virgin Islands); Michele Lawrence Jawando (Bermuda); Senator Don Wehby, C.D. (Jamaica); and Hon. Judith ‘Judy’ Mowatt (Jamaica); O.D. and Ambassador Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce (Jamaica).
The Gala Event will commence with VIP Reception 6:30 pm, followed by Awards Gala and After Party all virtually. In recognition of COVID related hardships, discounted tickets are offered first come first serve for as low as $25.00. To participate register at www.caribbeanamericanheritageawards.com. Part proceeds will go towards Life seed Youth Entrepreneurship Initiatives.
