South Florida is home to one of the most vibrant Jamaican communities in the United States. From the global rhythms of reggae music to the unmistakable flavors of jerk cuisine, Jamaican heritage continues to leave a strong cultural imprint across the region.
That influence was recently spotlighted in a feature aired on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), which explored the rich presence of Jamaican culture, food, and music in South Florida. The segment highlighted how the Jamaican diaspora has preserved its traditions while also shaping and enriching American culture.
Among those featured in the broadcast were Lauderhill Mayor Denise Grant, Xavier Murphy, founder of Jamaicans.com, and Carson “Eddy” Edwards, commissioner for the City of Miramar and co-founder of the annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival in South Florida.
Grant, who was born in Manchester, Jamaica, expressed pride in being part of the production and in representing the Jamaican community in her city.
“Lauderhill is known for a thriving Jamaican population—in fact, there are areas people call Jamaica Hill right here in our community,” Grant said. “When PBS decided to feature the diaspora and highlight Jamaicans in South Florida—the food, the vibes, the music and the art—they chose Lauderhill as one of the cities to spotlight. I’m proud to be part of this wonderful feature and the production they put together.”
She added that Jamaicans have made a significant impact not only in South Florida but across the United States.
“Jamaicans really add so much value to our community, not just here in South Florida but throughout the U.S. as a whole. I’m proud to be among those represented in this feature,” Grant said.
Edwards, who is originally from Harbour View, Kingston, also reflected on the strong sense of national pride within the diaspora.
“Jamaicans have a way of really flying their flag in a big way,” Edwards noted in the segment, while also acknowledging the broader diversity of Caribbean nationals living and working throughout the region.
Murphy shared his experiences traveling internationally and being instantly recognized as Jamaican, underscoring the powerful global identity of the culture. He also spoke about the deep cultural traditions of Jamaicans that are rooted in African heritage.
Since its release, the PBS segment has been widely shared across social media, drawing thousands of views and enthusiastic reactions from members of the diaspora and supporters of Caribbean culture worldwide.
View the segment…HERE
