Travel & Caribbean American Heritage Month

We’re almost halfway through the year! And with it comes June: Caribbean American Heritage Month! This is a special time of year where Americans celebrate the contributions and achievements of Caribbean Americans to our country’s culture and society. To help you get into the spirit of things, we’ve put together a list of five cities to visit during this month, where you can experience the rich culture and history of Caribbean Americans. So pack your bags, grab your sunscreen, and let’s go!

Background on Caribbean Americans

The Caribbean Islands were once densely populated by Indigenous groups for centuries. Archaeologists suggest Trinidad was the first to be settled, and as early as 9000/8000 BCE! While populations in the Western Hemisphere reached about 145 million, they dropped drastically once European empires began colonizing in the 15th century. Mass populations were exterminated by war, disease, or enslavement, declining over 90% by 1691. Additionally, it’s estimated that 10.7 million enslaved Africans were brought to the Western Hemisphere between 1525 and 1866. Less than 400,000 were brought to North America. The remaining 10.3 million were brought to the Caribbean and South America.

From the earliest days of US settlement in the 17th century, Caribbean immigrants have contributed to every aspect of American life – from politics to the arts to business. The first significant wave of Caribbean immigration to the US began in the early 1900s. People from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and other islands came to work in agriculture and other industries. This trend continued throughout the 20th century, with more and more Caribbean immigrants making their way to the US in search of better opportunities.

Caribbean American Heritage Month

Ninety percent of Caribbean Americans immigrated from just five countries: Cuba, Dominican

Republic, Jamaica, Haiti, & Trinidad and Tobago. Along with them, they brought a culture richly mixed of various cultural influences, including African, Indigenous, European, and Asian. This unique & distinct culture is characterized by vibrant music, colorful art, delicious cuisine, and a strong sense of community & family belonging. 

Some of the most notable Caribbean Americans include:

• Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury
• Colin Powell, the first person of color appointed as the Secretary of State
• James Weldon Johnson, the writer of the Black National Anthem
• Celia Cruz, the world-renowned “Queen of Salsa” music
• Shirley Chisholm, the first African American Congresswoman and first African American woman candidate for President

In recognition of the contributions of Caribbean Americans to the US, former President George W. Bush named June as Caribbean American Heritage Month in 2006. Since then, the month has been celebrated with festivals, parades, concerts, dancing, sharing traditional meals, and simply appreciating their rich history. 

Where to Celebrate

New York City

New York City is made up of the largest Caribbean American population of any city in the United States. Comprising more than 3 million people, the city is home to Jamaicans, Haitians, Trinidadians and Tobagonians, Guyanese, and Bajans (Barbadians). The neighborhoods of Flatbush and Crown Heights in Brooklyn, and Jamaica, Queens, are particularly known for their vibrant Caribbean communities!

During Caribbean American Heritage Month, attend the West Indian American Day Parade, one of the largest street festivals in the US! The city is also home to The Brooklyn Museum. It has collections of Caribbean art and artifacts, and often hosts events and exhibits related to Caribbean culture. The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is another attraction with a wealth of resources on Caribbean history and culture.

Miami

With a large and diverse Caribbean American population, Miami has become home to people from Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, and other islands. In fact, this area’s population is made up of over 21% Caribbean Americans! Little Haiti is the center of Miami’s Haitian-American cuisine, music, and art. Another cultural hub in the city is North Miami Beach, home to many Jamaican Americans. But the highest percentage of Cubans & Cuban Americans of any US city can be found in Hialeah (making up over 73% of the city’s population)!

Along with celebrating Caribbean American culture in June, you can attend the Miami Carnival, which is the largest Caribbean festival in Florida. The Little Haiti Cultural Complex also hosts a variety of events and activities related to Caribbean culture throughout the year. Little Haiti is also home to the Caribbean Marketplace. It plays host to a monthly event (The Caribbean Market Day) featuring food, music, and crafts from across the Caribbean.

Atlanta

Home to a growing Caribbean American community, Jamaica’s primary cultures include people from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Haiti. Some of the city’s prominent areas of Caribbean American cultures include Stone Mountain, and the ever growing population in Decatur.

The Atlanta Caribbean Carnival is one of the largest Caribbean festivals in the Southeast. It features a colorful parade and plenty of Caribbean food, music, and dancing. The city is also home to the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History. It’s home has a collection of materials related to Caribbean American history and culture.

Houston

Home to large numbers of Jamaicans, Trinidadians and Tobagonians, and Belizeans, Houston has a large and diverse population. The neighborhoods of Third Ward, Alief and Sharpstown are great communities to experience the vibrant culture firsthand. 

You can celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month at the Houston Caribbean Festival, which features live music, food, and dancing. The Caribbean American Heritage Foundation of Texas also hosts events throughout the year, including a gala to celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles has a small but growing Caribbean American community. People from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and other islands call LA home. The neighborhoods of Inglewood, View Park-Windsor Hills and South LA are particularly known for their Caribbean communities. These are great places to explore cuisine and music of the region!

During Caribbean American Heritage Month, you can attend the LA Culture Festival, which features a Caribbean parade and plenty of food, music, and dancing. The city is also host to the California African American Museum. With a collection of Caribbean art and artifacts, they often host events and exhibits related to Caribbean culture throughout the year!

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