Caribbean American Heritage Month is an important celebration that recognizes the achievements and rich culture of the millions of Caribbean Americans who have come to the United States to continue their lives.
The annual commemoration of this month serves as a way to promote cultural diversity, understanding, and inclusion in the United States and right here in Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 ACS reported that our country is home to more than 8.5 million individuals who were either born in the Caribbean or reported ancestry of a given country in the Caribbean. Of this population, 1.6 million are Florida residents, and 125,000 Caribbean Americans live in Central Florida. Caribbean Americans are our neighbors, doctors, teachers, first responders, and everything else.
Team Anna is proud to support, celebrate, and empower Caribbean Americans of any and all ethnicities this month and every month. From the incredible community groups and nonprofits to the amazing small businesses and restaurants, we applaud, commemorate, and honor Caribbean Americans’ enriching culture and heritage across Florida and in our own House District 42.
Organizations & Associations
- Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of Florida, Inc. – A volunteer-based organization that focuses on connecting the local Caribbean American Community through community-building events and in-depth training sessions for their business owners.
- Caribbean American Association of Central Florida – A non-profit community service organization that helps families in need and provides scholarships for those transitioning to higher education. Their goal is to raise awareness about family and community issues to make them better places to live.
- Caribbean And Floridian Association – A non-profit organization to aid new arrivals to Central Florida with Caribbean backgrounds, and aims to help improve the quality of life for those in need.
- The Jamaican American Association of Central Florida – An association dedicated to promoting opportunities and empowerment for those of Jamaican descent through financial, education, and community access.
- Caribbean Community Connection of Orlando, Inc. – A community based service organization that hosts projects geared to children.
- Haitian American Art & Health Network – A non-profit, community based organization that aims to erase stereotypes and embrace diversity through art in a culturally sensitive manner.
- Save the Children – A charity organization that has charities for multiple countries in the Caribbean, aiming to help the children of these countries and keep them healthy, nourished, educated, and safe.
- Give2Cuba – A charity focusing on providing vulnerable people in Cuba with medicine, food, and other essentials in the wake of ongoing humanitarian crises.
- Dominican Foundation – A non-profit organization that works to provide children and families in the Dominican Republic with education, healthcare, water, sanitation, and micro-enterprising.
- Alimenta la Solidaridad – A non-profit organization working to provide food security amongst the crisis in Venezuela, focusing on children and pregnant women.
Restaurants
- Jam-Eng Caribbean and English Cuisine: 65 N Orange Ave, 14 E Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801
- Tropical Paradise Restaurant: 73 S Semoran Blvd, Orlando, FL 32807
- Caribbean Cuisine: 18 N Dollins Ave Orlando,FL 32805
- Zaza Cuban Comfort Food: 3500 Curry Ford Road Orlando, FL 32806
- Caribbean One Stop: 2117 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32804
- Caribbean Sunshine Bakery: 2528 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32804
- Jamaican Me Happy Jamaican and American Restaurant: 4981 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32808
- Ole Red: 8417 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
- Wonder Arepa: 4945 S Orange Blossom Trl #5, Orlando, FL 32839
- Meringue Bites Cuisine: 4901 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32803
- Tu Casa Restaurant: 9251 S Orange Blossom Trl #10, Orlando, FL 32837
- El Cilantrillo Restaurant: Semoran, 2500 S Semoran Blvd, Orlando, FL 32822
- Bon Appetit Grill: 4534 S Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL 32839
- Blessing D Kreyol Food, LLC.: 18 N Dollins Ave, Orlando, FL 32805
Events
- Caribbean Culture Celebration with Ravon Rhoden: Saturday, June 15th from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Hiawassee Branch of the Orange County Library System, located at 7391 W. Colonial Drive Orlando FL, 32818
- Level X 2024 Summit: Friday, June 21st at 8 AM to Saturday June 22nd at 5:00 PM, located at the Atlanta Marriott Northeast/Emory Area, located at 2000 Century Boulevard NE Atlanta, Georgia 30345 – shared by the Greater Haitian American Chamber of Commerce!
- Rock Art: Taino Petroglyphs: Saturday, June 22nd from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the South Trail Branch of the Orange County Library System, located at 4600 S. Orange Blossom Trail Orlando FL, 32839
- Caribbean American Heritage Month (CAHM) Festival: Sunday, June 24th from 12:00 PM-8:00 PM at Orlando Fashion Square, located at 3201 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32803
- Music in the Library: Ravon Rhoden: Saturday, June 29th from 2:00 PM-3:00 PM in the Orlando Public Library, located at 101 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801
- Volusia Caribbean American Heritage Month Festival: Sunday, June 20th from 1:00 PM-6:00 PM at The Center at Deltona, located at 1640 Drive Martin Luther King Boulevard Deltona, FL 32725
- First Time Home Buyers & Home Save Program: Thursday, July 11th from 5 PM to 8 PM at the Guilgal Seventh Day Adventist Church, located at 5668 N. Pine Hills Road Orlando, FL 32810