The month of June is Caribbean American Heritage Month, which has been nationally observed since 2006. During June, celebrations of Caribbean American contributions to our country and their rich, warm culture occur throughout the country. This month is dedicated to education about Caribbean culture, including food, music, literature, and more.
The majority of Caribbean Americans come from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago. There are millions of Caribbean Americans living across all parts of the country — and you might even have heard of some of them.
Notable Caribbean Americans
Many Caribbean Americans have contributed to popular culture, music, the film industry, and politics. Some of the most famous Caribbean Americans come to us from the music industry, including:
- Rhianna, who is from Barbados
- Beyonce, whose father was from the Bahamas
- Nicki Minaj, who was born in Trinidad
- Lenny Kravitz, who has Bahamian roots
- Alicia Keys, who has Jamaican roots
- LL Cool J, who has Barbadian roots
Outside of the music industry, there are many famous actors and actresses with Caribbean backgrounds:
- Kerry Washington, whose mother is from Jamaica
- Harry Belafonte, whose mother is also from Jamaica
- Heather Headley, who was born in Trinidad
There are also many famous politicians who come from the Caribbean:
- Alexander Hamilton, who was born and raised on the island Nevis
- Eric Holder, whose father was from Barbados
- Colin Powell, whose parents were from Jamaica
Safe to say that there are many well-known Americans with Caribbean heritage. These individuals’ — as well as the millions of other Caribbean Americans across the country, working in all types of jobs — have significantly contributed to our country’s diverse tapestry, enriching our shared culture.
Celebrating Caribbean American Heritage Month
What will you do this June to Celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month? If you’re looking for ways to engage with Caribbean culture, the first place we recommend that you look is for Caribbean restaurants near you. Caribbean food is known for being incredibly delicious, with complex flavors and hearty portions: rum punch, jerk chicken, rice and peas, curries, fritters, and more. Mouth watering yet? Try your hand at some Caribbean recipes, or find some Caribbean catering from CaterCow.
You can also check out popular Caribbean music by searching for playlists, which will likely include reggae and gospel. Better yet, find a party that combines the sweet, beachy tunes of Caribbean music with dancing. If you’re looking for something to read, Oprah shares 16 books written by Caribbean American authors and Caribbean Reads offers the official Caribbean American Heritage Month book list. There are also many great research articles and blogs from the National Archives on the topic. And if you want to get up and move around? Soccer is a popular sport in the Caribbean, so if you’re attending a Caribbean American Heritage Month event, be ready to kick a ball around!
There are many ways to celebrate the significant contributions of Caribbean Americans, and this June, we encourage you to find ways to participate — whether that’s through food, music, or books.
