The county is observing National Caribbean-American Heritage Month following the official proclamation on June 11 by Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles, recognizing June as the month to honor the rich culture of the Caribbean community.
The festivities kicked off with a breakfast event, followed by the County Council proclamation. Sayles expressed her excitement about sharing her culture as the first Caribbean-American elected in Montgomery County.
The breakfast event featured a traditional Jamaican American breakfast provided by a small local business, Island Time Oasis. Sayles emphasized the importance of understanding the diversity within the Caribbean community, noting the significance of food in connecting cultures.
With over 26,000 Caribbean-American residents in Montgomery County, the event showcased the substantial contributions of this community.
Sayles thanked State Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins for attending the breakfast and expressed gratitude to Wes Moore, the first Jamaican-American governor of Maryland.
After a few short remarks, Sayles officially proclaimed June as a month to honor the contributions of the Caribbean-American community. She encouraged all residents to celebrate and hopes to see Caribbean-Americans embracing their heritage throughout the month.
The celebration will continue on Saturday, June 22, with a free, multilingual community event featuring diverse foods, entertainment, hands-on learning, and resources for families to explore. The National Caribbean-American Heritage Month Steering Committee is hosting the event at Marian Fryer Town Plaza, 2424 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, from noon to 6 p.m.
Multiple Caribbean countries will be represented, including the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Panama, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
The celebration will be held rain or shine.
Click here for more information and to reserve a free general admission ticket to the event.
