Gospel artistes perform for Caribbean-American Heritage Month

In celebration of the National Caribbean-American Heritage Month (CAHM), Soul Winners Christian Center and Epiphany Lutheran Church in conjunction with Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS), hosted a Caribbean gospel concert, Redemption, in New York

The heritage month is celebrated across the US in June to recognise the rich history and contributions made by Caribbean people and to honour their achievements in shaping the culture and economy of the US, a media release said.

Under this year's theme, Honouring Our Journey, Shaping our Future, the celebration was dedicated towards bringing awareness about Caribbean culture and diversity through various activities such as workshops, dance, sharing traditional meals, festivals, parades, and concerts.

Trinidad and Tobago's gospel artistes Sean Daniel and Kirissa Ramesar-Bourne and other Caribbean artistes performed at the concert on June 10 at the Epiphany Lutheran Church.

The concert was produced by TT-born Gerard Placide alongside co-producer Natalie Dennie. Placide is a US Army veteran and is also the three-time, first-place winner of the Mc Donald's Gospel fest. He gave a scintillating performance of By the Rivers of Babylon at the concert in New York on June 10, the release said.

Placide has performed for former US Presidents Barack Obama, George Bush and Bill Clinton, and at the White House. He was also invited to perform at the US State House of Representatives in Washington DC, for the observance of National Caribbean American Legislative Week 2023 on June 21 and 22.

At the Redemption concert Daniel gave "an unforgettable worship experience from start to finish," and Ramesar-Bourne gracefully performed Great is thy Faithfulness, the release said.

Guyana was represented by Denisha McCurchin who received a standing ovation for her spectacular rendition of Amazing Grace; Natalie Evans formerly affiliated with the renowned Grace Thrillers from Jamaica, and Eleanor Riley an esteemed psalmist from Freedom Hall Church, Jamaica, also created excitement with their performances.

One of the highlights of the concert was the presentation of proclamations by US elected officials to key Caribbean nationals who have significantly contributed to the advancement of the Caribbean diaspora in the US. Receiving proclamations were Dr Claire Nelson, Pastor Leslie Dundas of Soul Winners Christian Center, Rev Robert Gahagen of Epiphany Lutheran Church and Placide and Daniel.

The event also featured several distinguished speakers and guests, which included Andre Laveau TT's consul general in New York, Jumaane Williams NY City public advocate, Assembly member Monique Chandler-Waterman, NYC District Leader Akel Williams and other local, state and federal officials.

More infoCaribbean-American Heritage Month became official in 2006 when US President George W Bush signed the proclamation. However, since 2000 Dr Claire Nelson founder and president of Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) founded the special month-long celebrations in 2000. The move to officially declare June as National Caribbean American Month started in 2004 when a legislative bill was passed by Congresswoman Barbara Lee.

To learn more about CAHM and the ICS, visit https://caribbeanamericanmonth.com/

https://icsdc.org/ -ENDS-

e-mail: gerardplacide@gmail.com or natalie.dennie@ttbs.org.tt Source: https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/caribbean-immigrants-united-states