June is National Caribbean-American Heritage Month
Throughout our history, Caribbean Americans have brought vibrant cultures, languages, traditions, and values that strengthen our country and add new chapters to our common story (2021 Proclamation). The commemoration of Caribbean Heritage Month was adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2005 to recognize the significant contributions of Caribbean people and their descendants in the United States.
As of June 2018, the Caribbean-American population of the United States was almost 13.2 million.
Some of the largest Caribbean ancestry groups in the U.S. include:
5.8 million Puerto Ricans
2.4 million Cubans
2.0 million Dominicans
1.1 million Jamaicans
1 million Haitians
208,000 Trinidadians and Tobagonians
68,000 Bajans/Barbadians
63,000 Belizeans
54,000 Bahamians
19,000 U.S. Virgin Islanders
According to the Institute of Caribbean Studies, “Caribbean immigrants have been contributing to the well-being of American society since its founding.” Alexander Hamilton, the First Secretary of the Treasury, was from the Caribbean island of Nevis. This year's theme is Our Shared History, Our Shared Future. The commemoration of Caribbean American Heritage Month aims to remind Americans that our greatness lies in our diversity (United States Department of Agriculture).