CaribBeing celebrates Caribbean American Heritage Month
By Nelson A. King
CariBeing, a Flatbush,
Brooklyn-based cultural hub
and “leading presenter of all
things Caribbean,” is celebrating
Caribbean American Heritage
Month with a series of
activities.
According to the New York
Daily News, CaribBeing will on
Thursday host “One Love Little
Caribbean Day.”
In collaboration with the
Prospect Park Alliance, Carib-
Being will feature a “socially
distanced ribbon-cutting
ceremony” at the intersection
of Washington and Flatbush
avenues in Brooklyn, the Daily
News said.
Shelley Worrell, CaribBeing’s
founder and chief executive
officer, told the paper that
the “One Love Little Caribbean
Day” permits “supporters, business
associations, small-business
owners and the vibrant
Caribbean community at large
an opportunity to come together
to honor the rich legacy and
diverse cultural contributions
of people of the Caribbean-LatinX
Diaspora.”
Public Advocate Jumaane
Williams and Assemblywoman
Diana Richardson will host the
event.
“CaribBeing is a multidisciplinary
Caribbean L 10 ife, JUNE 18-24, 2021
venture dedicated to
showcasing Caribbean culture,
art, film in Greater New York
City and around the world,
where art, culture, lifestyle
meet global Caribbean and
LatinX heritage,” said Richardson,
who represents the 43rd
Assembly District in Brooklyn.
“The organization celebrates
and amplifies Caribbean culture
and lifestyle, supporting
businesses, creating community,
and documenting as well
as creating culture.”
In 2017, she said CaribBeing
spearheaded the naming of
Little Caribbean “to recognize,
celebrate and foster the contributions
of Caribbean-Americans
in New York City and the
neighborhood of Flatbush as a
center for culture, community
and commerce.
“The organization is considered
a thriving cultural venture
illuminating the Caribbean
experience and communities
in Greater New York City and
around the world, and works
at the intersection of culture,
community, commerce,” she
said.
The assemblywoman said
CaribBeing also leads walking
tours in Flatbush, “where participants
experience Caribbean
food, drink, community, stimulating
local business development
for Caribbean-owned
businesses on Flatbush, Nostrand
and Church Avenues.”
She said Yelp is also partnering
with CaribBeing to
celebrate Caribbean Heritage
Month.
“All month long, the celebration
will recognize the significance
of Caribbean people
in the history and culture of
the United States,” Richardson
said. “Yelp is putting a
spotlight on some amazing
Caribbean-owned businesses
throughout Brooklyn, with discounts
and elite experiences
you can redeem.”
She said Caribbean-American
Heritage will also be celebrated
in Prospect Park with
CaribBeing, Jouvayfest Collective
and Prospect Park Alliance.
“Brooklyn’s Backyard will
be home to a month of workshops,
live music, culinary arts
and other special events,” Richardson
said. “Enjoy Caribbean
music, dance, food, wellness
and much more during this
cultural celebration for Brooklynites
of all ages.
“All participating artists and
practitioners are based in Little
Caribbean NYC, and hail from
Haiti, Trinidad, Panama and
Puerto Rico,” she added.
Worrell said she wants the
area to be “as prominent and
recognizable as Chinatown is
in Manhattan,” according to
NY1.
“When you come to New
York City, part of that experience
is going to Chinatown
and going to Little Italy, Worrell
told the cable TV station.
“And I think that part of coming
to New York City should
also be coming to Flatbush
and East Flatbush to go island
hopping and to experience a
vibrant Caribbean community
and culture.”
Shelley V. Worrell, founder and executive director of Carib-
BEING. Photo by Stefano Giovannini