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CARIBBEAN CONNEXIONS
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Francine Campbell-Hakim
Phone: 240-442-8856
Email: francine.hakim@icsdc.org
'Caribbean Book Bankra' Announces the Top 30 Must-Read Book List for 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — May 11, 2025 —
The National Caribbean American Heritage Month (NCAHM) Committee is proud to announce the 2025 Caribbean Book Bankra, a vibrant collection of books -- a literary showcase -- celebrating the diversity and excellence of Caribbean writing. The selection of books in this year's basket spotlight 30 exceptional authors of Caribbean descent whose works span fiction, poetry, memoir, young adult literature, and cultural studies.
Book Bankra 2025 continues the tradition of curating an annual collection of books that center Caribbean heritage, identity, and creativity. Launched in 2022, the list honors 30 emerging and established voices whose work reflects the richness and complexity of Caribbean life and diaspora experiences.
This year, Caribbean Book Bankra is expanding its outreach. For the first time, the 2025 Book List will appear in a mainstream electronic book club accessible to a national audience. Readers are encouraged to explore the titles and engage in discussions by registering at https://bit.ly/BOOKBANKRACLUB
Book Bankra is more than a list—it's a cultural reading movement to elevate Caribbean literature, amplify underrepresented voices, and build community through storytelling.
Whether you're an educator, a student, a librarian, or a lifelong reader, Caribbean Book Bankra 2025 offers a window into Caribbean heritage and humanity through books that challenge, inspire, and delight.
To explore the full book list, Click Here: https://bit.ly/2025NCAHMBOOKLIST
#BookBankra #CaribbeanReads #NCAHMReads
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HOLD THE DATE
JUNE 1, 2025 @ 4:30PM
INSPIRED VOICES
CELEBRATING CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HISTORY MAKERS
Join us for the Official Opening of National Caribbean American Heritage Month on June 1st Online @ 4:30PM and streamed live online.
This June, which marks 20 years, since the first Presidential Proclamation signed by George W. Bush, will honor the rich heritage, diverse cultural impact, and transformative contributions of Caribbean Americans who have helped shape our nation's identity and prosperity.
National Caribbean American Heritage Month, first officially recognized by Presidential Proclamation in 2006, serves as a platform to highlight the vibrant Caribbean diaspora in the United States, representing nations including Jamaica, Haiti, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, the Bahamas, and many others.
To celebrate National Caribbean American Heritage Month 2025 is to honor a legacy of creativity, resilience, and lasting contribution," said Francine Campbell-Hakim, Program Chair, National Caribbean American Heritage Month Commemorative Committee. "This year’s theme reminds us that Caribbean Americans are not just part of the American story—they are visionaries and changemakers whose influence, from the arts to activism, continues to shape the nation’s culture and progress."
ICS encourages communities, organizations, and educational institutions across the country to participate in Caribbean American Heritage Month activities and to use this opportunity to build greater understanding and appreciation for the Caribbean American experience.
For more information on National Caribbean American Heritage Month (NCAHM) events and resources, visit [https://caribbeanamericanmonth.com].
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ABOUT NATIONAL CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
In June 2005, the House of Representatives unanimously adopted H. Con. Res. 71, sponsored by Congresswoman Barbara Lee, recognizing the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and culture of the United States. On February 14, 2006, the resolution similarly passed the Senate, culminating a two-year, bipartisan and bicameral effort. The Proclamation was issued by President George Bush on June 6, 2006.
ICS can accept tax-deductible contributions.
For further information, please contact:francine.hakim@icsdc.org
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#NCAHM #NCAHM2025 #CARIBBEANPROUD #CARIBBEANA #CARIBBEANISTA #CELEBRATEJUNE #CARIBBEANLIFEWAYS #THINGSCARIBBEAN #CARIBBEANHERITAGE
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ICS Founder and President Dr. Claire Nelson to Join Institute of the Black World Delegation Honoring Louise Langdon Little in Grenada, May 14–18, 2025
Paulann Paterson, IBW Executive Secretary, Grenada — The Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW) has announced that ICS Founder Dr. Claire Nelson, acclaimed futurist, sustainability engineer, and founder of the Caribbean Futures Forum, will be part of their historic delegation traveling to Grenada from May 14th to May 18th, 2025, to honor the life and legacy of Louise Langdon Little, the Grenadian-born mother of Malcolm X.
This historic pilgrimage highlights Grenada’s deep contribution to the global Black liberation movement and serves as a prelude to the 100th anniversary of Malcolm X’s birth in 2025. The week-long program will blend cultural celebration, strategic dialogue, and policy-focused engagement, emphasizing the role of women, the legacy of revolutionary movements, and visions for African-descended futures.
Dr. Nelson will play a central role in two forums:
Economic Roundtable – "Garvey, Malcolm and Bishop: A Forum on Economic Self-Reliance"
On Thursday, May 15, Dr. Nelson will join a distinguished panel of thought leaders including Dr. Julius Garvey, Dr. George Fraser, and New York State Senator James Sanders, to explore business opportunities and models of self-reliance in Grenada. The roundtable will bring together leaders from the Chamber of Commerce, notable entrepreneurs, and policymakers to explore sustainable economic strategies grounded in Pan-African and community wealth-building principles. She will address the benefits and challenges of cooperatives for developing equity and financial inclusion.
Post-Disaster Futures Dialogue – "Resilience, Recovery and Regeneration"
On Friday, May 16, Dr. Nelson will facilitate a participatory dialogue addressing the future of disaster recovery in island states. This session will bring together Grenadian community leaders, youth advocates, disaster planners, educators, and policymakers to imagine long-term recovery frameworks grounded in regenerative futures thinking.
“As we honor Louise Langdon Little, we are also honoring the generations she represents—of women, of Caribbean migrants, of visionaries who refused to be silenced,” said Dr. Nelson. “I am deeply honored to contribute to this dialogue and to help chart pathways of healing, justice, and prosperity for the future.”
The pilgrimage will culminate in a national and international commemorative ceremony at La Digue on Saturday, May 17, at the site of the Langdon family homestead. This joyful and solemn moment will initiate a process to permanently mark the legacy of Louise Langdon Little with monuments and institutions.
This initiative is part of IBW’s Grenada Action Agenda, a long-term strategy to strengthen cultural tourism, economic cooperation, and youth engagement across the Pan-African world.
For media inquiries or interview requests with Dr. Claire Nelson, please contact:
Francine Hakim
Email: francine.hakim@icsdc.org
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About Dr. Claire Nelson
Dr. Nelson is the founding director of The Futures Forum and a White House Champion of Change. A recognized thought leader in sustainability, equity, and strategic foresight, she works at the intersection of policy, innovation, and social transformation.
About IBW 21st Century
The Institute of the Black World 21st Century is a US-based organization committed to advancing the interests of people of African descent through research, advocacy, policy development, and cultural and historical education.
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GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ISLANDS SUMMIT
ST. KITTS -NEVIS
MAY 25-30
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ICS' Caribbean Futures Forum Joins Forces with Island Innovations Group at the Global Sustainable Islands Summit
Washington, D.C. — The Caribbean Futures Forum, an initiative of the Institute of Caribbean Studies, is proud to announce its partnership with Island Innovation at the Global Sustainable Islands Summit, to be held May 25–30, 2025, in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Francine Campbell Hakim, representing the Institute of Caribbean Studies, shared her excitement about this strategic collaboration:
“In the wake of recent US Executive Orders impacting environmental and resilience funding, it is both timely and necessary that we accelerate efforts to address environmental risks facing the Caribbean region. This partnership enables us to bring together thought leaders, policymakers, innovators and financial backers to advance regional priorities in energy transformation, disaster resilience, and sustainable development.
The Global Sustainable Island Summit will serve as a convening platform to highlight emerging technologies, share best practices, and build coalitions aimed at bolstering the Caribbean’s resilience to climate change and natural disasters.
Caribbean Futures Forum will contribute key programming to the summit, including policy dialogues and capacity-building workshops centered on the Blue Economy, Post-disaster Futures, Resilience Building, Financing Mechanisms and sustainable economic planning.
We warmly invite financial supporters, partners, and donors to support Caribbean Futures Forum in this effort, as it pertains to the Caribbean’s future. Contributions will directly support programming development, travel scholarships for youth leaders, and regional policy innovation.
Francine Campbell Hakim
Email: Francine.hakim@icsdc.org
Phone: 240-442-8856
Website: www.thefuturesforum.org
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