For Immediate Release: June 25, 2022
Ignite Caribbean 30 Under 30 Awards
The Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS), the nation’s leading Caribbean American advocacy and development organization, will commemorate National Caribbean American Heritage Month, by honoring 30 leaders under the age of 30 years old, as Caribbean change-makers for exemplary work in their field of interest.
ICS will honor the thirty leaders at the Ignite Caribbean 30 Under 30 ChangeMaker Awards Ceremony following the by-invitation only “Ignite Caribbean: Forum on the Future” scheduled to take place virtually on Saturday, June 25, 2022.
The “Ignite Caribbean 30 Under 30” Awards will honor 30 emerging leaders of Caribbean heritage, age 30 and under, for their commitment and active engagement: professionally, academically, or personally.
The Emerging Leader may be a Caribbean-American Academic, Entrepreneur, Activist, or Community Leader. In addition, the Emerging Leader may be a student leader or member of a Caribbean Student Association whose work has contributed to making a measurable difference on a University or college campus in the USA or in their community.
National Caribbean American Heritage Month has been celebrated officially, annually every June since 2006 when the first Presidential Proclamation was issued by President George Bush. The theme for NCAHM 2022 is “Our Shared History, Our Shared Future”. For ICS, June represents an opportunity to bring together Caribbean American community leaders across the country to address common concerns; to allow Caribbean Americans everywhere to feel a sense of place in the American public discourse; and to bring highlights of the contributions of Caribbean immigrants to the USA.
"We received an overwhelming response for the Ignite Caribbean 30 under 30 awards", said Keishon Keane, Chair of the 2022 Program. "Making a decision was a challenging exercise for our judges", he added. Chief Judge Dr. Shelley Cameron, author of the groundbreaking book, 'Success Strategies of Caribbean Immigrants' noted, "Since we began this program in 2016, I have remained enthusiastic about serving as Chief Judge because I am always energized by the stories embedded in the nominations we receive." Members of the public were invited to nominate a deserving leader or to self-nominate. All Honorees will be given the opportunity to pitch their changemaking vision if desired to secure cash and in-kind prizes valued at US$10,000.
