In Celebration of UN International Solidarity Day, December 20, the Institute of Caribbean Studies Convenes Town Hall on Caribbean Community Wellbeing with Caribbean American Elected Officials in the State of Maryland
December 15, 2021
The Institute of Caribbean Studies partners with Common Cause Maryland to host a Virtual Town Hall on December 20, 2021. December 20, 2021 marks The United Nations' (UN) International Human Solidarity Day which occurs annually. This day is dedicated to raising people's awareness of the importance of advancing the international development agenda and promoting global understanding of the value of human solidarity. Solidarity being defined as a union of interests, purposes or sympathies among members of a group.
The event marks the first time that Caribbean American elected officials in the state of Maryland will meet with Caribbean immigrant community to dialogue on issues regarding Health, Business, Education and Jobs.
Caribbean Americans who serve as elected officials include: Congressman Michael Brown whose heritage is Jamaican, to Senator Arthur Ellis who immigrated as a child to the USA and State Delegate Gabriel Acevedo who hails from Trinidad and Tobago and State Attorney for Prince Georges County Hon. Aisha Braveboy.
Community leaders expected to participate in the listening session includes: Father Joseph Constant, Rector of Episcopalian community; Rev. Noel Godfrey; VP of Jamaica Association of Maryland; and Venice Harvey, Chair of the Montgomery Caribbean Advisory Group appointed by the County Executive, the only stated body of this nature in the state. Attempts to revive the Governor's Commission on Caribbean Affairs which was championed by then State Delegate Shirley Nathan Pulliam, the first Jamaican immigrant elected as State Delegate have sputtered. The town hall will give Caribbean American residents in Maryland the opportunity to have their voices heard, as our state legislators engage in this historic listening session, the first of many to come.
We are seeking pastors/spiritual advisors, small business owners, educators and medical professions with stories to share on how COVID 19 impacted the, and their families and clients. To submit a request to share your story, please send email to icsdcorg@gmail.com with the words COVID Stories in the subject. The public is invited to attend on ZOOM or Watch on. ICS FACEBOOK.
