CAHFT May 2011 Newsletter

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Christian Campbell

2

Much Thanks 2

Councilmembers Jones, Bradford

2

Immigration Tips 3 Peace of Mind 3 Caribbean Heri-tage Month Launch

4

Congressman Al Green

5

Caribbean Month

History 6

Presidential Proclamation

7

Branding 8

Cimarrones 9 Caribfest 2011 11

Bob Marley 12

Contact Information

17

“ Our Culture, Our Heritage, Our Caribbean “

M A Y 2 0 1 1 V O L U M E I , I S S U E 5

B O A R D O F

D I R E C T O R S

Peter L. René, Chairman

Lucia Bates, President

Jerry Castro, Vice President

Amanda Warner Education Out-reach

Ricardo Marshall, Director

Janelle Escayg, Director

Dr. Louis Browne Honorary Consul of Barbados, Spe-cial Advisor to the Board

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With Much Thanks and Appreciation

“Iguana for A.T.” by Christian Campbell

C hristian Campbell was born in The Bahamas and is of Bahamian and Trini-

dadian heritage. A Rhodes Scholar, Cave Canem Fellow, and the recipient of a Lannan Residency Fellowship, Chris-tian is currently a Professor of English at the University of Toronto. is the winner of the 2010 Aldeburgh Poetry Prize for his first collection, Runn ing t he Dusk . “Iguana for A.T.”

My friend from Guyana was asked in Philadelphia if she

was from “Iguana.” Iguana, which crawls and then stills, which flicks its tongue at the sun. In History we learned that Lucayans ate iguana, that Caribs (my grandmother’s people) ate Lucayans (the people of Guanahani). Guiana (the colonial way, with an i, southernmost of the Carib-bean) is iguana; Inagua (southernmost of The Baha-mas, northernmost of the Caribbean) is iguana— Inagua, crossroads with Haiti, Inagua of the salt and flamingos. The Spanish called it Heneagua, “water is to be found there, water, water everywhere.

Guyana (in the language of Arawaks, Wai Ana, “Land of Many Waters”) is iguana, veins running through land, grooves between green scales. My grandmother from Moruga (southern-most in Trinidad) knew the names of things. She rubbed iguana with bird pepper, she cooked its sweet meat. The earth is on the back of an ageless iguana. We are all from the Land of Iguana, Hewanorra, Carib name for St. Lucia. And all the iguanas scurry away from me. And all the iguanas are dying.

work during May 2011: I say a

very heart-felt, Thank-You!

› Thanks to Councilmember

Jolanda “Jo” Jones, Council-member C.O. “Brad” Brad-ford, Mayor Annise Parker and The City of Houston for help-ing to make our Official Launch of the June 2011 Car-ibbean American Heritage Month extremely successful

success. Thank You! —Peter

We would like to thank everyone who came out to our April 13, 2011 Meet & Greet. Your attendance helped to make our monthly event extremely successful. We have an ALL VOLUNTEER Board of Direc-tors at CAHFT. Therefore I would like to thank all our Board for their time and tire-less efforts, especially for your

W W W . C A R I B B E A N H E R I T A G E T X . O R G

Councilmembers Jones, Bradford Celebrate Caribbean Month

Poet’s Corner

Councilmember Jolanda “Jo” Jones, Lucia Bates (middle) Councilmember C.O. “Brad” Bradford

Councilmember Jolanda “Jo” Jones, Councilmember C.O. “Brad” Bradford

On Tuesday May 31, 2011, on behalf of

Mayor Annise Parker, Council-member Jolanda "Jo" Jones, Chairperson of the Interna-tional Committee, and Coun-cilmember C.O. "Brad" Brad-ford presented a Proclamation (below) to The Caribbean American Heritage Foundation of Texas (CAHFT) in recogni-

tion of National Caribbean American Heritage Month. The Proclamation was received by the Board of Directors of CAHFT, present at the Launch, which included Peter L. René, Lucia Bates, Karen Yeates, Jerry Castro-Cayetano and Coretta Warner , on the steps of City Hall during CAHFT's official Launch celebration of

June 2011 National Caribbean American Heritage Month. The Caribbean American Heritage Foundation of Texas proudly accepted this Procla-mation on behalf of ALL per-sons of Caribbean Heritage in the Greater Houston Area, in Texas and in the United States of America. Go to page 4 for pictures from the launch.

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T he U.S. government un-veiled a multi-agency, nationwide initiative to

combat immigration services scams. The Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are leading this historic ef-fort. This initiative targets immigration scams involving the unauthorized practice of immigration law (UPIL), which occurs when legal advice and/or representation regarding immigration matters is provided by an individual who is not an attorney or accredited representative. “We are dedicated to protecting vulnerable immigrants from those who seek to exploit them,” said U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejan-dro Mayorkas. “Through our sustained outreach, enforcement and education efforts, and our close collaboration with our federal, state, and local part-ners, we will provide the communi-ties we serve with the help needed to combat this pernicious prob-lem.” This initiative is set upon three pillars—enforcement, educa-

tion and continued collabora-tion—designed to stop UPIL scams and prosecute those who are re-sponsible; educate immigrants about these scams and how to avoid them; and inform immigrants about the legal immigration process and where to find legitimate legal advice and representation. “This coordinated initiative targets those who prey on immigrant com-munities by making promises they do not keep and charging for ser-vices they are not qualified to pro-vide,” said Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Divi-sion of the Department of Justice. “We are attacking this problem both through aggressive civil and criminal enforcement and by con-necting qualified lawyers with vic-tims who are trying to navigate a complicated immigration system.” The Department of Justice, through United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Civil Division’s Office of Consumer Protection Litigation, is investigating and prosecuting dozens of cases against so-called “notarios.” In the last year, DOJ has worked with investigators at the FBI, ICE, and USCIS, and with state and local partners, to secure convictions—with sentences up to eight years in

prison and forfeiture and restitution of over $1.8 million. This is in addi-tion to the many actions at the state and local levels that have been filed against individuals and busi-nesses engaged in immigration ser-vices scams. “Notarios and other illegal immigra-tion service providers take advan-tage of unsuspecting immigrants trying to navigate the immigration system,” said ICE Director John Morton. “ICE will continue to work with our federal, state and local partners to combat notario fraud and protect the integrity of the legal immigration system.” Meanwhile, FTC has made it easier for consumers to alert law enforce-ment about these scams by creating a new Immigration Services code in the Consumer Sentinel Network, its online consumer complaint data-base. “This is a central location for consumers to report complaints and for our law enforcement part-ners to find and share information about scams,” said FTC Commis-sioner Edith Ramírez. The initiative’s education compo-nent will focus on empowering immigrant communities to avoid unscrupulous individuals and busi-

nesses engaged in UPIL.

to do and I’ll do it! Please take me and my life and do as you please: just help me please!” Turn off everything for a few days my mind said; so I sent one last email and I turned off the phone and logged out of everything. Now learning me may sound like an easy thing to do, after all I should know myself. However it’s not that simple. This past year has been an especially challenging year for me; learning to love me, learning to be a single mom, learning to let go of a failed marriage, learning to forgive, learning to be single again, learning how to be closer to GOD and to trust

Him (Proverbs 3:5-6). My greatest lessons so far was learning me and to love myself; by the way, “learning to love yourself is truly the greatest gift of love of all.” Learning Me took some help; I did not accomplish the challenge solely. Sometimes we are not able to see who we are until we are forced to do so. I do not like that word “forced;” encouraged is a better word. With encouragement, we can truly look at ourselves from a different prospective; in my case listening to others speak of what

Continued on Page 16

W ho knew that in order to give yourself “peace of mind” would be as

simple as shutting the world out, turning off the cell phone, logging out from the emails, and any social network. In my case it was Facebook. This month pre-sented me with new challenges: learning me, depending on me, and spending time alone with me. Something happened one evening and I picked up the phone and dialed a number and got the answering machine. I was alone at a cross road. With tears in my eyes, running down my face, and my palms raised to the heavens I asked GOD for help: “Just tell me what

“Peace of Mind” by Holly Blount

National Initiative to Combat Immigration Scams


For more information see the related Questions and Answers. For more information on USCIS and its programs, visit www.uscis.gov.

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Councilmember Jones and Councilmember Bradford


Present Caribbean Heritage Month Proclamation



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C aribbean immigrants have been contribut-ing to the well-being of American society

since its founding. Alexander Hamilton, the First Secretary of the Treasury was from the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. We count among our famous sons and daughters, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Cicely Tyson, WEB Dubois, James Weldon Johnson, Harry Bela-fonte and Sidney Poitier to name a few. ICS' effort began in 1999 with a petition to President Clinton for the rec-

ognition of a Caribbean American Heritage Month. In 2000, Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) began leading the celebration of June as Carib-bean American Heritage Month in Washington DC, building on efforts started by a now defunct Ad-Hoc Group of Washington DC residents to have a Caribbean Heritage Month in Washington DC in 1999. The official Campaign for a National Caribbean American Heritage Month began on March 14,2004, when Congresswoman Bar-

bara Lee introduced House Resolution 570 "Expressing the sense of the House of Repre-sentatives that there should be established a Caribbean-American Heritage Month." The Lee bill urges that there should be an established Car-ibbean-American Heritage Month to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of Caribbean-Americans to the United States. The Bill contained language provided by ICS Founder and President, Dr. Claire Nelson.

strength of America. They have been leaders in govern-ment, sports, entertainment, the arts, and many other fields. During the month of June, we also honor the friendship be-tween the United States and the Caribbean countries. We are united by our common values and shared history, and I join all Americans in celebrat-ing the rich Caribbean heritage and the many ways in which Caribbean Americans have helped shape this Nation.” President Barack Obama said in his 2011 Proclama-tion: “Caribbean Ameri-cans have prospered in every sector of our society and enhanced our national character while maintain-ing the multiethnic and multicultural traditions of their homelands. They are doctors and lawyers, public servants and scientists, and athletes and service members. Their successes inspire indi-viduals in the United States and abroad, and we take pride in the contributions Caribbean

Americans continue to make to the narrative of our Na-tion's progress. Their achieve-ments are borne of hard work and ambition, and my Admini-stration is committed to creat-ing pathways to prosperity that ensure future generations of Caribbean Americans, along with all Americans, are able to pursue and realize the Ameri-can dream. This month, we also recognize the important friendship be-tween the United States and the countries of the Caribbean as we expand our partnership to promote economic devel-opment, democratic govern-ance, citizen security, and im-proved health and education in the region. Additionally, as Haiti continues to recover from last year's devastating earthquake, we remain com-mitted to standing beside the people of Haiti as they rebuild their proud nation, and to working with others in the region to bring lasting pros-perity and stability to the country.

“From 1820 to 2002, more than 68 million people emi-grated from the Caribbean region to the United States. Caribbean-Americans have influenced every aspect of American culture, society and government. Their history is interwoven with ours," said Congresswoman Lee. Though the Bill was tabled in 2004, it was reintroduced and passed the House in June, 2005, and the Senate in February, 2006. A Procla-mation making the Resolu-tion official was signed by President Bush on June 5, 2006. President George W. Bush Signed Proclamation 8026 – Caribbean Heritage Month 2006 on June 8, 2006. The Proclamation stated in part: “Our Nation has thrived as a country of immigrants, and we are more vibrant and hopeful because of the talent, faith, and values of Caribbean Ameri-cans. For centuries, Caribbean Americans have enriched our society and added to the


History of Caribbean Heritage Month—Continued



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Understand Your Brand, by Karen Yeates

M ost small business owners are so busy serving their customers and

many are trying so hard to stay in business that they do not have a lot of time to think about their branding strategies. However, without a clear brand identity and messaging, the sales, customer service, marketing activities and the numerous hours trying to gain all of the customers in the world will not matter. Why? Because, without proper branding, your customers will not have any rea-son to choose your business, over

the next one. Do you have a brand? Do you know what a brand is? Well, it is not just your logo or interactive website. It is your identity – in fact, it is your corporate identity. Your brand is what makes you unique. Have you ever noticed how over the years some com-panies will remain recognizable despite the founders, owners or staff? But, eventually by the brand that they have built up over time. As you well know, many organizations change presi-dents, or CEOs, etc over the

years – sometimes due to nor-mal attr i t ion l ike ret ire-ment, relocation, etc. However, if that company was successful in building a strong brand name for itself everyone will remember the company and not necessarily the personnel behind the scenes. For example, today whenever you see the cute little green Gecko from the Geico advertisement, you might immediately think of your car insurance or you may even feel some sense of security. In addition, when you see the familiar yellow arches

feelings? Whether the answer is positive or negative, the next step for you is to figure out "Why?" What have you done to intentionally, and strategically communicate your brand to your custom-ers? This is not just about your marketing or your ad-vertising. It is totally associ-ated with your branding. Therefore, the first thing you have to do is create a brand and then leverage it as a tool for communication. Therefore, are you seriously thinking about what your company stands for? Do you know if your effort to com-municate your brand is work-ing? If your brand is known only by employees, and not by your customers then you did not do a good job. Which begs the question - If your customers do not know your brand or do not associate your brand with a good feel-ing then, who is communicat-ing your brand? Note, if its not you who is being associ-ated with your brand, it may be your competitor. Clear Expectations So how does one clearly de-fine their brand identity? As I

mentioned before – if you are too busy to work on creating a brand then you should se-cure the services of a market-ing consultant. Set clear ex-pectations, and make sure that the person you select to work with you will first un-derstand your business, and will then take the time to create an effective branding campaign. This person should have some experience in mar-k e t i n g a n d b r a n d -ing. However, helping you formulate your brand is only the beginning. As Sergio Zyman, former chief market-ing officer at Coca Cola says in his book, "The End of Mar-keting as We Know It:" "The worst thing you can do is … just introduce a brand and leave it there. If you do this, you are not going to sell a lot of product." In short, it means that you must have an ongo-ing brand development strat-egy. You must continually work at finding new, distinct, and out of the box ways to help your customers respond to your message as well as your brand.

Continued on Page 10

of Mac Donald’s, you may think of the Big Mac, the Happy Meal or of an estab-lished American icon. You may even begin to hum the jingles associated with these companies. In fact, whenever I go out to purchase spaghetti sauce I always find myself singing this little jingle in the pasta sauce aisle – “with Prego it’s in there” – Ask me why I do this, I don't know; but for some reason I always associ-ate spaghetti sauce with Prego due to that jingle although its several years old. Eventually, it will be the same for you. Throughout the years, both Geico, and Mac Donald’s have successfully communicated their brands as the set of values, ideas and emotions that are associated with their businesses. So, what is going on with your business? What are you try-ing to convey to your custom-ers? What does your brand say about you or your com-pany? If you have a new busi-ness, will they think yours is a reliable or responsible com-pany? Will they associate your company with friendly customer service and good




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Understand Your Brand, by Karen Yeates—continued Once you have developed a unique brand, a niche market, and the ability to turn your brand into a “household” name. You next step is to work on setting your-self apart from your competitors in the market place. If yours is a new business, and if you do this strategically, you may be able to develop a solid brand without having to spend a lot of money like your larger counter-parts. You can actually do this while working within a very com-fortable budget. In addition, one suggestion is to utilize the servant

l e a d e r s h i p c o n c e p t and develop a “thank you” mar-keting strategy. You have to let your customers come to ex-pect a special experience when they do business with you. This is not going to be very hard if you realize that you already have the control to do this. First, let your customers know that what you say is what you mean. Second, if you make promises – you must always keep them. Third, always offer superior products, services or solutions that support your

brand identity and; finally, always thank your customers –this way you will separate yourself from the pack. This is the best way to strategi-cally communicate and secure your brand to your custom-ers. By following these simple examples, you will always have your customer associating your brand with good feelings. If you need help communicating your brand to your customers and would like to develop a branding strategy then contact us a t c o n n e c t 2 [email protected] for more information.


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Bob Marley Remembered Across The Globe

S cores of reggae fans from across the globe placed roses

before a statue of Bob Marley yesterday to mark the 30th anniversary of the death of the musician, whose charismatic, loose-limbed stage presence and lyrics promoting "one love" took the Jamaican musical genre to an international audi-ence. Tourists watched as three cler-ics from the Ethiopian Ortho-dox Church spread incense and holy water around the Bob

Marley Museum, the singer's former home in the capital of Kingston. Rastafarians who gathered around the property spoke in reverential tones about the icon of reggae music who died of cancer in 1981 at age 36. Yuya Furukawa, 29, came all the way from Kumamoto, Japan, to pay homage to Mar-ley, who preached non-materialism and popularized the Rastafarian credo of one-ness with nature and mari-

juana consumption as a sacra-ment. The singer's Rastafarian faith was a reason for the low-key observance. Rastafarians, who consider the late Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie the messiah, view death simply as a step that brings believers closer to God, or "Jah." "We're trying to quietly and somberly honour and recog-nise his life on this day," said Jackie Lynch-Stewart, general

long ago moved on to the brash reggae-rap hybrid of dancehall reggae music. "Bob is a person who is timeless. He is real, and now everybody wants to follow the crowd," said Jamaican graffiti and dancehall artist LA Lewis, who showed up at the Kingston museum wearing a flawless white suit. Born in 1945, Marley came of age in the gritty Trench Town community of Kingston and later shot to global stardom with hits including 'Get Up, Stand Up' and 'No Woman, No Cry.' His lyrics promoting social justice and Afri-can unity made him an icon in developing countries. His acceptance by mainstream America was sealed when the Budweiser frogs grooved to his

song 'Jamming' in a 1999 beer ad. His 'One Love' anthem woos tourists to Jamaica on TV spots featuring white-sand beaches and swaying palms. In his homeland, Marley's leg-end was cemented in 1978 when he famously united war-ring political leaders Michael Manley and Edward Seaga in a solidarity handshake during his One Love Peace Concert in Kingston — a moment that has become immortalized in Jamai-can consciousness. "He was a brave man," said a 62-year-old Rastafarian called Ozzie, his long dreadlocks tucked into a crocheted cap. "And his music had a message to deliver. Still does."

manager of the Bob Marley Foundation. Roger Steffens, a Marley historian and reggae archivist, said Marley's music remains alive 30 years after his death "because the situations that Bob was singing about are exactly the same situations we're undergoing today." "He told us that if we stand up for ourselves we can bring about change, that love con-quers evil and that a divine spark animates us all," Steffens said in an email. "Bob spoke to the best in each of us and is an enduring symbol of rebellion for youth everywhere." Marley's anthems calling for love and unity still resonate with many Jamaicans, even if most younger islanders have




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Dominica Houston Association—Memorial Day Picnic




Grenada Houston Association—Memorial Day Picnic

GOD will always be there. Day two, I did what my mind told me to do: bought grocery to help feed the needy, took the last of my money and make sure your kids get the things they need, forgive, and it’s time to turn your phone back on and get back on track. I did not need a vacation for some peace of mind or to clear my mind. I just needed to know me, depend on me, and spend time alone with me. Peace of mind: if you need it, you can have it in GOD. Listen to God! He is the gentle soft voice in your mind. Until next time; be blessed!

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pick up the phone and dial a number or send an email, but I did not want to be told what to do, I know very con-fusing. The sad part about dialing a number or sending an email is though I am always reachable if someone needs me, when I am in need there is seldom anyone to be reached. I finally had to learn I cannot depend on the people who depend on me; it’s not a good balance. I learned GOD should be my comfort zone. Therefore I have to depend on him, GOD. That is where spending time alone came in. Being alone with me and spending time alone with me is so different. Being alone is not having anyone around; spending time alone is doing things with me: not involving anyone else. My first thought was, what will I do? My mind said: “you are going to get up early in the morning, send the kids off to school, and listen to gospel music while you clean the house, cook din-ner, do the laundry, and get some studying done!” WOW. Okay, so that’s just what I did, without a second thought. Early the following morning I was up and about. The amazing part was, before I never would have had

the time to do all those things, well not in one day. Do you know the saying “time stops for no one?” Not true. With GOD everything and anything is possible. I did all those things, properly in one day, before the kids got home from school, and I had plenty of time to stop and talk to GOD - several times. When I felt like talking, my only thought was talk to GOD; so I stopped what I was doing and spoke to Him. That night when I was feeling to be held, my mind said: hold your kids. In fact I was heading to sleep and I saw a note taped to the head of the bed where my two youngest kids sleeps, and written with crayon it read: “mom please sleep here, with an arrow pointing between them, so we will not be scared.” So that night I went to sleep holding my kids. In my dream that night, my love ones were there one moment and was gone the next, and when I got scared of being alone I called out to GOD and He came; still dreaming, someone came to me, someone I was upset with for many years, she came and started singing with me. I woke up, smiling: why? Though my kids and my best friend were gone, and I was alone, I was not and will never be alone.

they are and what they went through helped. While listening to the stories of others, as I sat there and thought: “He/she is angry, depressed, or lonely,” was a wakeup call for me. There I was won-dering how I could help that person when it hit: THAT IS ME! Yes, I was that angry, depressed, and lonely person, but now I have learned to recognized those symptoms; and with prayers, I dissolve those emotions so they would never get the best of me ever again. The most important help I receive is by having GOD in my life, in my heart, and asking for His help (Matthew 7:8) Learning to depend on me was tough. I wanted so much for everyone to leave me alone so I could make my own deci-sions; after all I am grown and it’s my life. I would get upset with being told what to do, when to do it, and how it must be done. Ask me for anything or to do anything and it’s done, but I hated to be told what to do. So for many years, if I ever was in a bind I would go back to this specific place and time in my life: “my comfort zone.” There I would be at peace with myself; peace of mind. When I am there, I am relaxed and I can think, and if I needed answers I would

“Peace of Mind” by Holly Blount


to advocate on behalf of the peoples

of the Caribbean and Caribbean

decent. We plan to work to estab-

lish the Foundation as a cultural,

social, and economic presence in

our diverse community, capable of

bringing visible change and achieve-

ment through our advocacy.

Another of our core missions is to

recognize and annually celebrate

National Caribbean-American Heri-

tage Month, June of every year; in

doing so, we will work to bring

awareness to the contributions

made to our society and culture of

peoples of Caribbean and Caribbean

heritage and highlighting the contri-

bution made my Caribbean immi-

grants to the United States and

Texas. Through our efforts during

June, we hope to also continue our

dialogue between the Caribbean

Our Mission

The Caribbean American Heritage

Foundation of Texas (CAHFT), a

Texas non profit organization, was

established exclusively to partner

with, collaborate, and assist Texas’

Caribbean Organizations in bring-

ing awareness to the rich, lush his-

tory of the Caribbean Culture and

to promote its benefits and our

contributions to the diverse culture

in Texas.

The Foundation will work to and

assist Texas Caribbean Organiza-

tions achieve their goals: business,

financial and cultural, objectives

through strategic partnership and

mutual collaborations, in the spirit

of cooperation.

We plan to work tirelessly to estab-

lish the Caribbean Communities as

ONE united voice while continuing

and our American and Texas communi-

ties.

Our Values

CAHFT will operate above board

with transparency

CAHFT will conduct business with

the associations, local businesses and

individuals impartially in a fair and

equitable manner

Collaborative: every organization has

a seat at the table and every organi-

zation has a voice

CAHFT will conduct ourselves pro-

fessionally while on Foundation busi-

ness

CAHFT will operate and conduct

ourselves with integrity

CHAFT will operate and conduct

ourselves ethically

P.O. Box 420745 Houston, Texas 77242 Phone: 713-783-5779 Fax: 713-783-1510 Contact: Lucia Bates [email protected] Go To Our Website, Join Our E-mail List www.caribbeanheritagetx.org http://cahft.podomatic.com Logo Designs by Steve McCormick

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Documents

CAHFT May 2011 Newsletter