June 2023: Caribbean American Heritage Month

WHEREAS, 2023 marks the 24^th anniversary of the first National Caribbean American Heritage Month; and,

WHEREAS, Caribbean American Heritage Month was first recognized by the White House in 1999 with the introduction of a bill to establish the holiday; the first proclamation marking the date was issued in 2006 by President George Bush; and,

WHEREAS, immigrants from the Caribbean region have been settling in Michigan since the 1800s, including in the established Black Bottom neighborhood of Detroit’s Lower East Side; and, 

WHEREAS, in 1925, thirteen leaders of the Black community founded Detroit Memorial Park as a response to the segregation of Caribbean Americans at local cemeteries, including Joseph Gomez from Trinidad, James M. Gregory from Jamaica, and Vollington Bristol from Barbados; and,

WHEREAS, the State of Michigan affirms the importance of promoting awareness and understanding of the roles Caribbean-Americans have played in Michigan and applaud their efforts to contribute to the growth and development of Michigan; and,  

WHEREAS, This year’s theme for National Caribbean American Heritage Month is “Our Shared History, Our Shared Future,” and we should all join the global conversation on inclusion and diversity;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim June 2023 as Caribbean American Heritage Month in Michigan.