The Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS), founded in 1993,  is the Architect and Campaign Chair for Commemoration of June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month. ICS is a non-partisan, non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization founded by Dr. Claire A. Nelson.  

The premiere Caribbean American Think/Do Tank, ICS seeks to address development problems facing Caribbean peoples, and to adopt a thorough, systematic and coordinated long-term perspective towards their resolution. 

Since its inception, ICS has been on the forefront of the challenge to bring attention to the issues of critical importance to the Caribbean American community, which is estimated at approximately 10 million. ICS represents an important role in history as the first Caribbean-American community organization in the Washington DC area devoted to the successful inclusion of Caribbean-Americans in US policy making, and the economic development of the Caribbean region.  

National Caribbean American Heritage Month Programming continues to be led by ICS with the support of National Commemorative Committee.

For more information on ICS, visit www.icsdc.org.

• Set the annual theme for Caribbean American Heritage Month (if any)
• Sponsor an Annual Festival to celebrate Caribbean American Life and History
• Publish the Who's Who of Caribbean Americans
• Host an Annual Caribbean American Legislative Forum on Capitol Hill
• Support the organization of  Annual White House Commemoration of Caribbean American Heritage Month
• Co-Sponsor graduate and undergraduate essay contests in various cities
• Co-Sponsor with partners specialized workshops, institutes, and seminars in accordance with themes selected
• Co-sponsor with partners key recognition celebrations such as the Tribute to Hollywood and the Arts & Anansi! Festival
• Operate the Official CAHM Store
• Chair the National Commemorative Committee

National Commemorative Committee is made up of individuals working on both local as well as subject matter issues.  Members are currently:

Claire A. Nelson, Ph.D.  - Chair

Lorna Shelton-Beck,  Charleston

Jerry Castro, Houston  (Coordinator, Elected Officials)

Sophia Chue, Detroit

Faith Clarke, Tallahasee

Rev. Agorom Dike, Washington DC

Olive Ezell, Hampton Roads

Monica  Foderingham, Atlanta (Advisor, Library Programming)

Marva Herman, Los Angeles  (Coordinator, National Media & Salute to Hollywood & the Arts)

Marilyn Douglas-Jones, Houston

Nyasha Laing, New York (Coodinator, Climate Change Initiatives)

Ronald Lammy, Boston

Maurice Lindsday, Springfield

Courtney McFarlane, Atlanta

Tanya Ragbeer, South Florida

Peter Rene, Houston

Valrie Sanders, Atlanta

Asa Sealy, South Florida

Karlene Silvera, Minneapolis

Roxanne Valies, South Florida (Coordinator, Census & Legislative Forum)

Caribbean American Heritage Month was established out of the need to create and disseminate knowledge about the contributions of Caribbean immigrants to America, and to be, in short, the platform for a dialogue between Caribbean peoples and the American public.  Following the passage of CAHM,  ICS has established the National Caribbean American Heritage Foundation to carry forth the work of its founder, Dr. Claire Nelson.   Through this means, we will continue the legacy of speaking a fundamental truth to the world--that  peoples of the Caribbean are positive contributors to the wellbeing and knowledge capital of the world's goods and services.