The inaugural edition of Caribbean Days — Journees des Caraibes — in Paris kicked off a four-day series of business and cultural events to spotlight the region’s best.

Following a successful first edition in Brussels in 2022, the Caribbean Chamber of Commerce in Europe (CCCE) decided June 2 – 6 would be an ideal period to celebrate the region.

“We are thrilled to partner with this historic Parisian institution for the launch of Caribbean Days in France,” Jo Spalberg, CCCE secretary general and director said.

To punctuate his contention, he reportedly cited the culinary and arts provisions, fashion, film, literature, music, and dance as initiatives to lure regional and international guests to the festivities. He added that premium items such as cocoa, coffee, rum, and spirits will enhance the showcases slated for La Maison we l’Amerique Latine.

Members of the diplomatic and business communities are expected to engage in the four-day cultural salute to the Caribbean.

Caribbean nationals unite here with pride for month-long revelry

During this month, the flags of 30 CARICOM member nations and associates are expected to identify diasporans boastful of their heritage and culture.

As each nation hosts specific fetes that focus on particular uniqueness, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) plans united events to mark Caribbean Heritage Month here.

Every borough, including Staten Island, promises poetry readings, films, library offerings, cruises, bowling tournaments, a Caribbean Cultural showcase, guided tours, parties, symposia, a children’s village, and dedicated tributes to immigrants — whose contributions have impacted NYC and the USA.

A signature event in Times Square will spotlight the region on June 5.

Throughout the month, diasporans representing Anguilla, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, Saint Lucia, and Saint Martin, Bahamas, Bermuda, and the US Virgin Islands, as well as other member nations from the Dutch, English, French, and Spanish regions, will flaunt the CTO’s ‘One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean’ mantra.

As expected, merchandise brandishing the wellspring of nations will be in abundance throughout June.

LGBTQ community claims Pride in protest

A preponderance of rainbow images now signify the start of an annual convergence on the city marking Pride Month. Using a theme — Rise Up: Pride in Protest — colorful reminders from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, and queer communities are of the mindset that rallying for a cause can bring a positive outcome.

Pride month assembles members and supporters who believe a mid-year exhibition is little recompense for discrimination, targeting the small demographics who rioted in 1970 to demonstrate how they felt after police raided a gathering spot named Stonewall.

Since that year of unlawful assembly, parades, clubbing, weddings, and a plethora of celebratory activities have invited scores of out-of-towners to revel with abandon.

A kickoff parade in Queens on June 1 started the revelry, which will continue in 2025 with contingents of uniformed NYPD officers representing various aspects of the LGBTQ+ community.

The beat goes on during Black Music Month

Black Music gets 30 days to boast the origins of the distinctly unique rhythms birthed by African-American musicians and composers. Once regarded as Race Music, varieties of blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, rap funk, soul, and hip-hop were denied mainstream playlists on radio.

President Jimmy Carter initiated Black Music Appreciation Month on June 7, 1979. Recorders were then decreed a national treasure, and they could perform in major venues and receive equal bookings, particularly in segregated states in the South.

The infectious beats’ popularity proved rewarding to promoters, who used copycat imitators to re-record versions of the originals. When foreign pop groups (such as the Beatles and Rolling Stones) embraced the rhymes and beats of the always-evolving sound, acceptance, recognition, and appreciation ensued.

Since the initiation of an entire month of dedication, numerous genres have been added to acknowledge the period: African, Caribbean, Afro-pop, Afro-Caribbean, zouk, reggae, and soca.

A Lion Sleeps Tonight – Cong. Charles B. Rangel dead at 94

Former U.S. Rep. Charles B. Rangel passed away recently at age 95. Known as the Lion of Lenox Ave., he roared for years as chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

His might surpassed the Harlem village he represented to resonate progress and change that better served his people. He was a vanguard in the fight to pardon Jamaica-born immigrant Marcus Mosiah Garvey Jr. and proved a mentor to U.S. Rep. Yvette D. Clarke.

Our beloved former senior leader in Congress, the honorable Charles B. Rangel, aka Charlie, will be greatly missed.

Catch you On the Inside!