Caribbean American Heritage Month serves as a perfect opportunity to highlight some of the Caribbean American community organizations whose work touches the lives of so many. I was delighted to announce $150,000 in state funding to the West Indian American Day Carnival Association, the United States Steel Band Association, the Caribbean Women’s Health Association, Global Trauma Research, and the Haitian-American Community Coalition.

Whether tackling important public health challenges and providing culturally competent health care services, or sharing the rich cultural heritage of the Caribbean with our fellow New Yorkers, these groups provide an invaluable service. As a third generation Barbadian, I know that West Indian heritage contributes a great deal to our community and to communities across New York State. I am honored to show my support for their important work today.