Caribbean American Heritage Month 2026
The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) proudly celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month during June 2026. This month honors the vibrant and diverse cultures of the Caribbean American diaspora. Worcester, MA is not only the second largest city in New England, but it also hosts one of the largest Caribbean American communities in the region.
Caribbean American Heritage Month was first created by Dr. Claire Nelson and the Institute of Caribbean Studies in 1999. After years of advocacy and community engagement, the resolution passed the U.S. House in 2005, the Senate in 2006, and was officially proclaimed by President George W. Bush on June 5, 2006.
Caribbean Americans have shaped our culture and community in numerous ways. We encourage the WPI community to learn more about the many countries, cultures, and histories that have shaped and enriched our lives.
STEM Spotlights
- Dr. Kristal Ambrose (The Bahamas) Dr. Ambrose is an environmental scientist, studying marine debris and plastic pollution in The Bahamas. She is also the founder of Bahamas Plastic Movement and winner of the 2020 Goldman Environment Prize.
- Dr. Charmaine Henry (Antigua) Dr. Henry’s research has been in biology and physiology, looking at the glycocalyx and cardiovascular disease, as well as tissue regeneration. Her research was funded by the American Heart Association.
- Dr. Roodolph (Roo) St. Pierre (Haiti) Principal Scientist at Jnana Therapeutics with experience in cancer research, genetics, and biochemistry. With a Ph.D. from Harvard, Dr. St. Pierre is passionate about chromatin biology and cancer drug discovery.
- Dr. Cherise Burton (U.S. Virgin Islands with Dominican Heritage) Director of Dual Degree Engineering Program and Adjunct Professor at Morehouse College with previous experience in manufacturing and industrial engineering with Ford Motor Company and Delta Airlines.
Read, Watch, Listen, and Learn
- Learn more about Caribbean American Heritage Month
- Explore the Gordon Library’s Latin American and Caribbean Studies LibGuide
- Learn more about WPI’s Latin American and Caribbean Studies.
- Discover authentic Caribbean recipes
- Read books from the National Caribbean American Heritage Month Official Book List of 2026
- Read about the history of the Caribbean
- Explore the work of the Dean of the Global School, Dr. Mimi Sheller, a leading scholar in the field of Caribbean Studies:
- Watch Caribbean-centered documentaries via PBS
- Watch the documentaries compiled by Brown Girls Doc Mafia from CAFTPro, showcasing the diversity of Caribbean people and experiences
- Enjoy local Caribbean American stories via the Gordon Library or the Worcester Public Library
- Explore WPI’s Puerto Rico Project Center
- Listen to:
Take Action and Get Involved
- Attend the Worcester Caribbean American Heritage Festival
Date: Sunday, June 21, 2026, | Time: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Institute Park, Worcester, MA
Featuring Caribbean food, live music, arts & crafts, and cultural performances. - Visit national museums or view their online collections:
- Art Museum of the Americas – “the oldest museum of modern and contemporary Latin American and Caribbean art in the United States.”
- The Green Family Foundation Caribbean Cultural Institute (CCI) at the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) – “a curatorial and research platform that promotes the art of the Caribbean and its diasporas through scholarship, exhibitions, fellowships, public programs, and collection development.”
- Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute – “an arts, culture, education and media organization that advances cultural equity, racial and social justice for African descendant communities.”
- Island SPACE Caribbean Museum – “Island SPACE exists to illuminate, celebrate, and preserve the Caribbean spirit. We are the heartbeat of Caribbean heritage, a space where history is honored, culture is shared, and the stories of our people inspire, educate, and unite.”
- Support the Caribbean Science Foundation
- Support the Caribbean Collaborative Action Network
- Register to Vote -OR- Check Your Voter Registration
- Everything you need to vote. Vote.org
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The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) promotes and oversees student-facing learning experiences, programs, services, trainings, and initiatives for WPI.
