WHITE HOUSE EXECUTIVE TO ADDRESS ANNUAL CARIBBEAN GALA

Count-Us-Caribbean Census 2010 Campaign to be a Focal Point



CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, WEds. Nov. 11, 2009: Michael Blake, Associate Director, White House Office on Public Engagement, will be the special guest speaker at the 16th Anniversary of the Caribbean American Heritage Awards (CARAH) Gala on Friday (November 13) at the Renaissance Marriott Hotel in Washington D.C.



The Caribbean American Heritage (CARAH) Awards will celebrate its 16 th anniversary on Friday, November 13 at the Renaissance Marriott Hotel in Washington , D.C. , to celebrate and highlight people from the Caribbean and the gains they have made in the United States . The annual gala, which is a flagship event of the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS), celebrates the contributions, legacies and future of those of Caribbean heritage.



ICS Honorees span the range of sectors from health, to education to housing development and include Earl Graves, CEO and Publisher of Black Enterprise who is of Barbadian heritage, and actress Cicely Tyson, who is of Nevisian heritage. The Gala has also honored Friends of the Caribbean such as former Congressman Kweisi Mfume, and Congresswoman Barbara Lee.



This year, ICS will use the GALA as an opportunity to kick into high gear its Count Us Caribbean Campaign, which ICS Founder and President Dr. Claire Nelson leads as Chair of the National Caribbean American Complete Count Committee.



Arnold Jackson, Associate Director for Decennial Census, will attend and bring special remarks about the 2010 Census, encouraging the Caribbean American community partnership’s continued help in promoting 2010 Census participation within their community. “The 2010 Census is a Constitutional responsibility and is vital to growing and building communities. We do not share your answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities