In keeping with Caribbean-American Heritage Month and Juneteenth celebrations, the Caribbean Diaspora United, Inc. (CDU) was officially launched on Friday, amid much fanfare, during a gala Prayer Breakfast at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach, Queens.
Eugene Pursoo, former Grenada United Nations ambassador, who heads the group, told Caribbean Life that CDU is a “not-for-profit association of people of the Caribbean Diaspora is the U.S.A.
“The overarching purpose of CDU is to facilitate betterment in the lives of people in the Caribbean Diaspora in the U.S.A.,” he said.
Pursoo said the mission is “to attain betterment in the lives of the peoples of the Caribbean Diaspora through organized endeavors, and service to the communities in which we are domiciled.”
He said CDU also seeks to contribute to development programs in the Caribbean states and territories.
In addition, Pursoo said CDU’s vision is the establishment of a “united Caribbean Diaspora in which we are making meaningful contributions to community betterment, and to the Caribbean region.”
He said the Caribbean Diaspora in the US comprises more than 15 million persons across the 50 states and territories “who claim Caribbean heritage.”
Eugene noted that four of the largest Caribbean Diasporas in the world are New York City; Miami; Atlanta; and Washington, D.C.
He said individuals of the Caribbean Diaspora in the US are prominent in federal, state and local governments, as well as in, among others, education, business, journalism, engineering, science, law, medicine, movie and fashion.
“The Caribbean Diaspora United, Inc. (CDU) takes this opportunity to express its appreciation to all the attendees to its Inaugural Prayer Breakfast at Russo’s on the Bay on Friday Jun. 7, 2024,” said Pursoo in the souvenir journal. “The occasion marks the official launch of the organization.
“The composition of the Executive Council of the CDU seeks to be geographically representative of the Caribbean region, and gender balanced,” he added. “We applaud the many national Diaspora groups for their outstanding efforts to support their respective homeland at the same time that they so proudly disseminate Caribbean culture in the North American Diasporas.
“The Caribbean Diaspora United, Inc. provides an opportunity to speak with one powerful united voice, and to be a significant force for betterment. To that end, we are committed to working in collaboration,” continued Pursoo, stating that CDU is currently in contact with all the Caribbean states and most of the territories “to build relationships through which the Diasporas can strengthen their contributions to the region.
“We intend to organize fora and make the necessary efforts to strengthen relations with all communities with which we share residence,” he said. “Our membership process is very broad-based and simple to engage.”
During Friday’s launch, remarks were made, by among others, US Rep. Yvette D. Clarke, representative for the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn; New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams; City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse; Nassau County legislator Siela A. Bynoe; Consuls General Andre Laveau of Trinidad and Tobago, and Alsion Roach Wilson of Jamaica; and Director of the Mayor’s Office of Faith-Based Organizations, Pastor Gilford Monrose.
Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants, Haitian-born Narcisse and Bynoe of St. Kitts-Nevis heritage presented proclamations to Pursoo.
Former Grenada Independence Calypso Monarch in New York Val Adams rendered “Crucial Time” and “Out You”; and Pursoo’s nephew Jared Moodie, 17, played the keyboard, backing up Ronald Humphrey on steel pan and Jared’s sisters and Pursoo’s nieces, Jazmyn, 18, and Jaidyn, 14, with “Stand Up.”
Jared also complemented Richie on guitar with the jazzy “On Thursday Afternoon” and Bob Marley’s “One Love”; and Joan Jones brought the house down with “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
Pastor Louis Straker, Jr., son of former St. Vincent and the Grenadines Deputy Prime Minister Sir Louis Straker, and Dr. Evette Williams offered the Opening Prayer and Benediction, respectively.
“We can make a difference between the United States and the Caribbean,” Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, told the ceremony. “Let me comment the Hon. Pursoo.”
Williams said he was “thankful you all come her to pray for what our ancestors went through.”
Narcisse, who represents the 46th Council District in Brooklyn, said: “It’s important for us to work together.
“Never say we have enough until our children have the best education,” she added. “So, we’re in this together; let’s fight together.”
Bynoe – who represents the 2nd Legislative District in Nassau County, encompassing the communities of Westbury, New Cassel, Uniondale and Hempstead – complimented Pursoo for bringing “us together,” adding: “It’s about harnessing our power because, we know, when we vote, we win.
“I’m so happy to be here on this inaugural event,” continued Bynoe, who is running for New York State’s 6th District in the June 25 Democratic Primary.
Monrose, who was born in the US Virgin Islands to St. Lucian parents, urged the Caribbean community to “know how government moves.
“We don’t have to go through 10 years to access resources,” he said. “My role is to give you access to city government. So, I’m encouraging you, faith leaders, to stay connected.”
Laveau said: “We have a true interface with the most powerful country in the world. I see how great we can be as a region.”
Roach, chairperson of the CARICOM Consular Corps in New York, said: ‘We have approximately 12 million Caribbean nationals that reside in the US. This is just to show how powerful we are.
“As current representative, I pledge that I’ll put together all Consuls General to stand by you to ensure that this foundation succeeds,” she pledged to Pursoo.
Pursoo said that every individual who is of Caribbean heritage is “automatically embraced as having membership privileges in CDU.
“The individual simply has to contact the organization’s Public Relations Officer, Lucille Cooper (917) 378-1417, and register his or her membership interest,” he added. “We encourage you to check out our website cduusa.org to stay current with CDU developments.”
