CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE COALITION

Atlanta, Georgia – June 30, 2008. At an elegant Awards Banquet and Silent Auction, which concluded the June events for Caribbean American Heritage Month, the Georgia Caribbean American Heritage Coalition (GCAHC) presented The Mighty Sparrow with The Caribbean Treasure and Kaiso Icon Entertainer Award for his outstanding service and musical excellence. Also recognized was Caribbean radio personality, Lisimba Hazel, of WRFG 89.3 FM and formerly of WCLK 91.9 FM, who received the Caribbean Music Awareness Award.

The banquet was well attended and was held in the John Williams Ballroom of the Cobb Galleria Centre against the backdrop of outstanding Caribbean art. Attending dignitaries included Her Excellency Glenda Morean-Phillip, S.C., Ambassador of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, Councilman Cyril Mungal of the City of Stone Mountain, Claire McLeveighn and other representatives of Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, and Vin Martin, Esq., Honorary Consul of Jamaica in Atlanta. Also in attendance were representatives from our main sponsors Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Kroger along with other sponsors.

Mistress of Ceremonies Joan Savoury of WGFS 1430 AM introduced several speakers who paid tribute to the contributions of people of Caribbean descent to the fabric of the United States. In her address, Ambassador Morean-Phillip emphasized that Caribbean nationals can achieve a lot by working together and by taking steps to ensure that the contributions of people of the Caribbean region to the United States are recognized.

The evening ended with a riveting and lengthy performance by the Calypso King of the World. DJ Vintage Bamboo and the Atlanta-based Atlanta Max Band provided music throughout the evening.