CPIC Team and Rep. Ed Towns

The conference, entitled "The Challenge continues, Its Global, Its Personal, Its Partnerships," was sponsored by the Caribbean People International Collective, Inc., (CPIC).

The non-profit, advocacy organization was established in Brooklyn, NY in 1995, and is also registered in Washington DC, and the state of Virginia. It also maintains an office in the Caribbean, where partnerships have been established with other Caribbean organizations.

Major concerns discussed by conference participants were immigration, health and behavioral issues that impact Caribbean-American community accessibility to economic empowerment, and the spread of HIV/AIDS in the region.

Panelists discussed topics including; the impact of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on immigration laws, voting and its relationship to new immigration laws, alcohol and drug use, and funding resources for "grass roots" groups.

Invited panelists were Denis Antoine, Ambassador to Grenada, and First Secretary Ann-Marie Layne, representing Deborah Mae Lovell, Ambassador, Antigua and Barbuda, both of whom discussed matters which negatively impact the Caribbean Region.

Designated representatives of the organization met with members of Congress and House Representatives to express appreciation for H. Con. Res. 71, a recently-passed bill which designates the month of June as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month and to discuss. Bill H.R. 4437, a bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act, which CPIC does not support.

Meetings were held with the following political representatives; Congressman Gregory W. Meeks, 6th District, NY, Rep. Ed Towns, 10th District NY, Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, 11th District, Ohio, Rep. John Conyers, Jr, 14th District, Michigan, Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee, 18th District, Texas, and Rep. Albert R. Wynn, 4th District, Maryland.

Spokesperson, Truda Hicks announced that the CPIC is launching a new initiative, the National Caribbean-American Health/AIDS Awareness Day. The annual event will be dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles among people of color, especially those of Caribbean descent.

Dawn Stewart, CPIC founder and CEO said in a recent radio interview, "It is imperative for us (Caribbean-Americans) to remember that we stand on the shoulders of our past leaders, teachers and pioneers," and, "...our civic responsibility to vote (in the USA), and lastly our moral obligation to assist in the struggle to move the Caribbean in to action."