Celebrating Caribbean American Heritage Month

This is a special post written by Charles Warren, Curriculum Developer at Triangle. Charlie is also a member of Triangle’s Racial Equity Task Force. As part of our commitment to the work of our Racial Equity Task Force, we will be sharing more information with you on subjects related to racial equity and disability justice. This post continues our series dedicated to calling attention to the contributions of people with disabilities to American history.

Did you know that June is Caribbean American Heritage Month? This week, we are highlighting Caribbean Americans who are focused on increasing awareness and empowerment for Caribbean Americans with disabilities.

Erin Brown

Erin Brown is a diversity, equity, disability, and inclusion consultant, Paralympic athlete, and disability rights activist from the Bahamas.  Brown works with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which is part of the World Health Organization. In an article on PAHO’s website, Brown is described as a “one-woman powerhouse of advocacy for the disability community in the Bahamas.”  Her consulting firm advocates in many areas, including healthcare settings, employment, and athletics.  

Heather Little-White

Heather Little-White (1952 – 2013) was nutritionist, journalist, and disability rights activist in Jamaica.  She was the founder of Grace Kitchens, as well as a television show called Creative Cooking which aired for decades and focused on teaching how to cook nutritious and affordable meals. Little-White was paralyzed from the waist down and used a wheelchair. She worked with the School Feeding Program, the Urban Development Corporation, and with various United Nations programs as a consultant. In 2001, she was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government for her work.