Day 1 of Tropical Beat's Caribbean Awareness (03-24-2008,
11:00am-2:00pm) began of a week-long promotion of Caribbean
Awareness/Activities at Miami Dade College, North Campus. This event
highlighted the awareness of over 30 Caribbean Countries through the
setup of tents/booths which displayed Caribbean Flags and other
items which highlighted individual Caribbean countries. The Miami
Dade College, North Campus Library participated in this event
providing a wide range of Caribbean books for students to instantly
check-out. There was also Caribbean music, Caribbean food, and
giveaways courtesy of Jamaica National available for the North
Campus Community to enjoy.
Day 2 of Tropical Beat's Caribbean Awareness (03-25-2008,
11:15am-12:30pm) continued with Colloquium was on “The Role and
Contributions of the Caribbean to the Global Economy”. It was
facilitated by Honorable Ricardo Allicock, the Consul General of
Jamaica and Honorable Philip St. Hill, the Deputy Consul General of
Barbados. This activity was geared towards students, faculty, and
staff of Miami Dade College, North Campus other than Tropical Beat
members. Those in attendance gained a comprehensive overview of the
Caribbean and its economic and trade affairs, and how the islands of
that region are a significant part of the economic mosaic of our
world.
There was also Caribbean food available courtesy of “Jamaica House
Restaurant”. It was hosted in the MJ Taylor Lounge.
Day 3 of Tropical Beat's Caribbean Awareness (03-26-2008,
12:00pm-1:00pm) was geared towards strengthening the knowledge of
current members so that they are better equipped to promote their
countries/islands/cultures: There was one Workshop titled “Caribbean
Are You?” which was facilitated by Andy Ansola, President/CEO
Broward County Caribbean Carnival (www.caribbeancarnival.org).
The Forum was titled “Reggae vs. Soca” and was driven by Robert
Mullings. The workshop and the forum stimulated great interest by
those members who were present.
Day 4 of Tropical Beat's Caribbean Awareness
(03-27-2008, 11:15pm-12:30pm)
highlighted major Caribbean Festivals in over 20 countries. This was
presented by current members of Tropical Beat to faculty, staff and
students at Miami Dade College, North Campus.
Day 5 of Tropical Beat’s Caribbean Awareness Festival (03-28-2008,
7:00pm-11:00pm) concluded
with the organization sponsoring Caribbean Entertainment to over 500
community members at the “Relay for Life” hosted by the American
Cancer Society at Miami Dade College, North Campus.
Entertainment was provided on behalf of Tropical Beat in the form of
two Dance Teams and a Live Band.
The first performance was by Awale. The second was by Barry
University Caribbean Students Associations’’ Dance Team, PULSE and
the third was by a local Caribbean Band “Fiya Wuk”.
The organization provided free giveaways courtesy of “Jamaica
National”. Tropical Beat was able to promote Caribbean Awareness and
showcase its accomplishments to the community of Miami Dade and
participants of “Relay for Life”.
Tropical Beat wishes to thank its members, supporters, and
sponsors for their continued support throughout all its activities.
Miguel Murphy
Advisor
Tropical Beat: the Caribbean Students Association
http://www.tropicalbeat.org
Florida
Caribbean Students Association, Incorporated 1999-2008