Boston, MA - The Authentic Caribbean Foundation (ACF), a Boston-based not-for-profit organization, marks 10 years of service to the Caribbean-American Diaspora this November and has planned a calendar of events to celebrate this milestone. The year-long celebration whose theme is "10 Years Authentic!" will shine a spotlight on the Foundation’s record of sustained, high-engagement community activism and on the impressive results. ACF has fought for inclusion and resources through persistent and passionate advocacy for the Caribbean-American community, which is too often underserved; interventions have been impactful and life-changing. The mandate to fully represent the large Caribbean-American population across the New England states is becoming a reality.
A leading voice of the Caribbean-American Diaspora in the northeastern U.S., ACF is immersed in resource and capacity building, spearheading initiatives on a broad spectrum of community needs, while building solid partnerships with like-minded organizations, community leaders and political leadership. ACF advocates on social and political issues in the U.S. and the Caribbean, bridging the Ambassadorial and Consular Corps, Caribbean governments, and the people of the Diaspora. The Foundation’s core work focuses intently on the disability community in Massachusetts and across the Caribbean. Its grassroots work is carried out through health fairs, vaccination drives, food drives, summer heat relief with free AC units, and heaters for the winter months, and more.
During the COVID-19 pandemic ACF collaborated in a series of online forums to discuss the economic, social and healthcare related impacts of the pandemic on individual countries and on relief efforts. In 2021 the Foundation took on an ambitious program in partnership with Lesley University, based in Cambridge, Mass., titled "Building Inclusive Teaching and Learning Classrooms," to provide neuro-divergent training to over 500 teachers across the Caribbean, empowering them to better serve kids on the autism spectrum. Closer to home, the children’s program Pickney Time, which highlights elements of Caribbean culture, is an ACF-produced full-immersion experience at selected elementary schools in Massachusetts.
In its quest to propagate the culture, ACF produces numerous annual events such as the Afro-Caribbean Black History Gala, Caribbean American Heritage Month Celebrations, and the Caribbean-American Rum Festival, all showcasing the rich history and diversity of the community.
ACF founder and CEO Andrew Sharpe has been recognized for his leadership in ACF’S work in the community. No recognition has been more gratifying than that of President Joe Biden, bestowed during Caribbean American Heritage Month 2022. Mr. Sharpe notes, "It is tireless work but we proudly carry the mantle for Caribbean nations and their Diaspora. Our mission is largely directed at the disability community but we represent all sectors. We have much to offer as a people and we want to highlight that."
ACF will kick off “10 Years Authentic!” with fundraisers; a "Fall Fish-fry" on December 3rd and “Rooftop Glow” on December 9th. The first event of 2023 will be the Afro-Caribbean Black History Gala on February 25th, followed by International Women’s Day on March 8th. A series of community events are planned across various cities in April; and June will be Caribbean American Heritage Month, with its own calendar.
