TOGETHER, WE ELEVATE CARIBBEAN VOICES
Our Vision
Our Mission
- Elevate publishing opportunities for Caribbean authors
- Preserve cultural heritage and oral traditions
- Empower youth as cultural ambassadors
- Unite four linguistic communities through translation
- Support creative communities through crisis
- Build bridges between Caribbean and diaspora
A BOLD IDEA TAKES ROOT
Founded by V. Steve Russell in Los Angeles, CARICON (formerly CALIFEST) emerged from a simple recognition: Caribbean literature, culture, and heritage deserved a dedicated organization advancing these voices across the diaspora. What began as a local Los Angeles initiative quickly evolved into something much larger—a movement connecting Caribbean territories, diaspora communities, and global literary markets.
From the start, CARICON was built differently. With formal governance through a Board of Directors, professional staff with decades of educational and cultural expertise, and deep community roots in South Los Angeles, the organization established credibility and capacity from day one.
ESTABLISHING INFRASTRUCTURE
CARICON developed core programming infrastructure and strategic partnerships that would become the foundation for sustained impact. Key achievements included:
- Partnership Development: Formalized relationship with Malik Books and Jamaica Cultural Alliance as fiscal sponsor, establishing permanent programming and institutional support.
- Community Integration: Built authentic relationships throughout Leimert Park’s cultural corridor— Malik Books, The World Stage, Vision Theatre, Jamaica Cultural Alliance—creating networks for cross-pollination and collaborative programming.
- Program Design: Developed signature programming models including CARICON Connection mobile outreach, bringing Caribbean literature and storytelling directly to schools, community centers, and underserved neighborhoods.
- Youth Focus: Launched educational initiatives serving ages 16-18, establishing CARICON’s commitment to next-generation empowerment through cultural programming.
GROWING INTERNATIONAL IMPACT
CARICON scaled operations internationally, proving capacity to deliver complex, multi-territory programming while maintaining quality and community connection.
Major Milestones:
- International Partnership: Established Cornell University Breakthrough AI Program partnership, advising four cohorts of undergraduate students developing LLM systems—demonstrating capacity for university-level collaboration and technology mentorship.
- Performance Programming: Produced Voice of the Street Poetry Showcase at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in partnership with LAPL, supported by Associate Director Madeleine Peña, showcasing Caribbean poets to hundreds of attendees.
- Caribbean Expansion: Deepened relationships with Caribbean institutions including Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Jamaica, University of the West Indies campuses, and cultural ministries across territories.
- Conference Development: Designed CARICON Conference model connecting 200-300 authors with literary agents, publishers, and industry professionals—creating concrete pathways from Caribbean creativity to global literary marketplace.
Cultural Events: Launched Soundclash and expanded poetry slam programming, establishing CARICON as producer of distinctive, high-quality cultural experiences.
ACHIEVING NEW HEIGHTS
CARICON established itself as a major force in Caribbean literary and cultural advocacy through flagship initiatives and professional recognition.
Transformative Achievements:
- CARICON Prize Launch (2025): Inaugurated annual international literary award recognizing outstanding Caribbean authors across five categories. First winners—Diana McCaulay (Fiction), Amy Alvarez (Poetry), Angie Cruz (Children’s Literature), Desmond Hall (Young Adult), Dr. Earl Lovelace (Lifetime Achievement)—received cash prizes, international recognition, and platform elevation.
- Major International Event: Produced 300-attendee international Poetry Slam at Edna Manley College, Jamaica, demonstrating capacity to execute large-scale cross-border cultural programming with professional excellence.
- Educational Innovation: Developed Cross Currents: Arts Education in Motion, connecting Los Angeles and Caribbean schools through arts-based curriculum exploring literature, music, and storytelling traditions—serving 200+ students annually.
- Heritage Preservation: Launched Heritage Remix: Digital Archiving & Youth Media Lab, empowering youth ages 15-25 to preserve endangered oral histories and cultural practices through digital storytelling and media production.
- Translation Initiative: Formalized The CARICON Project, cross-linguistic translation program promoting literary exchange across English, Spanish, French, and Dutch/Papiamento—creating 12 new translations annually.
Resilience Infrastructure: Established CARICON Resilience Fund providing emergency assistance to authors, artists, libraries, and cultural institutions affected by natural disasters—ensuring cultural continuity through crisis.
EXPANDING THE VISION
CARICON positions for next phase of growth with ambitious programming, strategic partnerships, and infrastructure investments ensuring long-term sustainability and impact.
Strategic Priorities:
- Toronto Conference (June 2026): Flagship CARICON Literary Conference 2026 at George Brown College’s Lucie and Thornton Blackburn Conference Centre, honoring Earl Lovelace and Julia Alvarez with Lifetime Achievement Awards before 200 attendees.
- 2028 LA Olympics Cultural Legacy: Positioning Heritage Remix as official cultural legacy project, documenting and celebrating Caribbean cultural contributions during global spotlight on Los Angeles.
- Writers’ Bridge Residency: Launching international literary residency program (2026-2027) bringing together emerging and established writers from Los Angeles and Caribbean for immersive creative exchange, mentorship, and collaboration.
- Expanded Youth Programming: Scaling Cross Currents to 5+ institutional partners; growing Heritage Remix to 100+ youth trained annually; creating permanent digital archive as cultural resource.
- Regional Expansion: Establishing programming in Guadeloupe (2027 poetry slam), Martinique (October 2026 writers retreat), Curaçao (March 2026 poetry slam partnership with Wintertuin Curaçao), and additional Caribbean territories.
- Institutional Partnerships: Developing formal MOUs with 5+ Caribbean institutions; exploring partnerships with Festival Écriture des Amériques and other major international literary festivals.
Organizational Capacity: Growing from volunteer to hiring full-time program staff; expanding board; strengthening operational infrastructure for sustained growth.
How Funder Came to Life
2016
A Simple Idea of Funder
What began as a small, local campaign to help families in urgent need quickly grew into something much bigger and more impactful.
2017
Laying The Groundwork
We developed our first strong partnerships with trusted, community-based local charities to extend our reach and enhance accountability efforts.
2022
Growing Global Impact
Our work rapidly expanded to three continents, with projects focused on women’s health, youth education, food aid, and rural development access.
2025
New Strategic Vision
Our approach shifted to championing people first—ensuring every effort is transparent, empowering, and built to make a difference.
Every program CARICON creates opens pathways for Caribbean voices to be heard, heritage to be preserved, and communities to thrive. Through literary advocacy connecting authors with publishing opportunities, cultural exchange building bridges between territories and diaspora, youth empowerment developing next-generation storytellers, and resilience support ensuring creative continuity through crisis—we transform individual lives while strengthening the entire Caribbean cultural ecosystem.
Our impact extends beyond numbers: we’ve helped emerging authors secure their first book deals, preserved oral histories that would otherwise be lost, connected students across oceans through shared creative projects, and supported cultural institutions rebuilding after devastating hurricanes. This is the work of cultural transformation—patient, persistent, and profoundly powerful.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Steven O'Connor
Board Chair
Joan Chanman-Forbes
Treasurer
Selena Morris-Lubell
Secretary
Aldonsa Alcantara
Board Member
V. Steve Russell
Executive Director & Board Member
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
V. Steve Russell
Executive Director & Founder University of South Carolina (B.A., Theatre/Media Arts); UCLA Extension (Entertainment Management Certificate)
Dr. Juanita Coleman Merritt
Program Director UCLA Graduate School of Education (Ed.D., Educational Leadership; M.A., Social Science & Comparative Education); UC Berkeley (B.A., Social Sciences)
Diane M. Allen
Program Manager UCLA Master's (Education/Social Welfare); CalSAC Senior Trainer; L.A.C.E.R. Education Director
PROFESSIONAL STAFF
Jan Morrison
Outreach Coordinator
Community engagement and partnership development
Haroon Waqas
Marketing Coordinator
Strategic communications and promotional campaigns
Abhishek Kumar
Web Designer
Digital presence and online platform development
Yasanth Krishnamoorthy
Graphic Designer
Visual identity and promotional materials
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Excellence
We maintain highest standards in programming, partnerships, and creative output. Caribbean culture deserves nothing less than professional excellence in presentation, support, and advocacy.
Authenticity
We center Caribbean voices, perspectives, and cultural authority. Our programs are designed BY Caribbean people, FOR Caribbean communities—maintaining cultural integrity and authentic representation.
Equity
We ensure access regardless of economic barriers, geographic location, or linguistic background. Excellence shouldn't be limited to those with resources—we create pathways for all Caribbean voices.
Collaboration
We believe in collective power. Through partnerships with educational institutions, cultural organizations, and community groups, we amplify impact and share resources equitably.
Resilience
We commit to cultural continuity through crisis. Whether through proactive heritage preservation or reactive disaster support, we ensure Caribbean creative expression continues across generations.
Innovation
We embrace new approaches to cultural work—from digital archiving to cross-linguistic translation to hybrid international programming—while maintaining deep respect for tradition.
Building Together
CARICON’s impact extends through strategic partnerships with institutions sharing our commitment to Caribbean cultural advancement:
Educational Institutions
• Los Angeles Public Library (Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Regional Branch)
• Cornell University (Breakthrough AI Program)
• UCLA (Breakthrough AI Program + Engineering Pathways)
• Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts
• University of the West Indies
• Marcus Garvey Elementary
• K-12 schools across Los Angeles and Caribbean territories
Cultural Organizations
• Jamaica Cultural Alliance
• Lula Washington Dance Theatre
• Malik Books
• The World Stage
• Vision Theatre
• Wintertuin Curaçao
• Caribbean cultural ministries and arts councils
Literary Industry
• Brer Anancy Press (publication services)
• Literary agents and publishers (conference partnerships)
• Festival Écriture des Amériques (exploring collaboration)
• Caribbean and international literary festivals
Funding Partners
• Caribbean Development Bank (Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund applicant)
• Canada Council for the Arts (Representation and Promotion program applicant)
• LA County Department of Arts & Culture (High School Arts Internship Program applicant)
• Department of Cultural Affairs (Grantee)
• Foundations supporting arts, education, and cultural exchange
Community Partners
• Exposition Park museums (CAAM, Natural History Museum, California Science Center)
• South LA community organizations
• Caribbean diaspora associations
Proven Track Record
Organizational Credibility
⬡ 501(c)(3) nonprofit status (EIN: 99-4258230)
⬡ Formal governance through Board of Directors
⬡ Professional staff with decades of specialized expertise
⬡ Established fiscal capacity and operational infrastructure
⬡ Track record managing complex multi-territory programming
Program Recognition
⬡ Successfully produced 300-attendee international events
⬡ Established partnerships with major institutions (UCLA, LAPL, Cornell, Edna Manley)
⬡ Launched nationally-recognized literary prize with distinguished winners
⬡ Demonstrated capacity for government contracts and grant management
⬡ Built reputation for professional excellence and cultural authenticity
Community Trust
⬡ Deep South LA roots and authentic community presence
⬡ Established relationships throughout Leimert Park cultural corridor
⬡ Multi-year partnerships with schools, libraries, and cultural institutions
⬡ Consistent delivery of high-quality programming since 2018
IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS (2018-2025)
Annual Reach
10+
Direct program participants
100+
Audience members at events
1+
Caribbean authors supported
1+
Students engaged
1+
Stories preserved
1+
Institutional partnerships
Geographic Reach
- All major Caribbean territories across 4 linguistic groups
- Los Angeles County
- Multiple North American diaspora cities
- International literary marketplace connections
Program Delivery
Translations created annually
Responsible Stewardship
CARICON operates with fiscal responsibility and transparency, maintaining diversified revenue streams ensuring organizational sustainability.
Revenue Streams
Growth Trajectory
$250,000
$400,000
Operating Budget
$600,000
Fiscal Capacity
Demonstrated through Russell’s 14 years managing payroll for 200+ employees with full federal, state, and local compliance; formal board fiduciary oversight; professional financial management; and successful track record of grant management and reporting.
The Next Chapter
CARICON stands at an inflection point. With proven programming models, established partnerships, professional infrastructure, and growing recognition, we’re positioned for transformative expansion.
2026–2028 Strategic Goals
Scale Impact
Double program participants and institutional partnerships
Deepen Quality
Enhance programming depth and participant outcomes
Expand Geography
Establish presence in additional Caribbean territories
Strengthen Infrastructure
Build organizational capacity supporting sustained growth
Amplify Visibility
Position CARICON as leading authority on Caribbean culture
Ensure Sustainability
Diversify revenue and build operational reserves
The Caribbean literary and cultural ecosystem needs what CARICON provides: professional advocacy, authentic cultural authority, youth investment, resilience infrastructure, and bridges connecting territories with diaspora and global opportunities.
“This is not just organizational growth—this is cultural movement building.”
Every author we support, every young person we empower, every story we preserve, every bridge we build contributes to stronger, more vibrant Caribbean cultural presence shaping the global landscape.
