What We Do
Transforming Lives One Program At A Time
CARICON designs every initiative to advance Caribbean literature, culture, and heritage across the diaspora. Through collaboration and professional development, we build literary excellence, preserve cultural traditions, and strengthen creative communities.
Literary Advocacy & Professional Development
SUPPORTING AUTHORS AND ARTISTS
We elevate Caribbean creators through professional development, industry connections, and recognition. Our programs open doors to publishing deals, festival invitations, and global opportunities while celebrating literary and cultural excellence.
- CARICON Prize Literary Awards
- Annual CARICON Conference
- The CARICON Translation Project
- CARICON Writers Retreat
Cultural Exchange & Education
BUILDING CROSS-CULTURAL BRIDGES
We connect Caribbean and diaspora communities through educational exchange, residency programs, and digital archiving. Our initiatives bring Caribbean arts into classrooms while preserving endangered cultural heritage for future generations.
- Cross Currents: Arts Education in Motion
- The Writers' Bridge Residency
- Heritage Remix: Digital Archiving
- Youth Media Lab Programming
Community Engagement & Cultural Celebration
CELEBRATING CARIBBEAN CULTURE
We bring Caribbean literature, music, and storytelling directly to communities through mobile outreach, live performances, and vibrant cultural events. Our programs make Caribbean arts accessible to diverse audiences while strengthening cultural connections.
- CARICON Connection Mobile Outreach
- Annual Poetry Slam Competition
- Calypso Meets Jazz
- Author Readings & Performances
Community Resilience & Support
STRENGTHENING CREATIVE COMMUNITIES
We ensure Caribbean cultural expression continues through crisis by providing emergency assistance to authors, artists, libraries, schools, and cultural institutions affected by natural disasters. Our resilience work protects cultural infrastructure and creative livelihoods.
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Equipment Replacement Programs
- Cultural Space Rebuilding Support
- Professional Development for Recovery
Cross-Linguistic Unity
UNITING FOUR LANGUAGE COMMUNITIES
We bridge linguistic divides across the Caribbean's English, Spanish, French, and Dutch/Papiamento communities. Through translation projects and multilingual programming, we make Caribbean literature accessible to all while fostering regional unity and shared cultural identity.
- 12 New Translations Annually
- Cross-Linguistic Literary Exchange
- Multilingual Festival Programming
- Regional Publishing Networks
Youth Empowerment
EMPOWERING NEXT-GENERATION STORYTELLERS
We invest in youth ages 10-25 through creative writing workshops, digital storytelling programs, and mentorship opportunities. Our initiatives build skills, cultural pride, and professional pathways while empowering young people as cultural ambassadors and heritage preservers.
- 500+ Students Engaged Annually
- Digital Media Production Training
- Intergenerational Dialogue Sessions
- Youth Leadership Development
Be the True Reason for Someone's Creative Breakthrough
Every program we create opens pathways for Caribbean voices to be heard, heritage to be preserved, and communities to thrive.
Program Impact Metrics
1,000+
Direct Program Participants
10,000+
Audience Members at Events
50+
Authors & Artists Supported
500+
Students Engaged
200+
Cultural Stories Preserved
20+
Institutional Partnerships
4
Linguistic Communities Connected
12
New Translations Annually
Geographic Reach
Caribbean
All major islands and territories across English, Spanish, French, and Dutch/Papiamento-speaking regions
United States
Primary focus Los Angeles County; secondary reach across diaspora communities
International
Global literary marketplace through conferences, publications, festivals, and digital platforms
Program Integration
Caribbean
Creates opportunities for Caribbean creators to reach global audiences
Cultural Exchange
Builds bridges between Caribbean and diaspora communities through education and collaboration
Community Engagement
Brings Caribbean arts directly to schools, libraries, and neighborhoods
Resilience Support
Ensures cultural expression continues even during crisis
