Who We Are - Central California Caribbean Association
Our Vision
- Our organization was created in an effort to build unity, solidarity, and fellowship for individuals from the Caribbean and individuals of Caribbean descent located in the Central Valley in the State of California.
- Please check our News and Events Section for the latest updates and events.
About Us - CCCA
Our Mission
- Mission Statement
- In an effort to build unity, solidarity and fellowship in the community of individuals from the Caribbean and of Caribbean descent in Central Valley of the State of California, it has been deemed appropriate to create an organization, whose goals are to promote the awareness of the needs of its members, and to advance the cultural awareness and fellowship of individuals of Caribbean descent. The term "Caribbean descent" shall refer to those individuals who were immigrated from, who are married to immigrants/descendants of immigrants from, or whose ancestors immigrated from, land masses contiguous to the Caribbean Sea, and those countries in the Atlantic vicinity historically and politically affiliated with and/or recognized as "Caribbean. To that end, the organization shall engage in those activities that foster unity and build community awareness among current and future generations of descendants of individuals from the Caribbean.
Our Goals
The CCCA has a five-fold purpose:
- To promote the well-being of the Caribbean Community of Central California.
- To foster the economic, social and political growth and promote on-going interaction, within the continuity of Caribbean cultures.
- To facilitate development and use of individual and community resources in support of the whole range of intellectual, health, nutritional, and educational endeavors pertaining to the Caribbean community.
- To work with other Caribbean associations, as deemed appropriate, from time to time, in California and elsewhere (including links between the association and Caribbean countries) for the purpose of accomplishing all the foregoing similar purposes for the Caribbean community.
- To advise, support, counsel, and assist students of Caribbean descent in their academic and social integration into Caribbean History and culture, through available resources and organizational support.
Executive Officers
President: Karen Reid-Williams
Vice President: Rosemarie "Rosie" Young
Vice President: Rosemarie "Rosie" Young
Karen Reid-Williams was born and raised in Spanish Town, Jamaica. In 1988, Karen moved to Fresno, California, where she met her husband Jerry, with whom she has two sons, Jay and Hurschel. Karen's CCCA journey began when she was introduced to CCCA by her mother, Cislyn Blackwood, who is a part of the first generation of CCCA members. Her love for promoting Caribbean community education led her to coordinate the CCCA Silent Auction, with all the proceeds benefitting CCCA's scholarships. Karen's vision for CCCA is to continue to educate and celebrate the strength of the shared and diverse aspects of our culture, heritage, and communities.
Vice President: Rosemarie "Rosie" Young
Vice President: Rosemarie "Rosie" Young
Vice President: Rosemarie "Rosie" Young
Rosemarie Young (Rosie) was born and raised in St. Thomas USVI, and moved to the Central Valley in 1988. Her parents are from the Commonwealth of Dominica, and Barbados. She has 34 years of service at the Internal Revenue Service, currently serving as Acting Director with oversight of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). She is married with 4 adult children and enjoys spending time with her 3 precious grandchildren. Rosie supports the President's vision and also focuses on activities that increase membership and bring awareness to the CCCA in the Central Valley.
Past President: Theo Davis
Vice President: Rosemarie "Rosie" Young
Secretary: Karen Simmons Gillian
Theo Davis was born and raised in "The Spice Isle of the Caribbean," Grenada. He is an avid sportsman, and during his years in Grenada, he played cricket, football (soccer), table tennis, and did a great deal of fishing. He has been a professional welder for the last 47 years. During his long and illustrious welding career, he held several positions, including owning a welding shop in Grenada. He moved to the United States in 1995 and lived in Austin, Texas for 10 years. In Texas, he worked as a welding inspector, performing certification tests, and ultrasonic and non-destructive testing of welds. He also worked as an adjunct welding instructor at Austin Community College for several years. He is currently a welding instructor at Fresno Community College for 19.5 years.
Theo has been a member of the Central California Caribbean Association from its inception and served as President for a few years; now holds the post of Past President.
Secretary: Karen Simmons Gillian
Secretary: Karen Simmons Gillian
Karen was born in New York. She has two grandparents from Jamaica, one from St. Kitts, and one from Bermuda. Growing up in a rural community she looked forward to the gatherings of her extended Caribbean family and friends. Karen is a founding member of the Central California Caribbean Association. She was part of the first scholarship committee and has served as the Scholarship Committee Chairperson.
In her professional life Karen is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. She is an Adjunct Instructor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at California State University, Fresno.
Karen’s vision for CCCA is the it will continue to grow membership from all areas of the Caribbean. In doing so it will represent the ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity of the Caribbean.
Treasurer: Daunette Dryden
Daunette grew up in her island home, Jamaica. In 1987, she moved to the US, settling in Fresno, California with her twin sons. After serving thirty-three years at Fresno State, Daunette retired in 2022. She has been a longstanding member of the CCCA, and has helped with the annual Cultural Faire, as well as served on the Scholarship Committee. She began her role as treasurer in 2023.
Daunette anticipates that as we preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage within the diverse Caribbean community, our youth will be inspired to continue the legacy we are building.
Silent Auction
Announce coming events
Announce coming events
All proceeds from the CCCA Silent Auction go towards CCCA scholarships or CCCA events cost.
Announce coming events
Announce coming events
Announce coming events
TBA
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