CCCA Executive Board
President
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. She has 29 years with Community Hospital her current role is Charge nurse and Forensic program coordinator in the emergency department. Karen's CCCA journey began when she was introduced to CCCA by her mother, Cislyn Blackwood, who is a part of the founding members of CCCA. 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.
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Vice President
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.
Immediate Past President
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 Gillian 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 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.