WASHINGTON D.C. – The Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) is elated to unveil Team Antigua Island Girls (TAIGs) as the distinguished honorees of the coveted Forerunner Award at the much-anticipated 30th Annual Caribbean American Heritage (CARAH) Awards Gala. This landmark event will take place on Friday, November 17th, 2023, at the luxurious JW Marriott in Washington, D.C, under the theme “A Celebration of Excellence and Service.”
The CARAH Awards are proudly presented by the ICS, a prominent Caribbean-American advocacy organization that played a pivotal role in obtaining the Presidential Proclamation designating June as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month (NCAHM). These distinguished accolades pay tribute to the remarkable achievements and significant contributions made by Caribbean leaders across a spectrum of domains, including the Arts, Entrepreneurship, Science and Technology, Sports, and Community Service. Simultaneously, the awards serve as a platform for celebrating Caribbean pride and highlighting the substantial potential and positive impact of Caribbean immigrants in both the United States and the global community.In receiving this prestigious award, TAIGs joins a distinguished group of eight outstanding Caribbean American honorees. These remarkable individuals include Leah Marville from Barbados, Richie Etwaru from Guyana, Cleve Mesidor from Haiti, Stephen “Cat” Coore, Jacky Wright and Michael Blake from Jamaica, Stuart Archibald from St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Lincoln Phillips from Trinidad & Tobago.
TAIGs, a remarkable trio of determined women from Antigua and Barbuda, have once again etched their names into the annals of history with their awe-inspiring ocean-rowing endeavors. Comprising Christal Clashing, Kevinia Francis, and Samara Emmanuel, this dynamic team of pioneers has shattered barriers and redefined the limits of human endurance in the realm of ocean rowing.
Christal Clashing made history as the first woman to represent Antigua and Barbuda at the Olympics, an astonishing achievement she accomplished at just 14 years old. Kevinia Francis stands as the country’s first female black belt martial arts instructor and an accomplished sports performance coach. Meanwhile, Samara Emmanuel’s remarkable journey led her to become the first Antiguan woman to attain Royal Yachting Association (RYA) certified yacht captain status.
