Island SPACE Caribbean Museum proudly joined a delegation of community leaders from South Florida for the 2025 Caribbean American Day, April 24, 2025 at the Florida Capitol, highlighting the culture, contributions, and presence of Florida’s 2.6 million Caribbean Americans.

State Representatives Lisa Dunkley (D-Broward County) and Susan L. Valdés (R-Tampa) led the initiative, bringing together more than 15 visiting individuals from across Florida for a day of cultural advocacy and civic education. As fiscal sponsor of the event, Island SPACE presented an exhibit featuring curated artifacts from its collection, including traditional dolls, a Dominican Carnival Lechón mask, and memorabilia from the 1988 Caribbean Congress of Labor.

*Island SPACE Caribbean Museum artifact display outside the entry to the Florida House of Representatives chamber at the State Capitol building.*

During the visit, participants toured the Florida Capitol and the Capitol Museum, where a dress worn by former Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll—Florida’s first elected woman in the role—was on display. From the gallery, the delegation observed an active legislative session and was formally recognized by Representatives Dunkley and Marie Woodson, with their attendance recorded in the official House journal.

Later in the day, Caribbean American Day festivities in the Capitol courtyard brought together legislators, aides, and community guests for an evening of celebration. Island SPACE had the opportunity to address the gathering, urging support for the museum’s mission and the establishment of a permanent facility to preserve Caribbean heritage in Florida.

*The South Florida delegation with State Reps. Lisa Dunkley (third from left) and Marie Woodson (middle) at Caribbean American Day at the State Capitol.*

Notable attendees included Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll, Broward County Commissioner Hazelle Rogers, Senators Daphne Campbell and Rosalind Osgood, and several members of the Florida House.

“We thank Representative Dunkley and her team for the invitation and coordination,” said Calibe Thompson, Island SPACE executive director, in a press release. “It was a proud moment for the Caribbean-American community, and we look forward to building on this momentum.”

About Island SPACE Caribbean Museum

Island Society for the Promotion of Artistic and Cultural Education (Island SPACE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of arts, culture, history, and educational initiatives that represent the Caribbean region, in South Florida and the broader diaspora. The public is invited to visit Island SPACE Caribbean Museum Thursdays through Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. General museum entry is $15 per adult and $7 per child. Visit www.islandspacefl.org to learn more.

This is a Hy-Lo News Staff Report.