SOUTH FLORIDA – Board members at Island SPACE Caribbean Museum are bristling with pleasure this week, as their president and co-founder Calibe Thompson acquired information that she could be offered with US Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus McCormick’s EmpowHer Award for the class of “Ladies in Arts and Tradition.” The bought out awards occasion will happen on Saturday, March twenty third in Fort Lauderdale. Thompson might be acknowledged for her “distinctive achievements inside Florida’s twentieth congressional district.”
Island SPACE president Calibe Thompson. | Photograph: George Horton (Island Syndicate)
Constructing a Legacy
Island SPACE Caribbean Museum, the flagship mission of the nonprofit group Island Society for the Promotion of Creative and Cultural Training (Island SPACE), is the one pan-Caribbean heritage museum in the USA. Positioned close to the northeast entrance at Broward Mall within the Metropolis of Plantation, the museum, its related gallery and occasion house, had been conceptualized by Thompson and co-founder David I. Muir, with a mission of elevating the profile of Caribbean artwork, historical past and tradition in each kind all through South Florida and the broader diaspora.
Because the museum’s institution in 2020, Thompson has led the cost within the areas of strategic planning, mission administration, fundraising and programming growth, with the assist of a small workers, a devoted board of administrators and distinctive volunteers.
Island SPACE Board Members Lasana Smith (former), Caren Muir, Calibe Thompson and David I. Muir obtain an award from the Caribbean Bar Affiliation. | Photograph: Christian Ossohou (Island Syndicate)
Congresswoman Cherfilus McCormick
Most personal Caribbean nonprofits have averted the dedication required to take care of brick and mortar services. Thompson admits the accountability of working the museum is heavy. “Generally it might really feel such as you’ve taken on greater than you possibly can handle, although you like what you do,” she mentioned. “It’s actually gratifying when somebody with the stature of Congresswoman Cherfilus McCormick takes a second to let you already know that they see you, and that the work you’re doing is essential.”
Neighborhood Packages at Island SPACE Caribbean Museum
Because the starting of the yr, Island SPACE has hosted a profitable inaugural music competition — Reggae Genealogy — the place lifetime achievement award-winner Cedella Marley promised the group one among her father’s guitars and costumes from the I-Threes for a brand new Bob Marley exhibit, slated for a summer season unveiling.
Upcoming Island SPACE Museum Packages
Museum guests may also look out for brand new artwork reveals and cultural installations each two to a few months. Upcoming programming actions embrace celebrating Haitian heritage and artwork in in Could at L’union Fait la Drive, participating youngsters in conventional arts on the Anancy Festival in June, honoring ladies at HERS in July, exploring themes of emancipation in August, a Caribbean e-book honest and Peter Tosh memorial actions in October, the third annual Rum Cake and Caribbean Black Cake Pageant in November, and the third annual Artwork Week Involves Plantation occasion collection in December.
Island SPACE president Calibe Thompson addressing the viewers on the 2024 Reggae Family tree live performance. | Photograph: R.J. Deed
Supporting the Mission
The privately funded group is at the moment advancing its “First 50” campaign, inviting 50 donors to decide to giving $5,000 per yr for the subsequent 5 years. The recurring contributions will assist the museum stay sustainable, supporting fundamental operations for efficient service and illustration of the 25% of South Floridians born within the Caribbean, the youngsters who study their heritage at area journeys and occasions, and the visitors who discover reference to wealthy Caribbean historical past and tradition as they attend panels, workshops, performances, excursions, artwork exhibits and extra.
Island SPACE is supported partially by Broward Mall, the State of Florida Division of State, the Florida Division of Arts and Tradition, the Florida Council on Arts and Tradition, the Institute of Museum and Library Providers, Broward County Cultural Division, “King” George Jograj, Dr. Lydia Malcom of Genuine Behavioral Well being LLC, and her husband, Mr. Waynewright Malcolm, and the next funds on the Neighborhood Basis of Broward: Judith Cornfeld Fund for the Arts, Helen and Frank Stoykov Charitable Endowment Fund, The Frederick A. DeLuca Basis Broward Neighborhood Fund and Samuel F. Morrison Neighborhood Affect Fund.
