to our readers: greetings

June is here singing a summer tune with an island beat for Caribbean American Heritage Month! We join in honoring the significant contributions of Caribbean Americans which have shaped every aspect of our diverse society. Dive into the diverse and beautiful Trinidadian and Tobagonian American community and celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month!
-- Team Améredia

spotlight on: The Trinidadian & Tobagonian American Community

Trinidadian and Tobagonian Americans have been migrating to the United States since the seventeenth century. Their immigration to the U.S. is considered unpredictable and is therefore best understood in relation to the major waves of Caribbean immigration. The first wave of documented immigrants to the U.S. from the Caribbean islands dates back to 1619. Today there are 195,840 Trinidadian Americans living and thriving in the U.S.

The largest percentage of Trinidadian and Tobagonian Americans have made a home in the Northeast, while the smallest percentage can be found in the Midwest. Over half of the Trinidadian and Tobagonian American community resides in New York with Crown Heights and neighboring Flatbush being major cities for Caribbean life. Other metropolitan states that the group has settled in include Maryland, Florida, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.

Trinidadian and Tobagonian Americans are predominantly black but also display a unique ethnic mix of Asian Indian, European, Chinese and Lebanese influence. Many of those who have settled and assimilated in the U.S. have immersed themselves in the black culture and work towards the betterment of both African American and Caribbean American communities. As a whole, the Trinidadian and Tobagonian American community has adjusted well to American society through the establishment of strong ties within black, white, and multicultural communities and institutions. Although the economic experiences of Trinidadian and Tobagonian Americans are mixed, those who are well educated work in a variety of well paying occupations. The Human Development Group’s HD Fact Focus indicated that during the recession, U.S. citizens and residents born in Trinidad and Tobago as a group had a lower unemployment rate than the U.S. national average. For Trinidadian and Tobagonian Americans 16 years of age and older, unemployment in 2010 was 7.6% while the U.S. unemployment average was 9.6%. The most common occupations for this community to pursue are management, business, science, art, service, sales and administrative positions. The median household income of this community is $51,013.

This community places great value on tradition, education, and family. In fact, it is through the family unit that Trinidadian and Tobagonian Americans are able to pass down and carry on traditional beliefs and cultural practices. In terms of education, a large number of Trinidadian and Tobagonian American parents are involved in the education of their children. This includes participation in Parent Teacher Associations and afterschool programs. Accordingly, 32.7% of Trinidadian and Tobagonian Americans 25 years and over have some college or associates degree.

Some of the most notable Trinidadian and Tobagonian Americans we know today include athlete, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; rapper, Nicki Minaj; musician, Dennis Plummer; and premier author V.S. Naipaul. Some traditional holidays that the community celebrates are Emancipation Day, Independence Day, Republic Day, Boxing Day, Diwali and Carnival.

Trinidadian & Tobagonian American Organizations
The Trinidadian and Tobagonian American community congregates at various Caribbean organizations in the U.S., a few of which are listed below.
Afro-Trinidadians in the New York Metro Area
Caribbean American Business Association
Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc.
Caribbean American Cultural Caucus
Caribbean American Heritage of Florida
Caribbean American Medical & Scientific Association (CAMSA), Inc.
Caribbean American Medical & Scientific Association
Caribbean Bar Association
Caribbean Diaspora Connect
Indo-Caribbean Alliance, Inc.
Latin American and Caribbean Economic Association
Trinidad and Tobago Embassy
Caribbean American Heritage Month
Caribbean American Center of New York
The Caribbean American Association of Lake County
Caribbean American Netball Association

to go: community events

June 1 Chicago Turkish Festival @ Chicago, IL
June 1 Out of Tradition Contemp. Art @ Manhattan, NY
June 1 Pete Pin Cambodian Diaspora @ Bronx, NY
June 1 Alexandria Armenian Festival @ Alexandria, VA
June 1 Heritage Railway Festival @ Manassas, VA
June 1 Silk Road Story Time @ Pasadena, CA
June 1 Irish Festival @ Oshkosh, WI
June 2 Salsa Fest @Atlanta, GA
June 2 Festival de Mariachi @ Houston, TX
June 2 Bluegrass Festival @ Niles, MI
June 9 Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival @ Seattle, WA
June 9 National Puerto Rican Day Parade @ New York, NY
June 10 A Night In Roma @ Fort Lauderdale, FL
June 12 Caribbean: Crossroads of the World @ New York, NY
June 14 Polish Fest @ Milwaukee, WI
June 15 Cultural Survival Bazaar @ Boston, MA
June 16 Festival Sundiata – African-American Festival @ Seattle, WA
June 19 Newark Black Film Festival @ Newark, NJ
June 22 Swedish Days Festivals @ Geneva, IL
June 23 8TH Boston Portuguese Festival @ Boston, MA
June 29 Boston Jerkfest @ Boston, MA
June 30 Some Things Seen in Israel Photographs @ Bronx, NY

to go: professional events

June 2-5 Semantic Tech & Business Conf. @ New York, NY
June 3-5 USPAACC CelebrAsian Conf. @ Garden Grove, CA
June 4 Portada Latin Content Marketing Forum @ Miami, FL
June 4-5 Latam American Advertising and Media Summit @ Miami, FL
June 5-8 AAF Admerica! 2013 @ Phoenix, AZ
June 8 Startup Workshop Intensive @ San Jose, CA
June 8 CABA 8th Annual Award Diner @ Newark, NJ
June 10-12 The Inc. Leadership Forum @ Miami, FL
June 11 Seminar: Reading Faces to Understand Ppl @ San Jose, CA
June 11-12 Annual Diversity & Inclusion Conf. @ New York, NY
June 18-10 140 Characters Conf. @ New York, NY
June 20-21 Vocus Conference @ Washington, DC
June 21-22 USA India Business Summit @ Atlanta, GA
June 25-26 Corporate Diversity & Inclusion Conf. @ New York, NY
June 27-28 PRSA 2013 Digital Impact Conf. @ New York, NY

in the know: market research

on the web: insights

From blogs to national publications, Améredia combs the finest multicultural resources online for the latest and most relevant industry news. Here are a few that had us talking last month.

The 50 Fastest-Growing-Woman-Led Companies
Forbes
Aiming Autism Ads at Hispanic and African American Parents
The New York Times
Mountain Dew Pulls 'Most Racist Commercial in History' 
AdWeek
MyWireless.Org Survey: Voicing the Concerns of African American Cell Phone Users
Politic365
Jason Collins Comes Out: NBA Becomes First Openly Gay Professional Male Athlete in Major History 
Huffington Post
How Goya Became One of America's Fastest-Growing Food Companies
Forbes
Women Entrepreneurs: "Go Oprah or Go Home" 
Forbes
H&M Winning Raves for Having a Normal-Looking Woman Model Its Beachwear
Adweek
The Right Fit? San Francisco 49ers' New Home Will Be Levi's Stadium 
AdAge
What Am I? Tatiyana Ali on Race and Being Afro-Caribbean
NBCLatino
Scarborough Unveils New Consumer Data on Puerto Rican Market
The Wall Street Journal
Pizza Patron Founder Reveals the Secret to Capturing the Latino Market
NBCLatino
Content Marketing: 11 thing Hispanic Brand Marketers need to know 
Portada Online
Disney Drops Bid to Trademark Dia de los Muertos Name 
NBCLatino
Nearly Half of Second-Gen Hispanics Feel like Ads Don't Target Them
AdWeek
Latino Rebels Foundation starts pipeline for Hispanic Filmmakers, Journalists
NBCLatino
Aamna Aqeel 'Be My Slave' Shoot Is Yet another Example Of 'Racist Fashion Antics 
Huffington Post
Booming Business Ownership among Hispanics
RH Reach Hispanic
Japanese Auto Companies Winning the Race for Hispanic Consumers 
NBCLatino

in the news: our clients ⁄ partners

Comcast XFINITY TV Adds Two New Multicultural Channels in Western Washington
Comcast brings popular South Asian and Russian entertainment to parts of the Western Washington region. Comcast continues to enhance their international programming catering to the growing nationwide multicultural communities.
Read more >>

PG&E Ranked One of the Top Utilities in the Nation for Diversity
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has been recognized by DiversityInc as one of the top regional utilities in the country for its strong diversity practices. PG&E continues to perfect their diversity practices and their commitment to inclusion.
Read more >>

Summer Travel Season Takes Flight at SFO
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) rings in the summer season with new airlines, destinations, and traveling tips and tricks. SFO is "focused on doing everything [they] can to make this travel season [and every season] as enjoyable as possible."
Read more >>

Smithsonian Celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at the Smithsonian! The Smithsonian honors the 34th Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May with kid-friendly activities, performances, films and workshops.
Read more >>

about us: agency report

The digitization of our economy is bringing forth many challenges and opportunities for the advertising world. While the digital economy presents various growth prospects its rapid change and media consumption options presents adaptaptive challenges to the agency world. Ameredia is no different and like most agencies we are impacted by digital's omnipresence. The agency is undergoing revolutionary transformation and rethinking its growth strategy. The upsides and downsides are all coming together now to prepare the agency for future. We value the suport of our clients and partners who join us in this journey. Follow and join our social conversations on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, hear from our thought leaders at Améredian, and subscribe to our multicultural newsletter, réd.

PARTNERSHIP INQUIRIES
Build your brand in ethnic markets. Connect with us.
partnership@ameredia.com

NEWSLETTER INFO
We would love to hear from you! Submit tips and contributions to red@ameredia.com.
Subscribe to our newsletter.
Read réd archives now!

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:

Social Connect
Follow and join our social conversations on Twitter, 
Facebook Google+ Pinterest and LinkedIn.

Facebook:


Twitter:

neighborhood spotlight: Crown Heights, New York

The state of New York has a large popu"ation of Trinidadian and Tobagonian Americans. You will find one of the highest concentrations of the group in the city of Crown Heights. Crown Heights is known for its annual West Indian Carnival, also known as “The Labor Day Parade".

media sheet

New York City represents the single largest population of Caribbean people outside of the Caribbean Islands and for 20 years the voice of New York’s Caribbean community has been Caribbean Life.

bite-sized language
The primary language spoken by Trinidad and Tobago natives and Trinidadian and Tobagonian Americas is English. The official language of the country is a local variety of Standard English known as Trinidad and Tobago Standard English (TTSE), also commonly referred to as Trinidadian English.

However, the main language of the country, Trinidadian Creole or Tobagonian Creole, is founded on English-based Creole languages. Creole reflects influences from Amerindians, Europeans (including Spanish), Africans, and Indians. You may also find Spanish, French patois, Hindi, and Chinese language speakers throughout certain segments of the population

Hi: Howdy or Howdee
How are you? How is life?: How de la vie?
Goodbye/ See you later: Laters

good eats

Souse
Trinidadian and Tobagonian cuisine is a stunning blend of Indian, African, Creole, Amerindian, European, Chinese, and Lebanese influences. Pork is a widely used element. Pig’s foot souse is one of the more popular pork dishes on the island. The dish includes boiled “pig trotters” that are served cold with a salty sauce of lime, cucumber, pepper, and onions. Enjoy!

• 1 lb meat ( pigs feet)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 pimento pepper
• 1 bunch watercress (optional)
• Salt to taste (optional)
• 1-2 cucumbers
• 1 green hot pepper
• 3 limes
• 1 medium sized onion sliced
• Cold water
• 10 leaves chadon beni

Directions
Soak the pig’s feet in some water and lime. Season the meat with a mix of green seasoning, garlic and onion. Pressure cook the meat for ½ hour or until the meat has fallen off the bone. Remove from the pressure cooker and place in a bowl, proceed by washing out the excess oil. Once the meat has cooled off, place the meat in a serving bowl and pour cold water over it completely. In a separate bowl, blend chadon beni leaves and seasoning pepper to make a fresh green seasoning. Arrange sliced onions and finely chopped hot green pepper over meat. Pour some more green seasoning over it. Add lime juice and salt to taste. Leave to marinate for 2 hours before serving. You may choose to garnish with sprigs of fresh crisp watercress. Bon Appetit!

creative
Take a seat, relax and enjoy our Filipino creative done for Comcast XFINITY. Bring home the Philippines with XFINITY Triple Play.

meet améredian, Erica
"I am the PR deputy at Ameredia"

My own multicultural roots:
Born and raised in the Bay Area, I consider myself lucky to have always been surrounded by diverse cultures, beliefs, and practices. I am also extremely grateful to have been raised in a strong Filipino American family and to have been immersed in both the Filipino and American cultures. Through marriages, births, and friendships my family has now grown to be a little United Nations! My upbringing sparked my interest in the multicultural community and working with Améredia allows me to embrace this passion as well as explore, engage, and connect with diverse ethnic groups.

Partner Profile

MAIP or the Multicultural Advertising Intern Program from 4As (American Association of Advertising Agencies) provides undergraduate and graduate internships to diverse multicultural students at 4A’s member advertising agencies nationwide. The program celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. 

Partner Event

Discover what’s new in the advertising world with AAF’s ADMERICA! Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to connect with fellow AAF members and learn from the industry’s top leaders, innovators and pioneers! ADMERICA 2013 will be held on June 5-8 in Phoenix, AZ.

Learning Sources

NAMIC presents The Maximizing 21st Century Multi-cultural Teams workshop, inviting all managers and leaders in the communications industry who are responsible for delivering quality business results through unleashing the creative problem solving of multi-cultural teams.

global calendar
1-June
Panacsila Day (Indonesia)
Children’s Day (China)
Gawar Dayak (Malaysia)
Independence Day (Samoa)
Madaraka Day (Kenya)
King’s Birthday (Malaysia)
National Day (Tunisia)
2-June
Republic Day (Italy)
3-June
Foundation Day (Australia)
June Bank Holiday (Republic of Ireland)
4-June
Independence Day (Tonga)
Birthday of Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim (Finland)
Flag Day (Finland)
National Unity Day (Hungary)
5-June
Constitution Day (Denmark)
Liberation Day (Seychelles)
6-June
Constitution Day (Sweden)
Memorial Day (South Korea)
7-June
Red Earth Native American Festival (U.S.)
Labor Day (Bahamas)
9-June
Independence Day (Argentina)
Army Day (Jordan)
10-June
National Day (Portugal)
11-June
King Kamehameha Day (Hawaii)
National Day (Libya)
12-June
Chaco Peacel (Paraguay)
Independence Day (Philippines & Russia)
14-June
Flag Day (U.S.)
15-June
Independence Day (Iceland)
Shab-e-Miraj (Islam)
18-June
Independence Day (Egypt)
19-June
Labor Day (Trinidad and Tobago)
Juneteenth (African American)
Yom Yerushalayim (Israel)
20-June
Solstice
21-June
National Aboriginal Day (Canada)
National Day (Greenland)
22-June
Midsummer’s Day (Finland & Sweden)
23-June
National Day (Luxembourg)
25-June
Independence Day (Croatia, Mozambique, & Slovenia)
26-June
Independence Day (Madagascar & Somalia)
United Nations Charter Day
27-June
Independence Day (Dibouti)
28-June
Stonewall Rebellion (LGBT)
Versailles Treaty Day (International)
29-June
Independence Day (Seychelles)
30-June
Army Day (Guatemala)
Bank Holiday (Sri Lanka)

©2013 Améredia, Inc.

For inquiries regarding the newsletter, email us at red@ameredia.com