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SYMPOSIUM
CHARLESTON CARIFEST SYMPOSIUM
Location: African American Museum
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
In celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month, the International African American Museum and Charleston Carifest spotlight Antigua & Barbuda—an island nation shaped by its bold emancipation in 1834, rich Carnival traditions, and lasting ties to the African Diaspora. This special evening explores not only the country’s revolutionary past but also its vibrant present—where music, art, diplomacy, and community activism thrive.
Through engaging discussion and storytelling, our panelists will reflect on the significance of emancipation, the role of cultural festivals in shaping identity, and how Antiguans and the broader Caribbean community continue to inspire global diasporic movements today.
Panelists include:
- The Hon. E.P. Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Barbuda Affairs, a global statesman and cultural advocate who brings decades of leadership in regional diplomacy, international sport, and cultural affairs.
- Patricia Tonge Edigin, President of the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival, a dynamic community leader whose work in cultural production and philanthropy bridges the Caribbean and the U.S.
- Isabelle Britto, Associate Curator at the IAAM, whose work centers on global Black histories, visual culture, and Caribbean emancipation narratives from Suriname to Antigua.
Moderated by:
Dr Alison McLetchie, is an assistant professor who teaches sociology and anthropology classes and advises students in the Department of Social Sciences at South Carolina State University. One of her current projects is Investigation of Caribbean Carnival in the Carolinas.
2025