About Us
The Caribbean International Cultural Association (CICA) was founded in 1999 by individuals of Caribbean heritage and currently operates as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. The organization is driven by its mission: “United in Service to the Charlotte Community and the Caribbean Community worldwide.” The work that CICA does in the community centers around its main goals of promoting educational attainment, providing or supporting humanitarian efforts and promoting Caribbean culture.
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Educational ScholarshipsOur primary goal, from its onset, is to expand educational opportunities by providing scholarships annually to children of Caribbean heritage who are residents of the Charlotte metropolitan area. Through fundraisers and the enlisting of individual donors, CICA has been able to support all applicants who have been accepted in a four-year college.
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Community Outreach
Our second goal is to provide humanitarian services to vulnerable individuals and families in need. Over the years, CICA has aided individuals and families from organizations such as crisis assistance ministries, and most recently, Levine children’s hospital, particularly through the provision of gifts, food and other resources for these families during the thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. We have provided monetary and tangible gifts to local and foreign families also including recently (in 2021) to families affected by the explosive volcanic eruption of la Soufriere hills volcano on St. Vincent, through partnership with local agencies.
Over the past five years, CICA has extended its goal to help provide equipment and resources to help organizations and agencies in the Caribbean to improve the quality of service that they offer or deliver to their communities. For example, in December, 2017, following the devastation of hurricane maria in the Caribbean, we were able to make a financial contribution to convent high school in Roseau, Dominica. Because of our generosity, convent high school was also able to assist two additional primary schools, St. Luke in Pointe Michel, and the St. John's Academy in Portsmouth.
Over the past five years, CICA has extended its goal to help provide equipment and resources to help organizations and agencies in the Caribbean to improve the quality of service that they offer or deliver to their communities. For example, in December, 2017, following the devastation of hurricane maria in the Caribbean, we were able to make a financial contribution to convent high school in Roseau, Dominica. Because of our generosity, convent high school was also able to assist two additional primary schools, St. Luke in Pointe Michel, and the St. John's Academy in Portsmouth.
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Promotion of Caribbean CultureOur final goal is to promote Caribbean culture throughout the Americas. All events that CICA host are enriched with Caribbean artists, music and culturally-diverse activities while embracing the culture and context of the location of the event, mostly Charlotte and North Carolina. Events include but are not limited to: The Caribbean American Summer Festival from 2002-2004, Annual Scholarship Awards Dinner & Dance, Holiday Fundraisers, and Family Fun-Day Events.
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