{"id":136006,"date":"2023-06-29T16:02:34","date_gmt":"2023-06-29T20:02:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=136006"},"modified":"2025-03-13T14:03:28","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T18:03:28","slug":"my-roots-run-deep-ucf-alumna-pays-homage-to-her-caribbean-heritage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/my-roots-run-deep-ucf-alumna-pays-homage-to-her-caribbean-heritage\/","title":{"rendered":"My Roots Run Deep: UCF Alumna Pays Homage to Her Caribbean Heritage"},"content":{"rendered":"

UCF is celebrating the rich and diverse cultures of the Caribbean within our university, local community and around the world in recognition of National Caribbean American Heritage Month \u2014 a month founded by Claire Nelson, founder and president of the Institute of Caribbean Studies, and officially declared by President George W. Bush in 2006.<\/p>\n

Many major Caribbean nations like the Bahamas and Jamaica were under direct U.S. political control, which made immigration into America easier. The success of the nation attracted many people from Caribbean regions to the country in the 19th century including talented craftsmen, poets, doctors, musicians, inventors and politicians. Alexander Hamilton \u2014 the first U.S. secretary of the Treasury and one of the Founding Fathers; world-famous baseball player Robert Clemente; and even \u201cQueen of Salsa\u201d music Celia Cruz, all left a mark on U.S. history as Caribbeans. Every June, the significant contributions of the Caribbean \u2014 past and present \u2014 are recognized for helping evolve American culture and the development of such a diverse nation.<\/p>\n

Keep reading as advertising and public relations<\/a> graduate Timanni Walker \u201916<\/strong> reflects on her Jamaican roots and the influence it has had on her college experience and journey as an entrepreneur.<\/p>\n

Humble Beginnings<\/h3>\n

Born in St. Mary and raised in the countryside in St. Catherine, my mother was one of 14 children. She grew up farming, raising goats and pigs, and running a little store before she came to America at 14 years old in 1983. My father grew up in a family of four in Kingston. He grew up with three sisters and a housekeeper. His grandfather was mayor of Kingston and his father worked for Air Canada.<\/p>\n