Caribbean American Heritage Month, observed each June, honors the rich cultures, histories and contributions of people from the Caribbean diaspora—from globally-recognized celebrations such as Carnival to political and social movements led by Marcus Garvey and other notable Caribbean leaders.
Growing up with Jamaican and Trinidadian roots, Jaden Jones—a rising fourth-year student studying chemical engineering and business management at Case Western Reserve University—knows firsthand how invaluable it is to connect to his heritage.
On campus, he helps members of the CWRU community do the same as treasurer of the Student Organization for Caribbean Ancestry (CWRU SOCA).
“It has brought me a lot of joy to see students be exposed to Caribbean culture,” said Jones, who is also a member of the CWRU Real Estate Club and the National Society of Black Engineers. “I feel called to create spaces where Caribbean American students can find community.
Read on to get to know Jones and discover the impacts his cultural background has on his CWRU journey—and beyond.
Answers have been edited for clarity and length.
1. What led you to pursue your areas of study? What do you hope to accomplish?
Chemical engineering is a very diverse major that opens up a lot of doors with many options. I want to have career flexibility once I graduate and chemical engineering will give me that. Understanding the business world is critical for a successful career, so I knew I needed to have a business pedigree as well.
I aspire to attend graduate school to obtain my PhD in pharmacology and the academic rigor at CWRU has made me a more driven individual, which is necessary for my success. I want to pursue pharmaceutical research to help better the health and lives of many through medicine.
2. What does being Caribbean American mean to you?
It means I have a community. My mother is from Jamaica and my father is from Trinidad and Tobago. The music, culture and people are all an integral part of who I am. I’ve been to both countries and experienced a sense of home in each. Growing up, my parents made sure I appreciated my culture—we would even drive over an hour to New York City just to get Trinidadian food. Being immersed in both cultures has been a privilege I hope to pass on to my children someday.
3. How do you stay connected to your Caribbean heritage at CWRU?
I love being able to understand Jamaican patois (an English-based creole language). Speaking with older family members and understanding them in their native tongue connects me further to my heritage. The food is also great and I stay connected by listening to reggae, dancehall and soca music. One of my goals is to get a steelpan and learn how to play it; I believe that would further connect me to my Trinidadian roots.
4. What are some of your favorite CWRU SOCA events, and why do they stand out to you?
I love the karaoke nights where we eat Caribbean food and sing Caribbean songs. It brings us closer together as people and not just fellow students. I believe it is a foundational event that supports a strong Caribbean community. CWRU SOCA has supported local Caribbean entrepreneurs where we outsource food for events from local small businesses instead of large chains.