Actress Nia Long Grand Marshall for 1st Los Angeles Cultural Festival

  Nia Long backstage at the BET Awards on Sunday, June 26, 2011, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

The Institute of Caribbean Studies, DC and the Caribbean Heritage Organization are pleased to announce that veteran actress and 2009 Caribbean Heritage Salute to Hollywood and the Arts Honoree, Nia Long, will serve as one of the Grand Marshalls for the 1st Annual Los Angeles Cultural Festival Parade of the Bands scheduled to be held on Saturday, June 30, 2012 in Hollywood, California.

“My family hails from the islands of Grenada and Trinidad and has a rich history of the West Indian and Caribbean Culture, including carnival. It is indeed an honor and pleasure for me to be a part of this ground breaking event in Los Angeles, which will serve as a great contribution to the Los Angeles Caribbean-American Heritage Month celebrations. I am ready to play mas!” says Nia.

The Los Angeles Cultural Festival is the brain-child of Trinidadian native and Los Angeles resident, Keron Adams. “I am very proud of my Caribbean culture and have a great respect for others,” says Adams. “This first annual festival is a celebration of not just my culture, but the many others that make Los Angeles the great city that it is.”

The Festival will begin at 11:00am with a carnival-style Parade of the Bands. The parade route starts at Hollywood & Vermont, will travel 2.10 miles west on Hollywood Blvd ending at Ivar Street at the Festival Village where the sounds of reggae, punta and soca will add to the rich aroma of jerk chicken, roti and more to make for an event not seen in Hollywood for many years.

Dr. Claire Nelson, architect of National Caribbean American Heritage Month and Chair of the National Commemorative Committee remarks “I thank the beautiful Nia Long for once again supporting the Caribbean community and commend Keron on this bold endeavor.”

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