(BLACK PR WIRE) – FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jean Monestime and Deputy Mayor Russell Benford joined corporate executives, civic leaders and noted professionals to honor 100 Caribbean-Americans for their achievements in South Florida. The ICABA Salutes South Florida’s 100 Most Accomplished Caribbean Americans event was held Friday, June 29, 2012, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The black-tie recognition program, hosted by ICABA Media Holdings, LLC, was followed by a traditional Caribbean fete, complete with island-inspired cuisine and musical performances. ICABA’s signature coffee table book showcasing the honorees was also unveiled at the event, along with a digital version accessible via the company’s website. A noted list of corporate sponsors supported the salute, including Duty Free Americas, JM Family Enterprises, BB&T, Comcast, South Florida Times and MetLife.

“This salute is the first time Caribbean-Americans have been honored for their impact on South Florida in such a far-reaching and fitting way,” said Jerome Hutchinson, Jr., president and CEO of ICABA Media Holdings. “Tonight is only the beginning as this now-connected, powerhouse group of people activate and form a network for collective empowerment.”

Attorney Marlon Hill, managing partner at delancyhill, P.A., provided the foreword for the publication, and led a steering committee charged with identifying the 100 honorees. The group included Miami-Dade County Chair Miguel Southwell, deputy director at Miami-Dade Aviation Department, Broward County Chair Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh, president of the Urban League of Broward County, and Palm Beach County Chair Carlton “Ricky” Wade, a McDonald’s franchisee.

“The story of the Caribbean immigrant is one of America’s untold legacies,” said Attorney Hill. “It is one filled with cultural traditions, unbounded faith and entrepreneurial success. This event and book signify more than just our business accomplishments; it celebrates our indelible mark on South Florida and a bright future for our culture here in America.”

The program also included a salute to Frederick Jackson, CEO of BeecherJackson, for his years of professional and community service work in South Florida, and presentations of behalf of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez declaring June 29th “ICABA Salutes Day.” The commemorative book also features official recognitions from the White House, Florida Governor Rick Scott, Florida Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll, U.S. Congressman Alcee Hastings, and U.S. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson.

The list of honorees spans multiple professional categories, including health care, law, media and spiritual leaders. Notables included Pauline Grant, CEO at North Broward Medical Center (Jamaica), Dr. Rudolph Moise, medical director at Comprehensive Health Center, LLC (Haiti), Yolanda Cash Jackson, shareholder at Becker & Poliakoff (Bahamas), Joseph Bernadel (Ret. Major, U.S. Army), founder of Toussaint L’Ouverture High School (Haiti), Garth Reeves, publisher emeritus of The Miami Times (Bahamas), and Bishop Henry Fernandez, founder and senior pastor of The Faith Center (Jamaica).

The “ICABA Salutes South Florida’s 100 Most Accomplished Caribbean Americans” commemorative coffee table book is now available for purchase. It includes the honorees’ bios, features and advertorials from sponsors, along with sections featuring local Caribbean consuls general and South Florida’s elected officials from federal, state and county governments. An electronic version of the book is also available online. To access the digital directory, purchase your booklet or become an ICABA member (membership is free of charge), please visit ICABAWorld.com, or call ICABA Media Holdings at (786) 871-5633.

About ICABA Media Holdings, LLC: ICABA Media Holdings, LLC is a South-Florida-based affinity marketing and media company. ICABA profiles accomplished black professionals and entrepreneurs in its publications and connects them through its social network – icabaworld.com, and at its signature events. It’s most recent Profile Directory: “ICABA Honors South Florida's Most Accomplished Black Executives, Professionals and Academicians” was published in October, 2011 and was presented at its signature Recognition Reception. ICABA® is the registered trademark of ICABA Media Holdings, LLC. For more information regarding ICABA, please visit icabaworld.com.