by Caresse Jackman
My late grandmother always used to say, “Next to heaven, is Guyana!” It’s a phrase I loved hearing from her every time she shared those words. It showed me that while she was thousands of miles away in Atlanta, GA, she never forgot the place and the country that raised her
I’m so proud to be a Black woman, I’m proud to be an American. And I’m super proud of my Guyanese heritage.
My family immigrated to this country in the early 1980’s. I was born in Queens, NY in 1987 and grew up in Metro Atlanta. But my entire life and existence has been immersed in Guyanese culture.
From attending carnival as a child, to the food that I adore…being a Guyanese American is interwoven into every fabric of my life and my soul.
Guyana is called “The Land of Many Waters” and is known for not just its majestic beauty, but the diversity of its people. My family is directly connected to that as well. I cherish every ethnic/racial root in my body, especially my African roots.
Guyana, like many parts of the Caribbean and South America- was colonized by both the Dutch and the British, enduring brutal years of slavery. Growing up, I would hear the stories of Cuffy and the statue that honors him in Guyana’s capital, Georgetown. Like so many people of African descent- what happened hundreds of years ago has left a mark on our lives. It’s made us stronger. And I know that the strength that I have in my veins- comes from my ancestors and what they experienced.
Throughout my life, I’ve also learned how much representation matters, especially in my role as a journalist. I always ensured that voices of immigrants and those from the African diaspora were incorporated in the media.
I remember accomplishing this role during my time in Nashville, TN. The South Nashville area has a large immigrant population. I remember meeting a Haitian man during an interview on an unrelated topic. We kept in touch. When issues surrounding Haiti happened in the news, I would reach out to him. Not only to make sure the story hit our air, but also to give viewers the proper context and perspective the issue deserved. Because of that Mr. Guerrier was tremendously grateful.
Our news team also made sure to include Black voices in our Black History Month Special, where we highlighted the Nashville community from all parts of the diaspora, including Black immigrants. The special won our team an Emmy.
It’s something I’m tremendously proud of.
WSMV Black History Month Special: special won our team an Emmy.
Being a voice for the diaspora is vital in our society. It always has been, but especially in this time period. I’m always proud to do that. And I’m tremendously proud of my roots.
Caresse is a National Consumer Investigative Reporter based in Washington D.C. with Gray Television’s Investigate TV. Prior to Investigate TV, she was a Consumer Investigative Reporter at WSMV-TV in Nashville, TN. She has prior reporting experience at WWL-TV in New Orleans, WJRT in Flint, MI and WCBI in Columbus, MS. Caresse’s work has contributed to her stations winning multiple Emmy and Edward R. Murrow awards. She started her career behind the scenes as a producer at WJTV in Jackson, MS. Caresse is a graduate of the University of Georgia and is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, Investigative Reporter and Editors, the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc
