The vibrant presence of Jamaicans in South Florida recently received national attention after the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) aired a feature spotlighting the culture, lifestyle, and lasting influence of the Jamaican diaspora in the region.
The segment explored how Jamaican traditions, from reggae music and jerk cuisine to language, art, and community pride, have become woven into the cultural fabric of South Florida while continuing to reflect strong ties to Jamaica.
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Community leaders and cultural advocates interviewed in the programme shared insights into how Jamaican identity continues to flourish abroad while also enriching broader American culture.
Jamaican Voices in the Spotlight
Among those featured was Denise Grant, a Jamaican-born leader who spoke about the significant Jamaican population in Lauderhill.
Grant, who was born in Manchester Parish, expressed pride that the city was included in the PBS feature, noting that certain areas within Lauderhill are popularly referred to by residents as “Jamaica Hill” due to the strong presence of Jamaican nationals.
“Lauderhill is known for a thriving Jamaican population,” she said, explaining that the city was selected to help showcase Jamaican diaspora culture through its food, music, art, and vibrant community life.
Grant added that Jamaicans continue to contribute significantly not only to South Florida but also to the wider United States.
Celebrating Culture and Community
The programme also featured Xavier Murphy, the head of Jamaicans.com, and Carson “Eddy” Edwards, a commissioner in the Miramar.
Edwards, who grew up in Harbour View, also plays a key role in organising the annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival, one of the region’s largest celebrations of Jamaican cuisine and music.
Reflecting on the diaspora’s cultural pride, Edwards remarked that Jamaicans have a distinctive way of proudly displaying their national identity wherever they settle.
He also highlighted the broader diversity of Caribbean nationals living across South Florida, noting that the region has become a hub for many cultures from across the Caribbean basin.
A Platform for Cultural Storytelling
The feature forms part of PBS’s ongoing efforts to document diverse cultural communities across the United States. The broadcaster, established in 1969 and headquartered in Arlington, operates as a non-commercial public television network serving audiences nationwide.
Through the South Florida segment, PBS sought to illustrate how diaspora communities continue to preserve their traditions while simultaneously shaping the social and cultural landscape of their adopted homes.
For many viewers, the programme served as both a celebration of Jamaican heritage and a reminder of the powerful role diaspora communities play in strengthening cultural connections across borders.
