By Faye & Karl Rodney
NEW YORK, May 30, 2025 — In an era defined by fierce politics and shifting alliances, few American political figures have demonstrated the unwavering commitment to Caribbean causes and leadership that Congressman Charles Rangel has shown. Over a relationship that has spanned more than five decades, Rangel became not only a powerful legislator but also a reliable friend of Jamaica, the Caribbean region, and its diaspora.
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Our introduction to Charles Rangel dates back to the early 1970s. It began when Michael Manley, then Prime Minister of Jamaica, struck up a promising connection with the U.S. Congressman. In 1974, following Manley’s request, I arranged Rangel’s first visit to Jamaica while serving as President of the Jamaica Progressive League, which had played a pivotal role in Manley’s electoral victory in 1972.
That initial encounter between Rangel and Manley sparked a friendship rooted in shared vision and advocacy for social justice. Rangel, intrigued by Manley’s progressive politics and deeply interested in Caribbean affairs, spent quality time in Jamaica and returned with a commitment that would shape his international legacy.
An International Statesman
Although celebrated for his legislative brilliance in the U.S., Rangel’s impact on international politics—especially in South Africa and the Caribbean—was profound. Both he and Manley were ardent opponents of apartheid. While Manley used his platform to denounce the regime globally, Rangel masterminded a U.S. tax policy shift that removed corporate incentives to operate in apartheid-era South Africa—an economic blow that accelerated the regime’s collapse. Even Nelson Mandela recognized Rangel’s contribution, famously calling him a “legislative genius.”
Championing Caribbean Media and Business
When we launched CARIB NEWS in 1982, Rangel immediately understood the value of a Caribbean voice in U.S. media. He began regularly entering excerpts from CARIB NEWS into the Congressional Record, making it the most quoted Black publication in Congress. On multiple occasions, he even had me brief members of the Clinton administration on Caribbean affairs, treating CARIB NEWS as a strategic asset.
Rangel’s support extended into business and economic diplomacy. He was instrumental in the success of the Caribbean Multi-National Business Conference, launched in 1995. The event was embraced by the legendary Harlem “Gang of Four”—Percy Sutton, Basil Patterson, David Dinkins, and Rangel himself. This annual gathering became a crucial space for advancing economic ties between the Caribbean, the U.S., and the African Diaspora.
One such effort culminated in a private CARICOM leaders’ summit in New York, coordinated with the New York City Partnership and led by Kathy Wylde. U.S. corporate executives met face-to-face with Caribbean heads of state—a first in Caribbean-American economic relations.
Defender of Caribbean Sovereignty
Rangel consistently stood up for Caribbean nations in moments of political vulnerability. When the U.S. government, under Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice, criticized Prime Minister P.J. Patterson for welcoming exiled Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 2004, I called Rangel. By the next morning, he and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued a strong statement defending Patterson and Jamaica’s sovereignty.
In recognition of Patterson’s principled leadership, the Congressional Black Caucus—which Rangel co-founded—awarded him its highest honor, a rare distinction for a Caribbean leader, at its annual gala, considered the premier Black political event in the United States.
A Loyal Advocate
Rangel’s presence was felt in multiple areas of Caribbean life in the U.S. He was a supporter of Brooklyn’s Carnival, helped in the re-launch of the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies and the Caribbean Tourism Organization Foundation, both of which I chaired.
He frequently attended CARIB NEWS editorial board meetings and often offered behind-the-scenes support. One memorable meeting included Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, Harry Belafonte, and myself, where she sought counsel regarding PetroCaribe and mounting U.S. pressure over Jamaica’s ties with Venezuela. Rangel assured her of the CBC’s backing, reinforcing his role as a defender of Caribbean interests even at the highest levels of U.S. government.
Legacy of Integrity
Charles Rangel stood tall as a Black man in a political environment that was often hostile to principled leadership from men like him. Despite relentless attacks designed to discredit him in his later years, those who knew him recognized his integrity, decency, and brilliance.
He was not merely a legislator. He was a visionary, a connector, and a loyal friend of the Caribbean. His legacy lives on—not only in the halls of Congress, but also in the hearts of those whose lives he touched, from Kingston to Harlem.
Charles Rangel was a man we were honored to know and work with. He was a credit to humanity, and the Caribbean region owes him an enduring debt of gratitude.
