What does it mean to be Caribbean in Britain today?

Too often, the answer we are given is one-dimensional, limited to Carnival costumes, reggae beats, or spicy food on high streets. While these things are joyful and iconic, they only scratch the surface of who we are and what we contribute. The real Caribbean story in Britain is deeper, richer, and still untold.

That is why I launched the 100 Caribbean Voices Survey, a national listening project to understand how people of Caribbean heritage across the UK see themselves, their culture, and their future. Over three weeks, we gathered responses from 55 individuals across London, Manchester, Kent, Shropshire, Birmingham, and Edinburgh. Their voices revealed pride and resilience, but also frustration, fatigue, and a longing to be fully seen.

The findings were sobering. Fewer than 10% of respondents felt that UK society truly recognises the contributions of the Caribbean community. Many spoke of code-switching to fit in, of stereotypes that persist in media and workplaces, and of cultural traditions being lost with each generation. And yet, despite these challenges, what came through most clearly was love for our roots, our families, our islands, and our identity.

We are not a monolith. We are Jamaican and Dominican, Bajan, and Grenadian, Vincentian and Lucian. We are first-generation Windrush elders and second or third generation youth navigating British classrooms and corporate spaces. Some of us speak Patois, others only English. But we are united by shared values: resilience, moral strength, family pride, and a legacy of overcoming.

The 100 Caribbean Voices Survey is not just a report, it is a cultural mirror. And it comes at a crucial moment. Census data shows a decline in those identifying as Black Caribbean and a rise in those of mixed Caribbean heritage. If we do not act now to preserve and pass on our stories, we risk losing more than numbers, we risk losing a sense of who we are.

The report calls for bold action:

• An Emancipation Remembrance Day UK
• National investment in Caribbean cultural institutions
• Curriculum reform to teach Caribbean history.
• A UK Caribbean Think Tank to shape policy.
• Support for youth to explore and affirm identity.

This work is not just for us. British history is incomplete without the Caribbean. From nurses and teachers to artists and entrepreneurs, we have shaped this country in profound ways. Our identity should not be an optional extra it is foundational to the multicultural story Britain tells itself.

So, I ask: how do you show respect for a people who have given so much? You listen. You invest. You elevate. You remember.

This report is a beginning, not an end. Let us build the future our ancestors dreamed of where we are not just recognised, but celebrated, empowered, and leading the way.