From the Bahamas to St. Lucia, Americans with roots in Caribbean countries have made their marks on our foreign policy. During Caribbean American Heritage Month, we honor a few of our colleagues.
John Estrada was born in Trinidad and Tobago and later served as the U.S. Ambassador to the country from 2016-2017. Before joining the State Department, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 34 years.
Betty E. King, born in St. Vincent, served as our representative to the UN in Geneva from 2010-2013. She also served as principal U.S. negotiator on the Millennium Development Goals, which aim to improve the lives of the world's poorest people.
Colin Powell was born in New York City to two Jamaican immigrants. He became a top U.S. general before being sworn in as the first African-American to serve as Secretary of State from 2001-2005.
Terence Todman was one of the first Black U.S. ambassadors, serving in Chad, Guinea, Costa Rica, Spain, Denmark, and Argentina between 1969-1993. Born and raised on the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Thomas, he championed human rights at home and abroad. In fact, the cafeteria in the State Department is named after him, for his work to desegregate it, allowing his fellow black Foreign Service officers to be treated equally and with dignity.