CACG and “The Spirit of Clovelly Park” – Secrets of Port St. Lucie Unveiled



Did you know that right here in our PSL midst, a small but powerful organization has steadily played a crucial role in the cultural and philanthropic life of the city?

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. The Caribbean American Cultural Group (CACG) was born thirty-five years ago to forge links between people of America and our neighbors who joined us from the picturesque and culturally rich nations to the south. Since then, CACG has become a steady and reliable contributor to the cultural and philanthropic activities here in this part of the Treasure Coast. From sports and entertainment to fund-raising activities like its memorable tea parties, well-spiced jerk festivals, and elegant annual Fall balls to its iconic annual Martin Luther King Memorial Services, CACG has been prominent on the Port St. Lucie calendar. But the centerpiece of its community outreach is the CACG Scholarship program, which has over the years, sought out deserving high-performing students from our local high schools, and supported their college education through over $100,000 to date.

Enter COVID-19, bringing its horrendous toll of sickness and death to our country and our city. Determined to avoid any danger of spreading the virus among members and friends, CACG scaled back its activities and fundraisers, leaving its leadership to wonder how they would raise funds to support their usual philanthropic activities. The generosity of members flourished, enabling the group to take on some ventures, recently culminating with a sizeable collection of medical supplies for Caribbean hospitals. Like so many organizations battling the effects of COVID, CACG continued to hold its “virtual” board, committee, and general membership meetings, strategizing and planning innovative ways of amassing funds to support its outreach activities, notably the MLK service and the CACG scholarships.

In came an idea proposed to CACG president Dawn Bloomfield and the CACG Scholarship Committee by Frances-Marie Coke, Jamaican educator and CACG member. What about staging a virtual fundraiser promoting “The Spirit of Clovelly Park – Learning and Teaching at Kingston College”—Coke’s new book published in January of this year? This revealing memoir records the author’s journey from being a nervous, unwilling new teacher at a prominent all-boys’ high school in an inner city of Jamaica’s capital, to discovering what teaching truly meant and committing herself to a lifelong career of learning and teaching. In the words of the US Review of Books, “Coke's candid and poetic language about her feelings and circumstances captures Jamaica’s beauty and tragedy….This memoir is a glimpse behind the eyes of its author, a lifelong teacher and writer. The book’s immediacy of emotion and depth of inquiry get to the heart of Coke’s recollections as well as contribute to a collective effort to make the most of our experiences.” The “Spirit of Clovelly Park” reaches out to the Jamaican reader; its powerful stories and themes will appeal to learners, educators, and parents everywhere.

And so it was: CACG and Coke successfully launched their entry into the world of virtual gatherings, bringing out some sixty members, family, and friends to take a break from isolation and enjoy an evening of music, storytelling, and readings from “The Spirit of Clovelly Park…”

Now, two PSL secrets are out: CACG is back on the calendar, and here in our midst, is Frances-Marie Coke local educator and an author of substance! Contact CACG to purchase this exciting addition to your book shelf, and ensure that despite COVID, CACG reaches its goal of awarding its 2021 scholarships! 

Contact: CACG, P.O. Box 8701 Port St. Lucie, FL 34985 or visit cacgpsl.com and thespiritofclovellypark@gmail.com.