South Florida is one of the most vibrant Jamaican communities in the United States. From reggae music and jerk cuisine to a deep sense of cultural pride, Jamaican heritage continues to shape the region in many ways.

Last week, American television station Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) aired a feature highlighting Jamaican culture, food and music.

Community leaders and cultural voices shared how Jamaican identity thrives in South Florida, while at the same time, influencing and enriching American culture.

Among those featured are Jamaican-born Mayor of Lauderhill Denise Grant; Xavier Murphy of Jamaicans.com; and Carson “Eddy” Edwards, commissioner of the City of Miramar, who is also an executive of the annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival in South Florida.

Manchester born Grant told Observer Online that she was happy to be a part of the PBS feature.

“Lauderhill is known for a thriving Jamaican population in fact, there are areas they call Jamaica Hill here in our community. And so when PBS decided that they wanted to do a feature on the diaspora, and to feature Jamaicans in South Florida and the culture, talking about the food, the vibes and the music and the art as well, that they chose Lauderhill to be one of those cities highlighted. I’m so proud to be a part of this nice feature and this production that they put together,” said Grant.

Grant continued, “Jamaicans really add so much value to our community and not just South Florida but the US as a whole. And so I am proud to be one of those that is represented in this particular feature.”

Edwards, who is originally from Harbour View, commented in the feature, “Jamaicans have a way of really flying their flag in a big way.”

He also spoke about the diversity of the Caribbean nationals in the diaspora.

The Public Broadcasting Service, an American broadcaster and non-commercial free-to-air television network based in Arlington, Virginia, was established in 1969.