CARIBBEAT: Caribbean region should prep for a U.S. cricket boom

The International Cricket Council — the governing body of the British-born sport — is hoping cricket catches on in the U.S. the same way soccer has. To that end, the ICC held Men’s T20 World Cup matches last month in East Meadow, L.I. to entice Americans into starting a cricket craze in the U.S.

But what would a cricket boom here mean for the Caribbean, which has long adopted and embraced the game in the region?

International columnist Basil Springer recently expressed his thoughts on the future of the West Indies cricket team, considering the potential for widespread acceptance of cricket in the U.S. It can work for or against West Indies cricket, he says — but beware of a possible downside.

“First, the expansion of cricket in the U.S. can increase financial investment in the sport. The commercial potential of the U.S. market is enormous. As cricket gains traction, we can expect more sponsorship deals, broadcast rights agreements, and merchandise sales,” wrote Springer, noting that “collaborations and shared investments” with U.S. concerns could be beneficial for the Caribbean.

However, he warns, “the rise of cricket in the U.S. could lead to a talent drain” in the region.

Beryl bashes Caribbean

Before Hurricane Beryl brushed past Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, the powerful storm battered Grenada and Carriacou, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and northern Venezuela — killing at least nine persons and causing extensive damage, according to the Associated Press. The storm is now headed towards Mexico’s Caribbean coast.

TPS extension for Haiti

What a “temporary” relief. On June 28, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced the extension and redesignation of Haiti’s Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for 18 months — from Aug. 4, 2024, to Feb. 3, 2026.

Despite the ongoing instability and destabilization in Haiti, the U.S. government was due to end Temporary Protective Status for Haiti, a move which would affect the lives of hard-working immigrants who are contributing to American society, and the fight is on to extend the status.

“Haitians living in the U.S. who are eligible for TPS contribute $4.4 billion to the U.S. economy annually, with over 75,000 of us employed in labor-short industries,” read part of a letter from the Brooklyn-based not-for-profit Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees organization that called on President Biden and Mayorkas to extend the TPS designation for Haiti.

To donate to the “education, community organizing, leadership development and collective action” efforts of HWHR, visit donatenow.networkforgood.org/haitianrefugees or call (718) 462-0791. For full details of Haiti’s TPS extension, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website at bit.ly/HaitiTPSextension2024.

Sister Nancy Rules

Dancehall legend Sister Nancy has been all around New York City lately. The singer, who recorded the much-sampled hit song “Bam Bam” in 1982, is one of the headliners for Sunday’s free 25th anniversary “Federation Sound” concert at the Coney Island Amphitheater, 3052 W. 21st St. in Brooklyn, starting at 5 p.m.

The show recognizing Federation Sound’s collective music makers — Kenny Meez, Max Glazer, DJ Danglez, DJ Mace, and Alric & Boydar — also stars Shaggy, Tanto Metro & Devonte, Red Fox & Screechy Dan, and others.

Queens-based VP Records is offering Sister Nancy’s reggae anthem in a 7-inch “solid gold vinyl” version. The release date is Aug. 30, and pre-orders are being taken now at vpreggae.com/bam-bam-gold-vinyl-sister-nancy-7-inch-vinyl.

On the big screen, the Tribeca Festival hosted the world premiere of “Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story” by award-winning director Alison Duke. It stars recording artists Janelle Monáe and Pete Rock. The film is seeking distribution options after its Tribeca premiere, according to a spokeswoman.