Caribbean Bar Association, CBA, Caribbean diaspora Caribbean Bar Association (CBA) Founded in 1994 and based in Miami, Florida, the Caribbean Bar Association (“CBA”) is a voluntary bar organization that has grown from just over 25 lawyers at its inception, to well over 200 attorneys from the Caribbean-American community in South and Central Florida. CBA attorneys work in both the public and private sectors and practice criminal law, civil and commercial litigation, administrative law, family, immigration, business and corporate, insurance defense, medical malpractice, real estate, trust and estates, probate, maritime, international law, arbitration, personal injury, land use and zoning law, among other areas of practice. In 2000, the CBA adopted the motto “Informing, Educating, Empowering” -- capturing the essence of its mission to inform, educate and empower all members of the Caribbean-American community in South and Central Florida. To live out its motto and in furtherance of its stated mission, the CBA has embarked on the following initiatives: Developing a partnership with the local print, radio and TV Caribbean media. Fostering a communicative partnership with the local Caribbean Consular Corps. Participating in numerous local, statewide and international community-based initiatives sponsored by Caribbean-American corporations to provide legal and civic advice to the public. Establishing a Scholarship Fund through its Annual fundraising Banquet in support of the Florida Caribbean Students Association. Developing a program to acknowledge and honor outstanding Caribbean-American citizens for their charitable and/or community work. Making public appearances on local radio to address specific issues affecting Caribbean-American citizens. Producing a Membership Directory that also included information on other local voluntary bars, media, Consulates, and other professional organizations. Conducting various citizenship and voter’s registration drives. Forming partnerships with several local and statewide voluntary bar associations to work on issues of significance to the membership and the wider Caribbean-American community. To achieve some of these goals and initiatives, the CBA has collaborated with corporations and organizations such as, Air Jamaica, Bank United, Western Union, WVCG 1080AM, Caribbean Today Newsmagazine, Picture Tek, Friends of the Good Shepherd, Holy Family Episcopal Church, Comerica and others. With its local base and international focus, the CBA continues to be uniquely positioned to advocate on behalf of the entire Caribbean-American community in South and Central Florida and to act as a bridge between law, politics and community awareness.