Census query is a big shock

She’s seen the U.S. Census upclose and personal, and CaribID 2010 initiative founder Felicia Persaud thinks the addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 Census is a bad idea that more Caribbean-American elected officials should be outraged about.

Persaud said some communities — and politicians themselves — could suffer greatly from an undercount in the 2020 Census caused by people avoiding the citizenship query. But, according to the Census Bureau, the Constitution states that the Census “counts every resident in the United States.”

Not since 1950 has the U.S. Census collected citizenship data from the whole population, rather than just a population sample, says the Congressional Research Service.

Decisions for business and the allocation of federal funds are greatly impacted by Census results.

“Immigrants have long been fearful of taking the decennial Census and this decision will only serve to drive them further underground, despite their immigration status, while leaving many CaribbeanAmerican elected officials vulnerable to having entire districts banished from electoral maps and their jobs becoming history,” said Persaud, who as CaribID 2010 founder, worked to get Caribbean nationals accurately counted by the U.S. government in the last Census.

‘Red Carpet’ Mother’s Day

With mothers in mind, “Shero Couture: A Mother’s Day Red Carpet Event” will be held May 13 in Brooklyn, presented by Silent Partner and Soiree Entertainment.

The affair — featuring a fashion show by Mel Simon of the Brooklyn Clothing Lab — will take place at the Marine Park Golf Course, 2880 Flatbush Ave.

Doors open at 6 p.m., the show begins at 7:30 p.m. and an afterparty follows the event.

A percentage of the event’s proceeds will be donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, known for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other devastating childhood diseases.

For tickets and information, call Mel Simon at (347) 433-4040, Donna Bridgeman at (347) 495-0434, Selvon Smith at (718) 724-9113, or Tuff Designs at (347) 489-7487.

Jersey Carnival returns

Across the Hudson River, next Sunday’s Founder’s Day Gala is the start of carnival season for the Jersey City Caribbean Carnival Association. The grand marshals will be announced at the affair at the Liberty House Restaurant, 76 Audrey Zapp Drive, in Jersey City, from 6 to 8 p.m.

For tickets and information, text or call (201) 757-9043, or send email to info@jccarnival.com.

The association will hold its “Kick Off Gala Fund-raiser” on April 29.

Caribbean Week and ‘Wellness’

The Caribbean Tourism Organization is returning to New York with a sense of wellness at its 2018 Caribbean Week New York, according to organization officials.

The seven-day event — set for June 2-8 at various area venues — will incorporate the “reenergizing and rejuvenating power of Caribbean wellness” into its activities for tourism officials, travel professionals and the general public.

For more information on Caribbean Week events, call the CTO in New York at (212) 635-9530. Get registration details for all events at www.onecaribbean.org/events-calendar/cwny-2018.

For more information on the CTO, visit www.OneCaribbean.org.