What do Zoe Saldana, Beyonce and Meagan Goode-Franklin all have in common? Besides their hot physiques. Give up? It is a little known fact that all three famous entertainers are descendants of Caribbean immigrants. The Dominican Republic, The Bahamas and Barbados, respectively.

Although many regard the countries located in the Caribbean Sea as being home to the most impoverished people in the western hemisphere, the Caribbean boasts great wealth, vibrant business and booming industry serving as the focus of the Go Caribbean! Int'l Business & Investment Expo on September 22-23, 2014 in New York City.

The Caribbean has over 42 million people living in a region where English, Spanish, French and Dutch languages are spoken. During the two-day conference, Go-Caribbean! plans to focus on all of these Caribbean countries, including those affiliated with the commerce coalition of Caricom like Belize, Panama, Guyana and Suriname.

Kevin Howell, the founder of Anchor Strategy Group, is the head coordinator of Go Caribbean!  He and his team seek to increase the dialogue about economic and investment opportunities that exist within the Caribbean and its diaspora through this event.

Conference speakers include NY State Assemblyman Walter Mosley, Patent Examiner at US Patent Office & President of Caribbean Intellectual Property Association Chris Daley, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Regional Director of the U.S. Eastern Region Export-Import Bank Regina Gordinn and CEO & President of Global Seafood Distributors, Inc. Allison Butters-Grant.

While Caribbean-based businesses will be highlighted at the event, what is most interesting about this conference is that it’s located in the capital of global finance – New York City.

“North America is home for many Caribbean people - who have significant resources, global perspective, and understanding of the Caribbean culture and knowledge of the framework for economic growth and therefore is an ideal location/platform to launch this movement - which will springboard into other parts of the world,” said Howell.

Howell is correct because, according to the Strategy Research Corporation, more than 22 million people of Caribbean heritage live in the U.S. and they have the buying power to match.

According to a 2013 World Bank report “The Caribbean Diaspora: A source for venture investment?” :

• 68% of Caribbean diaspora had an income of over $50,000 annually
• 36% of Caribbean diaspora had an income of more than $100,000 annually
• 25% of Caribbean diaspora reported investable income more than $100,000

In fact, the University at Albany, State University of New York conducted a Black Diversity Study in 2003, claiming that “Caribbean immigrants are owning homes and sending their children to college at a higher rate than the African- American population” and is “fast becoming a sizable portion of America’s middle class voting population.”

Armed with this knowledge, Howell claims “we haven't done a good job engaging the diaspora and leveraging their resources (financial, relationship, and knowledge base).” 

His belief is if a Caribbean person in the diaspora can be helped to identify new markets or opportunities to invest in, then this will result in a stronger economy for both the Caribbean nations where the poverty and illiteracy rates are at an all-time high as well as for the developed nations housing the Caribbean immigrants. 

Says Howell, boasting an MBA from University of Rochester, “Caribbean people/businesses have become too relaxed - we want to help to change that.”

The Go Caribbean! Int'l Business & Investment Expo will be held on September 22-23, 2014 at Brooklyn Restoration Plaza at 1368 Fulton St, New York, NY 11216. To register for the two-day conference, visit http://www.gocaribbeanexpo.com.