Help Preserve the Legacy of Afro-Jamaicans in Guatemala

Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters of Heritage and Justice,

I am on a mission to memorialize a powerful, yet overlooked, chapter of history — the story of the Afro-Jamaican community in Guatemala and I’m reaching out to you with a heart full of purpose and hope.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, thousands of Jamaicans left their island home in search of opportunity, journeying to Central and South America. They brought with them courage, faith, and an unyielding spirit. In Guatemala, they worked for United Fruit Company, developed thriving communities, and contributed to the nation’s progress in areas like medicine, sports, and education. They left us more than infrastructure — they left us an intangible inheritance etched in our DNA, our culture, and our resilience.

Today, although we — their descendants — are now in the fifth generation and make up the largest group of Afro-Guatemalans, we remain unrecognized and invisible as the English-speaking segment of the population.

I am asking for your help to publish my book, KNOW US: The Afro-Jamaican Presence in Guatemala, a work devoted to preserving and sharing this vital history. This is more than a book; it is a tangible legacy for future generations and an invitation to the nation of Guatemala to truly see us, know us, and honor our contributions.

My first book, GUIOU The Other Blacks: The Afro-Jamaican Presence in Guatemala, sparked a flame of self-awareness and ignited a movement toward visibility and recognition. KNOW US will build on that foundation, continuing the conversation and safeguarding our story for those who come after us. But I cannot do this alone. I need your support.

Your donation will help cover:

• Editing, design, and publication costs

Every contribution, big or small, is a step toward making our history visible and giving voice to those whose stories were never told.

If our history matters to you, if you believe in honoring those who paved the way, and if you support preserving untold stories for future generations — please donate today.

Together, let’s ensure that the Afro-Jamaican legacy in Guatemala is remembered, celebrated, and passed on.

Thank you for standing with me in this labor of love and justice.

With gratitude and hope,

Gloria Jean Rowe

Author, Cultural Historian, and Descendant of Jamaican Pioneers in Guatemala