House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries came to Pawtucket on Sunday to celebrate Rhode Island’s Cabo Verdean community, hosted by Reps. Gabe Amo and Seth Magaziner.
Jeffries, whose mother’s family comes from the island of Fogo, is the highest-ranking elected official of Cabo Verdean descent in American history. Rhode Island has the largest Cabo Verdean population per capita of any state.
“The Cabo Verdean community is an incredible part of the gorgeous mosaic of America and the history of Rhode Island,” Jeffries said. “It was an honor and a privilege to spend some time with this incredibly vibrant and dynamic community in Pawtucket.”
Amo credited the community with helping build the state “from the cranberry bogs to labor movements,” and said he intends to work with Jeffries to strengthen ties between the United States and Cabo Verde.
“Rhode Island’s Cabo Verdean community is woven into the fabric of our state,” Magaziner said.
