When one thinks of the African diaspora, Jamaica often comes to mind, thanks in large part to the influence of Jamaicans outside the Caribbean island. From the 1960s onwards, Jamaicans have sought to make a global impact across a wide range of areas, from music, food and culture to education, business and politics.

By exploring the impact of Jamaicans in the African diaspora, one can see the unique ways in which they have sought to both shape and be shaped by the cultures they encounter. Music, in particular, has been a major point of connection for Jamaicans, as Jamaican reggae, rocksteady and other music styles have achieved worldwide success.

In business and politics, Jamaicans have played a key role in shaping policies and fostering economic development in countries throughout the African diaspora. In education, Jamaicans have been instrumental in promoting initiatives and resources aimed at empowering African diaspora communities.

The positive economic impacts of the Jamaican diaspora in the US can be seen in numerous ways. According to the 2016 American Community Survey, there are approximately 520,680 Jamaicans living in the US. These Jamaicans have a strong economic presence in the US, although the majority of them are concentrated in the states of Florida and New York, the two states with the largest Jamaican populations in the US. Additionally, many Jamaicans are spread out across the US, with notable populations in the states of Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Illinois, and California. 

As such, the Jamaican diaspora has had a strong positive impact in the US economy. According to the Migration Policy Institute, Jamaicans in the US earned approximately $11.5 billion in wages in 2016 and $5.7 billion are paid in taxes. The income earned accounted for 0.5 percent of all income earned by Caribbean migrants in the US. This is an important factor as it shows that Jamaicans are contributing a large contribution to the US economy. 

In addition to the economic contribution made by the Jamaican diaspora in the US, Jamaicans have also had a strong impact on the industries of labor and businesses in the US. According to the US Census Bureau, Jamaicans are more likely to be employed in blue collar workers in the US, such as chefs, bakers, food preparation and cleaning workers, and waiters and waitresses. These industries have become increasingly important as the US economy has become more service-based. Additionally, businesses owned by Jamaicans have had a positive impact on the US economy, creating jobs and contributing to local economies. 

Jamaicans in the global African diaspora have also been central to the dynamic artistic and cultural exchanges that have been catalyzed by the internet era. From dancehall to Afro-beat, Jamaican influences have been pervasive in a wide range of globalized music genres. Jamaican-born reggae star Damien Marley, for instance, has achieved global success with a sound informed by his Jamaican heritage and the Afro-Caribbean diaspora.

Overall, Jamaican people, culture and influence have played a crucial role in the global African diaspora for many decades. The influence of Jamaicans in the African diaspora has connected and united various cultures, showing the possibility of transcultural understanding and collaboration, and contributing to a global African identity and experience.