Caribbean Athletic and Education Cooperative (CAEC) was founded by long-time educators and community leaders who proudly call Puerto Rico home. Our team is built on a simple belief: sports and education are powerful tools to inspire the next generation.

Leading CAEC is Rhonda Russell-Henderson, an accomplished educator with over 27 years of experience in classrooms and leadership roles. With a background in elementary education, reading, and educational leadership, Rhonda has devoted her career to empowering students and teachers alike. Her passion for literacy has driven her to design programs that help young people strengthen their voices, unlock opportunities, and succeed beyond the classroom.

Together with her partner, she has combined a love for athletics and community development to create the HBCU Puerto Rico Bowl and a network of youth sports and literacy initiatives across the island. This partnership brings together a vision where football inspires reading, teamwork fuels leadership, and every young person in Puerto Rico has the chance to thrive.

CAEC exists to create a lasting impact — building bridges between Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) and Puerto Rican communities, boosting local economies, and leaving behind a legacy of education and opportunity.