Jamaican-born politician honoured by South Florida Group

Jamaican national and Florida State Representative, Hazelle Rogers, was on Sunday (February 27) honoured with the Broward Black Elected Officials (BBEO) Political Award, adding one more accolade to her many achievements since beginning her 20-year political career in South Florida.

She was one of two politicians awarded for their work in communities across the tri-county areas of Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, at the sixth annual gala of the BBEO held at the Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood. 

Under the theme: ‘Sustaining the Dream’, the event formed part of activities to mark Black History Month. Six other awards were presented for outstanding community service.

Jamaica’s Consul General to Miami, Sandra Grant Griffiths, who made the presentation to Mrs. Rogers, described her as a “strong and true daughter of Jamaican soil” adding that as a United States citizen and loyal official, “she helps her constituents and promotes civil progress daily through her committed work to sustain the dream."

The State Representative, who graciously accepted her award from the fraternity of South Florida political colleagues, said her mission is to bring together, all segments of the diverse population of Broward County, while working to ensure that immigrants are not left behind or left out. 

Called the “matriarch of Caribbean politics in South Florida,” Mrs. Rogers was the first person from the English-speaking region to be elected to political office in the South Florida tri-county. She was elected as Commissioner of the City of Lauderdale Lakes in 1996 and held the position for three consecutive terms.

In 2009, she was elected to the Florida House of Representatives (District 94) where she currently serves as a member of several committees including finance and tax, economic development and tourism, transportation and appropriations.  She recently sat on the committee for the Florida statewide census programme.

She has received numerous community service awards, and has the honour of being the first Caribbean national to be inducted into the Broward County Women’s Hall of Fame in March 2001.  She also served as distinguished president of the Broward League of Cities, a group of local elected officials representing the 31 cities in Broward County.

Her work with the Diaspora lends support, as a founding member of the Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce (GCACC), in South Florida; the 16-year old multi-cultural festival – UNIFEST; as well as the Caribbean American Democratic Club.

Proceeds from the BBEO award ceremony will go towards activities to advance the academic achievements and community involvement of minority high school seniors across the state.

The BBEO, with corporate support, also provides education, community outreach and mentoring opportunities for students interested in political careers.

CONTACT:  CHERYL WYNTER

                    JIS INFORMATION ATTACHE

                    JAMAICAN CONSULATE

                    MIAMI