South Florida Launches “Jamaica 50” Celebrations

FLORIDA — The official launch of preparations for the celebration of Jamaica's golden jubilee Independence anniversary in 2012 in South Florida, took place on Monday August 8 at Miami City Hall.

The event was jointly launched by Mayor of the City of Miami, the Hon. Tomas Regalado, and Jamaica’s Consul General in the city, Sandra Grant Griffiths, in a packed auditorium of nationals and friends of the Jamaican Diaspora, public and civic officials and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

The Consul General introduced the co-chairs of the steering committee for “Jamaica 50” in South Florida as certified public accountant, Pamella Watson and community activist and cultural specialist, Sydney Roberts.

With the establishment of the committee, Consul General Grant Griffiths also disclosed that a slew of events would be staged during the calendar year, January and December 2012, to promote and support Brand Jamaica, which she described as “a global brand."

She said that the launch was essential for a programme befitting the celebration of 50 years of independence, while focusing on the positive achievements in the nation’s history.

The Consul General said the committee will work with already established events to create a ‘Jamaica 50’ style, while the Consulate develops a calendar to institute special collaborative ventures.

The South Florida Diaspora programme is expected to include activities under the headings – benefit, worship and history, which will be broadened to include education, art and culture, trade and investment symposia, expositions and festivals and a Diaspora legacy project.  Core events will include a benefit gala and an ecumenical worship service.

Mayor Regalado, who described himself as a “long time friend of Jamaica”, said his City was pleased to be part of the “Bridge to Americas” project, as Jamaica has long shared a mutual relationship with the United States.

Highlight of the ceremony was a symbolic exchange between the Consul General and the Mayor, to further cement the mutual friendship between the Cities of Miami and Kingston, which are twinned under the Miami Dade Sister Cities Programme.

The Mayor presented a proclamation to the Consul General, heralding the “Jamaica 50” celebrations across the Diaspora which, he said, will be fully supported by the people of Miami. The Consul General, in turn, presented a copy of the original letter incorporating the agreement under the Miami Dade Sister Cities Programme since 1981.

A presentation highlighting the plan of activities to celebrate Jamaica 50 in 2012 was presented by Director of Culture in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Sydney Bartley.

The launch also featured performances by local artistes, including a parade of national colours by the youth group of the Holy Family Episcopal Church; invocation and libation to the ancestors by Dr. Robert and Mena Vassall of Wawa Aba; “Echoes of Jamaica” by Griot, Rev. Easton Lee, accompanied by young violinists duet, the Sons of Mystro; singing prodigy, Soleil Rowe, who offered her interpretation of Bob Marley’s ‘Natural Mystic’; with the grand finale being, “Journey by Drum”, performed by percussionist William Stewart and the Tallawah Mento Band.

The historic launch was supported by several Jamaican-owned firms including the Victoria Mutual Building Society, Caribbean Logistics, Jamaica National Building Society, Kingston Miami Trading Company, Golden Krust Bakery and Grill, Grace Foods, USA, Jerk Machine Incorporated, Grace Kennedy Money Services, Western Union, Embrace Music/Rhythms of Africa, Jamaica Awareness, Incorporated, Watson & Company and The Golding Law Group.

By Cheryl Wynter, JIS Reporter