CBD in the news

This is a paper that was written for the Diaspora conference by Dennis Jones referenced the Caribbean Business Digest. This is the first instance of the CBD being in the news that I can think of. The CBD was referenced on page 11 of the document. I need to read this in more detail and offer my reaction to Mr Jones...............

In the link in the last post, I listened to Dennis speak and he talked about who will have responsibility for the action plans or goals that were outlined. This is real important or we will be have the same discussion next year.

Diaspora Conference in Washington cont'd

This is a link to the wrap up session of the Diaspora conference earlier this month. The clip is about one and a half hours long but the first 15 or so minutes is a good summary of some of the main points.

I like the fact that there is talk about creating political action committee to lobby Washington. And of course there is more talk about a common database of skilled Caribbean nationals here in the US. We will have to wait and see what the effects of these talks are. It was pointed out that carnival plays a huge part of Caribbean Americans' lives and the effect that it can have in terms of reaching out to people. It is possible the best tool that we have in bringing the Caribbean diaspora together at this point. Hopefully we can build on this and have a strong community that is friendly to the Caribbean owned businesses here (in keeping with the aims of the CBD).

Diaspora Conference in Washington

I have come across a few articles talking about the Diaspora Forum for the Caribbean in Washington DC. This article quotes various Diaspora members talking about the Conference. My favorite quote comes from Grenadian Roy Hastick who stated that the talks should yield "something tangible". I echo these sentiments as I fear this annual conference will become just an annual rhetoric. Glenn Joseph in the same article had something interesting to say as well. If the conference is indeed scripted then the whole exercise would be a joke.

There are two aspects to this event. I feel that there is the relationship between US and the Caribbean itself and there is the relationship between the US and the Caribbean Diaspora here in the US. Both groups have common interests of course but there are subtle differences.

I believe the Caribbean Diaspora here must strengthen itself here first before being in a position to exert an influence in Washington. Only then will they (the Caribbean Diaspora) be able to help the Caribbean itself. After all there are elements of the Caribbean Diaspora here that may need help too. That strength must come in political and economic terms. And as Portia Simpson Miller said in the same article "organize yourselves".

In the meantime, I hope we come up with quantifiable action plans for both the Caribbean and for the Caribbean Diaspora. And hopefully those plans will have measurable steps that we can evaluate at periodic intervals to gauge progress. That way, come next year we can measure the effects and not just spin our wheels. Anything less will be laughable.

Diaspora of Trinidad and Tobago gets off the ground

Well Caribbean Heritage month is half way completed and the activities are in full swing. Today is especially important as this is the first day of the conference in Washington. I am anxiously awaiting what the results and action plan of these talks will be as Caribbean Americans talk with this country's leaders.

In the meantime on the local scene here in the South Florida area there is a significant development taking place. The T&T Diaspora movement is underway. This past week was the second meeting and I had the privilege of attending. Granted it is still in the baby stages but I can't help but feel that the Diaspora of Trinidad and Tobago (DOTT) is tantamount to a sleeping giant and I told that to the point person of the movement, Andy Ansola.

There is much work to be especially as compared to the Jamaican Diaspora but here is what I am particularly excited about: DOTT is actively seeking help from their Jamaican counterparts. As Andy told me, he is getting bits of advice from Marlon Hill, Esq. who is this area's Jamaican Diaspora representative. Of course, I am especially pleased that there is some harmony between both groups. I hope this spirit continue as there is no point in reinventing the wheel and both groups can benefit from each other.

I also think it is appropriate that DOTT is gaining some momentum around this time of year. It is truly a testament to the spirit of June which is Caribbean Heritage month and as they grow from strength to strength, the climate of the Caribbean community in South Florida should change; for the better.

Some areas that DOTT wants to groom itself for include politics, business and culture. But as the group starts the process of organizing itself, those within the Caribbean community must lend their support to this worthwhile endeavour whether we are Trinibagonians or not! I had a couple of minutes to address the audience and aside from introducing them to the CBD, I also implore them not to let this movement wither out. I also informed them of an alliance that is underway in T&T and Jamaica that is being pioneered by a fellow blogger and Management Consultant Francis Wade. His Trinijam movement has promise and I feel if it can extend to South Florida then there are benefits all around. Let's see how this angle develops.

Visit http://www.caribbeanbusinessdigest.com/ to view latest copy of Caribbean Business Digest.

Article on resources for raising capital

This article contains links about raising capital for small business owners. Maybe one day I will need the info contained here. Click here to view article.

Article about marketing your business.

The attached article talks about new ways of marketing your company especially for small business owners. Some of these ideas are low cost but important enough for all business owners and professionals to consider. Click here to view article.

Selling out or viable alternative?

After speaking with the owner of a restaurant (Mama's Kitchen) down in the Sunrise area in Broward, I was left feeling a little bit reflective. It became clear that it is time to take the CBD to the next level. By this I mean expanding to other areas outside of South Florida, improve on the product and increase production and distribution so that the magazine becomes a viable alternative for advertising dollars and subscription. Of course the issue is finding a way to fund the growth. It is difficult to secure advertising commitments because the magazine is very young. So the plan is to stick around long enough, build contacts that can be tapped into at a later date. But in the here and now some progress must take place even if only marginally.

So after the above mentioned discussion I remembered another conversation I had with a former journalist who is trying to revamp another magazine. That gentleman offered a proposal: His magazine which will be about 5 times the size of mine, will focus on community and religious issues. He proposes that my magazine would be incorporated into his. I would be responsible for submitting the articles and other content and the design and layout would be completed by his team. I would have to secure my own sales. And of course we would have to work out some fee for the "rent" of space in the larger magazine.

There are pros and cons to this. Notably, it would give me more reach and a wide distribution and lower production cost per issue while simultaneously I would be putting the identity of the CBD at risk. I could lose autonomy over the CBD. Admittedly, I have to weigh both sides and this is what business is all out. Making tough choices. I am not leaning toward this option however, because as one person pointed out: that arrangement could be tantamount to selling out.

Caribbean Heritage Month

We are right in the middle of Caribbean Heritage month. June is chock full of activities here in the South Florida area and across the US. Recently there was Unifest which is basically a festival of Caribbean nations designed to celebrate our heritage. This is one of the sweet moments when people from different Caribbean nations come together.

Later this month, there will be a Caribbean forum in Washington DC where Caribbean Diaspora representatives will talk with various leaders here in the United States about issues affecting the Diaspora. This is wonderful and I look forward to learning more about what the outcomes of these discussions are.

Also, below is the letter by Hill to Caribbean Americans. I think it is heart-warming and a call to action for us Caribbean Americans to realize our potential and economic, political and social terms. Read on:

Jamaican Diaspora Southern United States
CELEBRATING CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH


Dear Fellow Caribbean-Americans and friends of the Caribbean:

In this second year of the commemoration of Caribbean-American Heritage Month, we have much to be thankful for and so much more to work towards. With the population of Americans of Caribbean descent on the rise exponentially, what do we do with all this energy and positive vibes?

Our time has arrived to take full advantage of our rightful place in the social fabric of America. Neither our color, religious affinity, dialect, language nor heritage should preclude us from continuing to make a significant contribution to the prosperity of America. We must pay homage to those Caribbean-American immigrants who traveled to America in numbers at the turn of the century and laid the table for others to feast on the bounties of hard labor. We must pay homage to other Americans, whose path may not have stopped temporarily in the Caribbean, that helped us to receive some of the blessings of a life in the United States.

This common bond of our Caribbean-American heritage should not be taken for granted. We must ensure that the next generation of Caribbean-Americans has an intimate understanding of their self-identity. They must know more about those individuals and organizations that have sacrificed and excelled in the areas of academia, education, healthcare, public service, arts & entertainment, and other aspects of life in America.

Most importantly, the time has come for all Caribbean-Americans to individually take up the torch of citizenship and to be more actively engaged in our democracy. We cannot afford to be grandstand spectators. It is time! It is time that we call on our Congress to deliver a comprehensive immigration bill that will preserve the foundation of keeping our families together and be fair to status of working Caribbean-Americans.

I hope that you will find time to celebrate the month with friends and family at the numerous scheduled events attached.

Connect! Strengthen! Act! and
Celebrate Caribbean-American Heritage Month!
Vier Caribisch Amerikaans Erfgoed Maand!
¡Celebre Mes Americano Caribe de Herencia!
Viens Célébrer le Mois de l'Héritage Antillais-Américain!
Ann fete mwa selebrasyon patrimwàn Karayibeyen Ameriken!


Marlon A. Hill, Esq.
Advisory Board Member
Jamaican Diaspora Southern United States
786-349-2584; 876-621-0102 (Jamaica) ● Facsimile: 786-551-0785
info@marlonhill.com

Hurricane season

As is well documented it is the start of the hurricane season. And everyone here in South Florida is looking toward the season with bated breath. With the past hurricane seasons causing homeowner losses and insurance rates what they are here, everyone is hoping that there is no hurricane activity this year. Some small business owners flat out told me that their businesses will not survive an overly active season. With property taxes out of control, homeowners insurance a fiasco, the real estate market in a downturn, hurricane damage is the last thing we need.

Well, already I heard we just had some tropical storm. Hopefully that is not an indication of what is to come.

Interestingly, the first issue of the magazine had a couple articles geared toward hurricane preparedness. Check out the first issue here.

JA USA Chamber Business Expo

It has been a while since I made a blog post but that was due to a weekend getaway in Jamaica where I stayed at the Grand Bahia Principe hotel in Runaway Bay in St. Ann. I had a wonderful time and it was a beautiful hotel. I encourage everyone to consider it as an option when staying in Jamaica. And even though it rained, there was enough to do.

My last post I said I would talk about the Jamaica USA Chamber business expo. It seemed to be well organized and supported. I had a quick chat with a couple of exhibitors there and they were pleased with the turnout. And so was chamber president Marie Gill. I hope to have her comments as a part of an upcoming article in the next magazine issue. But she was pleased with the turnout and I am happy for her. I can remember talking with a few folks who mentioned that past events resulted in a low turnout. But that did not appear to be the case here.

I ran into Rovan Locke of the Caribbean Commentary newspaper. He gave me some feedback on the magazine and one thing he said was not to give it way free. He seems to favor establishing a cost for subscription or otherwise selling the publication. And I suppose he is right. That will let you add value to the publication. Rovan also offered to talk with me a little about the magazine so let's see what I can learn from this long time servant of the Caribbean community here in South Florida.

I also ran into Irvine Headley of Bilmor Advertising. Headley is also past president of the T&T USA chamber of commerce. I mentioned to him that the various Diasporas here need to do things more together and he agreed. We are trying to accomplish a lot of the same things after all. So it was nice to see him there at the Jamaican business expo.

David Muir of the law firm Wright Muir PA as always took the time to chat for a little bit. As it turns out, he produces a newsletter for the law firm which is quite well put together. So his connections with printers and designers may be useful. And he also took the time to introduce me to a couple folks he thought might be interested in my magazine and for that I was grateful.