Independence Message to T&T Diaspora

T&T Diaspora members,

I am sure Trinibagonians are no doubt looking forward to August 31 in anticipation of T&T Independence anniversary. And if my guess is right, the celebrations are probably already underway, not only on the twin island nation, but within its Diaspora as well.

Having had the opportunity to meet and get to know members of the T&T Diaspora personally in the past few months, I know that there will be an air of pride and patriotism. There is much to be thankful for and much accomplishments to be celebrated. Additionally the mobilization of the Diaspora of Trinidad and Tobago (DOTT) here in South Florida no doubt will continue to ensure that the T&T pride is preserved. I celebrate with you and encourage you to continue making your fellow Trinis, Caribbean and Caribbean-American brothers and sisters proud.

So, on behalf of the Caribbean Business Digest and fellow Caribbean Americans here in South Florida, I would like to acknowledge and congratulate Trinibagonians the world over on the milestone.

In closing, I echo the sentiments of your PM Patrick Manning and urge you to maximize your potential at home and abroad. (View the full article here).

Have a happy and safe Independence celebrations T&T.

Mushtaq Maxwell
Caribbean Business Digest
http://www.caribbeanbusinessdigest.com/

Reviewing the current issue

This issue is special because it marks the migration to the new online format. View new format here. Though there are print copies of this issue that has been distributed, it will be the last print copy for the foreseeable future. I am looking forward to the feedback as to the new mode of distribution.

This issue itself featured dialogue with four women each contributing something different to the community they serve. Stella Tokar with the Miramar Pembroke Pines Chamber of Commerce spoke with the CBD as to how her organization seeks to help the community. Of note is that this organization seeks to integrate the larger companies in its membership with the smaller ones so each organization seeks to help others within the Chamber.

Gillian Smart talks enthusiastically about her project The Smart Group. Gillian seeks to actively be involved in community development. Jasmine Calder Esq. of The Calder Law Firm, talks about making the jump from career woman to entrepreneurship while being a wife and mother. She offers some insight into the different roles. I hope to visit back with Jasmine to follow up on how things are with her in the near future.

And there is Nerissa Street of The Artist Initiative. I particularly enjoyed this feature and am intrigued at the work that she does. The bottom line is that she seeks to help people in the pursuit of their dreams. As a side note, in my reading in general I came across the fact that art is now being used as a medium for investing. In the same way that one invests in real estate with a view for property appreciation, more and more people are now doing the same with artwork. If art is viewed as an investment vehicle it could mean more economic benefit for artists. This would add more than just the intrinsic value to Nerissa’s work of course.

Among the things I learnt from Nerissa is that there can be no bounds on willingness to build alliances. She seeks to do that as part of her firm’s effort to satisfy clients. The key of course is to work with others who share your ethics and vision. Another point worth mentioning is the need for individuals to take the “initiative” for their future and own well being. My favorite quote from her is that “your 401-K can easily become your 401-bye”. And that is no exaggeration. We can all point to news items that bear testimony to this.

This issue is insightful, informative and interesting and I hope my readers enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed bringing these stories to light. Further, I hope you all enjoy learning more about the different people that are a part of our Caribbean American community.

Jamaican Diaspora Consulate General Hurricane Aid Information

Here is the letter from the Diaspora representative Marlon Hill, Esq about Hurricane aid for Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Thanks to the Diaspora and Consulate General for taking the initiative.


Jamaican Diaspora Southern US Organizes Hurricane Aid (for Jamaica/Cayman Islands)

The Jamaica Consulate General and the Jamaican Diaspora Southern United States Advisory Board are coordinating emergency preparations for Jamaica in light of Hurricane Dean now approaching the Western Caribbean region. A hurricane warning has been issued for Jamaica.

Several drop off points have been set up at designated churches and central points of community contact have been identified, including the following:

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD COUNTY

Tortuga Imports,Inc.
14202 SW 142 Avenue
Miami, FL. 33186
305-378-6668

Holy Family Episcopal Church
18501 NW 7th Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL
305-652-6797

Kendall Community Church of God
8795 SW 112 ST. , Kendall-Miami, FL
(305) 274-3072

Holy Sacrament Episcopal Church
2801 N University Dr, Hollywood -Pembroke Pines, FL
(954) 432-8686

City of Lauderhill Fire Stations (open 24 hours)
Most central - 1181 NW 42 Way
Phone: 954-739-0100
Situated just behind De Jamaica Shop south of the Lauderhill Mall


PALM BEACHES

Karline's of the Palm Beaches
4047 Okeechobee Blvd.
Suite 230, West Palm Beach 33409
Tel: 561-932-0103
Contact" Karline Ricketts

MDI Racing
10351 Southern Blvd.
Royal Palm Beach. FL 33411
Tel: 561-798-2433
Contact: Michael Clark

CENTRAL FLORIDA

Quick Ship Caribbean Services
2153 W. Colonial Dr. (In the Magic Mall)
Orlando, Fl. 32804
Tel: (407) 999-9501

FiWe Caribbean Cuisine,
6601 Old Winter Garden Rd.
Orlando, Florida
(corner of Hiawassee Rd. & Old Winter Garden Rd (by Walgreens)
Tel: (407) 293-6393

ARIZONA/NEW MEXICO/TEXAS
Jamaica Foundation of Houston - Andy Adams
andr2@wt.net
E-Mail: JamaicaFoundation@earthlink.net
Telephone: 713-772-4456

ARKANSAS/OKLAHOMA/TENNESSEE
Jamaican Diaspora Tennessee - Janeth Simpson-Brown
615 -0595-1454
jeromejaneth@aol.com

GEORGIA
United For Jamaica - Jason Walker
Website: http://www.unitedforjamaica.org
Email: info@unitedforjamaica.org
jason55555@gmail.com
Phone: 404-533-1248

Atlanta Jamaican Association - Allan Alberga
407-523-6300
allanalberga@aol.com

CAROLINAS
Jamaica National Assoc. - Ms. Jennifer Edwards
336-643-5813
8003 Goldenrod Drive
Greensboro, NC 27455

In the interim, persons interested in making donations can make checks payable to the Jamaica Consulate General (Hurricane Relief) and mailed to the office at 25 Southeast Second Avenue, Suite 609, Miami, FL 33131.

Donations of any items should include a list of critically needed items such as non-perishable food items, batteries, flashlights, first aid kits, battery operated radios and bottled water.

For further information, persons can call the Consulate office at 305-374-8431, extensions 223 and 232.

Diaspora Advisory Board member, Marlon Hill, has urged other Jamaican communities as well as members of community organizations throughout the Diaspora to be on the alert in their specific communities to collaborate effectively as preparations are coordinated. All flights into and out of the island are cancelled tomorrow.
_____________________________________________________________________

For media inquiries or other communications, please call:

Marlon A. Hill, Esq.
Advisory Board Member
Jamaican Diaspora Southern United States
305-244-4456 or info@marlonhill.com

Hurricane Dean

On the Weather Channel right now, I am watching highlights and updates of people getting ready for Hurricane Dean in Jamaica. It is nice to see that for the most part people are taking this seriously. Somehow I am getting a bad feeling here but will continue to pray for my fellow Jamaicans of my island home. I can't help but to think that with this major catastrophe seemingly hours away from the shores and elections due a little over a week away that this will have major implications on the island.

My prayers are that we can bring out the truth in the popular expression "wi likkle but tallawah" and come through this period stronger.

Along the same lines, I received an email yesterday from the Jamaican Diaspora representative Marlon Hill, Esq with information about Hurricane aid for Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. I will post this letter here in a separate post for anyone who wants to offer help.

Thanks to Marlon and the Diaspora movement as well as the Jamaican Consulate General for being proactive about this situation.

Final thought on JA Independence

So the 45th anniversary of Jamaica's independence is gone and the celebrations that follow have tapered off. But, there are still some issues that will remain for a while for the Diaspora. This is evidenced by the comments and reaction stemming from a Sun Sentinel article written by Alva James Johnson. View article here.

After reading view comments here.

I will choose not to comment much except to say that for us in the Diaspora we have to concern ourselves with affairs in the home country and also issues in the communities that we live in.

More importantly, much recognition must go to Jerk Machine for the part that they are playing in the community. From the celebration that was referred to in the article to various events involving the Jamaica USA Chamber of Commerce that I have attended on occasion, Jerk Machine seems to be heavily involved in community affairs and much love go out to them for this.

True example of a business looking to be involved in the community it serves.

Jamaica's 45th Anniversary

August is a special month for two of the largest Caribbean diaspora groups. On August 6th Jamaica celebrates its 45th year of Independence (T&T celebrates later this month). Already, Emancipation Day is behind us and much has already been written about the significance of this date. (See the Jamaican Prime Minister's Emancipation Day message here).

Jamaica and Jamaicans worldwide should now put the upcoming elections on the back burner as we have another significant date to commemorate. The Diaspora already has a host of events underway to mark this occasion. Of note is the fact that the Bank of America Tower in Miami will be draped in the black, green and gold of Jamaica (see article here).

And, on the eve of Jamaica's independence, I hope that the Jamaican Diaspora the world over will continue to take note of the various achievements by their countrymen and always realize the impact that Jamaica has made globally. I also hope that the Jamaican culture is never taken for granted and is continually preserved within the Diaspora. To those who have been instrumental in the preservation of the Jamaican culture here in the South Florida area, I say thank you and please continue to keep up the fine work.

Local newspapers Caribbean Contact and Caribbean Today in particular had special issues dedicated to Jamaica's Independence. I enjoyed the reading and the recognition that was paid to the Jamaicans making a difference here. Jamaicans in various fields were recognized from politics to sports and business. Clearly we have a great heritage and have much to celebrate. However, we still have more to contribute and we still have a long way to go. Yes, we are little but tallawah (strong).

In closing I would like to wish every member of the Jamaican Diaspora a safe 45th Independence celebration and that we continue to make our mark away from home.