FORT LAUDERDALE – Notable Bahamians within the South Florida diaspora including prominent South Florida Newspaper Publisher, Garth Reeves, were honored on Sunday during an Ecumenical Service celebrating the 45th year of Independence for The Bahamas, under the theme, “Celebrate Bahamas, We’ve Come This Far by Faith”
At the service held at the historical St. Agnes Anglican Church in Overtown, The Bahamas Consul General to Florida, Mrs. Linda Mackey, expressed appreciation and pride in the Bahamian diaspora of South Florida in regards to their accomplishments and contributions to the South Florida community over the years.
The Consul General spoke of the five Bahamians being honored as “educated and humble men and women who accomplished their dreams despite setbacks, disappointments and challenges, and doing so uncompromised. They were faithful as they trusted God to be faithful, and he was always faithful” she said.
Sr. Publisher emeritus of The Miami Times Honored
Mr. Garth Reeves honored among the group, is not only a well-known newspaperman but has been recognized over the years for his activism in the South Florida Community and has been hailed as “The voice of Miami’s Black Community.” Born in The Islands Of The Bahamas, Mr. Reeves was raised in the United States. He served in the U.S. Army during World War 11. In 1970 he was named Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of the newspaper founded by his father, “The Miami Times.”
Bahamians in South Florida Honored
Other notable Bahamians honored on Sunday included another well-known activist in the Florida Community, Mrs. Thelma Gibson a descendant of some of the first Bahamians to settle the Coconut Grove community of Miami, Florida.
Dr. Gershwin Blyden, a leading physician in the field of Oncology, in South Florida was also honored, as was Georgianna Johnson Bethel.
Also, of Bahamian descent, and honored was Mayor Eric Jones of the City of West Park, Florida.
Bahamas Independence Celebrated With Ecumenical Service
The Ecumenical service which is organized and hosted annually by The Bahamas Consulate General Office, Florida, once again drew a record crowd of members of the Bahamian diaspora in Florida, with attendees hailing from across South Florida but even as north as West Palm Beach up to Jupiter, Florida.
Special guests were the children of Our Lady’s and St. Stephen “Angels of Praise Dance Troupe,” from Bimini, Bahamas, who delighted the audience with a praise dance.
Bahamian son of the soil and rector of St. Agnes, Rev. Father Denrick Rolle, welcomed the audience of well over 300 persons in attendance. As is the norm annually, the service featured the participation of Bahamian clergymen from various denominations across Florida communities, and was attended by both Bahamian government representatives and officials and representatives of government from South Florida as well as members of the local diplomatic corp.
This year’s Independence Message was brought by Rev. C. Lloyd Newton, PhD of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Delray Beach Florida. Prayers were presented for the International Community, by Dr. William Pickard; for the nation, by Rev. Roberta (Bobby) Knowles of the Church of the Incarnation; for the government, by Senator the Honorable Katherine (Kay) Forbes-Smith; for the diaspora, by Rubyann Bradshaw, Vice President, National Association of Bahamians and for the Youth by Kirkland Sands Jr. The choir of the Church of the Incarnation, provided the musical selections.
Kay Forbes-Smith, President of The Bahamas Senate, brought special greetings from Prime Minister, the Honourable, Dr. Hubert Minnis and the entire government of The Bahamas. The Senator in her brief remarks highlighted that, “of critical importance to the goals of The Bahamas is the empowerment of our youth as expressed in our Prime Minister’s Independence Message, arming them with increased opportunities to access the education and training needed for them to realize their full potential.”
“It is my fervent hope that this focus on our youth not only deepens their pride in our history and their commitment to community service, but it encourages their determination to become productive citizens contributing to the economic and cultural advancement of our country,” Mrs. Forbes-Smith said, adding, that “the past 45 years of Independence reflects our story of a continuing journey to make our country better for all Bahamians but most especially for our young people.”
Also making brief remarks on the occasion was Opposition leader in the Bahamas Senate, the Honorable, Fred Mitchell. “On this 45th anniversary we remember where we’ve come from and by faith we have come a long, long way. Independence doesn’t solve problems but it gives the authority to decide for yourself, good or bad,” Senator Mitchell said.
Upcoming Bahamas Independence Celebrations
Bahamas Independence Celebrations in South Florida will continue with the Annual National Association of Bahamians (NAB) Scholarship Gala this Saturday (July 21st). The event which will mark the Association’s 25th Anniversary, will take place at 7:00 p.m. at Shula’s Hotel and Golf Club, 6842 Main St., Miami Lakes.
The local South Florida Independence events will culminate on July 28th with The Essence Of The Bahamas Festival at the Bahamian Connection Village, 4400 NW 2nd Ave. Miami 12 noon to 12 midnight.
