MIAMI GARDENS – On Saturday, September 22nd the Jamaican public participated in a Diaspora’s Fall Summit hosted by the Jamaican Diaspora Council – Southern USA, at the Holy Family Episcopal Church, Miami Gardens.
The session was hosted by the Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board Member, Dr. Susan Lycett Davis and her Council and was streamed courtesy of Keystone Augusta. There was an update on the ‘state of the Diaspora affairs’ and presentations from the community on various initiatives.
Among the initiatives presented and matters discussed by the Diaspora Council were, (1) the establishment of a new Diaspora membership drive, and the introduction of official cards for members who have already paid. These are available to be mailed or collected; (2) the completion of the Bylaws which is to be presented at the National Conference November 9-11, 2012 in Los Angeles, for adoption; (3) the fundraising enterprises that are being undertaken in an effort to realize the Diaspora’s primary project commitments – buying blood pressure machines for all clinics and hospitals in Portland and St. Mary, and partnering with Food For The Poor to build a basic school in St. Mary, the parish found to have the most need; and (4) plans to do outreach visit to as many Jamaican communities as possible in other Southern States.
Other community initiatives presented included the report that The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) recently endorsed the Jamaica High School Alumni Sporting Network (JHSASN) to galvanize support for the Jamaican Female Football Program. The Jamaican Diaspora–USA Southern Region recognized the need for support and has joined forces to help in a new ‘Awareness Campaign’ to bring visibility to Jamaican Women Footballers, particularly the Reggae Girlz.
All three entities are looking to identify the most effective ways and means to rally support from the Jamaican community, both here and in Jamaica, to bring long term sustainable results to the Jamaican Women Football Program with the hope of seeing them qualify for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup.
WPBT2 has agreed to film a documentary about Jamaican Women Football and began filming the first segment this past Labor Day Weekend at the JHSASN Soccer & Netball Tournament. They will next travel to Jamaica to complete the project. According to Lavern Deer, JHSASN’s President, “Our organization is pleased to have received this opportunity to work with the JFF and the Jamaican Diaspora-USA Southern Board and is encouraging the Jamaican Community to join forces in this awareness campaign. The outcome I believe, will allow our Jamaican Young Ladies to have a chance for a better future as they discover their strengths and character through competitive football.”
Victoria Mutual Building Society’s Suzette Rochester addressed the Jamaican community informing them of the imminent visit of Jamaica’s Minister of National Security, Hon Peter Bunting, MP to address Jamaica’s Strategic Crime Management Initiatives.
Mr. Will Rogers of Fly Jamaica introduced and hosted a short discussion on the development, ownership, and current and future routes of the new, privately owned commercial airline coming out of Jamaica.
Professor Geoffrey Philip, spoke on the Marcus Garvey movement seeking to clear the name of Jamaica’s first National hero, who is “still considered the most dangerous black man in America.” A presentation for the Jamaican community will be arranged in the coming weeks.
SAVE THE DATE
The Jamaica Diaspora General Conference is being planned for
June 16-19, 2013.
