PEMBROKE PINES – The Jamaican Diaspora Southern USA will host the second annual Youth Forum on Saturday (June 6), at the South Regional-Broward College Library 7300 Pines Blvd. Pembroke Pines, starting at 11 a.m.
Titled “One Community, One Family, One Future” the forum will be expanded this year to include young people of Caribbean descent in the South Florida communities.
According to Jamaica’s Diaspora Board Advisory representative for the Southern USA, Marlon Hill, “a new energy is brought to this year’s forum to revitalize the young persons in our community as we celebrate June as Caribbean American Heritage Month across the United States.”
The one-day forum is free to the public and is expected to target high school and college students of first and second generations of Caribbean descent and residing throughout South Florida communities.
The future of the Caribbean-American community will be grounded in how well we mentor and inspire our next generation, Mr. Hill added. “We must not only open doors for them, but create meaningful opportunities for them to demonstrate leadership.”
A team of panelists will seek to enlighten and engage young leaders in discussion about issues relevant to their success and development in the United States and to their respective homelands.
Participants will look at engaging the youth in areas of governance, creating opportunities for youth development in education, culture and economic development as young people become involved in contribution and development significant to their own development as well as that of their countries of descent.
Panelists will include Commissioner Winston Barnes, radio personality and music historian; Ms. Sharon Blackwood, radio personality of WHIZ Communications; Ms. Kadian Powell, college student at Miami Dade College and President of Florida Caribbean Students Association; Ms Shikira Chang of Kira Cares; and Mr. Leighton Paul Walsh, disc jockey.
In an effort to forge new linkages and strengthen existing relationships, Chair of the Caribbean Youth Forum, Mr. David Mullings commented on the significance of building the relationships through dialogue, mentoring and networking. “It is vital that our generation continue to strengthen the foundation and unity that those before us have fostered benefiting the wider Caribbean community,” he said.
For additional information persons can contact the host committee at [email protected] or call 786-349-2584.
