Jamaican Diaspora in South Florida launches celebrations for golden jubilee anniversary of Independence

MIAMI – The Hon. Tomas Regalado, Mayor of the City of Miami and Jamaica’s Consul General Sandra Grant Griffiths will host a ceremonial launch “Jamaica 50” to begin preparations for the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Jamaica’s anniversary of Independence.

The event will take place on Monday, August 8th at the Miami City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive beginning at 6:00 p.m.

A large number of community, civic and diplomatic officials will join members of the Diasporic community to share in the ceremonial launch which will feature a selection of entertainment performed by local artists. The items will include parade of national colors by the youth group of the Holy Family Episcopal Church, invocation and libation to the ancestors by Dr. Robert and Mena Vassall, echoes of Jamaica by Rev. Easton Lee and the Sons of Mystro, and journey by drum performed by percussionist William Stewart.

Highlight of the ceremony will be the symbolic exchange by the Consul General and the Mayor to further cement the mutual friendship between the Cities of Miami and Kingston as both have shared a lasting relationship as twinned cities under the Miami Dade Sister Cities Program.

A presentation “Jamaica 50” featuring Jamaica’s national plan to earmark activities throughout the year across the island and the Diaspora will be presented by Mr. Sydney Bartley, Director of Culture in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.

During the ceremony, Consul General Grant Griffiths will also appoint a Diaspora committee to begin preparations for events across South Florida throughout the upcoming year.
A Community Reception will follow the formal ceremony, to be held on the Mayor’s Terrace.

The historic launch has been supported by several agencies including the presenting sponsor – Victoria Mutual Building Society Representative Office. Silver sponsors and associate include Caribbean Logistics; Jamaica National Building Society; Kingston Miami Trading Company; Golden Krust Bakery and Grill; Grace Foods, USA; Jerk Machine Incorporated; Grace Kennedy Money Services; Western Union; Embrace Music/Rhythms of Africa; Jamaica Awareness, Incorporated; Watson & Company, P.A. and The Golding Law Group.