MIAMI – In commemoration of Jamaica’s 44th Independence anniversary celebrations, the Bank of America Tower at International Place in downtown Miami will illuminate in the colors of the Jamaican flag – black, gold and green – on Friday (Aug. 4) at dusk.
While this is not unusual for the 47-floor, Miami landmark to be lit for special events in Miami, it is exceptional that the lighting will remain throughout the weekend into Tuesday morning (Aug. 8), as a tribute to the impact of the Jamaican community here in South Florida.
Built in 1987, the prestigious landmark Tower is located at International Place, 100 Southeast Second Street in downtown, Miami, and houses a wide range of modern office and communications infrastructure.
The office building overlooks downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay and is widely recognized for its changing palette of exterior lighting schemes timed to coincide with holidays and significant occasions.
According to Jamaica’s Consul General, Ricardo Allicock, “the lighting of the tower symbolizes the pride taken by the Jamaican community in its Independent nation, but also signifies the growing impact of Jamaicans in this region, making it possible for this event to take place.”
To mark the celebrations, the public is being invited to a reception hosted by the Miami office of the Consulate General of Jamaica. The event beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday (Aug. 4) will be held at the nearby Jamaica International Café, located at 119 Southeast First Avenue also in downtown Miami.
The thriving restaurant locale, owned by Jamaican nationals, Ellie Wizzard and Donovan Hudson, serves a daily menu of exotic Jamaican food specials. The entrepreneur duo has expressed their pride as part of that special event marking the nation’s independence.
While South Florida is considered the fastest growing region of Jamaicans compared to any in the Diaspora, the Jamaican population makes up the largest foreign-born group in Broward County, one of the fastest growing counties in the United States.
In an interview with JIS, Mr. Marlon Hill, the Jamaican Diaspora Board Member for the Southern USA, also expressed pride in the commemorative lighting of the signature Bank of America building in downtown Miami, noting that the celebration signifies the maturity and cultural relevance of the Jamaican community to South Florida. “Miami’s skyline will be forever linked with the Jamaican spirit,” he added.
