South Florida pulsed with the unmistakable vitality of Jamaica as members of the diaspora celebrated the island’s 63rd anniversary of Independence from August 2 to three.
Ambassador to the US (US), His Excellency Main Normal (Ret’d) Antony Anderson, joined within the festivities, marking his inaugural official go to to one of many largest Jamaican communities outdoors the island.
The weekend’s actions commenced on August 2 in Miramar, with the Ambassador attending the town’s annual ‘Ole Time Truthful’, hosted by Mayor Wayne Messam. The occasion provided a vibrant show of Jamaican tradition, heritage, and civic pleasure.
Actions have been held below the management of Consul Normal in Miami, Oliver Mair, in collaboration with numerous diaspora organisations.
Addressing a crowd that mirrored the town’s deeply rooted Caribbean identification, Ambassador Anderson famous that Miramar has turn out to be one of the vital vibrant centres of Jamaican and Caribbean life within the US.
With greater than 30 per cent of Miramar’s inhabitants claiming Jamaican heritage, the Ambassador highlighted the town as a mannequin of diasporic success, describing it as “a mix of enterprise, pleasure, and unity”.
He emphasised the significance of channelling cultural pleasure into significant engagement.
“As Ambassador, I’m deeply inspired by the energy of the diaspora right here, not solely in numbers however in coronary heart, in tradition, and in your dedication to giving again to Jamaica,” he mentioned.
“Whilst you have made Miramar your home of residence, Jamaica stays your own home irrespective of how lengthy you’ve been away or how far you’ve gone,” he added.
The go to included a domino match in tribute to the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart, founding father of Sandals Resorts, and was highlighted by Mayor Messam presenting the important thing to the town to reggae icon Freddie McGregor.
Saturday’s occasions concluded with a ‘Candy and Dandy Dance Occasion’ hosted by the Jamaican Ladies of Florida, a fundraiser supporting charitable causes in each Jamaica and Florida.
On Sunday, Jamaicans gathered at a thanksgiving service held on the Cooper Metropolis Church of God.
The operate drew greater than 900 attendees attired within the black, inexperienced and gold of Jamaica, reworking the sanctuary right into a tapestry of nationwide pleasure.
The Ambassador, in his tackle to the congregation, mentioned that the Independence theme, ‘Be Proud. Be Daring. Within the Black, Inexperienced and Gold’, “calls upon us all, as Jamaicans, to have an unwavering perception that we will and needs to be energetic individuals and never simply bystanders in shaping our personal destinies, the destinies of our communities and the destinies of our international locations. It calls us to a mindset that our forefathers had as they moved Jamaica in the direction of independence”.
The Ambassador used the platform to reiterate the important thing growth priorities of the Authorities of Jamaica, together with the modernisation of enterprise processes, constitutional reform, nationwide and citizen safety, and transformation in training, noting the important function of the diaspora in nationwide progress.
The weekend concluded with the Jamaica Independence motorcade, led by Ambassador Anderson and Consul Normal Mair, which wound by way of streets lined with cheering supporters earlier than arriving on the Lauderhill Performing Arts Middle.
There, Mayor Denise Grant hosted the “Stable as a Rock” live performance, that includes Jamaican artists in a vibrant celebration of resilience and cultural pleasure.
Throughout a flag-raising ceremony in Lauderhill, Commissioner Anderson spoke in regards to the significance of the colors of the flag, noting that “Black is for the energy and creativity of our folks, Inexperienced for the hope and fertility of our land, and Gold is for the pure magnificence and enduring daylight of our homeland”.
“It celebrates the resilience, creativity, and indomitable spirit of a individuals who proceed to encourage the world,” he mentioned.
“Let this Independence Day celebration be greater than a second of remembrance. Let or not it’s a recommitment to service, to unity, and to nationwide pleasure,” he added.
