Barbados’ 49th anniversary of independence comes Monday – kicking off celebrations in the island and the diaspora.
From Lucy south down to Christ Church and throughout all the parishes, the people of Barbados will be celebrating the nation’s 49th anniversary of independence, which marks the start of celebrations for the island nation’s 50th birthday!
Under the theme, “Our Pride, the Broken Trident,” a commemorative broken trident will tour the island’s 11 parishes in a yearlong journey that begins Tuesday and ends on Nov. 29, 2016.
The celebratory broken trident was designed by Donna Redman and donated by the Williams Industries firm. A broken trident – representing the island’s transition from colonial rule to independence – is the centerpiece of the Barbados national flag.
In New York on Sunday, “A Church Service of Thanksgiving,” marking the independence anniversary, will be held in Brooklyn at First Baptist Church of Crown Heights, 450 Eastern Pkwy. (at Rogers Ave.), starting at 4 p.m.
The Rev. Garvey Ince, associate pastor of St. James AME Church in Newark, N.J., and Consul General Donna Hunte-Clarke of the Barbados Consulate in New York are among the special guests due at the event.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Caribbean Community of Nations (CARICOM) Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque were among the international VIPs issuing statements saying happy birthday to Barbados.
“The Community continues to benefit from the strong commitment of Barbados to regional integration. The country has willingly accepted and carried out its leadership role in integration and the Community looks forward to the continued vibrant involvement of Barbados in the consolidation and advancement of the process, as we seek to ensure a safe, secure and sustainable environment for the growth and well-being of our Community,” Secretary-General LaRocque said in a message to Barbados’ Prime Minister Freundel Stuart.
In a message, Secretary of State Kerry’s remarks were made on behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States.
As you proudly play your anthem “In Plenty and In Time of Need,” know that we celebrate alongside you,” said Kerry. “The United States deeply values its friendship with Barbados based on our strong ties of commerce, security cooperation, people-to-people contacts, and culture. We are pleased to work with you both bilaterally and through regional arrangements to promote prosperity, protect the safety of our populations, diversify energy infrastructure, and increase educational and professional exchanges. I am confident that, in years to come, relations between our governments and our peoples will continue to thrive.”
Also marking the date: the Pre-concert Independence Extravaganza at LIU Brooklyn Paramount Theatre (presented by the Barbados Consulate) on Nov. 21, and Team Barbados and Cambridge Sports Club’s Presentation and Independence Dance Saturday night at Brooklyn’s Afrika House.
UP FOR A BAJAN QUIZ?
Think you know Barbados? Take the Barbados quiz on the Barbados Government Information Service website.
Check out this sample question:
Where is the Lawrence Johnson Roundabout?
a. Haggatt Hall, St. Michael
b. Warrens, St. Michael
c. Near the St. Thomas Church on Highway 2A
d. Near the St. Lucy Parish Church
To test your knowledge with all the questions, visit the Barbados Government Information Service website at http://gisbarbados.gov.bb to take test your knowledge with Questions About Barbados Anniversary Quiz.
INVESTING IN CARIBBEAN’S FUTURE
The “Invest Caribbean Now!” investment agency – working in the region on hotel financing, refinancing and expansion, as well as renovating and constructing apartments, villas and other projects – just got a confirmation on its private sector focus from a recent survey.
The recent KPMG 2015 Caribbean Hospitality Financing Survey found that non-banks are more bullish on Caribbean investment, with 17% reporting it is a good time to lend in the region – especially in Antigua, Turks & Caicos, Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.
With banks less bullish on lending, ICN has teamed up with global private lenders to offer multimillion-dollar financing for projects ranging from $5 million and up for major projects. And catering to the needs of small to medium Caribbean and Hispanic enterprises in the U.S. and Canada, ICN is also offering access to capital – low-interest loans and lines of credit of between $5,000 to $250,000 to qualified business owners seeking capital for expansion and growth.
Learn more about Invest Caribbean Now! and investment opportunities, by visiting www.investcaribbeannow.com/contact
CLASSIC MUNDELL REGGAE ON VINYL
“Blackman’s Foundation” reggae star Hugh Mundell’s 1983 Shanachie Entertainment release is back – as a vinyl LP.
The album was co-produced by Hugh Mundell and Augustus Pablo, who met Kingston-born Mundell at the legendary Joe Gibbs’ studio in 1976 and helped nurture the young man’s talent. Mundell made his mark in reggae music in 1978 with the release of the now-classic “Africa Must Be Free” album. “Blackman’s Foundation” was Mundell’s follow-up LP. For information, visit www.shanachie.com.
40 UNDER FORTY DEADLINE
The Network Journal magazine is seeking for candidates for its 19th annual 40 Under Forty Achievement Awards, recognizing business and professional leaders.
Mount Sinai Medical Center family nurse practitioner Nia R. Medder, with roots in Cuba; second-generation Jamaican American Madinah (Dina) McDonald, the human resources operations manager at the EMC Corp. information technology firm, and Jamaica-born Natasha Songonuga, Financial Restructuring and Creditors’ Rights Group director, were among last year’s 40 Under Forty group.
Deadline for submitting nominations is Feb. 5, 2016. Men and women 39 years or younger on or before June 15, 2016 are eligible. The selected 40 leaders will be profiled in The Network Journal and on its website.
For nomination applications, rules and requirements, visit http://bit.ly/40under402016. And for information on The Network Journal, visit http://www.tnj.com.
KWANZAA FEST & CHARITY
The People of the Sun Middle Passage Collective’s 2015 Kwanzaa celebration on Dec. 19 will feature a lineup of spoken word, song, dance, a vendors’ marketplace – and the annual Feed the Need event with food, clothing and children’s gifts.
The Feed the Need activities and the Kwanzaa will take place at Medgar Evers College, 1150 Carroll St. (between Nostrand and Rogers Aves.). The Feed the Need event will be held at 3 p.m., preceding the Kwanaa affair, which will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and feature performances by Shanto, Kow Teff, Imani Dance & Drum Ensemble, and others.
For information, contact, Tony Akeem of the People of the Sun Middle Passage Collective at (718) 718-659-4999 or send email to akeem476@gmail.com.
