Independence Day Message
On this occasion of the 47th year of Independence of the land of our birth, we are reminded that Jamaica is a global phenomenon — her people, her spirit, her personality, and her talents. We are bigger than 4,411 square miles. We extend way beyond a population of 2.7 million persons. We are higher than 7,402 feet at our tallest peak. We are larger than life. This is the state of our blessings. It is unquestionable.
In this spirit, I urge you to consider the depth of our presence across the globe. We bring smiles across the nations with the vibe our music. We put rhythm in the hips with the creativity of our movement. We inspire applause and gasps in the audiences of the track. We please the taste buds of millions with the spice of our plate. The diaspora of Jamaica lives through each of us in what you do on a daily basis. WE ARE JAMAICA. We share this spirit of Jamaica with our Caribbean neighbors and thousands of other persons of goodwill across the world.
If you ever doubt why you may succeed at what you do or why people may be in awe of how you express yourself, you may blame it on the blood of your culture in your veins. This spirit of Jamaica is undeniable. At times, we sometimes veer off course with this undeniable spirit in creating more challenges for ourselves. We have work to do in improving these shortcomings of our young independent nation. Notwithstanding, we manage to continue to shine the light on the positive elements and attributes of our culture. Again, we proclaim: WE ARE JAMAICA.
As we continue our global efforts to organize our communities overseas, we must recognize the common good with share for each other. We want to lead the best quality of life in our respective adopted countries. We want the best for our children in their pursuit of their educational opportunities. We want to pursue our entrepreneurial dreams. We want to make a positive contribution in our local neighborhoods and for Jamaica through our community activities and efforts. Together, all of these shared dreams move us closer to the fruits of our independence.
In October, the Jamaica Diaspora in the United States will convene community leadership from around the nation in Fort Lauderdale on October 3-4 to reflect on where we are and where we wish to go in the future. It is a long overdue conversation. At sunrise and at sunset, even after 47 years, WE ARE JAMAICA. Happy Independence!
Marlon A. Hill, Esq., Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board Member, Southern United States
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Jamaica Consulate Accepts Entries for Independence Essay Competition
The Jamaica Information Service in Miami is now accepting entries for the annual Independence Essay Competition, which forms part of the Jamaica Independence celebrations throughout the Florida communities.
The contest now in its ninth year, is open to all Jamaican children, first and second generation, and residing in Florida State, The deadline for participating entries is Friday, July 24th. The winner in each category will be awarded with a plaque from the Jamaica Consulate General.
The merit to this project is to advance community awareness while exposing our youth to their Jamaican culture and heritage. As they research and prepare compositions, applicants are given the opportunity to reflect on the nation’s history and culture; look at the impact of their Jamaican roots on their upbringing; and the positive events that have catapulted Jamaica and its Diaspora in the global arena.
Children in the Diaspora are being encouraged to take interest in the annual Essay Competition realizing that the occasion would inspire young Jamaicans to more seriously consider learning the island of their origin.
Students can choose from a selection of topics related to the island’s cultural heritage some of which include community leadership, entertainment, education, history and culture, geography and national development.
Applicants must be between five and eighteen years of age and resident here in Florida. There are three age categories for the responses five to eight (5-8); nine to twelve (9-12); and thirteen to eighteen (13-18).
For information on entering the contest, interested persons can contact the JIS office at the Jamaica Consulate General in Miami located at 25 Southeast Second Avenue, Suite 609, telephone (305-374-8431 ext. 232) email [email protected] or the Consulate’s website at www.jamaicacgmiami.org
Saturday, July 25th, 2009, 8pm
The Premier Independence Ball
Hosted by Jamaica United Relief Association (JURA)
The Grand Ballroom
Faith Tabernacle Center Complex
7100 West Oakland Park Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Admission: $65
Special Guests: Consul General of Jamaica, Honorable Mrs. Sandra Grant-Griffiths and Mr. Strafford Griffiths
For more information call: Vonnie 954-937-3651 or Michael 954-856-4933
Sunday, July 26th, 2009, 2:45pm
Holy Mass
Our Lady of Lourdes Church
11291 SW 142ND Avenue
Miami, FL 33186
Love offering to benefit The Missionaries of The Poor
For info: Grace Lue (305)385-9298 or Veronica Lee(305)551-8813
Sunday, July 26th, 2009, 4:30pm
Jamaica’s Independence
Kendall Community Church of God
8795 SW 112 Street
Miami, FL 33176
Special Guest: Minister of Finance, Honorable Audley Shaw
Friday, July 31st, 2009, 1pm-2pm
Interview with Ed Bell, WLRN 91.3FM (Live at www.wlrn.org)
South Florida ArtsBeat
Featuring Independence celebrations
August 2009, 3pm
Annual Independence Thanksgiving Service
Caribbean American Cultural Group, Inc.
First United Methodist Church
260 SW Prima Vista Blvd
Port St. Lucie, FL 34983
Saturday, August 1st, 2009
Brenan Church of God, Inc. Independence Concert
360 Davie Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Saturday, August 1st, 2009
Jamaica Independence Indoor Jamboree
Jamaica Vintage Music Festival
Club Cinema
Sample Road & US 1
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Performing Live: Gregory Isaacs, John Holt, Etana, Singing Melody, Frankie Paul, General Degree, Honorebel, Tenor Blue, Teena, Ras Baba, Code Red Band
For more info call: 305-778-7228
Saturday, August 1st, 2009, 9pm
Buck Up Saturdays – Jamaica Independence Fete
Princess PM Productions
Grand Ballroom of Sunrise
7100 West Oakland Pk Blvd
Admission: $10 pre sold & $15 at the door
Music by : DJ Winston “Merritone” Blake
Performing Live : Tinga Stewart
Saturday, August 1st, 2009, 8pm
The 2nd Annual “Black Gold & Green Street Jam”
@ “The Truck Stop”
Okeechobee Rd. (U.S. Hwy 27) – North Of Griffin Rd.
Admission:$10; Limited Pre-Sold tickets @ $5 available at:
Truck Stop; Jerk Center, Margate Cooya Kitchen
And West Sunrise Sam’s W.I. Grocery
For more info call: (305) 794-8782 OR (754) 204-6443
Sunday, August 2nd, 2009, 4pm
Annual Ecumenical Service
Jamaica Consulate General, Miami
First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale
401 Southeast Fifteenth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale
Directions: I-95 to Broward Blvd., East on Broward Blvd. to S.E. 15th Ave., Make right, 5 blocks to Church
Recitals by the Jamaican Independence choir comprising choristers from several Jamaican congregations in the South Florida communities.
Reception and fellowship following service
Proceeds of collection will benefit HIV/AIDS charities
Saturday August 2nd
Annual Independence Dance
St Anne’s Banquet Hall
324 N. Olive Ave, West Palm Beach 33401
For more information: Contact Marcia Bodden at [email protected]
Sunday, August 2nd, 2009, 4pm
Thanksgiving and Ecumenical Service
Hillside Presbyterian Church
1879 Columbia Drive, Decatur, GA 30035
Wednesday , August 5th, 2009, 7pm
Cultural Extravaganza
St. Timothy’s Methodist Church Hall
5365 Memorial Drive
Stn. Mtn., GA 30083
Admission: $5
Friday, August 7th, 2009, 10pm
Festival Dance
Footprints Night Club
4185 Snapfinger Woods Drive
Decatur, GA 30034
Admission: $10; Includes Buffet
Friday, August 7th, 2009, 9pm
First Fridays
Jamaica Independence Celebration
Grand Palms Hotel
110 Grand Palms Drive
Pembroke Pines, FL
August 7-9 (not confirmed)
Bank of America Building Lighting
In Jamaican Colors
Downtown Miami, Florida
Saturday, August 8, 2009, 1:30p.m.
Louis Davis, Jamaican Artist
presents Exhibition of Work to mark Jamaica’s Independence
Southeast Regional Library, Broward College
7300 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines
Featuring MC Fr. Easton Lee and spoken word artist Nzingah Oniwosan
For more information, visit www.louisdavisart.com
Saturday, August 8th, 2009, 7pm
Annual Independence Banquet
Jamaican Association of Central Florida
Rosen Plaza Hotel, Orlando
9700 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
Admission: $65 per person; $70 after July 21
Featuring: DJ Charlie Brown and Jammin Band
For more information & tickets call: Hyacinth: 407-578-8141 or visit: http://www.jamaicanamericanassoc.com
Sunday, August 9th, 2009, 12pm
Jamaica Day—A Family Fun Day
Exchange Park
2771 Columbia Drive
Decatur, GA 30034
Sunday, August 9th, 2009, 11am
Ecumenical Independence Service
Dunbarton Chapel
Howard University School of Law
2900 Van Ness Street NW
Washington D.C.
Sunday, August 9th, 2009, 2pm
An Afternoon of Music & Dance
Organization of American States (OAS)
17th Street & Constitution Avenue NW
Washington D.C.
Sunday, August 9th, 2009, 10am
Independence Service
Jamaicans of Palm Beaches
Grace Episcopal Church, 3600 No. Australian Avenue
West Palm Beach, FL
Sunday, August 9th, 2009, 10am
Annual Independence Mass
Jamaicans in the Catholic Mission
Our Lady of the Lourdes Catholic Church in Kendall, South Miami
11291 SW 142 Avenue
Miami, FL
Saturday, August 15th, 2009, 7pm
Annual Independence Ball
Hosted by Atlanta Jamaican Association, Inc.
Renaissance Hotel
1 Hartsfield Centre Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30354
Admission: $85; www.ajaatlanta.org
Guest Speaker: The Honorable Seymour Panton, OJ; President Court of Appeal, Jamaica
Monday, August 17th, 2009, 7pm
2009 Marcus Garvey Rootz Extravaganza
Carter Hall, John C. Carter Park
1450 West Sunrise Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Friday, August 28th, 2009, 8pm
VIP Red Carpet Premiere
The Harder They Come
Adrienne Arsht Center, Knight Concert Hall
1300 Biscayne Blvd
Miami, FL 33132
Saturday, August 29th, 2009, 11am-2pm
Carnival on the Plaza
The Harder They Come Musical
Knight Concert Hall
2:00 p.m. Adrienne Arsht Center (Knight Concert Hall)
Matinee Performance”
September 2nd-4th, 2009
Annual Trade Expo and Awards Ceremony
Hosted by Jamaica USA Chamber of Commerce
Inaugural Jamaican Diaspora United States Conference
October 3-4, 2009
Sheraton Hotel, Fort Lauderdale
