– Enhancing regional engagement in local communities –
Miami – Saturday, January 20, 2007 —- In keeping with organizational development plans in the Southern United States, the Jamaican Diaspora Southern United States appointed a transitional regional board to further the engagement and involvement of Jamaican nationals and organizations in the Southern U.S. The Jamaican Diaspora Southern United States encompasses the States of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. With an estimated 400,000 Jamaicans in the Region, it is home to hundreds of faith-based/church organizations, alumni associations, charitable organizations (in the areas of health, education, culture, crisis support, etc.), social, sports, and recreational, education, law, and business/trade organizations.
The following persons have been appointed to serve on the Southern United States Diaspora Advisory Board as regional directors for States and regions throughout the Southern US: Andy Adams (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona); Janeth Simpson-Brown (Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma); Alan Alberga and Jason Walker (Georgia); Wayne Golding (West/Central/North Florida); : Junior Farquharson (Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast); Dale Holness (Broward County, Florida); and Jennifer Hue/Salomie Chung (Miami-Dade County, Florida). Presently, the Carolinas (North and South) and the Gulf Coast (Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi) have open seats on the Board.
Marlon Hill, Advisory Board Member for the Southern United States, noted “the Regional Advisory Board will represent their individual regions or states, interface with various community organizations in the respective regions, and provide leadership on the issues and concerns of Jamaicans living in the Southern US within their local communities”. Honorary Consuls in the Region will also serve as members of the Regional Board. In the future, the regional board will develop a more formal process for election and appointment within their respective geographic communities. The Regional Board will meet once a month to discuss regional organizational development, collaborative initiatives, and issues to be shared with the Government and private sector in Jamaica.
In addition, Jamaican Diaspora Southern US is in the process of constituting various working groups incorporating areas of interests among those in the region, including mobilization/civic engagement, alumni associations health, education, faith-based initiatives, national security/public safety, cultural traditions, and youth/leadership development.
The Jamaican Diaspora refers to and includes all Jamaican nationals and persons of Jamaican heritage (their family and friends) who reside overseas around the world. The purpose of the Jamaican Diaspora movement is to pursue a historic opportunity to unite and galvanize all Jamaicans, their talents, resources, and potential throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and around the world for the benefit of their local communities and the future development and support of Jamaica. To reach the Jamaican Diaspora Southern United States and Diaspora Advisory Board Member, Marlon A. Hill, Esq., call 786-349-2584 in the U.S. or 876-621-0102 in Jamaica; Facsimile: 786-551-0785. Communications are underwritten by Diaspora corporate partner and Jamaica-based company, My Virtual Offices, visit, www.myvirtualoffices.com or call 954-243-3164. For more information on the Jamaican Diaspora, visit http://www.diaspora.org.jm.
