JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS: February 28th – March 6th, 2015

CARIBBEAN NATIONALS TRY TO ENTER UNITED STATES ILLEGALLY—02/28/15
Ten migrants from the Caribbean were caught trying to enter the United States illegally off Miami, Florida. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency (GBP), the individuals were apprehended following warning shots and additional gun fire disabled their vessel. The authorities had been tracking the suspicious boat after it was detected traveling from the Bahamas without navigational lights.

LONDON ENJOYS POWERFUL DOSE OF JAMAICA’S CULTURE—03/01/15
The Victoria and Albert Museum in London in the United Kingdom has opened an exhibit of photographs telling the story of the Black British Experience from the 1950s to the 1990s. Included in the exhibit of 118 works by 17 artists are four Jamaican photographers: Dennis Morris and Charlie Phillips. The exhibit is called “Staying Power” and its goal is to increase the number of Black British photographers and their works at the museum.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITY A FOCUS OF 2015 DIASPORA CONFERENCE—03/02/15
When the 6th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference opens on June 13, 2015, one of the most critical elements of the event will be the variety of business and social enterprise opportunities to be discussed. According to the assistant management of the Jamaica National building Society, Leon Mitchell, the conference began in 2004 to encourage more involvement of the Diaspora with the economic, political, social and cultural features of Jamaica.

MARLEY, OTHER JAMAICAN HEROS HONORED AT CARNIVAL IN BRAZIL—03/03/15
Several Jamaican national heroes, including Nanny of the Maroons, George William Gordon, Marcus Garvey, and reggae legend Bob Marley were the subject of celebration during the 2015 staging of Carnival in Brazil. The Jamaican heroes were featured by the Ilê Aiyê Carnival Association as the island’s contribution to the activities of the African Diaspora. The Carnival parade in Salvador, Bahia, occurred between February 14 and February 17, 2015, during which time it was seen by thousands of people along various parade routes.

HENRIQUES REMEMBERED—03/04/15
Avis Henriques, former president of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, died in Florida at the age of 91. She held that position from 1975 to 1980, during an especially turbulent period in Jamaica’s history. She also served as president of the Private Sector organization of Jamaica and as head of the United Way of Jamaica. Before entering into civic work, Henriques was a language teacher.

PUBLIC TELEVISION TO AIR CARIBBEAN COOKING SERIES—03/05/15
The Public Broadcasting System (PBS) in the United States will feature the Caribbean cooking series of programs entitled “Taste the Islands” beginning in April of 2015. The series, which has seven parts, is hosted by Chef Irie and is the first Jamaican -produced series to receive national airing via the PBS television network. The program will also feature Caribbean celebrities, including reggae musicians, and other guests.

CANADA WANTS TO REDUCE NUMBER OF FOREIGN FARM WORKERS—03/06/15
Canada appears to be working toward employing more of its own citizens in farm-work programs instead of recruiting high numbers of Jamaicans to perform the seasonal jobs. According to Jamaica’s Minister of Labor and Social Security, Derrick Kellier, the government is aware that Canada is thinking about reducing the number of foreign workers it will use in coming season. Canada is interested in getting more Canadians to do farm work because of social problems in the country.

TWO JAMAICANS AMONG PASSENGERS STRANDED IN VENEZUELA—03/06/15
Two of the 13 passengers who became stranded after a small fishing vessel drifted into waters off Venezuela are Jamaican nationals. The travelers were going to Tobago from Marabella in Trinidad. Authorities in Venezuela say that liaison activities are being conducted with authorities in Trinidad and Tobago to verify the status of the stranded individuals.