Jamaican Diaspora Southern United States Update & Events September 2007

Hurricane Dean Relief Efforts

Although Hurricane Dean spared Jamaica with a direct hit, there were numerous communities impacted, especially on the Southern coast parishes.”The relief efforts have turned to reconstruction efforts.” Many thanks to all persons and organizations that stepped up patriotically to assist with a gallant coordinating relief efforts across the Southern United States.”A more detailed report will be disseminated in coming weeks.”Here is a summary:

South Florida/Regional:”Specifically, our gratititude to JDF Ret. Captain Suzanne Haik-Hynes (West Palm Beach) who acted at short notice as an Emergency Operations Coordinator, Barron Channer as a media liaison, and George Pedlar, as an organization liaison.”Suzanne solicited the able assistance of Neville Cuthbert (retired logistics/cargo executive) to coordinate ground transportation for the relief items in South Florida in conjunction with Patterson Moving (who discounted their trucking costs to the drop off sites).” Many thanks also to FedEx Ground and Staff who also assisted with ground logistics, packing, and warehousing of relief items.”Lastly, “big-ups” to AmeriJet and ITN Consolidators for warehousing and shipping of over 8,000 pounds of relief items to the Office of Disaster Preparedness to Jamaica.

Palm Beaches/Treasure Coast: Many thanks to Junior Farquharson for coordinating collection, sorting, and shipping of relief items directly to St. Thomas in collaboration with United Sports and Social Club, Jamaicans of the Palm Beaches, Caribbean Educators Association, among others.

Orlando/Central Florida:”Big ups to Sandy Isaacs of Break Away Moments for assisting withi initial coordination and balancing the dynamics of limited resources in pulling together representatives from the Jamaican American Association”of Central Florida, business owners, such as Quick Ship Caribbean Services, FiWe Caribbean Cuisine, Mark’s Caribbean Restaurant, Jam Rock Caribbean Cafe, Dollar City Plus, Taste of Jamaica, and Nev’s Caribbean Shop.”Many thanks to the number of volunteers who assisted with the sorting and packing of items, especially the students from the University of Central Florida.

Texas:”Many thanks to the Jamaican Foundation of Houston for coordinating the collection of funds under the auspices of the Honorary Counsel and collecting relief items for direct shipment.

Tennessee/Georgia:”Many thanks to Janeth Simpson-Brown and volunteers in Nashville for coordinating relief items to be sent to Atlanta and Jason”Walker of United for Jamaica for working with Allan Alberga of the Atlanta Jamaica Association in conjunction with Vin Martin, Honorary Consul in gathering items for shipment.

Most importantly, it is important to note that there are a number of individuals, organizations, and churches that made considerable contributions in their own right – as they have done in many years during other relief efforts.”We are still gathering information as to those specific contributions (drop-off points, relief collection and shipment, capacity development, community outreach) – but special thanks are extended to the Jamaica United Relief Association/Members Only, Lighthouse Holiness Church, Jamaica Assoication of Dade Educators, Jamaica Nurses Association, Kiwanis Chapters, Florida Organization of Jamaicans, ChristWay Baptist Church, Kendall Community Church of God, Holy Family Epicospal Church, Holy Sacrament Episcopal Church, Tortuga Imports, City of Lauderhill, City of Miramar, City of Lauderdale Lakes, Laparkan Shipping, United Way, all local Caribbean and regional media, and Food For the Poor.” Special thanks to the Consulate of Jamaica and Staff in acting as a central operations of communications and as a liaison to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management.”

OUR MAIN LESSON:”Our community is in dire need of the establishment of an Emergency Operations Center/Plan to assist in effective coordination of volunteers, packing and trucking logistics, disaster training, communication command center, organization liaisons, and warehousing of talents and resources throughout the Southern United States – if not the entire United States.” In this regard, a Working Group, “Public Safety and Emergency Operations” will be convened shortly in drafting the execution of this plan.

Jamaica Elects New Government

We extend our congratulations to the newly formed government under the leadership of the Jamaica Labour Party and Prime Minister Bruce Golding and look forward to working with his team in furthering the integration of the relationship with Jamaicans in the Diaspora.” We also extend our appreciation to the leadership of the People’s National Party (Hon. P.J. Patterson and Hon. Portia Simpson-Miller) in recent years in being a catalyst for bringing some structure to the work with Jamaicans living overseas.

We encourage all Jamaicans and organizations to continue with your passion on working for the good of your local communities and that of your homeland, Jamaica.”The Jamaican Diaspora movement will fall short without your voice and the continued contributions you make on a daily basis.”Please visit www.jis.gov.jm for continuous developments in our Government.”

Upcoming Events of Note

All Alumni Associations Steering Committee, September 22, at 10:00 AM, Florida Atlantic University in Davie (On the BCC Campus), in Room 432B of the Liberal Arts Building.

World Flight Adventure Gala – celebrating the return of Captain Barrington Irving, Saturday, September 22, 2007, 7pm at Florida Memorial University.”Captain Irving will show first-time video footage of his flight.”To continue support of his non-profit organization, Experience Aviation, visit, www.experienceaviation.org

Saturday night, September 22, 2007, 20th Anniversary of Don Daly on the Radio, 1080AM, Celebration at German-American Social Club. Featuring the Mighty Vikings, Byron Lee & the Dragonnaires, and Upliftment honorees. More info, call 305-255-999

5th Annual “Festival Celebrating the Caribbean” presented by the United Caribbean Cultural Association (UCCA) Daytona Beach Community College, Flagler Palm Coast Campus, Palm Coast, ( I-95 exit 289), 10am to 7pm (opening ceremony at 12noon), featuring the performances of “Lu and the International Crew”, “The Orlando Power Star Steel Orchestra”, honoring the life and legacy of the Honorable Louise Bennett-Coverley (Miss Lou). For more information call: (386) 445-2503 or (386) 445-6756

Sunday, September 23, 2007, 5th Annual Jamaican Jerk Festival, at Markham Park, for tickets and info, visit www.jerkfestival.com, featuring, Byron Lee & the Dragonnaires, Allison Hinds, and lots of food, entertainment and culture

Saturday, September 29, 2007, 6:30pm, 11th Annual Caribbean Bar Association Scholarship Gala, Westin Diplomat Hotel, Hollywood.”Honorees include Governor Charlie Crist, Hon. P.J. Patterson, NovaSoutheastern University, Hon. Winston Barnes.”Tickets and information available at www.caribbeanbar.org.”

Saturday, September 30, 2007, Ethiopian Lion Family Community Movement presents a day of culture and food at”Rev. Samuel Delevoe Park, 2520 N.W. 6th Street, Sistrunk Blvd. from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., For more information, call (954) 394-9399 or visit www.ethiopianlionfamily.org.”“ The Ethiopian Lion Family Community Youth Movement; is a non profit organization established since 1998, our main goal is to make a difference in the lives of inner city youth’s everywhere and to stir response to duty’s call while creating change through awareness of the need in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

September 29, October 8th, Caribbean culture envelopes South Florida -”Miami Carnival 2007 – visit www.miamicarnival.net“and Broward Caribbean Carnival 2007- visit www.caribbeancarnival.org – for all events and activities

If your organization is hosting a public event, please forward at your earliest conveniences confirmed details to CONNECT with the community at large.

Marlon A. Hill, Esq.

Advisory Board Member

Jamaican Diaspora Southern United States

786-349-2584; 876-621-0102 (Jamaica) Facsimile: 786-551-0785

[email protected]

Andy Adams (TX, NM, AZ)

Janeth Simpson-Brown (TN, OK, AK)

Alan Alberga/Jason Walker (GA)

Wayne Golding (North/Central FL)

Junior Farquharson (Palm Beaches/Treasure Coast, FL)

Dale Holness (Broward County)

Jennifer Hue/Salomie Chung (Miami-Dade County)