Jamaican Diaspora Launches Celebrations for Golden Jubilee Anniversary of Independence
(Miami, FL
August 8, 2011)—City of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado, and
Jamaica’s Consul General Sandra Grant Griffiths will host a
ceremonial launch “Jamaica 50”
to begin preparations for the Golden Jubilee celebrations of
Jamaica’s anniversary of Independence.
The event will take place on
Monday, August 8th
at Miami City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
A large number of
community, civic and diplomatic officials will join members of the
Diasporic community to share in the ceremonial launch which will
feature a selection of entertainment performed by local artists.
The items will include parade of national colors by the youth
group of the Holy Family Episcopal Church, invocation and libation
to the ancestors by Dr. Robert and Mena Vassall, echoes of Jamaica
by Rev. Easton Lee and the Sons of Mystro, and journey by drum
performed by percussionist William Stewart.
Highlight of the
ceremony will be the symbolic exchange by the Consul General and the
Mayor to further cement the mutual friendship between the Cities of
Miami and Kingston as both have shared a lasting relationship as
twinned cities under the Miami Dade Sister Cities Program.
A presentation
“Jamaica 50” featuring Jamaica’s national plan to earmark activities
throughout the year across the island and the Diaspora will be
presented by Mr. Sydney Bartley, Director of Culture in the Ministry
of Youth, Sports and Culture.
During the ceremony, Consul General Grant Griffiths will also
appoint a Diaspora committee to begin preparations for events across
South Florida throughout the upcoming year.
A Community
Reception will follow the formal ceremony, to be held on the Mayor’s
Terrace.
The historic
launch has been supported by several agencies including the
presenting sponsor – Victoria Mutual Building Society Representative
Office. Silver sponsors
and associate include Caribbean Logistics; Jamaica National Building
Society; Kingston Miami Trading Company; Golden Krust Bakery and
Grill; Grace Foods, USA;
Jerk Machine Incorporated; Grace Kennedy Money Services;
Western Union; Embrace Music/Rhythms of Africa; Jamaica Awareness,
Incorporated; Watson & Company, P.A. and The Golding Law Group.