This was a high week-end in Washington DC as we celebrated the achievements of folks of Caribbean heritage who are contributing to the richness of American life.
This is the 16th. year of this awards ceremony coordinated by the Institute of Caribbean Studies.
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Usain Bolt was honored with the Vanguard Award for his phenomenal accomplishments in sports. Usain was in Mexico for a previously scheduled event with the IOC.
His main ambassadors represented his presence. Mom and Dad Bolt and his manger Mr. Norman Peart represented our hero.
Usain Bolt, the 2009 Vanguard Award Recipient.
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I was privileged to spend a few hours in an intimate gathering with some track and field die-hard fans to relive Usain Bolt’s major achievements over the last few years. To sweeten the experience, the guest of honor were the Bolts and Mr. Peart!
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The atmosphere was filled with joyful anticipation. The closest event I could think of to give you a sense of the mood of the occasion was meeting with Mary and Joseph after Jesus had fed the 5000. Even so, there was no trumpet blare when they arrived. If it was not for the give away resemblance of his dad, I would have missed their entrance.
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Wellesley and Jennifer Bolt are graciously humble folks who are still trying to put context to the Cinderella-like life they have experienced since their famous son bolted unto the world scene. His dad shared that he still pinches himself when he is settling in in some swank hotel in his many travels. They are pretty determined to stay grounded and remain contented in the district of Sherwood Content, Trelawny. He runs a meat store but the increased travel disrupts the store’s routine.
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Our kind host set the mood for a great afternoon. The food was delicious and the conversation was easy with these charming folks.
Both parents were athletes, thus explaining the multiplying DNA effect.
They shared his nickname, VJ, which he only answer from those he knows. His dad find himself calling Bolt, well Bolt as others usually address him.
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His mom remembers the determined toddler of two wanting to go to school. She agreed and he was off and running. At age five his marvelous speed was discovered. They remember his only loss, his first visit to national champs. It was a case of country boy go to town, and getting used to the logistics of the bewildering event. He vowed that would never happen again, and so we have witnessed.
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His folks were comfortable enough to share about his religious faith. His mom is a devout Seventh-day Adventist, but Usain had to make a decision about his athletics future given that most competitions are on Saturday.
His coach continues to support his faith development in the Baptist tradition. Along with this issue, the luring of the females is a major concern for mom. Mom remember being in Florida when the car accident in last April occured. Her heart was only comforted knowing that dad was there to take care of business. Dad continues to have significant influence in guiding their famous son.
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Our host then fired up the multi-media system taking us back to 2007 where his world coming out race occurred. The crescendo of stomping, screaming, and singing of the national anthem filled that living room. It was great getting the color commentary of the Bolts as they retold the details surrounding each event. The recordings were replayed repeatedly to squeeze every sentiment out of each event.
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When asked which was their most memorable event, they shared in synchronicity the 200 meters race at the Olympics. Mom was confident that he would break the world record, while dad had his reservations given that he had just recently been depleted by the emotions of the historic 100 meter record.
Wellesley and Jennifer Bolt with Chris Daley
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Well, the work of ambassadors are tireless. As the darkness fell, they were off again.
Let us remember this fine family in our prayers that they will have the sustaining energy to support their famous son, especially during these limelight years.
Jamaicans are always been a people on the move. We are a people who have a magnet for opportunity where ever it may be located.
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The continuing global economic tsunami has created a new momentum for a significant movement of peoples, from the diaspora:
Loss of wealth from our 401K and home equity
Increasing unemployment
Limited job prospects going forward
Constant retooling of one’s skill set
An increased sense of strengthening family links
are just some of the factors driving this renewed pilgrimage.
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As always, there is an easy way and a hard way to accomplish this task. Some fool hardily saunter into this experience and usually pay dearly for taking this path. Help is available if we just look.
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It was my privilege to enter into conversation with Dale Pilgrim-Wade who is a resident guru on relocation to Jamaica.
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Ms. Dale Pilgrim-Wade , relocation Expert
Dale Pilgrim-Wade is an Associate with Framework Consulting and currently heading up its Transition Service practice. She possesses a BA. in International Relations, with a focus on Latin America & The Caribbean and an MA in Counselling. She has worked as a Communications Manager with organizations such as the AAMC located in Washington DC, Kaplan College in Boca Raton Florida, and specialized in designing Mentoring & Retention based programmes intended to change student behavioral outcomes.
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Dale is no stranger to Adults in Transition, as she left a career as a College Academic Advisor who specialized in adult student populations returning to college to change careers, to now assisting expatriates settle in a new environment. She currently utilizes her skills and talents for by providing mentorship, support and guidance for expatriate families relocating to Jamaica and in the Carribean.
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Dale has been living in Kingston Jamaica for the last three and a half years, and recently co-authored the ” Trinidadian Executive in Jamaica,” a Framework Consulting study of Trinidadian Executives and the challenges they face as expatriates running companies in Jamaica West Indies
It was her birthday, and I wanted to affirm my friend on her special day. She however was excited about something far different. Her nephew had successfully been accepted in a local university and had joined the rich tradition of her family of making college an imperative. This was the third generation of college attendees for this family. Her family would be doing everything within their power to support family members to escape the vortex of male drop out of the education system.
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On any given day, nearly 23 percent of all young Black men ages 16 to 24 who have dropped out of high school are in jail,
prison, or a juvenile justice institution in America, according to a disturbing new national report on the dire economic and social consequences of not graduating from high school.
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Dropouts become incarcerated at a shocking rate:
23 of every 100 young Black male dropouts were in jail on any given day in 2006-07
6 to 7 of every 100 Asian, Hispanic or White dropouts suffer a similar consequence.
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While young Black men are disproportionately affected, the report found that this crisis cuts across racial and ethnic lines.
Male dropouts of all races were 47 times more likely to be incarcerated than their peers of a similar age who had graduated from a four-year college or university.
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There has been a dramatic worldwide decline in the number of men in colleges and universities. Here is the troubling fact.
Percentage of men in college in 1949 - 70%
Percentage of men in college in 2006 - 42%
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This could have been just another passing tragic headline, but we still have leaders that cannot allow such items to be tossed upon a pile of unsolved crises.
Rev. Bertram Melbourne, PhD.
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Dr. Bertram Melbourne is no ordinary leader. His motto gives some insight into his life philosophy.
“I believe in leading by example.”
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“He works easily with students and models what he expects from from them.”
George E. Rice, PhD.
Dr. Melbourne clearly understands the dire implication of this issue remaining unchallenged, and so in August of 2009, began to formalize an initiative :
Help to make college graduation a life goal for boys and young men.
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He and several colleagues gave birth to College Educate Our Sons (CEOS), an interfaith organization. These pioneers formulated an architecture that individual and community organizations can use to encourage, motivate boys and young men to achieve academically and be prepared for entrance into colleges and universities.
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It is now October, 2009, and this concept is taking root like wild fire. it has been adopted in all 50 states in the United Sates, and in 22 additional countries around the world. I had the privilege in conversing with Dr. Melbourne about CEOS.
Life is indeed precious, and so the preservation, and enhancement of this issue gets all of our attention.
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For the past eight months in the US, there has been a vigorous, and loud debate on how health care will be reformed. The voice of the politicians, insurance companies, lobbyists, tea party protesters boon across the landscape.
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Well, there is a significant component of healthcare that stays out of the political food fight ,and keep their eyes on the prize of training the new doctors the service our needs, and do the innovation needed to conquer the diseases still haunting our well being.
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Effective leadership is key to provide the ethical, and innovative framework to enable such a possibility.
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Dr. Albert Reece, MD, PHD, MBA
Well, we found such a person in Dr. Albert Reece. His medical school supplies 50% of the doctors for the state of Maryland. He leads to school that ranks in the top 50 in the nation. His concerns for healthcare generously spills beyond the bounds of Maryland and has touched the lives of folks in his native land of Jamaica.
He was recently recognized for his untiring effort when he was awarded the Marcus Garvey Universal Negro Improvement Association Award. Listen to the interview below to see what his contribution.
In 2006, he came dean tof the prestegious school of medicine at the University of Maryland.
Dean Reece received a B.S. degree (magna cum laude) from Long Island University and an M.D. from the New York University School of Medicine. He completed an internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University Medical Center and a postdoctoral fellowship in maternal fetal medicine at Yale University School of Medicine.
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In addition, Reece holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, and an M.B.A. from the Fox School of Business and Management at Temple University. He has published 11 books, four monographs, and 450 peer-reviewed articles, chapters, and abstracts. Reece is a sought-after lecturer, nationally and internationally, in his areas of expertise.
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An expert on the mechanism of diabetes-induced birth defects, Dean Reece and his research group have pioneered the discovery of the dominant biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying the cause of these birth defects, as well as methods to prevent these anomalies. He and his research team have also developed a technique for early prenatal diagnosis with potential for use in curative fetal therapy.
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Dean Reece is a member of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences, and he serves on IOM’s Board on Health Sciences Policy, the March of Dimes Scientific Advisory Committee, the Administrative Board of the Association of American Medical Colleges, and the Executive Committee of the National Council of Deans. He has also served on boards at several federal government agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality and multiple committees and councils at the National Institutes of Health. In May 2006, the National Academies’ National Research Council and IOM announced Reece’s appointment to a newly commissioned committee to monitor and revise the Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research. Most recently, Dean Reece became Chair of the Council of Deans for the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) in October 2008.
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We have the privilege of getting a few ticks from his busy clock to give us some of his keen insights into the field of healthcare, far away from the noisy debate that is shaping on national policy.
Suppose as a teenager you found out the details of a family tragedy and you felt compelled to find out the details, what would you do?
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Alex Haley, the author of Roots may have had a much better circumstance than Beverley East, author of , Reaper of Souls, the historical novel that tells the compelling story of the Kendal train tragedy of 1957.
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Beverley East, Author
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Her family had migrated to England, and her dad had silently borne the pain of losing 14 members from his young children, but now the puss was out of the bag. What would this curious daughter do? Well, with a resolute determination, Beverley sets out to find all she could about this tragedy.
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On vacations back to Jamaica, while others walked the white sandy beaches, Beverley could be found toiling away in libraries gathering every fact, every lead that would give her a full appreciation of the events and impact of this tragedy.
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The results is a historical novel that tells the story of the Scotts who leave three of their children at home before boarding an ill-fated excursion train. Using the backdrop of real events from the 1957 Kendal Crash, the story follows Eve, Austin and Esther as they struggle to find purpose and joy after suffering the depths of despair.
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This is no somber, dark tale, but a thriller extraordinaire, filled with conspiracy, child ghosts and a pile of dead bodies.
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This is the way author Colin Channer characterized this fine work as follows. ” Beverley East has put her heart and soul into this gripping family saga that shuttles between the past and present with the locomotive power of a speeding train. With terminal points in England and Jamaica, Reaper of Souls is a tumultuous journey teeming with characters who will live with you in memory for a very long time.”
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I had the distinct privilege to listen to Beverley read from her brilliant work, bringing alive the many characters to animate this compelling story.
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After listening to her colorful presentation, I just knew I had to get a fuller telling of her story. This led to the following interview.
One of the most influential phases I grew up with was:
It encouraged me to ensure I did my best and develop my talents to the best of my ability.
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When my kids came along, I had the privilege of tucking them in and reading that bedtime story. So happened the kids would get stuck on their favorite story and would plead with me to read it each night. Even to this day, I find myself reciting that story. I used to try to cut it short should I see them dozing off. I would loudly declare “The End”.
I was reprimanded to read the middle!
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Going to the local libraries was also a weekly ritual. We also managed their media intake through limiting TV time to educational television and the occasional Disney movie. Call me old fashion, but today I am very proud of my girls and their love of books and their love for learning.
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Yes, reading is fundamental. We however live in a media saturated world that undermines the development of this critical habit. The tragedy is there are kids who would just love to sink their teeth into some great reading material, but their minds are starved for the lack of solid reading materials.
This gives us a golden opportunity to support the illiteracy cure in Jamaica.
You have books in your basement, library or attic seeking young eager readers, or willing to sponsor a barrel to transport books, or support this worthy effort in some way. Your small effort will be combined with others to be the cure for illileracy.
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simply click here, Ja’nice’s Read Across Ja website.
September 7 would have been the 90th. birthday of Miss Lou.
Dr. the Hon. Louise Simone Bennett Coverley
She was a thought leader that use her gifts of words and presence to influence the Jamaican culture to embrace its preciousness. In honor of her, we share one of her works.
Dutty Tough - Louise Bennett
Sun a shine but tings no bright;
Doah pot a bwile, bickle no nuff;
River flood but water scarce, yawl
Rain a fall but dutty tough.
Tings so bad dat nowadays when
Yuh ask smaddy how dem do
Dem fraid yuh tek it tell dem back,
So dem no answer yuh.
No care omuch we dah work fa
Hard-time still een we shut;
We dah fight, Hard-time a beat we,
Dem might raise we wages, but
One poun gawn awn pon we pay, an
We no feel no merriment
For ten poun gawn pon we food
An ten pound pon we rent!
Saltfish gawn up, mackerel gawn up.
Pork en beef gawn up,
An when rice and butter ready
Dem just go pon holiday!
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We interrupt this fine work to share the wisdom of a passionate senior Jamaican.
More than our pocket books are affected during our season of economic turmoil.
A recession of the spirit can blanket our psyche. Our personal pain tend to lead us to become tight-fisted and closed-hearted.
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It take strong leadership to challenge us to see beyond our personal circumstances and practice a spirit of abundant living.
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I was privileged to meet such a leader at the Independence celebration a few Sundays back.
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As I was leaving the event, I was met at the door by a gent passing out a colorful postcard. It was an invitation to a Jamaican play that will be benefiting the fight against polio. My curiosity got the better of me and I needed to find out more, so I exchanged contact information with the card giver.
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Turns out that this civic promoter was Mr. Horace McCormack, president and CEO of HGM Management and Technologies Inc. This is an award winning company that provides businesses with the capabilities they need to effectively compete in the 21 century. This Jamaican giant practices the ethics of deep social engagement as he is also the district Governor of many rotary chapters in Northern Virginia.
He is spearheading the presentation of a block-buster Jamaican cultural event on Saturday, August 29, and Sunday, August 30. It will be held at northern Virgina Community College,( NOVA).
Take special note of the high caliber of the writer, producer , directer, and cast.
We are all excited about the Herculean feat of Usain Bolt in the great showdown in Germany.
On August 16, 2008, he blazed to an Olympic record of 9.69 sec.
Well, on August 16, 2009, he turbo-charged his performance to 9.58 seconds that puts him in the league of the immortals.
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We need to celebrate this marvelous performance, the new Berlin Express.
However, is our hearts and minds large enough to give a powerful affirmation to the Honorable Marcus Garvey, an extra ordinary national hero?
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August 17, 2009 marks Honorable Marcus Mosiah 122 nd. birthday.
His vision and perseverance gave millions of people a sense of unified purpose that still have practiced principles that can resurrect and knit together our scattered communities.
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It was indeed our privilege to have a conversation with several of the leaders of the Marcus Mosiah Garvey Institute.
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They shared some key insight to this giant of a man.
Do yourself and your youngster a huge favor. Pour a tall, cold glass of lemonade, or iced tea. You will certainly be inspired and get a new sense of the possibility!
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A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.
Take a journey back in time to your teenage years.
Yes, you had hair back then in the right place.
You had hopes and dreams of conquering the world.
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You may have had a parent , grandparent, a teacher, pastor, coach, church member, friend, boss who believed in you, and gave of themselves, because they believed in you.
Their contributions were large and small.
They paid for music lessons.
They provide rides.
They put some chance in you pockets.
They had you over for dinner and a pep talk when you were down.
they sent you to summer camp.
They sent you care packages.
Do I need to say more? Yes it took a community to realize our metamorphosis.
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Well, when we believe that the way we progress as a people is by practicing the principle of the survival of the knitted.
The Jamaican Nationals Association is launching their Fall campaign to ensure that all of our aspiring kids will have the extra boost they need to enter the circle of champs.
