jamaican diaspora us report 2008-2011

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Jamaican Diaspora United States786-349-2584 (U.S.) 876-621-0102 (Jamaica) Facsimile: 786-551-0785http://www.jamaicadiaspora.org

JAMAICAN DIASPORA UNITED STATESADVISORY BOARD COUNTRY REPORT

2008-2011

To: Ministry of Foreign Affairs & TradeDiaspora & Consular Affairs Department

Cc: Jamaica Diaspora FoundationJamaica Diaspora Institute

We are pleased to share this report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Jamaican

Diaspora Foundation, Jamaica Diaspora Institute, and colleagues in other diaspora jurisdictions across the world. For the last three years, we have had the honor andpleasure to engage with countless numbers of Jamaicans and various organizationsacross the United States region. Jamaicans are special people and are makingextraordinary contributions to the fabric of American life, while upholding their affinity tothe greater good of Jamaica. This is the essence of the Jamaica Diaspora.

From Chicago, Illinois to Hartford Connecticut to Miramar, Florida, we have planteddeep roots into local communities. The work continues in building awareness of theneed for greater community organization and development. It is clear that the infancy ofthese efforts creates boundless opportunities and the rewards are evident with more

effective communication and engagement.

The Jamaican Diaspora is a phenomenon that will truly manifest itself when eachJamaican or person of Jamaican descent accepts their personal purpose and role in thebuilding of our community. Unless we choose to take ownership of this movement, wewill not fully reap the treasures of collective engagement.

In this regard, this Report endeavors to provide a brief summary of some of the effortsand accomplishments around the United States during the time period of 2008-2011.In the United States and around the world, this time period was marked withextraordinary economic challenges and uncertainty. Despite these hardships, the

Jamaican diaspora in the United States made tremendous strides in particular in thespecial interest areas of health, education, disaster preparedness, business andentrepreneurship, future leader development, and marketing awareness. We hope thisinformation provides a foundation for future development: ONE NATION Jamaica andits Diaspora in Partnership.

Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board, United States


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Governance Development

One of the key strategic action steps of the Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board is todevelop and improve the leadership and administrative governance structures for theengagement of the Jamaican Diaspora. Each jurisdiction maintains a unique legal

framework of operation. In this regard, in collaboration with the Advisory Board, theJamaica Diaspora Institute (JDI) is charged with research that could guide thedeliberations of the ad hoc committee of the Advisory Board.

The Institute endeavored to provide research services in two major areas: (1) a reviewof governance approaches of other Diasporas to identify best practices; and (2)landscape assessment of Diaspora Associations and groups to identify the major areasof needs that they serve.

In the United States, among the three regions, the Midwest-West region was the first jurisdiction to form and procure IRS 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. The US Advisory

Board recommended the following strategic steps to pursue the development of agovernance platform for the United States, as a whole, as opposed to individualjurisdictions:

1. Drafting and review of proposed national bylaws for the Jamaican DiasporaUnited States, Inc. (through the auspices of an ad hoc committee of legalcounsel);

2. Propose and approve name change of Jamaican Diaspora Midwest/West,LP to Jamaican Diaspora United States, Inc.;

3. Approve preliminary bylaws for Jamaican Diaspora United States, Inc.;4. Appoint organizational boards for the each of the three regions;5. Set regional meetings for the election of regional boards and officers (Fall,

2011);6. Develop strategic plan for national board (leadership, financial sustainability,

and marketing)

The challenge of the jurisdictional governance development is to foster a governanceand operational structure that will strengthen and sustain the involvement andcontributions of diverse groups while transforming the Jamaican Diaspora movementinto a prominent national and international body with strong influence on policy andsupport actions for development of Diaspora communities and Jamaica.


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Health

Healthcare has been a vibrant special interest sector in the United States. Under the

leadership of the Midwest/West Region, the Jamaican Diaspora United States andcollaborative partners, Organization for Strategic Development (OSDJ), hosted theJamaica Healthcare 2030 Vision Forum held in Minnesota November 3-6, 2010. Theinitiative also partnered with the Organization for International Development (OID), DrRoy Streete, president and the Jamaica Nurses Group of New York, Inc., and ClaudettePowell, RN, president.

The purpose of the forum was to develop the framework for healthcare in Jamaica andto foster a successful model for the Jamaican Diaspora Health Sector. Forumparticipants also included the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, medical, nursingand administrative leaders from the Ministry of Health; representatives from UWI and

Utech; and Friends of Jamaica medical mission groups. In addition, a number ofmeetings were held with key personnel at Mayo Clinic, Hennepin County MedicalCenter, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, St Catherine University Schoolof Nursing. Likewise, there was successful development of collaboration with theinstitutions in Minnesota, the Ministry of Health, UWI and University of Technology.

Forum participants were divided into three workgroups for development of key actionplan: Friends of Jamaica-outreach medical missions, Ministry of Health-healthcareorganizations, and academic institutions. The key action plan and recommendationswere presented to the Permanent Secretary and the key stakeholders with time-framesfor outcome. Recommendations from the forum included: (a) The Jamaica Nurses

Group of New York will recruit nurses groups through out the Jamaican Diaspora toalign their outreach efforts with the Ministry of Health, academic institutions andprofessional organizations; (b) The Organization for Strategic Development willcontinue its focus on recruiting medicine and public health professionals and use theAdvancement in Medicine and Healthcare Conference as the point of entry forengagement; (c) Develop teams of healthcare professionals, institutions, and non-profitorganizations to adopt hospitals and clinics in Jamaica.


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Education

In the United States there are over 75 registered Jamaican high alumni associations.

The Jamaican alumni associations and their respective coalitions in New York andSouth Florida have contributed to the social, cultural, and economic development of theUnited States. Through their fundraising balls, dinners, dance, family picnic days,sporting events, plays, fish fries, fetes, and picnic the alumni associations in the UnitedStates have mobilized the Jamaican communities in the United States and have raisedhundreds of thousands of dollars from these events to assist with capital improvementand recurrent expenditures in schools in Jamaica.

Regions continue to support international students through the solicitation of funding forstudents who find themselves under financial strain. Likewise, the Advisory Board isfrequently consulted on various requests for critical medical support via sponsorship

and volunteer surgery.

Business & Trade

Jamaicans comprise a high percentage of the base of entrepreneurs and smallbusinesses in the United States. In recent years, business advocacy and tradepromotion has elevated through the trade councils in the North East region and theJamaica USA/Caribbean American Chambers of Commerce in Florida. In addition,there are countless number of professional services and industry organizationscontributing to the promotion of Brand Jamaica. These organizations and eventsprovide great opportunities for collaboration and partnership.


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Future Leaders Initiative

The Future Leaders Caucus of the Jamaican Diaspora USA worked closely with theJDI, MFAFT and the Future Leaders arms of Canada and the UK to plan and executethe first ever Future Leaders Conference in Kingston, Jamaica in August of 2009.

The event was attended by almost 100 overseas Future Leaders and over 130 localFuture Leaders, including members of the Youth Ambassadors program thanks to theinvolvement of the National Centre for Youth Development and the Ministry of Youth,Sports and Culture. The cultural exchange was important for helping young Jamaicansfrom abroad form lasting friendships, learn about the struggles faced by local youth andhelp to counter any negative stereotypes local youth had of overseas Jamaicans. Theyoung Jamaicans born abroad were even more grateful for the interaction andexposure, especially being able to spend the time hosted at the University of the WestIndies Mona Campus in students dorms, thus giving them a sneak peek at dorm life inJamaica.

The conference was successful in many ways: (i) launching a future leaders website; (ii)developing a database of future leaders and areas of interest; (iii) providing a chance forthe exchange of ideas between local and overseas future leaders; (iv) providing achance to make suggestions directly to ministers of government; (v) learning aboutplans for Jamaica and how they will impact the youth.

The attendees especially appreciated the workshop on culture lead by Hon. OliviaGrange. They relished the stories spoken in true Jamaican style, learning about thefashion industry and soaking up the strong heritage. The USA caucus also took theopportunity to discuss potential structures for the Future Leaders arm of the movement

and identified key individuals who had volunteered to be part of the review team. Dialogcontinued after the conference for the next year and consensus was reached after anumber of drafts, conference calls and email correspondences. That structure hassince been sent to members of the Future Leaders website,

jadiasporafutureleaders.com, for feedback and all respondents agree with the structure.The next step is to have the By-laws of the movement amended to officially recognizethe Future Leaders Caucus and implement the structure that was decided on as thebest approach.

The Future Leaders arm of the USA will be fully operational in Fall 2011 when theJamaican Diaspora USA, Inc. is fully realized and elections take place at the regional

events. The website is also being modified and both the UK and Canada will haverepresentatives appointed to help manage the website and ensure that it isrepresentative of the entire Future Leaders movement and not just the USA.


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Highlight of Activities

Conferences/Meetings/Ceremonials/Events/Outreach

(North East) in conjunction with the NY Consulate, hosted a series ofconversations with other established Diasporic communities sponsored byHennessy, among those who participated were the Irish/American Diaspora,Indian Diaspora and George Washington University.

(North East) presented it's "Community Transformational Project" to the US StateDepartment Jamaica Desk & US AID in December of 2010 and is on final phasetowards request for funding.

(Florida) 2008 -2011 of Consulate's Outreach Program - servicedelivery/information forum conducted in Orlando, Lauderdale Lakes, Atlanta,Houston, Palm Beaches, Lauderhill, Fort Lauderdale

Jamaican Consulate Miami Honors: Community Award Ceremony (2009) Jamaica Diaspora USA Conference convened in Florida (2009) Advancement in Medicine, Conference, Minnesota (2010)/Kingston 2009) Creation and Launch of I AM JAMAICA Campaign by Jamaica Diaspora USA

(2010) Memorial Service for Hon. Rex Nettleford (100k proceeds to UWI Scholarship

Fund) Memorial Performance by NDTC (proceeds (200k to Scholarship Fund 2011) Lighting of Miami Towers in National Colors of Jamaica for Independence

(August 2010) Annual Ecumenical Independence Church Service (2009-2011 congregants Inaugural Jamaica Flag Day Fort Lauderdale, Florida (2010) Air Jamaica Recognition Community Reception hosted by Consulate, JAUSACC,

JAD-USA, (2010) Air Jamaica Community Re-Launch 2011 Receptions (Florida and New York) Rastafari Impact Symposium 2011, Nova Southeastern University

Visits:

Prime Minister Bruce Golding Town Hall & Reception Orlando 2009 Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, 2009-2010 (Florida, New York, Washington)

Minister Marlene Malahoo Forte (2010, 20011) Florida, Connecticut, New York Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington, Florida (2009, 2010) Minister of Finance Audley Shaw (South Florida -2009, Central Florida - 2010) Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade Dr. Kenneth

Baugh (Jamaican Expo, Fort Lauderdale 2010) Ambassador Audrey Marks, South & Central Florida (First Official visit to Florida

2011)


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Minister of National Security, Dwight Nelson - Fort Lauderdale (2010) Minster of Youth, Culture and Sports, Olivia Babsy Grange Fort Lauderdale

(2009- Independence - 2010) (North East) Hosted in Philadelphia of US Ambassador Marks with potential

investors a discussion on opportunities for investment in Jamaica - December

2010 Hartford Trade Council hosted US Senator Dodd, Ambassador Marks, & it

Congressional Delegation of CT a two day trade & invest Expo

Sports:

Team Jamaica Bikkle, New York Annual sponsorship & support to Jamaicancompetitors Penn Relays, Philadelphia

JURA sponsored Community Reception in honor of Jamaican Olympic Team,(Fundraiser for JAA 200k), Florida

Community Coalitions/Activities to promote Education, Cultural Arts, Trade,Investment:

(North East) Hosted Dr. Peter Phillips representing the Mutual Society EducationCenter of Excellence in November of 2009

(North East) Support of the St James High School Upliftment project. (North East) Supported the Columbia University Caribbean Student Association

on their education projects in St Mary and Grenada 2010 & 2011 (North East) Donated over 5000 books to launch Sargantville Library in St

Catherine

Independence Celebration: Annual Independence Ball in New York (raising overUS$20,000:00) for several charities in NY

Annual Flag raising ceremony in New Jersey ( 2009,2010) East Orange &Patterson

(North East) Hosted several Jamaican entertainers like Oliver Samuels, GraceThrillers.

(North East)Hosted several Independence Church Services in New York, NewJersey, CT, MA & DC

(North East) Trade & Invest Sector hosted IDEAS & Royal Caribbean CruiseLine Int'l on Investment Opportunities on Falmouth Pier, March 2010

Friends of Trelawny hosted Scotia Bank, Trelawny Chamber of Commerce,

Falmouth Mayor Gager & MP at it's annual Symposium on Trelawny May(2009,10 & 11)

Gore Developer in conjunction with the NE DIaspora held several Seminars onHousing investments in Trelawny & St. Catherine in July - August 2010.

NE organized Trade & Invest Mission in Philadelphia, New York & New Jersey;


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Jamaica Organization of New Jersey in conjunction with the Somerset NJ Countyheld in 2009, 2010 & 2011 a Taste of Jamaica in Franklin Township New Jerseyshowcasing Jamaican culture and products.

(Florida) True Blue Weekend hosted by Jamaica high school alumni incollaboration with City of Miramar (2010,2011 - Florida)

(Florida) Establishment of the Coalition of Jamaican AlumniAssociations/Inaugural Education Fundraising Walk in collaboration with City ofLauderdale Lakes (Dec 2010)

Friends of Trelawny Association (FOTA) Reunion Weekend, New York (2010,2011)

Annual Jamaica Business Expo by Jamaica-USA Chamber of Commerce (May2010, 2011)

Annual Jamaica Jerk Festival (Branded by GKRS 2010 - 15,000 visitors), FortLauderdale, Florida

Annual Marley fest/ Best of the Best, Miami, Florida US Premier of the Harder They Come (2009) in collaboration with Arsht Center

for the Performing Arts Premier of Jamaican Pantomime written/produced by Jamaica Folk Revue,

Florida (May 2011) Rhythms of Africa Inaugural (Arts Inspire 2010) in collaboration with Broward

Center for the Performing Arts Launch of Publications re Seminal Work on /by Past Prime Ministers, Michael

Manley, Edward Seaga as well as various artists, academics, 2008-2011 Enhancement of Sister Cities relationships: Lauderhill, Florida with Falmouth,

Trelawny; City of Miami , Florida with City of Kingston; Coconut Grove, Floridawith Port Antonio, Portland; Inglewood, California, Port Antonio, Portland;Lakeland, Florida with Portmore, St. Catherine; Atlanta, Georgia with Montego

Bay

The development of the Jamaican Diaspora United States is indebted to countlessnumbers of organizations and businesses in furthering the mission of galvanizing thetalents and resources of Jamaicans and Jamaican organizations for benefit of our localcommunities and the greater good of Jamaica. Our thanks to the Embassy of Jamaica,Consulate of Jamaica (New York and Miami), NAJASO, the Mayors of Patterson,Somerset, East Orange New Jersey, NJ, Hartford, and Connecticut Congressionaldelegations, Governor Deval Patrick, MA, Boston City Council, Royal Caribbean CruiseLines, Air Jamaica, Grace Kennedy/Western Union, Publix, Kingston Miami Trading,

LEASA, Ocho Rios, Victoria Mutual Building Society, Jamaica National, My VirtualOffices, Broward County Performing Arts Center, Columbia University, NovaSoutheastern University, University of Miami, Florida Atlantic University, ChristwayBaptist Church, Holy Family Episcopal Church, Jamaica Awareness, local print, radio,and internet media, and the hundreds of community organizations that form networkswithin the diaspora, among others.

jamaican diaspora us report 2008-2011

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