The Second Diaspora Conference climaxed at The Villages in Coverley, Christ Church, last Friday in a manner that would make past and future generations of Barbadians proud of the wonderful music, fine food and a visit from a king.
On a night which saw a healthy gathering of generations of Barbadians from Panama, Cuba, the United States, Canada, Britain and a host of other nations, Minister of Foriegn Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, expressed appreciation for the great job done by the relevant parties in organizing the conference.
She also acknowledged the role played by the participants in leaving their various countries to make the event a success.
Among those attending were the Speaker of the House of Assembly Michael Carrington, Deputy Speaker Kenny Best, Minister of Small Business Denis Kellman and Senators Haynesley Benn, Irene Sandiford-Garner and Peter Gilkes; as well as Opposition Member of Parliament Cynthia Forde.
Pride of Barbados Awards were given to Reverend Dr Anthony Bailey, Sheila Holder and Julia Hollingsworth-Brown. The Minister’s Awards For Excellence And Achievement were handed to Barbados Canada Aid and Rhoda Green, while McClean presented a special award to Sheila Wilkinson, a third generation Barbadian from Panama.
Wilkinson used the occasion to show off her Panamanian outfit, while a mixed generation of Barbadian Cubans were presented with several books.
Jacqueline Lashley-Browne took the prize for the Top Producer 2011 – UK while James Altman was the Canadian champion and Gina Ashby-Blackett was outstanding from the United States.
The night’s celebration was accentuated by a well received appearance by ten-time calypso monarch Red Plastic Bag with his medley of top tunes, encouraging everyone to get up and dance while they sang along with him. (KB)
