‘Tremendous representation’: Miramar builds ties at Jamaica Diaspora Conference
Miramar had a strong presence at the Jamaica Diaspora Conference in Montego Bay, a gathering for Jamaicans living abroad.
“In fact, there are more Jamaicans living overseas than on the island itself,” Janice McIntosh told the Miramar News.
McIntosh is the Miramar Police Department’s senior public information officer as well as the representative for 13 southern U.S. states in the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council.
The Jamaica Diaspora Conference, held June 14-18, is described as a “historic homecoming” for Jamaicans across the globe, including those in Miramar.
The biennial conference was formed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and features many ways to reconnect with the country, do business within it and help rebuild it.
“We had tremendous representation from South Florida. Nearly the entire City of Miramar Commission attended, along with many Miramar residents and community leaders. Overall, we had approximately 90 participants from South Florida,” McIntosh said.
Broward County Commissioner and former Miramar vice mayor Alexandra P. Davis attended, along with Miramar City Manager Roy Virgin.
McIntosh was instrumental in guiding South Floridians around the conference, working closely with Jamaica Consul General Oliver Mair.
Jamaicans who want a stake in the country’s future learned about how to get involved, whether through business, philanthropy or community.
To bring the community together, the event featured breakout sessions, lectures with international leaders, investment forums, a cultural showcase and a keynote speech from the prime minister.
Miramar Commissioner Maxwell Chambers, who is originally from Jamaica, said, “It was important for me to go because of the hurricane [Melissa] that happened about eight months ago. The conference is always a way for the diaspora to come home and give a helping hand.”
He is also raising money for a mobile medical clinic in Jamaica to bring healthcare to rural communities, and took the trip as an opportunity to visit his old high school and present them with a check.
“Jamaica is a small island, but we have given so much to the world,” he said. “I’m proud … to be able to give back to my city of Miramar and also get to the point now where I could give back to Jamaica as well.”
Miramar’s Caribbean life is vibrant. The diaspora gathers in the city for many Caribbean events, such as the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival and Selecta Showdown.
The Journey to Kingston concert showcased how important Jamaican culture is in Miramar, with legends from the island showing up and selling out the Miramar Cultural Center on May 30.
That excitement traveled from Miramar to Montego Bay.
“Seeing so many other persons there from Miramar, or from South Florida, that really was quite surprising, and to see that the conference was oversold, overbooked to capacity,” Chambers said.
