MIAMI, Florida, August 22, 2022 – Bahamas Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell along with Bahamas Ambassador to the United States Wendall Jones and Bahamas Consul General to Miami Curt Hollingsworth were among the Bahamian diplomats who participated on Monday, August 22, in the ceremony renaming an area in Miami’s Coconut Grove “Little Bahamas” and the opening of the Frederica Roberts Bahamian Museum of Arts and Culture dedicated to the Bahamian presence in South Florida.
After the ceremony, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-Miami), who is of Bahamian descent, later stated on her Facebook page: “It was a pleasure to celebrate the Little Bahamas of Coconut Grove’s official designation alongside all those who’ve helped make this day a reality! Together, we are finally honoring the role, history, and contributions of Bahamian immigrants in the City of Miami.”
In an article on July 19, The Miami Herald noted that a “swath of Miami’s oldest neighborhood has been formally designated ‘Little Bahamas of Coconut Grove,’ a recognition of the historically Black enclave settled by Bahamians in the 19th century even before Miami was incorporated as a city.”
“Miami commissioners voted on Tuesday (July 19) to mark the area’s cultural and historical importance with the designation, the second time the commission has formally named a neighborhood with boundaries by resolution. In 2016, the city formally designated boundaries for Little Haiti,” The Herald’s article stated.
The article added: “The naming of the neighborhood comes at a time when the West Grove is under pressure from gentrification that threatens to displace longtime residents, including descendants of Bahamian settlers and early pioneers who came from other states in the American South.
“U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Miami, told the commission that she was proud to support the resolution, which was introduced by Commissioner Ken Russell. As a Bahamian American, she said she felt it was important to give the area’s heritage and the descendants of Miami’s pioneers the distinction they deserve.”
Rep. Wilson was quoted as saying: “Today we’re taking a big step towards ensuring the contributions and accomplishments of the Bahamian people are rightfully memorialized.”
Continuing, the article stated; “Wilson also touted $2.2 million in federal funds she helped secure for an arts and culture museum to be built in the West Grove. Russell told the Miami Herald that the city is working with local community advocates on the early planning for the museum.
“According to the resolution, the boundaries for Little Bahamas of Coconut Grove are generally McDonald Street to the east, Bird Avenue and U.S. 1 to the north, Brooker Street and Armbrister Park to the west and Franklin Avenue to the south.
“Community advocates suggested the designation will spur tourism to the area by highlighting Coconut Grove’s history.”
