By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 10, 2020 – Mikhail Bullard and the other officers of the Bahamian American Association of Washington, DC & Mid-Atlantic Region (BAAWMAR), are to be congratulated for hosting this virtual conversation on “Advancing Bahamian Interests in the United States” on Saturday, July 11, beginning at 5 p.m. It is one of two virtual events being hosted by BAAWMAR to celebrate The Bahamas’ 47 years as an independent nation.
The virtual conversation should be a must not only for every Bahamian in the diaspora in the Washington Metropolitan area, but also across the United States, Canada, Great Britain and — thanks to the technological “miracle” of the Internet – every Bahamian with access to a computer throughout The Bahamas.
Traditionally, the anniversary of The Bahamas obtaining independence from Great Britain is celebrated in grand style with a series of events. Last year, for example, the 46th Independence Anniversary celebrations in the Washington, D.C. area got underway on Saturday afternoon, July 6, with a Bahamian-style cookout and picnic at Cosca Regional Park in Clinton, Maryland.
Bahamians in diaspora in the Washington metropolitan area were joined by a number of friends of The Bahamas and some Bahamians visiting D.C. to enjoy an array of Bahamian cuisine at the well-attended event.
The celebration continued on Sunday, July 7, with the annual Independence Church Service at Our Father’s House Ministries Center, 2598 Business Park Center in Waldorf, Maryland. Then on Friday, July 12, the 46th Independence Anniversary Reception was held at the InterContinental Hotel Washington, D.C. when the featured entertainer was Bahamian recording artist Lady E.
However, as Mr. Bullard noted in a post on his Facebook page, “Due to Covid-19 we won’t be able to have the traditional Bahamian Independence events in Washington DC this weekend. Given all that has happened over the past year, however, there is even more impetus for Bahamians and friends of The Bahamas in the DMV to connect to celebrate our country, culture and local community.”
He added: “BAAWMAR, partnering with the Embassy Consular Annex in Washington DC, invites you to join us for a Virtual Independence Happy Hour on Friday, July 10 at 6:30 pm est. We are excited to have as our entertainer for the evening DJ Ovadose from The Bahamas! Please join us for a Bahamian musical celebration through the live feed on our BAAWMAR Facebook page.
“BAAWMAR will also be hosting another of our virtual conversation series on Advancing Bahamian Interests in the United States on Saturday, July 11, at 5pm est. Our Lead panelist for the conversation will be H.E. Sidney Collie, Ambassador of The Bahamas to the United States. Our remaining panelists will be: B P Walker, MD, MBA, CMQ/OE, Founder of Plannotes, Strategy Advisor/Consultant; Chris Gardiner, President GKA, P.C./ Co-Founder C-PAC; Jamila Thompson, Deputy Chief of Staff /Legislative Director for U.S. Representative John Lewis & VC-Finance for C-PAC.”
