NEW YORK, Sept. 19, 2022 — The Bahamian American Association, Inc. (BAAI), based in New York, celebrated its 110th anniversary on Saturday, September 17, at a luncheon held at The Sofrito Restaurant, 679 Riverside Drive, in Harlem.
His Excellency Wendall Jones, Bahamas Ambassador to the United States, was the guest speaker at the event, during which the association honoured 10 leaders or “legends.”
In his address, Ambassador Jones traced the history of the organization and told Bahamians in the diaspora that they had “a goodly heritage.” He called on young people of Bahamian ancestry in the in New York to build on the successes of the founders of the organization, which was formed by 10 Bahamian men who made New York their home in 1912.
Ambassador Jones noted that today, there are Bahamians and their descendants who are leaders and captains of industry or who have contributed significantly to the progress and achievements of the United States.
Among those honoured were: Judith Albury, an educator; Karl and Faye Rodney, publishers of The New York Carib News; Spence Finlayson, a motivational speaker and host of host of IMMEDIATE RESPONSE talk show on ZNS-TV; Franklin Gaskin, an artist; Robert Johnson, a businessman; Maria McDonald, Rev. Pamela Williams and Mary Sweeting for faithful services to the association; and Adam Clayton Powell IV for outstanding public service.
As part of their 110th anniversary celebration, members of the BAAI also attended a Church Service at Bethany Baptist Church in Harlem on Sunday, September 18.
According to information garnered from the Internet, in the year 1912, ten men of Bahamian ancestry came together and formed the BABI with the hope of “filling the needs for fellowship and community among Bahamian families in the New York area.”
“With the formation of this association, Bahamians coming to New York from The Bahamas and elsewhere could now meet, greet, and receive support as they pursued new jobs and attempted to reestablish themselves,” the historical background on the BAAI on the Internet noted.
It added: “On September 17th, 1912, the Association was duly organised, a constitution was drafted, and the bylaws were framed. The 10 Bahamians who founded The Nassau Bahamas Association in New York City were Austin A. Wilson, Rubin Clinton, Charles Sawyer, Bruce Roberts, Frank Russell, Robert Carey, Arthur Minnis, Edward Brown, Henson Styles, and Willie White.
“The Association’s purpose then, and remains now, is to provide a place of fellowship and community for Bahamian families in the New York area. In addition to its work in strengthening relationships between Bahamian nationals, the Bahamian American Association also serves as an example of what perseverance, tenacity and courage can accomplish. To date, the Bahamian American Association is the only organisation founded by Bahamian migrants to own a building in New York City. Affectionately known as “The Bahama House,” the Association’s headquarters is located in a brownstone at 211 West 137th St. near to the famed and historic Striver’s Row in Harlem.”
I should be noted that this information was provided in an article promoting the BABI’s 100th year anniversary.
However, other pertinent information provided on the Internet about the BAAI states: “During the 1950’s New York City became a place for young Bahamians to pursue their university studies. Like the founding fathers of the association, Bahamian students identified with the need to maintain a community while away from home. The Bahamian students found an open welcome from the Association. It was not long before students then established a student’s organization, formally known as the Bahamian Student’s Association. Mr. Ernest Strachan became the first president of the student division on June 14, 1959.”
In the 1960s AND 1970s, according to the information on the Internet: “The new student group flourished. They were vibrant and pioneering in their endeavours. Many of the members from that era returned to The Bahamas and made significant contributions to their country. They include, but are not limited to: John Deleveaux, Executive Director of The Bahamas Hotel Association; David Saunders of The Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation; Sir William Allen, former Governor of The Central Bank, and former member of Parliament; Gwen Kelly, prominent local actress; P. Anthony White, journalist, and numerous others. The founder, Ernest Strachan, went on to ascend the ranks of the United Nations, and upon his return to The Bahamas made many valuable lasting contributions to the Office of Foreign Affairs before his death.”
The information on the Internet, also noted: “Student–sponsored activities were also historically significant for the support given to the late Dame Dr. Doris L Johnson, leader of The Women’s Suffrage Movement in The Bahamas. Dame Johnson, the first and only female to serve in the Government of The Bahamas at that time, was a member of the association. While completing her doctoral studies at New York University, she received financial support from the association, and was instrumental in establishing a scholarship program to assist other students in the New York City area.”
