(EDITOR’S NOTE: Thanks to Mr. Michael C. Fountain, Bahamas Honorary Consul to Chicago, for providing this well-prepared press release.)
CHICAGO, Illinois – Bahamian delegates led by the Honorable Patrick Adderley, Bahamas Consul General to Washington, DC, met with public and private sector leadership on their first mission to Chicago facilitated by Mr. Michael C. Fountain, Bahamas Honorary Consul to Chicago, June 09 and 10, 2022. The Bahamian Delegation traveled to Chicago in order to facilitate the provision of mobile passport services to members of the diaspora in the Midwest Jurisdiction, where over 40 Bahamian nationals from multiple states were assisted.
The Consul General was accompanied by Bahamas Department of Immigration personnel: Kingsley Smith, Chief Passport Officer, and Farieba Hepburn, Systems Supervisor. Washington delgates included: Janine Gibson, Vice-Consul; Felipe Major, Administrative Assistant; and Danzell Patrick Knight, Consulate intern.
Honorary Consul Fountain facilitated bilateral meetings with the Speaker of the Illinois House, the President of the Illinois Senate and executive leadership of the Shedd Aquarium.
The leaders engaged delegates regarding matters of Bahamian agriculture, business markets, economic development, education, energy policy, investment, marine science and research, tourism, trade, and training and employment opportunities for Bahamians in the Commonwealth and the Midwest Jurisdiction.
Honorary Consul Fountain and Consul General Adderley also provided planning details for the 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations occurring next year. Additionally, delegates took time to meet with members of the diaspora in Chicago at a dinner hosted by Honorary Consul Fountain and Executive Chef Jeffrey Crittenden.
Consul General Adderley and Honorary Consul Fountain will be working in concert to achieve actionable agreements with another round of higher level meetings in the fall. Special thanks to Donna Johnson and Dianna Walkine.
