(EDITOR’S NOTE: I found this BAHAMIANS IN THE DIASPORA article in the archives of The Tribune. BAHAMIANS IN THE DIASPORSA was a popular feature that I introduced when I was Press, Cultural Affairs and Information Manager at the Embassy of The Bahamas in Washington, D.C. for four-plus years before the change of government in May of 2017. I was unaware that it was published in The Tribune on Tuesday, February 14, 2017, so a belated “thank you” to the Editor of The Tribune.)
By OSWALD T BROWN
WASHINGTON, DC — When Buddy Hield and the New Orleans Pelicans visited Chicago on January 14 (2017) for an NBA game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center, the Bahamian basketball star received a warm welcome from a group of his fellow countrymen living in the Chicago area during a post-game “meet and greet” organised by Michael C Fountain, Bahamas Honorary Consul to Chicago, and members of the Bahamas Association of Chicago.
The association has been a networking organisation for Bahamians living in the Midwest United States for a number of years, but it has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years under a dynamic executive board that includes Cyril G Jervis (President), Dianna Walkine (Vice President;) Jeff Crittenden (Treasurer), and Esmeralda (Ford) Crittenden (Secretary). Founding member Donna Johnson is Board Advisor and Mavis (Simpson) Cargill and Wayne “Saldo” Saunders are honorary past presidents.
The association receives strong support from Mr Fountain, who attended its first meeting for the new year on January 28 and presented highlights of consular activities for 2016. He discussed the collaborative opportunities available to the association and the Bahamas Consulate to engage Bahamians throughout the Midwest Jurisdiction in 2017.
It is not surprising that Mr Jervis is providing the association with sterling leadership. His background and upbringing in a large, closely-knit family thoroughly prepared him to be an effective leader. Born in Nassau on June 18, 1960, he is the son of the late Hubert Jervis, of Nassau, and the late Evangeline (Major) Jervis, of Tarpum Bay, Eleuthera, who had 11 children — six boys and five girls. See the full BAHAMIANS IN THE DIASPORA feature as published in The Tribune at http://www.tribune242.com/news/2017/feb/14/bahamians-diaspora/
