FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, March 3, 2023 – The Hon. Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama, welcomed the International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute (IBWPPI) to Grand Bahama on Thursday, March 2, as they celebrated the opening of their 14th Annual Board of Directors Retreat currently being held in Freeport March 2 – 5.
In her opening remarks Minister Moxey noted that the work of IBWPP is instrumental in protecting the interests of black women around the world.
Congratulating IBWPPI for the “global footprint they have left behind,” Minister Moxey said, “Your focus on setting a public policy agenda that reflects the interests of black women has a rippling global effect, as demonstrated by the fact that I stand here today as the first female Minister for Grand Bahama and a part of a historically female-empowered government.”
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Usha Pitts of the U.S. Embassy Nassau also welcomed the group to The Bahamas.
IBWPPI is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization led by a collective of inter-generational women leaders who represent the interests of women in countries throughout the African diaspora, including The Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Ghana, Haiti, South Africa as well as in the United States. Every two years, IBWPPI seeks to expand its representation by convening in a different country.
When they announced that their 14th Annual Board of Directors Retreat and Meetings would be held in Freeport, Katherine B. Smith, Chairwoman of the meeting in Freeport and a member of the IBWPPI Board, said: “As a Board, our responsibility is to help to develop and assess the overall strategy and direction of the organization in collaboration with the members and staff. We have a duty of care to ensure that the values, mission, vision, finances and operations of IBWPPI represent the excellence and highest integrity of our Membership. Our mission is to work in the United States, and internationally, to convene hearings and discussions to evaluate the impact of current public policies, and to initiate new policies that address the major threats to the well-being of Black women and families.”
Barbara A. Perkins, Co-Founder, President and CEO of IPWPPI, said she was “extremely excited about being in Grand Bahama for our 14th Annual Board Meeting and events that will include a distinguished cadre of local leaders.”
“We expect to share common interests that will result in ways to advance our efforts towards a common good,” Ms. Perkins added. “We are very pleased and thankful for the support we have received from the Corporate Community in particular, our Title Sponsor Doctors Hospital Freeport Medical Center; Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation; IL Cares Foundation; Grand Bahama Power Company and the Kidney Center Limited. Although we have a very intense four-day schedule, our members will also have the opportunity to enjoy the City of Freeport and the charm of West End, Grand Bahama.”
