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Consul General Harewood Outlines Vision For New York Mission

Barbados’ new Consul General to New York, Lorenzo Harewood, effectively assumed in-office duties on Monday, February 19.

During his first meeting with staff, Mr. Harewood outlined his vision for how the mission would engage with the diaspora during his tenure. He also spoke about the important work of the mission, how he felt about his new post, and his plans.

“I am honoured that Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, have invested their confidence in assigning me this duty on behalf of Barbados,” the Consul General said.

Mr. Harewood highlighted that the work of the consulate is extremely important for facilitating matters related to citizenship and immigration for the diaspora and other relevant parties. In addition, he said it has been essential, over the years, in identifying business and philanthropic opportunities that have benefitted Barbadians.

“The New York Consulate, in collaboration with the Barbadian Associations and other key stakeholders, has done an excellent job over the years of preserving and extending our cultural reach. Key to my assignment, among many other priorities, will be the strengthening of the Consulate’s understanding and appreciation of the specific qualities (skills, interests, and other resources) that are possessed by our diaspora, and representing those traits in a way that we can strategically access,” the Consul General stated.

In sharing his vision for operations at the consulate, Mr. Harewood said it included improving communication across the mission’s diaspora with those states that fall under its purview.  Those states are New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Michigan, and Illinois.

He stated that he also aims to strengthen collaboration with key institutional and individual stakeholders dedicated to developing Barbados, as well as to build the capacity of staff and relevant associations to ensure that the consulate remains fit for purpose in delivering on its various operations.

In the areas of business facilitation and culture, Mr. Harewood identified the strategic approach of establishing multiple Sister-City Agreements with select cities, thereby enabling an environment where businesses in Barbados and the USA can take advantage of each other’s expertise and notable competitive advantages, in a way that benefits both economies.

On his first day in office, and in keeping with his intentions of a team-centric approach, the Consul General broke with tradition and commissioned the creation of a staff group photo to be placed on the wall of the consulate. 

Explaining why the photo was commissioned, Mr. Harewood said: “The consulate is made up of many dedicated and talented persons that we do not often get a chance to see, hear about, or appreciate. This is the least that I could do to establish and make that a permanent fixture to remind us of their contributions.” (PR/GIS)

Caption: Consul General Lorenzo Harewood (seated, second from left) with staff of the New York Consulate. Seated (left to right) – Consul Angela Kinch; Vice Consul, Julianne Walrond; and Beverley Miller-Coppin. Standing (left to right) – Lynette Callender-Heaven; Michael Watts; Margo Parris; Jalissa Medford; Michael Straker; and Linda Watson-Lorde

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One Family hamper drive gets $75,000 boost from Sandy Lane Charitable Trust

Christmas 2024 just got a lot brighter for the 1000 families of the One Family programme under the Ministry of People Empowerment & Elder Affairs (MPEA), thanks to a donation of BBD. 75,000.00 worth of grocery hampers from the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust (SLCT).

Representatives of SLCT, including Derrick Smith, Grand Patron and founding Trustee, Trustee Pippa Challis, and Project Coordinator-Administrator Nekei Grant, were recently at One Family’s Warrens office to present the donation to the One Family Project Team. Present to receive the donation were Minister, the Hon. Kirk Humphrey, Permanent Secretary Jehu Wiltshire, Social Development Project Manager Nicole Daniel and Project Officer Lisa Holder. 

Minister Humphrey commended SLCT and thanked its Board of Trustees for their ongoing work in Barbados, and specifically with his Ministry, noting that such partnerships could help break cycles of generational poverty in Barbados.

“The government of Barbados is passionate about the objectives of this One Family project, and we believe in what we are doing. We see One Family as the first initiative with the potential to break the inter-generational cycles of poverty, a purpose and objective that traditional government agencies were not designed for. Traditional approaches have not been holistic enough, and One Family gives the first real opportunity to break that poverty exchange between generations,” Minister Humphrey said.

Commenting in response, Trustee Pippa Challis said SLCT was pleased with the ongoing amazing partnership with MPEA. She said One Family had positively impacted SLCT’s work regarding due diligence and background investigations necessary to make the outreach work more effective.

“Our partnership with the One Family Programme Team is truly beneficial to both organisations, as we work towards one common goal of achieving social change. Our ability to rely on the One Family team to provide accurate, timely and reliable information means that our assistance can reach the most deserving families. Whether it is providing beds, back-to-school supplies or food vouchers, we know that we are reaching the right families. That’s why this collaboration works for us, as much as it works for you.” Mrs Challis, further commends the team on their success with the programme thus far and the amazing job they are doing.

One Family Project Manager, Nicole Daniel, said the SLCT donation would significantly boost this year’s hamper donation drive, bringing much-needed supplies and tangible Christmas cheer to the 1,000 families and hundreds of children currently served by the Programme.

“One Family is not a hand-out programme but concentrates on holistic transformation to help every family reach a stage where they can give back to their communities and Barbados.” (PR)

Caption: Pictured from left are SLCT Project Coordinator-Administrator Nekei Grant, One Family Project Officer Lisa Holder, SLCT Trustee Pippa Challis, Derrick Smith, SLCT Grand Patron and founding Trustee, People Empowerment Minister, the Hon. Kirk Humphrey, Permanent Secretary Jehu Wiltshire, and Social Development Project Manager Nicole Daniel.

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Men’s programmes lighting the way with support from Light & Power 

Barbadian men are stepping up to mentor and inspire a new generation of male leaders to reach their full potential and light the path to a brighter future.

On International Men’s Day recently, two such organisations were recognised and supported with financial donations from the Barbados Light & Power Company (Light & Power). The Rites of Passage: Boys to Men program, led by Anthony Seale and Reverend Derick Richards of the James Street, Speightstown Circuit of the Methodist Church, and the Purpose 180 Foundation, founded by Nigel Jules, were both lauded for their contributions during a presentation held at Light & Power’s Garrison, St. Michael Headquarters. Both organisations spoke about the impactful initiatives they have established to support young men in Barbados. 

Light & Power said it was pleased to support programs focused on mentoring and uplifting at-risk young men.

“These programs are crucial in empowering young men to reach their full potential, and Light & Power is pleased to support and partner with initiatives like Rites of Passage and Purpose 180 that actively work to create brighter futures for the next generation of young male leaders.”

Both programs focus on mentorship, character building, and equipping young men with tools to overcome challenges and achieve personal and professional growth. (PR)

Caption: Light & Power employees, including at left, Communications Advisor Adriel Richard, and to the right, Chano Belle, Manager, Finance (Supply Chain) and Curtis Brewster, Supervisor, Dispatch and Quality Control, with visiting organisation representatives Nigel Jules of the Purpose 180 Foundation (second from left), and Reverend Derick Richards and Anthony Seale of the “Rites of Passage: Boys to Men (BTM) programme” of the James Street/Speightstown Circuit of the Methodist Church in Barbados (at centre)

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Yearwood wins first 5k Run/Walk

Kristian Yearwood won the inaugural 5k Run/Walk to Help 5k held on Sunday. He clocked 21:36 in the running race, 2nd place went to Ralf Luther in a time of 22:05, followed by Fr. Andy Nyga in 3rd with a time of 23:40. The top three runners in the female segment were Adeline Lamorell,27:17, Phillipa Sylvester, 30:46 and Sumaya Desai, 47:22.

Fr. Andy Nyga

The event was organized by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown and is a fund raiser for church’s ministry to the poor in our community as well as to assist the Child Card Board. What started last year as a fun walk now features competitive 5k races in running and walking. The blend of race running and walking along with fun walking should see the event attacking a cross section of participants.

Adeline Lamorell

Anderson Maughan was the winner in the walk race in the male segment with a time of 30:59, he was followed by Anthony Phillips in 34:50 and Akil Bryan in 37:40. Angela Jackson crossed the line in 36:31 to win the female walk race she was followed by Fay Waithe in 40:42 and third place was taken by Mary Moseley in 41:57.

Anderson Maughan

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