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Shirley Chisholm To Be Celebrated In Barbados From November 30

From this year, the life of Shirley Chisholm will be celebrated in Barbados in an appropriate way.

This was disclosed yesterday by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, as she addressed the renaming ceremony that saw Vauxhall Primary School named in honour of Shirley Anita Chisholm, the first black woman to be elected to the United States Congress in 1968. She was a product of that primary school in the 1920s, after being sent to live with her grandmother in Barbados.

Addressing a gathering that included United States Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Linda Taglialatela; the Senior Advisor to the Director-General of the International Labour Organization, Chad Blackman, and family of Shirley Chisholm, Prime Minister Mottley said it was no accident that our country’s Independence/Republic Day, November 30, is the birth date of Shirley Chisholm.

“It’s an amazing coincidence,” she remarked, noting that 2024 would mark Chisholm’s 100th birthday. Ms. Mottley continued: “We want to mark one year of celebration here and in the United States of America to celebrate the life, as we come to the centennial anniversary, of this great Barbadian and Guyanese woman, if we are to be fair.”

She stressed that she wanted the celebrations to be local and the National Primary School Debating Competition to be held in Chisholm’s honour.

She expressed the hope that the country would call on the Office of United States Ambassador and the Congressional Black Caucus “to be able to tell the story of a woman who dared to fight the battles that we are fighting now, 51 years ago, when she ran for President in the US.”

Emphasising the significance of such a celebration, the Prime Minister added: “The inequity that the world speaks about in income today, had they listened to Shirley Chisholm, we would not be reaping. All that we are reaping now with the culture wars across the United States of America and here…had they listened to her, we would have seen more people, and poverty would have declined not just in the United States of America, whose level of poor people, in fact, exceeds the population by far of CARICOM. Had they listened to her, we would have had a different approach to bringing people to the table; seeing people, hearing people and feeling people.”

Ms. Mottley drew the similarities between Rihanna and Ms. Chisholm, noting that the former is not just an entertainer or business woman but her “business model was nurtured by how she was nurtured in this country, at primary school and secondary school.”

She stressed Rihanna chose to form a company that produced makeup for every shade of human being and her investment in lingerie accommodates all, whether they are big or small, and this highlights that interest in all people.

The Prime Minister, in addressing the students present, acknowledged that she was inspired in her own political journey by Shirley Chisholm’s and what she wrote in her autobiography “Unbought and Unbossed”.

Urging them to remember that life’s journey is not easy, she revealed that like Shirley Chisholm’s, her own journey was not “straight or easy”.

“It is not everything that you want or even need that you will get automatically but it is the perseverance. It is the commitment; it is the discipline that will change the outcome,” she assured them as she added that there was the need to work hard as there was potential in everyone but they just needed to determine what they “do best”, believe in themselves and know that they can chart new territory and new ground like Ms. Chisholm and Rihanna. (PR/GIS)

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Remembrance Day Parade On November 10, 2024

Barbados will remember the servicepeople who lost their lives during World Wars I and II, with the customary Remembrance Day Parade and a short inter-denominational service at the Cenotaph, National Heroes Square, The City, on Sunday, November 10.

The parade will commence at 8:00 a.m. and will be broadcast live on national television and radio.

Several armed and unarmed uniformed groups will be on parade, including the Barbados Defence Force, The Barbados Police Service, the Barbados Legion, the Barbados Fire Service, the Barbados Prison Service, the Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides.

Wreaths will be laid at the Cenotaph by the President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason; Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Chief Justice Leslie Haynes, members of the diplomatic corps, and other dignitaries.

The service will be followed by an informal inspection of veterans and a march-past by uniformed groups. Members of the public desirous of attending the event are asked to collect tickets from the receptionist at Government Headquarters, Bay Street, St. Michael, from Monday, November 4, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

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Key Reminders When Considering Investment Opportunities

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is reminding the public to exercise caution when considering investments in Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes. While MLMs may present themselves as legitimate business opportunities, some can be risky or even illegal, leading to significant financial losses.

Here are some key things to consider before making any investments:

1. Research the Company/Person(s): Thoroughly investigate the background, business model, and reputation of any of the company or persons involved. Verify whether the company or persons associated with the investment are registered and regulated by relevant authorities like the Financial Services Commission.

2. Understand the Business Model: Genuine businesses generate revenue primarily through the sale of products or services, not recruitment of participants. Be wary of models that emphasise recruitment over product sales.

3. Check for Red Flags: Promises of high returns with little effort, emphasis on recruiting others, or pressure to make large upfront investments are warning signs.

4. Consult with Experts: Seek advice based on your financial goals and wherewithal from regulated individuals or companies set up to provide such guidance.

The public is urged to approach all investment opportunities with caution and conduct their due diligence to safeguard their financial well-being.

It is an offence for persons not registered or licensed with the Commission to offer investment advice, sell financial products or deal in securities.

The public is encouraged to notify the Commission of any situations where entities or individuals engage in these practices without being duly registered and/or licensed. (PR/GIS)

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Barbadians Continue To Benefit From UNESCO Training In Cuba

Barbadians continue to benefit from UNESCO training courses in Cuba, despite the country experiencing an island-wide blackout from Friday, October 18.

Three Barbadians are currently in Cuba participating in the Caribbean Cultural Training Hub of the UNESCO Programme Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, which was organised by the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana, and funded by the European Union.

Historian and Genealogical Researcher, Stacia Martindale, is participating in the course Designing Small Businesses in Heritage Tourism Destinations, while Landscape Architectural Technician, Kodi Husbands, and Assistant Coordinator and Researcher of the Barbados National Register of Historic Places, Rhianna Smith, are participating in the course Introduction to the Management of Integrated Development of Historic Centers.

They shared their experiences of being in Cuba and about the courses they are studying.

Ms. Martindale said: “So far, the experience has been very amazing. I’ve been loving the culture of Cuba and the general experience in class.

It’s really been exciting for me. It’s my first time in Cuba. I think I know quite a bit about Cuba just because I’m really interested in History. I’m actually a History teacher, so to come here, where that history has happened, is really, really exciting for me.”

Mr. Husbands, who is on his second visit to Cuba, shared that the first time he visited was on a vacation. “It really resonated with me. I got to understand the culture a lot more [and] I was able to identify with the people after speaking to them about their experiences and how they live. That’s what inspired me to continue working in sustainable architecture and design, and cater for society and the people, rather than doing it for money.

“So far, I’ve found different methods or techniques and practices which can be useful for back home in my field of architecture. And different ways I can further develop my country, whether it’s towns like Bridgetown, Speightstown, or Oistins. Or even smaller communities like in the East Coast, or in St. George or more rural areas as well,” he remarked.

It is also the second time for Ms. Smith, who previously benefitted from a course in June, this year, at the prestigious International Film and Television School of San Antonio de Los Baños, on the outskirts of Havana.

“This experience has been a lot different compared to when I was in San Antonio. Havana is a lot more active and has a lot more to see. And so, I’ve been able to immerse in the culture in ways that I was not able to the first time around,” Ms. Smith said.

She added: “We have been having some tours where we have been seeing examples of not only the restoration of historic sites and buildings, but also the repurposing of those buildings for uses that really fit the community. For instance, earlier this week we visited a daycare. But it was a day care for the elderly which doubles as a day care for babies, and so on.

“And so, what they are trying to do is to integrate those two generations and, of course, develop a consciousness of caring for the elderly. Things like that have led me to conclude that it’s been nothing short of inspiring so far, and I’m just looking forward to seeing where things go.” (PR/GIS)

Caption: From left to right – Rhianna Smith, Barbados’ Ambassador to Cuba, Dr. Sharon Marshall; UNESCO Director Anne Lemaistre; Stacia Martindale; and Kodi Husbands pose for a photograph