Local

Tribute to Marcus Garvey in historic Queen’s Park

As Barbados continues to celebrate the Season of Emancipation, The Prime Minister’s Office Culture and the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) invited the public to join in commemorating the life and times of Marcus Garvey at historic Queen’s Park on August 17^th 2022 at 6 p.m.

The event highlighted Jamaican Marcus Garvey’s influence on the development of the Pan-Africanism in Barbados and the wider Barbadian society in general during the 20^th century and the first two decades of the 21^st century.

Queen’s Park holds great significance to the Marcus Garvey Day since it was at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed where he delivered a powerful lecture to hundreds of his supporters entitled: “Intelligence Versus Ignorance”.

Garvey Club Inc. U. N. I. A. (Universal Negro Improvement Association) April 1943 in New York City.

The lecture was held in the Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre and delivered by Rodney Worrell PhD, on the topic Marcus Garvey’s Impact on the Barbadian Landscape 1919-2019. Dr. Rodney Worrell is a lecturer in the Department of History & Philosophy at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus. He has written extensively on Pan-Africanism. His latest book is George Padmore’s Black Internationalism.

Along with a lecture, there were performances from spoken word and musical artistes.

Event Planner at the NCF Stacia Bryan said the date is an important one in the Season of Emancipation and the day’s programming seeks to remind Barbadians of Garvey’s impact on society.

“This year, we are presenting performance interpretation from spoken word and musical artistes reflective of the work of Marcus Garvey and his followers. As the NCF does this, we seek to re-educate Barbadians about the Black Power Movement and its impact on Barbadian People, politicians, Governments, Rastafarians, and the Pan-African formations,” Bryan said.

In the early hours of October 18^th 1937, leader of the Pan-Africanist movement and President General of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA,) Marcus Garvey sailed into Barbados on the C.N.S Lady Nelson.

Thousands of Black Barbadians gathered at the Pier Head to glimpse the revolutionary Pan-Africanist from Saint Ann, Jamaica. Garvey was greeted by several dignitaries from the local UNIA branches and the local Black business sector.

Garvey’s widely popularised stance on Black entrepreneurship and economic self-sufficiency, along with his crusade for rehabilitation of the African race had gained tremendous traction in Barbados where the Planter-class continued its dominance socially, economically culturally and politically.

The first Universal Negro Improvement Association’s chapter was established in 1919 on Reid Street/Tudor Street. Later branches emerged in Westbury Road, and in the rural districts of Crab Hill, St Lucy, Indian Ground St Peter and others. By 1920 the UNIA had a membership of over 1800.

The membership of the UNIA was comprised of the black working and middle classes, for example, John Beckles, JTC Ramsey, Clennell Wickham.

The Barbados Working Men’s Association, the industrial and business arm of the Democratic League that was formed by[Text Wrapping Break]Dr Charles Duncan O’Neale, was inspired by Garvey and embraced the philosophy and practices of Garveyism.

The UNIA worked closely with the WMA. Both organisations were closely monitored by local police and were subjected to heavy criticisms by right-wing supporters as they were seen as major antagonists of the merchant-planter elites.

Local

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.

Local

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)

Local

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