Saint Lucians in Florida Celebrate

Saint Lucia’s 36th Independence anniversary was celebrated in grand style on Saturday, February 21st, 2015 with a Gala hosted by Consul General of Saint Lucia in Miami, Kent Hippolyte. For the first time this occasion united the Consulate with three diaspora groups in South Florida: The Children of Helen Alliance Inc., a four-year-old organization which focuses on promoting educational, social and cultural interaction amongst Saint Lucians to contribute towards the empowerment of people of St Lucian heritage; the St. Lucian Friendly Society which serves as a source of critical support for Saint Lucians at home and abroad with expenses associated with one of the most difficult and inevitable moments of life – the death of loved ones; and the Saint Lucia Association of South Florida Inc., the oldest of the groups having been established almost twenty nine years ago and whose mission is to collaborate with the St. Lucia Diaspora in Florida, to contribute, facilitate, and promote solutions for the enrichment of the lives of citizens in St. Lucia and in Florida. All came together in a fine display of unity and common ground.

The Independence Gala was held at the Signature Grand in Davie, Florida with Saint Lucia’s Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs, Dr. June Soomer as the guest speaker. In her speech Ambassador Soomer urged Saint Lucians to remember Saint Lucia’s “coup de main” tradition and to embark on an independence journey of upliftment, one “about our humanity; about our love for self, for each other, for our country, for our good earth”.

On Sunday, February 22nd a church service was held at the St. Bartholomew Catholic Church on Miramar Parkway. This was followed by a brunch where Ambassador Soomer again addressed the Diaspora. The Ambassador encouraged Saint Lucians to take up the challenge of being investors in their own country. Investment in Saint Lucia, according to the Ambassador, did not have to come from only rich countries or large companies. Everyday Saint Lucians could pool resources together in smart, innovative ways, raise funds and build powerful, successful companies themselves to invest in their island home. She also encouraged Diaspora organizations to expand their membership base, particularly among the youth, and underlined the importance of Saint Lucians not being risk averse, actively exploring fund raising, risk management, finance and investment in an effort to be champions of their own development.

A first time united effort, it is hoped that this year’s celebration of Independence in Florida becomes a model annual event, encouraging togetherness, upliftment and progress.