Consul General Basil Bryan Visits Boston By: Gus Corbin |
Distinguished visitor to the Bay State, Dr. Basil K. Bryan, Consul General of Jamaica had a busy schedule, including meeting with members of the Coalition of Jamaican Organizations, who hosted his first visit to Boston. Highlights of the visit were a community meeting at Roxbury Community College, and a dinner and dance held at the now famous Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center Complex just across the road from RCC on Columbus Ave. and New Dudley Street. His schedule included appearances on WILD, and WERS radios, meetings with Andrew Natsios, Secretary of Finance & Administration, Mass. Black Legislative Caucus, Jamaican educators and business community. Popular Senator Dianne Wilkerson and State Representative Gloria Fox presented citations to Dr. Bryan on behalf of the Senate and the House of Representatives respectively, at the community meeting. At this meeting Dr. Bryan spoke eloquently to the audience of Jamaicans, and other Caribbean nationals, about "The State of Jamaica & Its Diaspora". He said, "It is wonderful to be a Jamaican. We know that we have produced authentic Reggae music, and most of all we have produced good people. We have produced people who have migrated to other countries in search of opportunities for themselves, and to make a better life for their families." |
Continuing, he said, "There is a spirit in Jamaicans, which says I can do it, give me the chance and I will do it. I want to thank the overseas Jamaican community for their strong support. We know that the barrels and envelopes that you send, goes to support communities, churches, schools, and individuals. It equals over 6 hundred million dollars. We need to stand up and take our place in the sun. You are Ambassadors for your country. Remember no matter how big or small you are, you can be a force for social change." Dr. Bryan spoke about economic opportunities in which overseas Jamaicans can get involved. In the question and answer segment, dual citizenship and a visit by the Reggae Boys to Boston were answered in the affirmative. The career diplomat repeated the call for unity among Jamaican organizations at the dinner and dance. He took over this position after the loss of the popular Hon. Kay Baxter Collins, who passed away about two years ago. The Coalition of Jamaican Organizations (COJO) was formed in March 1999, bringing together organizations and individuals of Boston to promote and enhance the broad interest of the Jamaican community. Karen Alphonse spoke briefly of the goals and objective of COJO. Jamaica's Honorary Consul of Boston Dr. Kenneth Guscott did the honors of introducing the distinguished visitor to the audience, and well-known Leo Williams was MC at both events. ¨ |