THE BAHAMAS DIASPORA ASSOCIATION INC & ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
The 4th ANNUAL BAHAMAS DIASPORA
INDEPENDENCE AWARDS DINNER
Awards for Distinguished Service
6:00pm - 7:00pm
7:00pm - 9:00pm
MC: National Anthems Invocation:
Welcome: Sponsor: Greetings: Greetings: Greetings:
Greetings:
Introduction:
Introduction:
Remarks
Bahamas Cocktail Reception Diaspora Independence Awards Dinner Regency Ballroom Foyer Regency Ballroom
Jerry C. Butler, Chairman, Butler Investment Group
The National Anthem of the United States of America & The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Fr. Denrick E. Rolle, Rector, The Historic St. Agnes Episcopal Church, Miami, FL ~ Dinner is Served ~
Dr. Andy Ingraham, President/CEO, Bahamas Diaspora Association
Philip Simon, President, Royal Caribbean Group Bahamas
Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor, Miami-Dade County, Florida
Hon. Cardigan Connor, Minister of Health, Sports & Tourism, Anguilla, BWI
Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, Minister of Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries & the Environment, Turks & Caicos Islands
Hon. Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, MP, Minister of State, Special Initiatives, Office of The President, Republic of Ghana
Tyson K. McKenzie, Acting Consul-General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas (Miami)
Wendal K. Jones, Ambassador, Bahamas Ambassador to The United States Musical Presentation
The Honourable Frederick A. Mitchell, M.P. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Speaker Introduction
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
The Honourable Philip E.(Brave) Davis, K.C., M.P. Prime Minister, The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Presentation by Congresswomen Frederica Wilson
United States House of Representatives
Dancing The Night Away with the - DIASPORA AWARDS PRESENTATION -
2025 HONOREES
PARTNERSHIP AWARD
National Association of the Bahamas (NAB)
DENISE GRANT
Mayor
City of Lauderhill, Florida
HE ANDREW AD WILSON
High Commissioner of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to the Republic of Ghana
ELLIE S. HEPBURN
President
Elnet Maritime Ltd.
DR. SIDNEY MCPHEE
President
Middle Tennessee State University
TIM MARTIN
President
Tropical Shipping
RONNIE CASH
Junkanoo
Cultural Ambassador
4th ANNUAL BAHAMAS DIASPORA SUMMIT
JULY 26, 2025
*Subject to Change Dress Code: Business
FRIDAY JULY 25
7:00am - 3:00pm Registration Promenade Lower
3:30pm – 4:20pm OPENING SESSION - MULTICULTURAL & HERITAGE TOURISM Regency Ballroom
Welcome: Connie Kinnard, Senior VP, Multicultural Tourism & Development, Greater Miami CVB
Remarks: Solomon Herbert, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine
HOSPITALITY & TOURISM EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE - Regency Ballroom A VIEW FROM THE TOP
Thoughts & perspectives from industry leaders on tourism in general and why they are exploring some of the niche markets including Luxury Travel, Private Aviation, Cruises & the growing diverse Multicultural & Heritage Tourism Market, what are they doing to atract these growing segments.
Moderator: PJ Douglas Sands, President, Intl Multicultural & Heritage Tourism Network / Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Strategist, The DS3 Group of Companies
Panelists: Hon Cardigan Connor, Minister of Health, Sports & Tourism, Anguilla, BWI
Tanya Prat, Chairwoman of The Board, Bahamasair
Joseph B. Boschulte, Commissioner, U.S. Virgin Islands Dept. of Tourism
Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, Minister of Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries & the Environment, Turks & Caicos Islands
Douglas Sands C r Tanya Pra
PJ
PRESENT
The 12th Annual Intl. Multicultural & Heritage Tourism Summit Joint Networking Reception 6:30pm – 8:30pm
An “Island Vibes” Sunset Tropical Caribbean Cruise Reception on The South Beach Lady Sponsors
USVI Department of Tourism / South Beach Lady / PepsiCo/ NABHOOD
Boarding Time: 5:15pm Buses depart from the front of the Hyat Regency Miami for the South Beach Lady 1318 North Ocean Drive, Hollywood, FL. Please RSVP to atend the reception as space is limited.
All conference atendees Please RSVP in advance to www.multiculturaltourismsummit.com and select if you plan to atend.
SATURDAY JULY 26
8:00am - 12:00pm Registration Pre Function
10:45am – 11:00am Networking Break Pre Function
Sponsor: PepsiCo / Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation
11:00am – 11:40am BAHAMAS DIASPORA OPENING SESSION (A) Tutle
BAHAMIANS INVESTING FROM THE DIASPORA IN THE BAHAMAS
This powerful session explores how Bahamians living abroad can make meaningful investments back home through capital, donations, business ventures, partnerships, and the transfer of knowledge and skills We will discuss real-world strategies, legal considerations, and success stories that showcase how the Diaspora can fuel entrepreneurship, innovation, and long-term economic growth in The Bahamas. Whether you ' re looking to start a business, invest in existing ventures, or contribute intellectual capital, this session offers the tools to turn passion into impact.
Moderator: Dr Andy Ingraham, President/CEO, Bahamas Diaspora Association
Panelists: Philip Simon, President, Royal Caribbean Group Bahamas
Phylicia Woods-Hanna, Director of Investments, Bahamas Investment Authority, Office of The Prime Minister
Ian Ferguson, CEO/Executive Director, Tourism Development Corporation
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation Hartley Thompson, III, President/CEO, Microblink
HE Andrew Wilson, High Commissioner of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas to the Republic of Ghana
11:45am – 12:30pm BAHAMAS DIASPORA OPENING SESSION (B)
GENERATIONAL LAND AND QUIETING, IMMIGRATION LAWS.
The Bahamas Diaspora Summit is an International forum that connects Bahamians and persons of Bahamian descent living around the world with the aim to strengthen linkages as well as build alliances that fuel the growth and development of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas on the international stage. The Summit highlights the Bahamas Diaspora, which represents much more than our ability to produce successful Bahamians outside of The Bahamas; with our significantly untapped economic impact on entrepreneurship, development, generational wealth creation and the transfer of new and emerging skills, the Bahamas Diaspora can benefit The Bahamas if we create the linkages that can hold us together
Moderator: Jerry C. Butler, Chairman, Butler Investment Group
Panelists: Philip McKenzie, LLB., Atorney, Davis & Co
HE Ambassador Dr. Gilbert Morris, Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs & President, Milo Group
Edison L. Sumner, Principal, Sumner Strategic Partners
Zhivargo S. Laing, Sr., Executive Director of Government and Public Policy Institute, University of Bahamas
APEX Awards for Dist
MULTICULTURAL TOURISM A N
“A Tribute and Celebration of Individuals Who Have Made Significant Contributions & Have Positively Impacted Travel & Tourism Thereby Making A Difference in The Development of Inclusion & Diversity in Multicultural & Heritage Tourism.”
12:30pm - 1:45pm APEX AWARDS LUNCHEON Regency Ballroom
Sponsors: Black Meetings & Tourism Mag, Virginia Tourism Corp, Upscale Magazine
MC: PJ Douglas Sands, President, Intl. Multicultural & Heritage Tourism Network
Welcome: David Whitaker, President & CEO,, Greater Miami CVB
Remarks: Joseph B. Boschulte, Commissioner, U.S. Virgin Islands Dept. of Tourism
Remarks: Hon. Cardigan Connor, Minister of Health, Sports & Tourism, Anguilla, BWI
Remarks: Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, Minister of Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries & the Environment, Turks & Caicos Islands ~ Lunch is Served ~
Introduction: Dr. Andy Ingraham, President/CEO, NABHOOD SPEAKER
Mercedes Miller
President, Atlanta ATL Airport District Conventions & Visitors Bureau
APEX AWARDS PRESENTATION
Presenters: Solomon Herbert, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine
Gloria Herbert, Associate Publisher/ Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine
Dr. Andy Ingraham, Founder/President/CEO, NABHOOD
Jerry Butler Philip McKenzie Gilbert Morris
6:00pm - 7:00pm
THE BAHAMAS DIASPORA ASSOCIATION INC & ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL Present
The
4th
ANNUAL BAHAMAS
DIASPORA INDEPENDENCE AWARDS DINNER for Distinguished Service
Bahamas Cocktail Reception Regency Ballroom Foyer
7:00pm - 9:00pm Diaspora Independence Awards Dinner Regency Ballroom
MC: Jerry C. Butler, Chairman, Butler Investment Group
National The National Anthem of the United States of America
Anthems & The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Invocation: Fr Denrick E Rolle, Rector, The Historic St Agnes Episcopal Church, Miami, FL ~ Dinner is Served ~
Welcome: Dr. Andy Ingraham, President/CEO, Bahamas Diaspora Association
Sponsor: Philip Simon, President, Royal Caribbean Group Bahamas
Greetings: Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor, Miami-Dade County, Florida
Greetings: Hon Cardigan Connor, Minister of Health, Sports & Tourism, Anguilla, BWI
Greetings: Hon Zhavargo Jolly, Minister of Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries & the Environment, Turks & Caicos Islands
Greetings: Hon Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, MP, Minister of State, Special Initiatives, Office of The President, Republic of Ghana
Introduction: Tyson K. McKenzie, Acting Consul-General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas (Miami)
Introduction: Wendal K Jones, Ambassador, Bahamas Ambassador to The United States Musical Presentation
Remarks The Honourable Frederick A Mitchell, M P Minister of Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth of The Bahamas Speaker Introduction
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
The Honourable Philip E. (Brave) Davis, K.C., M.P. Prime Minister, The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Presentation by Congresswomen Frederica Wilson United States House of Representatives
- DIASPORA AWARDS PRESENTATIONDancing The Night Away with the
