Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: ‘Culture and Youth in The Park’ – Part of Community Outreach
#Bahamas, February 15, 2018 – Nassau – Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Michael Pintard said that the “Culture and Youth in the Park” event his Ministry held, on February 10, 2018, was a part of community outreach and a way to encourage and recognize the youth and culturally-minded persons 
throughout The Bahamas.
“Essentially, we believe that it is important to interact with our young people in positive ways,” Minister Pintard said at the event, which was held on the George “Busta” Brown Park, in the Bain and Grants Town community.
“In other words, persons who are in the historic communities, like Bain Town or the Over-The-Hill community, their interaction with government should not be through the police and through Social Services and some of the agencies that suggest something else. We believe it ought to be positive engagement.
“What we are seeking to do, as part of the revitalisation programme forged by the Prime Minister (the Hon. Hubert Minnis), is to do similar types of programmes that have been done by (Ministry of) Labour, through Labour on the Blocks; through Urban Renewal — through the initiatives they have launched; and now we are bringing culture to the park as well as youth outreach — where we are interacting with young people, talking about positive choices that they can make, opportunities that exist, and organizations that they can join.”
Among those present for the opening ceremony were: Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, Travis L. Robinson, the Ministry’s Director of Culture Rowena Sutherland, Director of Youth and Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary K. Darron Turnquest, Project Co-ordinator Henry Higgins, Founder and Chair of the Eneas Street Festival Bridgette Seymour, community activist Rev. Dr. C. B. Moss, Woman Police Corporal and founder of The Bahamas International Drill Team Keva J. N. Major, Junkanoo icon and cultural businessman Quentin “Barabbas” Woodside, and government and civic stakeholders.
“Many of the groups that are here are from Bain Town: we have the International Drill Team ‘in the house’; we have the marching bands here, Barabbas and the Tribe, and Geno D will be coming through,” Minister Pintard said.
He noted that Jr. Miss Galaxy Bahamas Maleah Gabrielle Miller, marching bands, church groups, dance troupes, and a multitude of others came out to interact with the young people in the community at the park. Bahamian ‘Limbo and Fire King,’ Leroy “Sweet Boy Leroy” Butler also interacted with the children present and performed for scores of cheering “new fans.”
“You can look at the enthusiasm of the young people who are here,” he pointed out. He added that the vendors at the event were also from the community.
“We believe that when you are generating income it should be for those who are from the community, as opposed to people who are coming in, earning revenue and leaving,” Minister Pintard said.
“We are excited to be here in this community,” Minister Pintard said.
Director of Culture Rowena Sutherland said, “Culture and Youth in the Park is a part of a wider initiative that the Ministry is embarking on to support creative and cultural artists in The Bahamas; and the Ministry seeks to uplift the various neighbourhoods throughout The Bahamas.”
She added that it was a national plan the Ministry is executing, the goal being to go into every constituency and empower them by finding out what their needs are, who are their cultural and religious leaders, and to give them the structural support they need; and then, in turn, have events and to create safe spaces for the residents to enjoy.
“Saturday’s event in Bain and Grants Town was most successful,” Director Sutherland said. “Nearly all of the children in the neighbourhood came out and were very engaged – they had a positive activity to engage in.”
“We also had a lot of support from the leaders of the community in organizing the event; so that they felt that it was ‘theirs’; and it was a beautiful outpouring of community, of art, and of love,” she added.
Director Sutherland echoed Minister Pintard’s sentiments, saying that the Ministry seeks to promote the creative and cultural community and the Culture and Youth in the Park initiative will be a contributing catalyst in the development of the creative and cultural arts community. She also noted that vendors were able to sell their wares from 3 pm to 9 pm, providing for a large window of opportunity for sales that evening.
“We are going to move to Centreville,” Minister Pintard noted. “We are going to be in Englerston, Pinewood Gardens, Nassau Village — we are going to be in every community in New Providence and, of course, by extension in the Family Islands.”
By: Eric Rose (BIS)
Photo captions:
Header: Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, Travis L. Robinson speaks, on February 10, 2018, at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s “Culture and Youth in the Park”, held on the George “Busta” Brown Park, in the Bain and Grants Town community.
First insert: Junkanoo icon and cultural businessman Quentin “Barabbas” Woodside leads young boys in the community in various traditional beats, on February 10, 2018, at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s “Culture and Youth in the Park.”
Second insert: Local children scream for Bahamian ‘Limbo and Fire King,’ Leroy “Sweet Boy Leroy” Butler to go lower, on February 10, 2018, at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s “Culture and Youth in the Park.”
Third insert: Adults show the children how to properly jump rope and “look good doing it.”
Nassau, Bahamas, 22 September 2026 – Six Bahamians whose service is making a difference in communities across the country were recently celebrated by CIBC Caribbean as the bank brought together its top 2026 Unsung Heroes finalists for a special recognition event.
The 2026 finalists were Kristin Butler-Beneby, Dinola Williamson, Amanda Knowles, Tamara Clarke, Ruth Fawkes, and Jaquay Adderley.
During the event, CIBC Caribbean also announced Dinola Williamson as the first runner-up in this year’s program. Williamson is an educator and community activist who has spent more than two decades in education and leads the Family Better Together Kabbalistic Kids Club. Her community work has reached children in Englerston, Fox Hill, Acklins, Crooked Island, and Grand Bahama through mentorship and activities designed to support their holistic development.
CIBC Caribbean Head of Country Terrance Gibson said the gathering was intentionally focused on celebrating the collective impact of the finalists.
“Unsung Heroes is about recognizing the people who may not always receive the spotlight, but whose commitment is felt every day in the lives of the people and communities they serve,” he said.
“While Kristin emerged as our 2026 Unsung Hero, and Dinola as our runner-up, each nominee represents the spirit of this program. They
saw needs in their communities and made the decision to act, to serve, and to keep showing up. CIBC Caribbean is proud to recognize them and to help bring greater attention to the work they are doing.”
The recognition event also brought together members of the judging panel who reviewed this year’s nominations and selected the program’s honorees. The panel comprised Olympic gold medalist Tonique Williams, Bahamas Red Cross President Edison Sumner, Guardian Lifestyles Editor Shavaughn Moss, and Organization for Responsible Governance Executive Director Matt Aubry.
During the event, each finalist spoke about the community work that led to their nomination. The judges were also recognized for lending their time and expertise to the selection process.
Gibson added, “Recognition is important, but we also hope that sharing these stories encourages others to look around their own communities, see where they can make a difference, and act.
“Our Unsung Heroes remind us that meaningful change often begins with an individual who simply decides to help.”
Bahamas News
Public Hospitals Authority Foundation Donates Dialysis Machines to Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH)
The Bahamas, September 21, 2026 – The Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) Foundation, a philanthropic organization launched in January 2024 to support public hospitals and healthcare clinics, donated eight additional dialysis machines for the PMH Renal Services unit.
Director of Foundations, Corporate and Community Relations for the Public Hospitals Authority and Executive Director of the foundation,
Alana Major, said this initiative is a part of the foundation’s “Sun, Sea and Second Chances” campaign. PHA Foundation aims to secure 30 machines for Princess Margaret Hospital.
“As of today, with this donation, we are now up to 15 machines, so we are very excited about that,” Ms. Major said.
Other members of the foundation were present, including PHA Foundation Chairman Mr. Selvin Basden, who said the foundation is committed to doing its part in fulfilling the mandate of the Government of the Bahamas.
“One of the tenets of the Government is to ensure that access to healthcare is a human right. We are committed to ensuring that, at least from our part, we can deliver on that principle,” Mr. Basden said.
The PMH Renal Services Unit dialyzes about 150 to 170 patients annually. The unit provides care for patients who have been diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease and now need renal support. Patients who receive dialysis typically come to the unit three times a week, either on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule or a Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday schedule.
Head of Department for Renal Services, Dr. Thurston Carroll, said she and the unit are excited to receive the donation, as it will replace
machines that are not operating optimally.
“We are particularly excited about today’s donation because, although we have 20 stations within the dialysis unit, we have an aging fleet. These new machines and new water-treatment equipment will allow us to replace some of our aging equipment so that we can continue providing services to our patients.”
Foundation representatives noted that one or two organizations are already considering making bulk donations and if it happens, the foundation may be able to secure another 10 machines or another five machines in the very near future.
PMH Deputy Hospital Administrator Angelica Lockhart-Bastian and Hospital Administrator Mr. Tevard Bastian thanked the PHA Foundation for its donation to Princess Margaret Hospital.
Also in attendance were PHA Foundation Deputy Chairman Dr. Erecia Hepburn; Foundation guest Dr. Maria Oriakhi; Chief Biomedical Engineer Mr. Theodore Nottage; Administrative Officer Ms. Appapisa Neely; and Senior Assistant Hospital Administrator Mr. Valdez Bowe.
By Christina Williams
Bahamas Information Services
BIS Photos/Mark Ford
PHOTO CAPTION:
Group Photo, from left:
– Dr. Rhea Thurston Carroll, Director, Renal Services, PMH
– Nurse Kim Harris, Dialysis Nurse, Dialysis Unit, PMH
– Sister Darnell Roker, Nurse Manager, Dialysis Unit, PMH
– Mrs. Angelica Lockhart-Bastian, Deputy Hospital Administrator PMH
– Mr. Tevard Bastian, Hospital Administrator PMH
– Mrs. Alana Major, Director, Foundations, Community and Corporate Relations, PHA
– Mr. Selvin Basden, Chairman, PHA Foundation
– Dr. Erecia Hepburn, PHA Foundation Board
– Ms. Donette Danvers, Executive Assistant, Foundations, Community and Corporate Relations, PHA
Miami, Florida – Director of Aviation and Deputy Director General of Tourism, Dr. Kenneth Romer was presented with The 2025-2026 Infrastructure Leadership MVP Award, during the 10th Annual Caribbean Infrastructure Forum (CARIF) held in Miami September 15-16, 2026.
According to event organizers, New Energy Events, the MVP Leadership Award is the highest individual honor in the industry and is
presented to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional, strategic and visionary leadership in advancing infrastructure in the Caribbean. Chosen by an independent jury of regional industry leaders, “The recipient is recognized for their sustained impact, influence across sectors, and dedication to driving meaningful progress in policy, investment, or project delivery”, said Event Organizers.
Romer becomes only the third person from the Region, and the first from The Bahamas to receive the Leadership MVP Award, joining last year’s winner The Honourable Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados.
Represented among the Conference Speakers and present at the Award Ceremony was Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, The Honourable JoBeth Coleby-Davis, who said that, “This award amplifies The Bahamas Government’s commitment to executing a vision that sets the benchmark for infrastructural investments opportunities across our archipelago while supporting exemplary Bahamian leaders like Dr. Romer, who are steering the Caribbean toward more resilient, investable, and innovative infrastructure”.
“While this award is deemed an individual honor, it is a recognition of the Bahamas’ position as a respected regional leader and more so, a
reflection of the incredible talent that resides within our small, but indomitable nation that continues to punch above its weight class as the world marks the manner of our bearing”, said Dr. Romer.
Dr. Romer has been instrumental in driving post-pandemic tourism recovery alongside the transformation of airports across the Family Islands through the Government’s landmark Family Islands Renaissance initiative. Under his leadership as Director of Aviation and Deputy Director General of Tourism, the sector has embraced a strategic, forward-looking approach focused on modernizing over 19 runways and terminals, strengthening safety and resilience, expanding international and regional connectivity, and leveraging public-private partnerships to deliver world-class facilities.
Dr. Romer’s work has helped translate the National Aviation Strategic Plan into tangible infrastructure projects that are creating new opportunities for tourism, investment, entrepreneurship and economic growth across the archipelago.
In 2025, he became the first person from the Caribbean and LATAM Region to be appointed to the Board of the International Association of Airports Executives.
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