Bahamas News
Meet Sir Sidney Poitier
Hollywood’s Oldest Legend & Caribbean Icon takes his final bow
#TheBahamas, January 15, 2022 – Sidney Poitier was a famous Bahamian-American actor, ambassador, film director, film producer and author. He was born on February 21, 1927 in Miami, Florida and died on January 6, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. He went from a premature two-months early baby to being a successful actor; the first Hollywood Black movie star and the first Black man to win the best actor Oscar.
He was the oldest living as well as the earliest surviving winner of an Academy Award for Best Actor.
He was the youngest of seven children of Reginald James Poitier and Evelyn Poitier, nee Outten (who was from the Turks and Caicos Islands). His parents originally worked the land and owned a farm on Cat Island, Bahamas.
Poitier’s father also worked as a cab driver in Nassau in the Bahamas. While Poitier’s parents visited Miami to sell tomatoes, he was unexpectedly born. Hence, he was entitled to American citizenship as well. Poitier lived on Cat Island until he was ten. Then the family moved to Nassau. He saw his first automobile in Nassau and experienced electricity, plumbing, and motion pictures for the first time. He stayed in the Bahamas until age 15 until he moved to Miami. Then he moved to New York at the tender age of 16.
Poitier came from an impoverished background, he was without education, and was faced with several rejections. He was rejected by filmmakers because he could not sing and had a strong Bahamian accent. However, he softened his accent, improved his reading abilities and landed a number of star roles in movies that empowered the Black community and allowed audiences to confront racial tensions in America.
“I was not what I was required to be in Florida. I was not that. I couldn’t be that. I was taught that I had basic rights as a human being. I was taught that I was someone. I knew we had no money, still, I was taught that I was someone. We had no electricity and no running water, still, I was taught that I was someone. I had very little education — a year and a half, in fact, was all the schooling I was exposed to –still I knew that I was someone,” said Poitier in a 2000 interview with Oprah Winfrey. He added that being a Hollywood star did not shield him from certain struggles faced by a black man in America.
When Poitier moved to New York, he first held various jobs as a dishwasher. He then lied about his age during the Second World War and enlisted in the army. He was discharged from the army in 1944. After, he again worked as a dishwasher and later landed a spot with the American Negro Theatre.
Though he had joined the American Negro Theatre, audiences rejected him. Eventually, Poitier earned a leading role in the Broadway production called Lis Estrada. He soon became a famous stage actor and started receiving offers for acting in films. In 1950, Poitier appeared in a successful film titled No Way Out. A year later, he travelled to South Africa with the actor Canada Lee to play the lead role in the film of The Beloved Country.
Poitier’s breakout role was in Blackboard Jungle, which was released in 1955.
In 1958, he starred in The Defiant Ones with Tony Curtis. Then appeared in the first production of A Raisin in the sun on Broadway in 1959.
In 1961, Poitier starred in the film version of A Raisin in the Sun. In 1965, he performed in The Bedford Incident and in that same year, he appeared in the hit film, A Patch of Blue. In 1967, he appeared in three popular films, including In The Heat of the Night, to Sir With Love and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.
Poitier also directed various films and the most successful film is Stir Crazy, the Richard Pryor Gene Wilder comedy. He made his feature film directorial debut with the Western Buck and the Preacher. He also starred in this film. He also recorded an album called Poitier meets Plato.
He appeared in a few thrillers and TV roles during the late 80s and early 90s. In 2014, he appeared alongside Angelina Jolie at the 86 Academy Awards. This famous actor presented the best director award at this event. Poitier received a standing ovation and Angelina thanked him for his contributions to Hollywood.
Poitier was the first actor to place footprints and autographs in the cement at the Chinese Theatre of Grommet.
In 2005, Premiere Magazine ranked him number 20 on the list of the greatest movie stars of all time. The American Film Institute then ranked him number 22 on the list of the 50 greatest Screen Legends.
In 1974, Poitier was made an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He served as the Bahamian Ambassador to Japan from 1997 to 2007. Sir Sidney was the Ambassador of the Bahamas to UNESCO from 2002 to 2007. In 2009, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the highest civilian honour of the United States which was presented by President Barack Obama.
Sidney Poitier, who stood at 6.2 inches, is also the winner of two Grammy Awards; in 2001 and 2009 for Best Spoken Word album.
Though he only learnt at the age of 16 how to read, he spoke Russian fluently.
Poitier married Juanita Hardy and remained married until 1965.
In 1959, he started a romance with the famous actress Diane Carroll, whom he dated for nine years.
In 1976, he married Joanna Shimkus of Canada, whom he is on record as calling “the one”.
Sir Sidney leaves behind six daughters, four with Juanita: Gina, Sherry, Pamela and Beverly and two with Joanna: Sydney Tamiia and Anika.
Sidney Poitier has eight grandchildren as well as three great grandchildren.
Poitier’s networth is listed as $20 million.
Source: Lifestyle & Networth
Bahamas News
Caribbean Wines & Spirits Displays Portfolio Evolution and Innovation with a Spectacular Showcase
Nassau, BAHAMAS — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor hosted a spectacular showcase to celebrate the evolution of its portfolio while highlighting their innovative products.
The event was held at The Bahamas National Trust’s Retreat Garden as an opportunity to educate customers on how the company has
grown its product listing since 2020.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Commercial Officer of Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, and sister company to CWS shared her thoughts during the event.
“CWS was birthed with the goal of offering Bahamians premium wines and spirits. Over the years we have grown to be an alcohol beverage provider known for our quality products and excellent service. As we grow each year striving to continuously satisfy our clients and consumers, we are proud at the expansion of our portfolio.”
The showcase was a testament to CWS’s steady growth and strategic planning. The company that started with only one brand, House of Angostura and 14 Stock Keeping Units (SKU) has now grown to over 40 brands and 350 SKUs.
Waylon McHardy, General Manager for Caribbean Wines & Spirits shared what inspired the tradeshow that took place in “grand style”.
“We decided to celebrate our growth by showcasing our evolution along with the incredible products offered in our portfolio. As a team
we’re elated by the expansion of our portfolio, appreciative of our loyal customers and proud of our Team Members across the organization who continue to embrace a customer-centric mindset, which also calls for celebration.” McHardy expressed.
The event categorized its wines and spirits into two sections, the ‘Americas’ and ‘Europe’. Each product had a brand ambassador at their respective stations offering consumers a better understanding of the product’s origins and taste.
While CWS is known for providing quality products, a few key brands wowed guests that night. Fan-favorites were: ABK6 Cognac, Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum Cream, El Tequileno, Caposaldo Moscato and Fonseca Bin No. 27 Port.
Another highlight of the night was the introduction of two new products in CWS’ inventory; El Tequileno an award-winning tequila and ABK6 a single estate cognac.
McHardy revealed that tequila is the fastest-growing category in the beverage industry globally. Aiming to always compete and provide a
variety of products, CWS secured El Tequileno, a multi–International Spirits Challenge (ISC) and Spirits Business Awards winner for tequila; which can now be purchased and enjoyed locally.
Cognac, a highly popular spirit within the country presented a gap in CWS’ portfolio, which was filled with the introduction of ABK6. This “innovative” product, made with diligence and integrity in each step makes for a delightful taste on the pallet.
Guests savored a variety of hand-crafted cocktails at the El Tequileno Tequila and Nemiroff Vodka stations which heightened their taste buds.
The night was a celebratory affair without a doubt, however McHardy shared the overall goal of the event.
“We want customers to leave feeling valued and appreciated with a deeper understanding of our organization’s mission, which is to serve as a business partner for our customers while seeking to meet the needs of our consumers.” McHardy disclosed.
As the year progresses, consumers can enjoy products at the company’s growing monthly Block Parties and samplings. Also be on the
lookout for a fun summer calendar that will include multiple islands in The Bahamas.
To keep up to date on exciting events and new products visit CWS’ website at www.cwsbahamas.com and follow-on social media at @caribbeanwinesandspirits.
Bahamas News
Bahamas Maritime Authority launches campaign for re-election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
The Bahamas, March 22, 2025 – Minister of Energy and Transport, the Hon. Jobeth Coleby-Davis attended meetings in London, UK, in support of the Bahamas Maritime Authority’s launch of Bahamas Candidacy for re-election to the IMO under Category “C”.
The minister reported, “the importance of the country’s membership on the Council, is not only because of its active and regulatory leadership with the IMO at the Council and Committee level, but also because of its Shipping Register – recognised internationally for its quality – and the expectation of the ship owners of Bahamas-flagged vessels that the country retains a seat on the Council.”
During week of March 10, 2025 Minister Coleby-Davis, along with Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Fred Mitchell, Ambassador Paul Rolle, BMA CEO Captain Hutchinson, Board Chair Jacqui Simmons, Deputy Chair Peter Goulandris and Port Controller Berne Wright met with the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Mr. Arsenio Dominguez Velasco in discussing three important areas of concern: 1) Maritime Safety and Security- Environment; 2) Safety and Training of Seafarers; and 3) Equity and Diversification in the Maritime Sector.
Additionally, the Minister met with the following Excellencies:
- AMBASSADOR OF BELGIUM TO THE UK – HIS EXCELLENCY MR. JEROEN COOREMAN;
- AMBASSADOR OF SAUDI ARABIA TO THE UK – HIS EXCELLENCY HRH PRINCE KHALID bin BANDAR bin SULTAN AL SAUD;
- AMBASSADOR OF QATAR TO THE UK – HIS EXCELLENCY SHEIK ABDULLAH bin MOHAMMED bin SAUD AL THANI;
- AMBASSADOR OF COLUMBIA TO THE UK – EXCELLENCY ROY BARRERAS; and,
- AMBASSADOR OF OMAN TO THE UK – EXCELLENCY BADR MOHAMMED BADR ALMANTHERI.
The minister stated: “These collaborative meetings were to discuss ways member states can work together on addressing matters related to maritime security, efficiency and digitization. Additionally, it was to encourage support for SIDS as some regulatory mandates focused on global transition to cleaner fuels by our vessels may have negative impacts and therefore member states are discussing a balanced and equitable approach to sustainability.”
(BIS Photos/Anthon Thompson)
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