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
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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