High Commission staff meets local groups.
By Tyrone Roach
On Saturday, 10th February, Barbados House, the home of the Barbados High Commission in London, hosted a meet and greet event. Its object was to link the Barbadian Association and groups across the UK and allow them to engage with the New Deputy High Commissioner Mackie Holder.
In his introductory speech, the DHC committed to closer collaboration with the community at a higher level than in recent years. Quoting “The edifice is the diaspora”, a program will be rolled out to include town hall meetings and cultural, educational, and culinary events to complement new and existing schedules.
DHC has been described as a shrewd strategist and political organiser and was deeply involved in culture, having participated competitively in Crop Over for some 21 years, producing an award-winning band, ‘Wednesday 2000.’He is also a professional marketing consultant, speech writer, event planner, author and publisher.
Holder was embroiled in controversy in NY before replacing the equally controversial Rev Charles Morris, who returned to Barbados at the end of his contract and became a Senator in the Barbados Parliament.
In his opening remarks, HE High Commissioner Milton Inniss hoped the team would bring new ideas and working relationships to the Barbadian community.
MC Diaspora Attache Betty Lewis moderated the Q and A session. Also in attendance were Mandissa Downes – Minster Counsellor; Natasha Mayers – Ist Secretary; Janice Moseley, Jackie Austin from the High Commission, as well as Stacey Hutchinson – Business Development Officer at BTMI.
Included in the audience were NCBA UK Chair Sherry Maxwell and representatives from Alleyne School Alumni, BAFA Reading, Barbados Overseas Community Families Association, 2nd Generation Birmingham, Barbados Cultural Organisation DLP UK, BLP, Hartown and author Pamela Haynes.
