FORT LAUDERDALE — A total of 100 South Floridians with roots in the Caribbean have been tapped for recognition during a June 29 gala in Fort Lauderdale. ICABA Media Holdings is behind the initiative to honor some of the most accomplished residents whose heritage spans 14 Caribbean nations.
The corporate executives, educators, entrepreneurs, entertainers and community leaders will be honored at the “ICABA Salutes South Florida’s 100 Most Accomplished Caribbean Americans.”
The honorees include Pauline Grant, CEO, North Broward Medical Center, Jamaican heritage; Rudolph Moise, medical director, Comprehensive Health Center, Haitian; Yolanda Cash Jackson, shareholder, Becker & Poliakoff, Bahamian; Joseph Bernadel, retired major, U.S. Army, founder of Toussaint L’Ouverture High School, Haitian; Garth Reeves, publisher-emeritus, The Miami Times, Bahamian; and Bishop Henry Fernandez, founder and senior pastor of The Faith Center, Jamaican.
A coffee table book published by ICABA showcasing their accomplishments will be unveiled at the event. It includes their biographies, features and advertorials from corporate sponsors including Duty Free Americas, JM Family Enterprises, BB&T, Comcast, South Florida Times and MetLife.
ICABA said it identified the honorees through nominations by the public, recommendations from a steering and host committee and editorial research.
Some 40 South Florida business and civic leaders with Caribbean heritage signed on to support the program, ICABA said. They include Miguel Southwell, deputy director of the Miami-Dade County Aviation Department, Germaine Smith-Baugh, president of the Urban League of Broward County, and Carlton “Ricky” Wade, a McDonald’s franchisee. Marlon Hill, managing partner of the delancyhill law firm, wrote the foreword for the publication.
“As our nation’s gateway to the Caribbean, South Florida has long-been a cultivator of successful migrants and talented natives,” said Jerome Hutchinson Jr., president/CEO of ICABA Media Holdings. “The contribution Caribbean Americans have made to our region is extraordinary and I am thrilled that ICABA will be the first entity to celebrate their excellence in such a unified way.”
Added Hill, “The Caribbean-American community is an important demographic. Our culinary, musical and religious traditions are undeniably present in every aspect of life in South Florida. It is timely that we share our community’s accomplishments and celebrate their entrepreneurial spirit.”
The program will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 29, in the Amaturo Theater of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
Tickets are $125 for the general public and $100 for ICABA members.
For more information, call ICABA Media Holdings at 786-871-5633.
Photo: Germaine Smith-Baugh
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