On Friday, Sept. 25 the St. Kitts Nevis Association of Atlanta (SKNAA) welcomed Dr. Thelma Phillip-Browne. Dr. Browne is the St. Kitts Nevis Ambassador (designate) to the United States. Atlanta Caribbean tastemakers (such as myself!) and members of the various Caribbean organizations alike welcomed Dr. Browne to Atlanta.
In addition to welcome addresses from the myriad of Caribbean organizations, Dr. Phillip-Browne, a dermatologist by trade, also introduced herself to Atlanta. Adorned in traditional Caribbean folk garments, Dr. Phillip-Browne hastened us to think of ourselves as the “New Argonauts”. She reminded us of the importance of returning to our home countries to give back and stop the prevalent Caribbean “brain drain”. Dr. Phillip-Browne spoke of identifying our human resources throughout the Diaspora and forming “brain circles” (I love this term!).
The address was a wonderfully crafted, heartfelt, and warm introduction to the kind of Ambassador Dr. Phillip-Browne will be. Later on in the evening as I sat next to her for an interview, I felt the warmth of her spirit juxtapositioned against the quiet strength of her determination. I am certain she will fare well in her new ambassadorial role.
The evening also included a tasting of Ou-Oui! Premium Rum Liqueurs from Founder and President of Caribbean Smooth Premium Rum Liqueur Nigel Walwyn,(www.caribbeansmooth.com). The night concluded with attendees tiny winying, palancing and did the electric sliding with DJ Choice One.
Proceeds from the event benefited the Dominica Atlanta Community Association (DACA) Tropical Storm Erika Relief Fund, to offset the cost of shipping barrels of relief supplies to Dominica in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Erika. Thank you to Denise Quinlan, President of SKNAA for organizing such a wonderful event! It was indeed a memorable evening.
Organizations in Attendance:
Denise Quinlan, President – St. Kitts Nevis Association of Atlanta Inc. (SKANAA)
Marilyn Browne, Immediate Past VP – Guyana Association of Georgia, Inc.
Dr. Elaine Bryan – The Elaine Bryan Foundation
Tony Gray, VP – Atlanta Jamaican Association, Inc. (AJA)
Honorary Consul, Marva Jacobs – Honorary Consulate of Guyana
Sherwin James, President – The Dominica Atlanta Community Association, Inc. (DACA)
Honorary Consul of Barbados, Dr. Edward Layne – The Caribbean Diaspora for Science, Technology and Innovation (CADSTI)
Uldeen Lee, President – Antigua and Barbuda Association of Georgia, Inc.
Benjamin Norbert, President – St. Lucia Association of Georgia, Inc.
Sharon Robinson, Interim Research Library Administrator – Auburn Avenue Research Library
Valrie Walker Sanders, Founder – Georgia Caribbean American Heritage Coalition, Inc.
Sherryl Thegg, Executive Director – Spice of the Caribbean Association of Georgia, Inc.
Austin Thompson, CEO – Thompson Management Consulting, Inc.
Joyce Thompson, President – Trinidad and Tobago Association of Georgia, Inc.
Jackie Watson, President – The Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of Georgia, Inc.
