September 19, 2022 – The Bahamian American Association, Inc., (BAAI) based in New York, celebrated its 110th anniversary on Saturday, September 17 at a luncheon at Sofrito Restaurant in Harlem honouring legends and leaders within the Bahamian American community.
His Excellency Wendall Jones, Ambassador of The Bahamas to the United States of America, and guest speaker at the luncheon, traced the history of the BAAI and told Bahamians in the diaspora that they had “a goodly heritage”. He called on young people of Bahamian ancestry in the State to build on the successes of the founders of the Association.
The BAAI was formed in 1912 by ten Bahamian men who made New York their home. In 1922, the membership was expanded to include women. Today, there are Bahamians and their descendants who are leaders and captains of industry, or who have contributed significantly to the progress and achievements of the United States.
Among those honoured at the luncheon were: Judith Albury, an educator; Karl and Faye Rodney, publishers of The New York Carib News; Spence Finlayson, a motivational speaker; Franklin Gaskin, an artist; Robert Johnson, a businessman; Maria McDonald, Reverend Pamela Williams, and Mary Sweeting for faithful services to the Association; and Adam Clayton Powell IV for outstanding public service.
Ambassador Jones (centre) is pictured with honorees at the Bahamian American Association’s Legends & Leaders Awards Luncheon.
