Celebrating Martin Luther King Day in style
Martin Luther King Day was celebrated in grand style at Island Grill, Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, on Monday, January 21. It was a family celebration bringing diverse Broward communities together to enjoy reflections from Florida Congressman Alcee Hastings, Broward Commissioners Joe Eggeletion and Lori Parish and Consul General John Atkins of Jamaica, Consul General Guy Victor of Haiti, and Consul General Chandradath Singh of Trinidad.
The programme was organised by Lynda Hudson and broadcast live on Mystik 1580. Other sponsors included the Sun Sentinel, Florida Lottery, Western Union and the Caribbean Cultural Association.
Soaking up the Island Grill Caribbean ambience whilst sampling delicious jerk chicken and fish, the 1,000-strong crowd enjoyed the hospitality of Lauderdale Lakes City, led by Jamaican-born mayor Sam Brown and Commissioner Hazelle Rogers.
Grace, Kennedy provided cool coconut water and Walkerswood Marketing gave gift baskets, whilst Air Jamaica and SuperClubs donated prizes for a grand draw at the end of the evening. It was truly heartening to see Jamaican companies bonding to create a memorable, first-class event in the USA and sharing Dr King’s “dream”.
City and country commissioners, circuit court judges, civic and religious leaders and the first Afro-American supervisor of elections for Broward County, Miriam Oliphant (married to a Jamaican) were witness to several tributes given to Dr King in the form of live entertainment, face-painting and bounce-abouts.
Chairman of Island Grill, Howard Mitchell, was live on Mystik 1580’s Morning Show with Martin Luther King III, whilst Mayor Sam Brown and Thalia Lyn, CEO of Island Grill, spoke from Lauderdale Lakes with Cliff Hughes on Nationwide in Jamaica. The Island Grill family received many accolades for co-hosting the function in memory of this great civil rights leader and for its efforts to bring the community together.