Jamaica - Jamaicans in Miami & Ft. Lauderdale

Jamaicans in Miami & Ft. Lauderdale

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:56:22 UT

Miami/Ft Lauderdale Jamaica Alumni Associations

Wed, 27 Apr 2005 17:00:00 UT

Miami/Ft Lauderdale Jamaica Alumni Associations

Life in South Florida

Phil Dinham — Sat, 05 Oct 2002 17:00:00 UT

According to the last United States census report in 2000, Jamaicans were the largest immigrant population in the county of Broward. Jamaicans have arrived here in droves in the 1990's. This being one of the fastest growing counties in the US, Miami -Ft Lauderdale has become the fastest growing base for exiled Jamaicans. The Jamaican population alone is estimated at some 70,000 documented residents in Broward county alone.

That can have negative implications since most drugs seized at Miami- Ft Lauderdale airports are taken from Jamaicans, with Jamaicans heading the list of prisoners in some jails around town. Trevor Berbick Jamaica's Former Boxing great is among a group of Jamaicans that have been arrested here for abuse and domestic violence. Jamaicans into criminal activity here are in the news just like they would be if it was back a yard dying just as often. Not withstanding that negative edge, Jamaicans here also excel at the highest levels, becoming City mayor, City counsel men and women, Deans of universities, Hospital Directors, Lawyers, Health specialists, Mechanics, Engineers, they own and operate Major car dealerships and Construction enterprises.

The Jamaican state is represented by Counsel General Ambassador Richard Alicock, Jamaica Information Service JIS, and the Jamaica Tourist Board.

Where Jamaicans live

Phil Dinham — Fri, 04 Oct 2002 17:00:00 UT

The South Florida region of the United States is home to the 2nd largest Jamaican population out side of Jamaica . The political turmoil in Jamaica in the 70's resulted in a mass exodus of Jamaicans to Miami. What makes South Florida attractive to Jamaicans is: the year round climate is similar to Jamaica, a lot of the same fruits & vegetables can grow there, it’s close proximity to Jamaica, it’s cultural mix of people & low cost of living.

The population of Jamaicans was originally concentrated in Miami-Dade county but they are now spread across Broward & Palm Beach. Although Jamaicans live all across these counties, below are a few of the areas that have a substantial population.

Kendall - located in South Miami it is one of the original enclaves where Jamaicans lived

North Dade/Norland - drive along 183rd Street which is in the heart of this North Miami neighborhood & you will see many Jamaican businesses along the way.

Miramar/Pembroke Pines is in South Broward County which borders North Miami/Norland, has a large Jamaican population and even a Jamaican born elected official.

Lauderhill, fondly called 'Jamaica Hill', is probably the most distinct Jamaican community in the South Florida area. They boast the most Jamaican born elected officials and most Politiicans from Jamaica, seeking South Florida support, visit this city

Lauderlakes/Plantation/Sunrise - these communities surround the city Lauderhill & have a large Jamaican community.

Coral Springs, in the north, has increasingly become popular for wealthier Jamaicans, with Margate to its east also gradually filling up with a newly migrating Jamaican population.

Davie, to the South of Plantation, which hosts the Broward Education Center, features some Six university and colleges among other elememtary and technical vocational centers making it the Buzz for Jamaicans who are here in exile for College purposes. North Miami Beach also has a large Yardie following, with many health professionals zooming in on these parts with Miami Gardens and Miami Lakes featuring successful pockets as well.

Jamaican Alumni Associations

Phil Dinham — Tue, 01 Oct 2002 17:00:00 UT

Below is a partial list of some of the alumni associations present in the South Florida area. Be sure to check back as we add more organizations to this list.

Alpha - Convent of Mercy Academy “ALPHA”
Olga Azan, President
(305) 386-9479
empetrade@aol.com
Pat Lee, Vice President
(305) 389-8605
Flotropic@aol.com
Meeting held monthly, every 3rd Saturday

Ardenne Alumni Organization of Florida
Philip Hudson, President
(954) 232-7171
hardhen@bellsouth.net
Judith Lawson-Keane, VP.
(954) 483-0833
Jkeane208@aol.com
Announced monthly meetings on Sundays

Belair School Alumni South Florida
Camille Lindo
lindo.cami@gmail.com

Calabar Old Boys Association, Florida
Edmund Campbell, Pres.
(786) 256 2565
edxcampbell@hotmail.com

Camperdown High School Association
Michelle ChueSang Cooper, (Acting President)
(954) 802-6590
mchuesang@aol.com

Michelle Morrell Edwards, (Secretary)
(954) 786-683-4953
RNPPL@aol.com
www.camperdownfl.org
General quarterly meeting

Clarendon College Alumni Association
Dr. Hyacinth Broderick-Scott, President
(954) 963-3318
hyabrodscott@yahoo.com

Cornwall College Old Boys Association
Albert Lettman, President
(954) 797-9800
namttel@aol.com

Dinthill Technical High School Alumni Association
Bruce Palmer, (President)
(954) 240-6448
brucepalmer@bellsouth.net
Patrick Dixon, Membership Chair (954) 673-4878
ottodixn@hotmail.com
Meeting on the last Saturday of the month

Excelsior Alumni Association of Florida
Corneld Lindo, President
(954) 309-4405
Jahar4m@aol.com
Meetings announced through the newsletter

Garvey Maceo Alumni Association
Claudette Salesman (954) 647-4724

Holmwood Technical High School Alumni
Hamlin Dalrio (954) 484-9600
Kenrio69@aol.com

Immaculate Con. High School Alumni Association
Jennifer Hoyes - President
(561) 400-3400
ICHSflalum@aol.com

Jamaica College Old Boys Association of Florida
Ray Stephenson , President
(954) 663 2498
info@jcobafl.org
http://www.jcobafl.org
Meetings called as needed

Kingston College Old Boys Association
fortis_florida@bellsouth.net
(954) 587-5257
www.kcobafl.org
Meeting on the last Saturday of each month

Knox South Florida Past Students
Jean Clarage- Slosberg
jslosberg@comcast.net
knoxmail@comcast.net

Meadowbrook High School Alumni Association
Paul McPherson
(954) 383-0321
scoutnikki@excite.com
Meetings on the last Sunday of each month

Mico College Alumni
Stanley Green, President
(954) 962-5878
Meeting on the last Sunday of each month

Montego Bay High School Alumni Association
Karen Morris
Mobayhighalumni@aol.com

Morant Bay High School Alumni
Michael Vassell, President
Brotucuma@aol.com

Munro-Hampton Alumni Association
L. Ashley Coke, President
(954) 423-3961
lerac@bellsouth.net
Meeting on the third Saturday of the month

Northern Caribbean University Alumni Association
Harold Clayton, President (954) 704-8339
president@ncusouthflorida.org
www.ncusouthflorida.org
Meetings scheduled regularly

Queen’s High School Alumni Association
Dorothea Josephs-Spaulding, President
(954) 684-4578
qhsflchapter@gmail.com
Meeting on the 2nd Saturday of every month

RUSEA’S OLD STUDENTS’ ASSOC. OF FLORIDA (ROSA)
Judith Hinds, President
info@rosafl.org

St. Andrew High School Alumni
Mary Ann Raymond
(954) 430-0188 Mar.spm@att.net
www.sahsflorida.org

St. Andrew Technical High Alumni Association
David Jemison
(305) 687-1677
dpjamie@comcast.net; david@staths.org

St Catherine High Alumni
Anthony Thomas
webmaster@stcatherinehigh.com
http://www.stcatherinehigh.com

St. Elizabeth Technical High School Alumni Association (STETHSAA)
P.O. Box 451006
Sunrise FL 33345
President: Reuben Robinson
Telephone 954-593-7293
Email: reubenrobinson2003@yahoo.com

St. George’s College Old Boys Association of Florida
Wayne Evans
(954) 205-1634
evansw_99@yahoo.com
Meeting announced at least once per month

St. Hugh’s Alumnae Association of Florida, Inc.
Box #172
5722 South Flamingo Road
Cooper City, Florida 33330
(954)495 1724
email: st_hughs_alumnae_association@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.shaafl.org
Jamaicans.com Group:
Meetings: See website for meeting date and times

ST. MARY HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH FLORIDA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
President: Dr. Maria Kong
markon2@juno.com

UWI Guild of Graduates, FLA Chapter
Ronald White, President (954) 236-0145
Rwhite32@comcast.net

West Indies College Alumni
Everald Daley, President
2452 Cricket Wood Ct. Apopka, FL 32703

Wolmer’s Alumni Association
Charles Patterson, President
(954) 709-9555
Realty91@bellsouth.net

Jamaican/Caribbean Media

Phil Dinham — Tue, 01 Oct 2002 17:00:00 UT

Jamaican/Caribbean Media is vibrant with the pirate mix that keeps the FCC hunting. Bussing tunes in the most unlikely places. WAVS 1170am and Mystic 1580 on am frequencies are the only official 24 Jamaican broadcast points. With News-Current affairs-Music and the latest from the diasporas pulsating, personalities such as John T, Ron Burke, Pat Montique, Winston Barnes, Aunt Ivey and Jamusa keep our Community informed and bubbling with activities. JIS Jamaica Magazine and CVM's nightly Newscast is aired on cable late at night and early morning.

Newspapers/Magazines/Print/ Online Media

SOUTHFLORIDACARIBBEANNEWS.COM
5944 Coral Ridge Dr.
Box 221
Coral Springs, FL 33076
Phone:954-319-3420
www.southfloridacaribbeannews.com
Email: info@southfloridacaribbeannews.com

CARIBBEAN CONTACT
Jerry Alleyne Nagee
President / CEO
9010 SW 137th Ave.
Suite 248
Miami, FL 33186
(305) 388-7440
caribnewsusa@aol.com

CARIBBEAN TODAY
Peter Webley
Publisher
PO Box 6010
Miami, FL 33116-6010
(305) 238-2868 x11
pawebley@bellsouth.net

CARIBBEAN VOICE
Bevan 'Duke of Earle" Earle
Publisher
PO Box 450127
Sunrise, FL 33345
(954)749-5112
thedukeofearle@aol.com

CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN
COMMENTARY NEWSPAPER
Rovan Locke
Publisher/Chairman
4693 N State Road 7
Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33319
(954) 822-4878
michcacn@yahoo.com

GLEANER EXTRA
Maxine J. Tulloch
Operations Manager
3800 W. Broward Blvd.
Suite 110
Plantation, FL 33312
(954) 660-7620
Fax: (954) 583-1366
gleanerxtrasf@gmail.com

ONE XTRA
Keesha Robertson
Kerry-Ann Davidson
Editors
1035 NE 125th St.
Suite 300
North Miami, FL 33161
754-423-7738
onextramagazine.com

NOW MAGAZINE
Paul Williams
Publisher
20533 Biscayne Blvd
Suite 421
Aventura, FL 33180
(305)785-0263
nowentmagz@aol.com

TABLE VISION
c/o INFINITE MARKETS, INC.
Garfield Price
President
4361 NW 174th Dr.
Carol City, FL 33055
(305)430-0380
infinitemarkets@aol.com

CARIBBEAN NATIONAL WEEKLY
Derwent Donaldson
Creative Director
4812 West Commercial Blvd.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33319
(954)739-6618
cnweekly@bellsouth.net

CARIBBEAN AMERICAN DIRECTORY-USA
Maxine J. Tulloch
Publisher
3800 W. Broward Blvd.
Suite 110
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312
(954)660-7610
www.caribbeanbiz.biz
apminc@consultant.com

Caribbean Radio

WZAB-AM

880-AM
2828 West Flagler Street
Miami, FL 33135
305-541-2350 –

Caribbean Saturdays 9a Don Daly 12p Mike Andrews 3p Eddy Edwards 6p Caribbean Sports Line http://www.caribbeanriddims.com

WHQT-FM
HOT 105 / 105.1 FM
2741 N 29th Ave.
Hollywood, FL 33020
(305)444-4404
http://www.hot105fm.com

Reggae Runnin's
Saturday's 10pm - 1am
Hosts:
Tanto Irie & Lady English

WEDR-FM
99 Jamz / 99.1 FM
2741 N 29th Ave.
Hollywood, FL 33020
(305)444-4404
http://www.wedr.com

The Bashment Explosion
Friday's 12M- 2am
Hosts: King Waggy Tee And Patrick Ewing

Power 96 96.5 FM
20295 N.W. 2 Avenue
Suite 300
Miami, FL 33169
(305) 653-6796
http://www.power96.com

Lance-O on the Radio
Sunday's 10pm-Midnight

WDNA
88.9 FM
http://www.wdna.org

The Reggae Ride
Saturdays, Noon - 3 p.m. (EST)
Hosted by: Howard "Flagga" Duperly

WLRN
91.3 FM
Sounds of the Caribbean
Tuesday through Friday mornings from 1 am - 5 am and Saturday mornings from 1 am -7 am.

TV Programs

CVM News (Jamaica)
c/o CRI Communications
Don Daly
President
10761 SW 138th St.
Miami, FL 33176
(305)255-9990
cricom@msn.com

CVM News
Monday-Friday
6am-6:30am Kariblink TV
Donsville Savariau
Executive Producer
1825 South Dixie Hwy
Pompano Beach, FL 33060
(954)245-7193
Sunday's 2:30pm

Jamaican Businesses

Phil Dinham — Tue, 01 Oct 2002 17:00:00 UT

Jamaican Businesses straight from yard make up the majority of all Caribbean related business, with Food and Travel products continuing the tradition of enticing peoples from all cultures to enjoy Jamaica. Billboards featuring Red Stripe, Sandals, Air Jamaica, Immigrant Services and Real Estate, are seen all over, with Freddie McGregor’s Photo being the most recent, featuring accident and medical services as Businesses start to use Jamaican personalities to clinch the big niche market. Among the strongest local business holdings directly associated with Jamaica are:

Jamaica National Building Society
Grace Kennedy
Island grill
Island outpost
Air Jamaica Cargo
Air Jamaica Vacations
Sandals
Superclubs
Jamaica Tourist Boards South East Regional Headquaters
Jerk Machine
Finlay’s Shipping
VP records
Yummy Bread/Buns

Jamaican Events

Phil Dinham — Tue, 01 Oct 2002 17:00:00 UT

Major events include Miami Carnival in October (Columbus weekend) ; Island in the Park sponsored by Air Jamaica at Bayfront Park, Downtown Miami; Miss Florida Caribbean pageant, Jamaican plays and performing arts groups which usually perform at Bailey Hall during holiday periods. Whether it’s Ashe, Papa San, Grace Thrillers or Beres Hammond, the place is always ram with a Jamaican artistic event, and popular American and International artists. Visit the city during Valentine’s day, Fourth of July and special weekends for top grade performances, too.

The Most memorable Jamaican event here was the Jamaica vs Brazil match in 1998, this was a warm up encounter before France in 1998, saw some 30,000 Jamaicans coming out in their gold shirts to support their charges at the orange bowl in Miami. You would have thought you were in the National Stadium or on Mandela Park Highway as Jamaicans lined the streets for miles, blocking traffic on I-95 as folks were prevented from getting to Miami international airport to catch their flight.

Below is a partial list of Jamaican/Caribbean events that happen annually in the South Florida Areas

International Mango Festival - July
Annual Grand Independence Ball - August
Caribbean International Multicultural Festival - August
Jamaican Jerk Festival - September

Eating in South Florida

Phil Dinham — Tue, 01 Oct 2002 17:00:00 UT

Jamaican products and cuisine can be found on all supermarket shelves and corner restaurants around the city. From seasonings to coconut water, you name it they’re all here. Driving around town you cannot pass two stoplights without seeing a Jamaican flag welcoming you to their storefront. Nationals or Non-nationals alike enjoy the many creative cooking treats that our people have perfected for centuries. Please see the Best of Jamaica in Miami/Ft Lauderdale for our users choices.Among the more popular Restaurants and Food service centers:

Hot Pot - Lauderhill
Jerk Machine - 7 locations Downtown, Lauderhill, Hollywood, Sunrise, Opa Locka, North Miami, 7th Ave, Margate, and coming to Pembroke Pines
Charlies Pastries,
Robbys Caribbean Restaurant
Hammonds Bakery
Sangos - Pembroke Pines
Aunt I's restaurant

Living/visiting tips

Phil Dinham — Tue, 01 Oct 2002 17:00:00 UT

From the loud dancehall music blasting on Miramar Parkway to the raw Patwa in campus corridors; South Florida has been captured and made Jamaican.

Schools and Colleges are heavily populated with Jamaican students; Broward Community College having Jamaicans among their largest international student population, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Nova South Eastern University, Miami Dade Community College, Barry University, University of Miami, all hosting specific clubs of Jamaican origin.

The weather in South Florida is unpredictable with very warm summers and cool winters, although the sun shines throughout most of the year, this is definitely not the refreshing tropics.
Thunderstorms are usually torrential having the ability to spurn tornados, and cause massive dislocations. In fact SUVs are the vehicle of choice in Florida because when the rains come down, dry trips home are not guaranteed. Florida being the lightning capital of the world, many a lightening show can be seen, even when precipitation is not active.

The beaches are bountiful in Florida, long shores of white sandy beaches can be found in Miami and Ft Lauderdale, with South Beach becoming the most popular among travelers to the city. Places to go and see, Las Olas Blvd, Miami Sea Aquarium, Calder Race course, Saw Grass Mall, Gulfstream Park, MOVICO, Orange Bowl Stadium for soccer as well as the Miami arena to watch the Miami Heat in the NBA, or Proplayer to watch the Marlins or Dolphins play ball, as well as the many recreational and environmentally green parks that you will find all over town.

A car is a must in the South Florida area. The transportation system is not very reliable. “Castro support” is a bad word. Be aware of immigration scams.

Jamaican & Caribbean Organizations

Phil Dinham — Tue, 01 Oct 2002 17:00:00 UT

Below is a partial list of some of the organizations present in the South Florida area. Be sure to check back as we add more organizations to this list.

Jamaica Nursing Association of Florida; Inc
Jamaica Teachers Association
Jamaica Business Association of Florida inc – 305-255-3775
Caribbean Chamber of Commerce
Jamaica United Relief Association - 954 962 3276
Needy Kids of Jamaica – 954-432-6243
Jamaica Domino Club – 954-739-7839

Resources on South Florida

Phil Dinham — Mon, 01 Oct 2001 17:00:00 UT