|
Chair
- Christian B. Hylton, Esq.
Vice
Chair of Organizational Development -
Vice
Chair of Program Development - Linda Gadsby, Esq.
Treasurer -
Jan P. Franklin
Secretary -
Maria Watson
|
In a casual conversation during the spring of 2005, David Gibbs
from the Barbados Consulate Generals Office at New York asked V.
Renee Cutting a simple question: where are the other young Barbadian
professionals like yourself in the New York region? Renee offered to
host a reception to reach out to professionals in the tri-state area
and called on her friend, Christian B. Hylton. Together, they hosted
a signature Bajan Sunday Lunch and Lime Event with the Hon. Jessica
C. Odle, JP, Barbados Consul General at New York at Christian’s home
on June 11, 2005. With over 40 guests in attendance, the Young
Barbadian Professionals Society (YBPS) was born!
The YBPS’
initial efforts were promptly recognized when, on July 11,
2005,
the Barbados’ Advocate, CBC TV, Nation and Starcom Radio all
covered a press conference where the Society presented
educational toys to the Barbados Child Care Board that were donated
from the Bajan Sunday Lunch and Lime.
On September 29, 2005
the Rt. Hon. Owen Arthur, Prime Minister of
Barbados, requested
to meet with the newly formed group. Prime Minister
Arthur
subsequently sent a special delegation, led by the Hon. Dale
Marshall, then Minister of Industry and International Business,
to meet with
the YBPS’ Economic Development Committee. The
delegation met with YBPS representatives on November 21, 2005 to
explore areas of collaboration and to build links with private
sector as well as government agencies.
True to its
philanthropic aims, on November 19, 2005, the YBPS held its
first annual Independence Fundraising event, "A Blue Yellow Blue
Night", at the NYU Torch Club in Manhattan, with more than 200
guests in
attendance. The Society raised $10,000 BDS for the
Barbados Learning Center to benefit children with learning
disabilities, in St. James, Barbados.
To build on its success, in January 2006 members developed an
Organizational Framework and Strategic Plan. In May 2006, the YBPS
convened an administrative board and officially launched a formal
initiative to become a not-for-profit organization.
During the summer of 2006, YBPS developed plans
to extend its network beyond the greater New York metropolitan
area by formally reaching out to young Barbadian
Professionals in the greater Boston and Washington, DC metropolitan
areas.
Today, YBPS continues to develop a cadre of innovative
programs to carry out its mission of garnering the
intellectual capital of its members to further advance positive
transformations in the global Barbadian and Caribbean communities,
through the Society’s economic development, education, and
philanthropic programs. |
Prime Minister of Barbados meets with YBPS
From left to right;
Christian B. Hylton,
Esq,
Rt. Hon. Owen Arthur,
V. Renee Cutting
Hon. Jessica C.
Odle, JP
|
