JAMAICA | Brown University Professor to Deliver Distinguished Rex Nettleford Lecture on Caribbean Cultural Evolution

KINGSTON,  Jamaica – Professor Anthony Bogues, the distinguished Asa Messer Professor of Humanities of African Studies at Brown University, will deliver the keynote address at the Third Annual Rex Nettleford Distinguished Lecture, exploring the complex tapestry of Caribbean culture and its profound impact on social order.

The prestigious event is scheduled for Monday, February 3, 2025, at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus Assembly Hall.

The lecture, which coincides with what would have been Professor Rex Nettleford’s 92nd birthday, continues the legacy of one of the Caribbean’s most influential scholars and cultural advocates.

When Professor the Honourable Ralston “Rex” Nettleford passed away in February 2010, he left behind not just an immense global void but a challenge to future generations to continue his work of cultural preservation and celebration.

Nettleford’s legacy as a Jamaican scholar and quintessential Caribbean man was marked by his unwavering defense of Caribbean culture’s validity and power.

His life’s work centered on showcasing the region’s uniquely multifaceted world both internationally and to those within Caribbean society who had yet to fully appreciate its significance.

Building on this foundation, the Rex Nettleford Foundation, established in May 2010, created the Annual Distinguished Lecture Series to perpetuate Professor Nettleford’s exceptional legacy.

The series embodies his concept of “Inward Stretch, Outward Reach,” a philosophy that advocates for elevating local cultural understanding to a global perspective.

The rotating nature of the lecture series, which moves between different campuses each year, reflects the breadth of Nettleford’s intellectual engagement – spanning culture, the arts, education, business management, political science, and trade union education.

This year’s focus on the creative imagination of the Caribbean region and its influence on social relationships promises to be particularly illuminating under Professor Bogues’ guidance.

The selection of Professor Bogues, with his impressive career and extensive research work relating to Professor Nettleford’s contributions, brings a particularly relevant perspective to this year’s theme.

His exploration of “Caribbean Culture: Its Evolution and Impact on Social Order” is expected to offer fresh insights into the region’s cultural dynamics and social transformation.

The event is overseen by a distinguished board of directors, led by The Most Honourable P.J. Patterson as Chairman. The board includes prominent Caribbean leaders such as Sir Hilary Beckles, UWI Vice Chancellor; Professor Densil Williams, UWI Mona Campus Principal; and several other distinguished professionals from academia, law, business, and cultural sectors.

The lecture will begin at 5:00 p.m. in the Assembly Hall of the UWI Mona Campus, continuing Professor Nettleford’s mission of cultural enlightenment and preservation. WiredJA