WASHINGTON DC, July 30, 2025 – The black, green, and gold of Jamaica’s flag transformed the Sligo Seventh Day Adventist Church in Takoma Park, Maryland, into a vibrant tapestry of national pride on Sunday, as over 400 Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica gathered to mark 63 years since the island nation claimed its independence. But this wasn’t just another diaspora celebration—it marked the debut of Jamaica’s newest diplomatic voice in America, and his message resonated with the power of belonging.
His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson, Jamaica’s freshly minted Ambassador to the United States, stood before the patriotic crowd just days after presenting his credentials to President Donald Trump. In his first official address to the diaspora community, Anderson didn’t simply speak about Jamaica—he spoke about what it means to carry Jamaica within you, wherever you may be.
“I feel blessed that I can call myself a Jamaican,” Anderson declared, his voice carrying the weight of both personal conviction and diplomatic authority. “The Jamaican brand is a strong brand in the world. It’s strong because of our global diaspora and significantly, the influence and action of the diaspora in the United States.”
A New Voice for the Diaspora
Anderson’s words carried particular significance, coming from a man who has navigated the corridors of both military leadership and now international diplomacy. His recent credential presentation to President Trump on July 24 positioned him as more than just a diplomatic functionary—he stands as a bridge between two nations and, more importantly, between Jamaica and the millions who carry its spirit across the globe.
The timing of his message couldn’t have been more poignant. As Jamaica embraces this year’s independence theme—”Be Proud. Be Bold. In the Black, Green, and Gold”—Anderson offered the diaspora community both validation and challenge. These aren’t just ceremonial colors that emerge once a year for Independence Day celebrations; they’re living symbols that manifest in daily life.
“The black speaks to the strength and creativity that have sustained us through both triumphs and adversity,” Anderson explained, his words painting the flag’s colors with deeper meaning. “The green reflects the hope and abundance of our beautiful land; and the gold captures the warmth of our sunshine and the richness of our spirit as a nation.”
Colors That Connect
But it was Anderson’s next observation that truly captured the diaspora experience: “These colours don’t just fly on Independence Day—they live in us, every day. They show up in our hard work, in our faith, in our laughter, and in the way we support one another—whether in Kingston, Clarendon, or right here in Maryland, D.C., and Virginia.”
In that moment, the Ambassador articulated what many in the packed church already knew but perhaps had never heard expressed so eloquently from such an official platform. The diaspora doesn’t simply represent Jamaica abroad—they embody it. Every classroom where a Jamaican-American teacher inspires students, every boardroom where diaspora professionals make decisions, every hospital where Jamaican-trained doctors heal—these become extensions of the homeland itself.
Anderson’s gratitude was palpable as he addressed the community directly: “Thank you for continuing to uplift Jamaica’s good name across the globe. You serve in classrooms and boardrooms, in hospitals and halls of government. You carry our culture through music, food, fashion, and family values.”
Investment and Opportunity
Yet the Ambassador’s message transcended mere appreciation. He painted a picture of contemporary Jamaica as a nation poised for growth, ripe with investment opportunities that the diaspora is uniquely positioned to embrace. “Jamaica is experiencing good things in many sectors,” he emphasized. “We are in a good position to receive investments and a good place to be a pillar of support to achieve great things together.”
Perhaps most powerfully, Anderson offered the diaspora community something that resonates at the deepest level of human need—the assurance of belonging. “You have a home here in the United States, and a home in Jamaica,” he declared. “Jamaica welcomes our people back…Jamaica is home for all Jamaicans, and a paradise for people who are not Jamaicans.”
Community Recognition and Giving Back
The celebration also honored those who exemplify diaspora excellence through the DMV Jamaica Diaspora Awards. Johns Hopkins University Professor Emeritus Dr. Franklyn W. Knight received the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Esther Sanderson claimed the Individual Award. Marguerite Chinn of Negril Eatery was recognized for institutional contributions, and Elda Devarie of EMD Sales received the Friend of Jamaica Award.
True to the spirit of giving back that defines the diaspora experience, this year’s offerings will support the Hanover Infirmary in Jamaica—a tangible bridge connecting celebration with service, ceremony with substance.
As the service concluded and voices joined in familiar hymns, the gathering represented more than a commemoration of independence. It embodied the living, breathing reality of what it means to be Jamaican in America—proud of where you come from, bold in where you’re going, wrapped always in the black, green, and gold that connects hearts across oceans. WiredJA
