B4 The Afro-American June 29, 2024 - July 5, 2024
Multiple embassies come together for gala at Organization of American States in D.C. By Lizzie Suber AFRO Intern lizziesuber@afro.com
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ashington, D.C. locals and diplomats from various countries across North, Central and South America gathered for a celebration of Caribbean culture at 7 p.m. on June 21 at the Organization of American States (OAS). The Multi Embassy Caribbean Gala was a three-hour event, open to the general public, featuring music and food from the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Cuba. Attendees of the gala found no shortage of ways to immerse themselves in Caribbean culture: dance teachers from the area hosted salsa lessons, and an open bar offered drinks usually only sold in the Caribbean. Purchasers of VIP tickets enjoyed cuisine such as pineapple glazed wings, reggae pasta and callaloo. Beyond the food, dancing, shows and costumes,
participants were also able to engage with ambassadors and diplomats from Caribbean nations and learn from their firsthand experiences. Things To Do D.C. and Embassy Experiences, co-sponsors of the gala, donated profits from the event to The Bahamas Crisis Center. All photos by Patricia McDougal
Ambassador Chet Neymour, the permanent representative of The Bahamas to the Organization of American States (OAS), speaks to guests.
Greg Bland, CEO of Things To Do D.C., welcomes guests to the event.
Minister Counsellor and Alternate Representative of the Bahamas to the Organization of American States Mikhail Bullard (left) and Dornell WatsonDean, senior business development manager for the Bahamas Tourism Office in DC attend the gala as representatives for the Bahamas, just one of the Organization of American States’s thirty-five member nations. Paul Dudley (left) and Selina Mutswairo perform live Soca music for gala attendees, supplying an authentic Caribbean feel to the event.
Lillian Nalwoga (left) and John Dudley dance to live music on the large dance floor. After the live music, a DJ treated guests to a mix of Caribbean hits and salsa music.
Allen Kelly enjoying the evening at the Organization of American States Caribbean Party with Cristy Kelly, Kaitlin Kelly and Connie Kelly by his side.
June Findlay (left), Matthew Findlay, Yolande Findlay and Giovanni Moss, along with the others attendees of the event, could choose to not only celebrate Caribbean culture with food and dancing, but also through an event-wide limbo contest.
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