Minister’s Remarks: For The People Event

This past weekend [Nov 13], the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Kim Wilson officially launched the For The People event in the North East Hamilton area. The For The People event is an initiative under the auspices of the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation.

For the past three years, the event has recognised and saluted the entrepreneurs and residents of the North East Hamilton Economic Empowerment Zone.

Minister Wilson’s full remarks follow below:

Good afternoon everyone, thank you for coming.

I am honoured as the new Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry to greet and welcome you to the Economic Empowerment Zone’s third annual “For the People” event which is established to celebrate the people who work, live, recreate and own property and businesses in this very unique and special area of the city of Hamilton.

We are here to celebrate this culturally rich community while honouring some of those who have contributed to the significance of this quadrant of the City. For many years, this community has been the anchor of small businesses whose owners that shared in the entrepreneurial spirit which has been passed from generation to generation. It has also been a linchpin in the cultural heritage of Bermuda.

The North East Hamilton EEZ is a fitting place to honor and celebrate the rich history of our country and the significance that North East Hamilton has played in the development of Bermuda. Three years ago, under our Premier the Hon. Paula A. Cox, then Minister of Finance the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation’s Economic Empowerment team started the “For The People” celebrations as a tangible way to give something back to this community and I am proud to see that this event now belongs to the people and we certainly thank and applaud our newest partners, ChewStick for their leadership and planning this year.

One of the key underlying principles of the EEZ initiative is to partner with stakeholders to collectively achieve the change they want to see. In this regard, the celebrations today could not happen without the partnership of The Angle Street Youth Centre, The Chewstick Foundation, and the community at large.

Today we wish to give back in thanks for the numerous examples of excellence which we can find from street to street. To give back to all of you for your community involvement in this zone made of subtly different neighbourhoods all proud to be called “back of town” and more recently “uptown”. To give back for your collective perseverance in the face of adversity in the past right up to this present day.

We intend to continue these celebrations annually so that they become embedded in the history and culture of this area. Today’s gathering is not only to celebrate the area but to honour those residents, businesses, and institutions who have given of themselves to North East Hamilton.

They are as follows:

• Ø Mrs. Margaret Lambe has been in the education/child care industry in North East Hamilton since the 1950s. She still operates her Little Lamb’s Nursery and has had four generations of teaching and educating.

• Ø Mr. Earlston “Scratchie” Lawrence owns Scratchie’s Barbershop on Angle Street which has been an institution there for decades. He exemplifies the type of business that Blacks had and his barber shop was one of many where politics and sports etc were discussed and planned.

• Ø Mr. David Williams and his family are stalwart residents in NE Hamilton whose presence can still be felt on Union Street where he lives and owns several properties. This family has been outstanding in the social and economic history of the area.

• Ø Hon. Dale Butler, JP, MP who lives right here in NE Hamilton in his family homestead on Angle Street and his dedication to purposefully collecting and recording our history reminds us of who we are and where we come from. His influence has been felt in the area with helping residents to form the Angel Street Community Association.

• Ø First Church of God on Angle Street and The Late Rev. Ronald Smith are institutions in NE Hamilton whose reach can be felt throughout the decades. With the recent passing of Rev. Smith there is a loss there but his teachings and blessings over the years will live on in North East Hamilton stakeholders hearts. And last but not least…

• Ø The Leopard’s Club International which is a community institution which has existed for decades and provided an opportunity for black men to commune, network, and learn from each other. This institution still continues to provide this service as it prepares for the future decades in its home on Cedar Avenue.

I hope you take the time to walk around the streets of the “back of town” as you will witness firsthand the changing landscape of this area. North East Hamilton is becoming a hub of commerce and social activity.

Yes, change is happening.

In closing, friends, neighbours and family this Government truly believes that Bermuda requires an economy that can meet the needs of all our people – because no economy can grow by excluding any part of its people – and this is especially true in these challenging times.

We recognise that this will only be possible if we focus on the full potential of all persons in this Country. And with people at its heart, we are confident that the EEZ initiative will fulfill this Government’s goal of empowering the people, and redress the imbalances of inequality.

Thank you

#BermudaGovernment

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