Eugene Dean On “Opportunities That Will Arise”

March 2, 2017

The Emperial Group was announced as one of America’s Cup Bermuda’s Community Ambassadors earlier this month, and Eugene Dean said he’s looking forward to the “opportunities that will arise for new business and the confidence that will spread throughout our community when we remind ourselves once again what we can accomplish in Bermuda when we come together for our common good.”

They were chosen for their broad reach to a variety of groups and their focus on unifying the community for a common objective, the ACBDA said.

The Emperial Group principals are Eugene Dean, Corrin Smith and Gladwyn Simmons. Eugene Dean, spokesman for the group, spoke about their involvement with the ACBDA and why the America’s Cup is good for Bermuda.

Eugene Dean Bermuda March 1 2017

What is your background?

As social entrepreneurs, we build enterprise around programmes geared toward addressing social needs. Our involvement in the community has been very broad and inclusive of a comprehensive range of areas such as youth development, grassroots development, sports, culture, spirituality, holistic health, education, environment, alternative therapies, wellness, home birth, midwifery, entertainment, IT and the arts.

What is the Emperial Group’s mission/goal?

Emperial Group’s goal is to serve the interest of people and our mantra is Unity in the Community, World Vibe; Fighting with Peace and not for it.

What is your role in regards to ACBDA?

Our role involves engaging with the America’s Cup to the extent that we can represent the value it brings to our country, the challenges associated with its execution and the opportunities available to all segments of our local community. Likewise, it involves engaging the broader community to provide access where there are interests, and solutions to the challenges and concerns that surface in the public domain.

What do you hope to achieve?

Rather than discussing hope, we’d prefer to discuss what we are doing. We have become far more knowledgeable about the America’s Cup and, as a result, have been able to share our new found understanding with everyone we encounter in person or via mass media. That sharing has begun to bring clarity and transparency to a subject that has previously been characterized otherwise.

For those who think AC is not for them, what is your response?

Good question, because we too had concerns and for that reason we inquired. As expected there is a whole lot more to the book than its cover. What we found is that there are challenges, but more importantly there are also opportunities which we have taken the initiative to engage. We encourage everyone to consider the following quote from Bob Marley: “In the abundance of water, a fool is thirsty.”

Why do you think AC is a good thing for Bermuda?

The Americas Cup is a top tier international sports event and hosting it in Bermuda represents the best opportunity we’ve had since the 80s to enhance the Bermuda brand and give our tourism Industry a much-needed shot in the arm.

Do you hope to convert the naysayers? Why or why not?

We are already turning fear into optimism and will continue to do so as long as we are involved.

What are you looking forward to the most for AC35?

The foreign capital that it will bring into our economy, the opportunities that will arise for new business and the confidence that will spread throughout our community when we remind ourselves once again what we can accomplish in Bermuda when we come together for our common good.

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Comments (11)

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  1. Community First says:

    Good for Eugene in supporting our AC35 opportunity. He has been active in grass roots initiatives as a social entrepreneur for many years.

    As a founder of Greenrock and current Director, ACBDA can be proud of his track record of promoting and working towards building a sustainable Bermuda – connecting economy, people and place.

    • Onion Juice says:

      Bob Marley also said “De Babylon System is de vampire, sucking de blood of de sufferer”, and “How can you be sitting there telling me that you care, that you care
      When everytime I look around people suffering everywhere.
      But I wish you guys well.

      • Kidder says:

        Please explain what you would have done with the $$ otherwise.

        • Onion Juice says:

          Scholorships for excellent students whose parents cant afford to send them to college, fix de leaks at airport (had a leak in my roof and got it fixed,didnt have to build a new house either) , fix deplorable schools and take care of seniors.
          Oh forgot money dont grow on trees.

  2. Good Vibrations says:

    I have never known this mans name but I surely know that I have always seen him working extremely hard throughout many social events island wide ! Hats off to this gentleman and his team

    • Good Vibrations says:

      Island wide

    • A Chap called V says:

      A genuine beacon of positivity in the community.

    • Onion Juice says:

      Have max respect for de Dread, but “coming together for the common good” should be a consistent, genuine practice instead of a quick fix after thought for crumbs, while those in de inner circle who were in de know from start get de cream of de crop.

  3. Doityourself says:

    Opportunities are there but Bermudians need to take advantage of opportunity given. Go and open your own doors and stop whining there is no jobs available

  4. Jennie Lee O'Donnell says:

    Congratulations, Eugene!