For four days in June, the Montego Bay Convention Centre became a meeting place for Jamaicans from around the world. The 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference brought together government officials, entrepreneurs, professionals, investors, youth leaders, volunteers and community organisations under the theme, “Diaspora Partnerships: Re-Building a More Resilient Jamaica.”

Now that delegates have returned home, Jamaicans.com asked attendees from across the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council, regional diaspora groups, first-time participants and long-time conference veterans to reflect on their experience.

While no conference is without opportunities for improvement, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Delegates consistently praised the atmosphere of collaboration, the opportunity to reconnect with Jamaica and fellow Jamaicans, and the conference’s emphasis on service and nation-building. They also offered thoughtful suggestions that could make the 2028 conference an even stronger experience.

After reviewing dozens of comments and reports, these were the five themes that emerged most often.

The Top 5 Things Delegates Loved

1. A genuine sense of unity and shared purpose

More than any keynote speech or panel discussion, delegates said the defining feature of the 2026 conference was its atmosphere.

Words such as unity, respect, collaboration and shared purpose appeared repeatedly throughout the feedback. Long-time attendees remarked that this conference felt different, with less focus on individual agendas and more emphasis on working together for Jamaica.

Several participants described the event as having an uncommon spirit of camaraderie, with one delegate calling it “true unity, no power struggle,” while another said the Southern and Northeast USA diaspora regions came together “for one common purpose—Jamaica.”

2. Meaningful networking and stronger connections

For many attendees, the conference was about much more than attending sessions.

First-time delegates spoke about meeting entrepreneurs, educators, investors, government officials and fellow Jamaicans from around the world. Many left with new professional contacts, potential collaborations and friendships that they expect will continue long after the conference ended.

Others said the conference strengthened their personal connection to Jamaica and reminded them that members of the diaspora have an important role to play in the country’s future.

3. The Day of Service turned words into action

If there was one programme that consistently stood out, it was the Day of Service.

Volunteers painted schools, participated in medical missions, visited hospitals and clinics, supported hurricane recovery efforts and worked alongside local communities.

Many described these activities as the highlight of the conference because they demonstrated that diaspora engagement is about more than discussion. It is also about giving back.

Several delegates said the experience gave them a deeper sense of belonging and purpose while allowing them to make a tangible contribution to Jamaica.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jamaicans.com (@jamaicansdotcom)

4. Access to government services and practical resources

Attendees also appreciated the opportunity to interact directly with government agencies and service providers.

For some, that meant applying for a National Identification System (NIDS) card. Others began genealogy searches, explored investment opportunities or, after returning home, started the process of applying for Jamaican passports or reinstating citizenship by descent.

Delegates said these practical opportunities helped turn information into action and made the conference valuable beyond its formal programme.

5. Hope and optimism for Jamaica’s future

The conference theme of rebuilding a more resilient Jamaica resonated with many participants.

Despite the country’s ongoing challenges and recovery from Hurricane Melissa, delegates repeatedly said they left feeling encouraged by Jamaica’s progress and optimistic about the role the diaspora can play through investment, mentorship, volunteerism, skills transfer and community partnerships.

For many, the conference reinforced that Jamaica’s greatest strength is not only its people at home, but also its global community.

Five Ways to Make the Next Conference Even Better

1. Create more opportunities for dialogue

While delegates welcomed the strong government presence, many wanted more direct engagement with ministers, senior public officials and policymakers.

Suggestions included longer question-and-answer sessions, more town hall-style discussions and smaller breakout sessions where attendees could have meaningful conversations about the issues affecting Jamaicans at home and abroad.

Several participants also encouraged organisers to include more diaspora professionals and subject matter experts as panelists alongside government representatives.

2. Improve communication and planning

Communication emerged as one of the most common areas for improvement.

Several attendees said information regarding registration, transportation, programme updates and conference logistics often arrived late or changed at short notice, making it difficult to plan their schedules.

Many also recommended bringing back Sunday registration, as was done during the 2024 conference, allowing overseas delegates to collect conference materials and begin networking before the official opening.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jamaicans.com (@jamaicansdotcom)

3. Strengthen the Day of Service logistics

Although the Day of Service received widespread praise, several volunteers reported challenges with transportation, assignment confirmations and communication.

Some participants had to arrange their own transportation, while others never received details about their assigned projects and had to find alternative volunteer sites.

Delegates suggested assigning multiple coordinators, confirming placements well in advance and improving transportation planning to make participation easier.

4. Put greater focus on young people

One of the strongest recurring concerns was the limited participation of younger Jamaicans.

Delegates called for more young people to serve as panelists, moderators and speakers, while also encouraging organisers to attract more first-, second- and third-generation Jamaicans living overseas.

Jamaicans.com’s own observations echoed this concern. Compared with the 2024 conference, youth participation appeared even lower in 2026, raising important questions about how the conference can continue to cultivate the next generation of diaspora leaders.

5. Build a Marketplace that better serves small businesses

The Marketplace was widely praised as one of the conference’s most valuable features, particularly for providing access to government agencies and information.

However, some exhibitors felt foot traffic was lighter than expected.

Compared with the 2024 conference, where craft vendors and smaller enterprises featured more prominently, the 2026 Marketplace was dominated by government agencies and larger organisations. Several exhibitors suggested creating dedicated Marketplace hours without competing sessions and encouraging government officials and delegates to spend more time engaging with smaller businesses and community organisations.

Building On A Strong Foundation

The feedback collected by Jamaicans.com makes one thing clear: delegates left the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference feeling inspired, connected and committed to Jamaica’s future.

Their recommendations were not criticisms of the conference but reflections from people who want to see it continue to grow and evolve.

As organisers begin planning for 2028, the challenge will be to preserve what made this year’s conference special—its unmistakable sense of unity and purpose—while building on the practical suggestions offered by the very people who travelled from around the world to be part of it.

If the recurring feedback is any indication, delegates are ready to return. They simply want the next conference to be even better than the last.

There will be many deserved tributes to Stephen Francis in the days ahead. His athletes will remember the demanding training sessions and uncompromising standards. Fellow coaches will reflect on his technical brilliance, meticulous preparation and relentless pursuit of improvement. Sports fans will remember the medals, the records and the remarkable athletes who emerged from MVP Track & Field Club.

Those achievements alone secure Francis’ place among the greatest coaches in the history of athletics.

His broader contribution was demonstrating that world-class coaching could be developed in Jamaica and compete with the best programmes anywhere in the world.

For decades, many of Jamaica’s most gifted athletes viewed overseas universities and foreign coaching systems as the natural pathway to international success. Francis challenged that assumption. Through MVP (Maximising Velocity and Power), the programme he co-founded in 1999, he demonstrated that Jamaican athletes, coached by Jamaicans and training in Jamaica, could consistently become Olympic champions, world record holders and global standard-bearers.

That may prove to be his most enduring legacy.

Establishing A Jamaican Coaching Model

Athletics is one of the few sports where achievement is measured with unusual clarity. Records endure, Olympic titles remain part of history and performances can be compared across generations.

Coaches rarely stand on the medal podium, but their influence is evident in every performance. Francis earned international respect through technical expertise, meticulous planning and an uncompromising commitment to high-performance coaching.

His approach was grounded in continuous research, technical analysis and a willingness to challenge conventional coaching methods. He studied biomechanics, refined training programmes through constant evaluation and treated coaching as a discipline that demanded continual learning rather than fixed formulas. That commitment to innovation became a defining feature of MVP and helped establish one of the most successful high-performance programmes in world athletics.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Asafa Powell (@asafasub10king)

Asafa Powell Validated the Model

The first major validation of Francis’ approach came through Asafa Powell.

Before Jamaica became synonymous with sprint dominance, Powell became the country’s first men’s 100-metre world record holder. Under Francis’ guidance, he lowered the world record several times, eventually running 9.74 seconds and becoming the first man to run under ten seconds more than 100 times.

Powell’s success demonstrated that the world’s fastest man could be developed in Kingston under a Jamaican coach. It also established the credibility of a high-performance system built on Jamaican expertise.

Asafa Powell established the credibility of Stephen Francis’ coaching model. The athletes who followed demonstrated that it could be sustained and replicated at the highest level.

Francis Produced Homegrown Icons

Perhaps no statistic illustrates that better than the women’s Olympic 100 metres. Across two Olympic Games, athletes coached by Francis occupied all six medal positions.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who would become one of the greatest female sprinters in history, joined Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson to complete the first sweep of all three medals by a single nation in the women’s Olympic 100 metres. All three were coached by Francis.

Thirteen years later, at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021, another generation of MVP athletes, Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shericka Jackson, along with Fraser-Pryce repeated the feat, completing a second Jamaican sweep of the podium.

Francis’ influence extended well beyond those landmark performances. Athletes including Melaine Walker, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Michael Frater and others also achieved Olympic and World Championship success under his guidance, while Kishane Thompson represents the latest generation to emerge from the high-performance environment he established. The MVP programme also attracted elite athletes from across the Caribbean, including Barbados’ Olympic medallist Sada Williams and Bahamian sprinter Anthonique Strachan.

But the medals and records tell only part of the story. Equally significant was that these were home-grown, home-trained athletes, developed in Jamaica within a high-performance system conceived, built and continually refined in Jamaica. Their success challenged the long-held belief that world-class athletes needed overseas coaching or foreign training environments to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

Over time, Francis’ success strengthened confidence in Jamaica’s coaching systems and reinforced the country’s reputation as the global benchmark for sprint excellence.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @utechjamaica

A Legacy of Belief

For us, Stephen Francis’ greatest achievement was changing what Jamaican athletics believed it was capable of achieving.

Yes, Jamaica had long been recognised for producing exceptional sprinting talent, but Francis took that legacy to another level. He had a remarkable knack for identifying talent, spotting future champions in our school system and moulding them into athletes who could outcompete the world.

That consistency strengthened confidence in Jamaican coaching and athlete development. His athletes believed in his methods. Fellow coaches respected his technical expertise. Even when his uncompromising style attracted criticism or controversy, the performances of the athletes he produced continued to validate his approach.

We believed in Stephen Francis because, time and again, he gave us reason to. That belief may be his greatest legacy.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Television Jamaica (@television_jamaica)

Preserving the Legacy

Stephen Francis showed what was possible. The question now is whether Jamaica can ensure that his work does not end with him.

Too often, we celebrate extraordinary individuals without giving enough attention to preserving the knowledge, systems and culture that made their success possible. Succession planning has not always been one of our strengths, whether in business, public institutions or sport. Stephen Francis built more than champions; he built a high-performance culture. That culture should be documented, strengthened and passed on.

Jamaica will continue producing gifted young athletes. The greater challenge is ensuring that future generations also benefit from coaches who can identify talent, develop it with the same technical excellence and inspire the same confidence that Stephen Francis did.

If his greatest legacy was making Jamaica believe that the world’s best could be developed right here at home, then our responsibility is to make sure that belief never leaves with him.

The Jamaican diaspora has long been a driving force in Jamaica’s development, contributing billions in remittances, investing in communities and rallying to support the island during times of need. From North America to Europe and Asia, Asha Richards, Lisa Rutty, Dr. Sandra Colly-Durand and Dr. Nicoleen Johnson continue that tradition of service, each making a unique contribution to Jamaica’s growth.

Throughout their careers, they have built and strengthened connections across the global diaspora, creating opportunities through education, mentorship, entrepreneurship, advocacy and international partnerships that continue to strengthen Jamaica and Jamaicans around the world.

Although their careers span different countries and disciplines, they are united by a shared belief that success is most meaningful when it creates opportunities for others. Through the connections they have built across the global diaspora, they continue to strengthen Jamaica in ways that extend far beyond their individual achievements. It is this spirit of service that earned them the 2026 Governor-General’s Achievement Awards Diaspora during the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference.

The Mentor: Dr. Sandra Colly-Durand (France)

Dr. Sandra Colly-Durand went to France to pursue a PhD but ultimately built a life there, marrying, raising a family and becoming a leader within the Jamaican diaspora. Nearly three decades later, she uses education as a bridge between Jamaicans overseas and young people at home, connecting students with professionals who can support their academic and personal development.

As founder of the Jamaica Diaspora Mentorship Academy, she has brought together 80 mentors from around the world to guide 90 Jamaican students, opening doors to opportunities many might not otherwise have accessed.

“We now have 80 mentors from all over the world mentoring 90 Jamaican students… they’re making an amazing difference in the lives of these mentees,” she said.

The programme has already produced remarkable success stories, including one student who struggled with discipline and personal challenges before becoming her school’s valedictorian. The student later established a mentorship initiative at her school and received help applying to The University of the West Indies, with her mentor offering to cover her expenses if she is accepted.

For Colly-Durand, mentorship is more than career guidance. It creates a cycle in which diaspora professionals help young Jamaicans realise their potential and, in turn, inspire them to support others.

She described learning of her selection for the Governor-General’s Achievement Award Diaspora as both “surprising and humbling”, saying the recognition affirmed years of service to Jamaicans at home and abroad.

The Bridge Builder: Dr. Nicoleen Johnson (China)

Dr. Nicoleen Johnson travelled to China on a scholarship to pursue a master’s degree, expecting to return home once her studies were complete. Instead, she fell in love with Shanghai, immersed herself in the language and culture, and accepted an invitation to continue into a PhD programme. The decision changed the course of her life.

Today, nearly three decades later, Johnson has become one of Jamaica’s foremost ambassadors in China. The first Jamaican to earn both a master’s degree and a PhD from Fudan University, she has spent her career building bridges between Jamaica and China through education, trade, cultural exchange and business.

She has also helped create a support network for the growing community of Jamaican students in China, ensuring newcomers have access to information, mentorship and a sense of belonging.

For Johnson, every interaction is an opportunity to represent Jamaica.

“When people meet me, they fall in love with my country because I think I exude Jamaica… Whenever I meet someone that’s not from Jamaica, they will know something about my country immediately after meeting me,” she said.

When she learned she had been selected for the Governor-General’s Achievement Award Diaspora, Johnson was in Shanghai and made a special trip to Jamaica to receive the honour in person. She was nominated by Jamaica’s Ambassador to China in recognition of her longstanding leadership within the diaspora.

The Community Builder: Lisa Rutty (Canada)

Lisa Rutty left Jamaica more than two decades ago to build a new life in Canada, but she has never left her homeland behind. Today, the licensed realtor, who works in both Ontario and Jamaica, has become a respected leader in the Jamaican-Canadian community, using her professional success to strengthen connections between the two countries.

Through her work with the Jamaican Canadian Association and the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council, Rutty has championed disaster relief efforts for Jamaica while also expanding educational opportunities for Jamaican-Canadians. One of her latest initiatives is a partnership with George Brown College that helps students navigate pathways to post-secondary education.

“What we do is really aim to find out what the stumbling blocks are with our Jamaican-Canadian community… and plan sessions around that information to make sure we can get them to post-secondary education,” she explained.

For Rutty, the Governor-General’s Achievement Award Diaspora carried special significance because it came from the country where her journey began.

“Having something from my country of birth… was an absolute honour to say that I was recognised by the Government of Jamaica as well,” she said.

Whether responding to natural disasters or helping young people pursue higher education, Rutty believes strong communities are built by investing in people and creating opportunities that last.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by IOM – UN Migration (@unmigration)

The Connector: Asha Richards (USA)

Although she was born in the United States, Asha Richards has always seen Jamaica as an integral part of her identity. Raised by parents from St. Ann and Westmoreland, she grew up deeply connected to her Jamaican heritage, a connection that has shaped both her personal journey and her professional life.

Now one of the youngest recipients of the Governor-General’s Achievement Award Diaspora, Richards has built a career spanning advocacy, youth leadership and international development. A former Chair of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council and an International Organization for Migration Youth Changemaker, she has represented Jamaican perspectives in global forums from Switzerland to Azerbaijan while creating opportunities for young members of the diaspora to engage with their homeland.

Receiving the award prompted her to reflect on years of work that often happened quietly behind the scenes.

“When I found out I had been selected for the award, I was honestly overjoyed… This process made me sit down and truly take stock of all that I have accomplished over the years,” she said.

Richards says her Jamaican identity is something she carries into every room she enters.

“My Jamaican identity is not something I only bring out for particular events or occasions. It is reflected in how I advocate, how I present myself, and how I use my platforms.”

Looking ahead, she hopes to continue doing what she believes the diaspora needs most: bringing people together.

“The role I hope to play in the Jamaican diaspora, especially in the youth space, is to be a connector,” she said, explaining that she wants to strengthen relationships between young Jamaicans overseas and those on the island.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Governor-General of Jamaica (@governorgeneraljamaica)

Building Bridges Across Borders

Dr. Sandra Colly-Durand, Dr. Nicoleen Johnson, Lisa Rutty and Asha Richards embody the conference theme, “The Power of Us,” demonstrating that the diaspora’s greatest strength lies not simply in individual achievement, but in its ability to build bridges, share knowledge and create opportunities for others.

The conference itself reflects that same mission, bringing Jamaicans from around the world together to reconnect, collaborate and forge partnerships that advance national development. It is fitting, then, that four women whose careers have been defined by building bridges of their own were among those honoured. Through mentorship, education, advocacy and community leadership, they have strengthened the bonds between Jamaica and its global diaspora, ensuring that wherever Jamaicans succeed, Jamaica benefits too.

As Jamaicans around the world prepare to celebrate Jamaica’s 64th anniversary of Independence on August 6, one of the country’s best known choral groups is returning to South Florida for two special performances. The UWI Singers of The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, will present An Evening with the University Singers: A Cultural Exchange on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26 at the Miramar Cultural Center. The concerts are part of the season of events leading up to Jamaica Independence Day and bring one of the island’s leading musical ensembles back to a community with deep Jamaican roots.

A Return to South Florida

The UWI Singers are returning to South Florida more than a decade after performing From Mozart to Marley at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale in 2011.

Their upcoming engagement also marks the ensemble’s first appearance at the Miramar Cultural Center. The concerts are being held under the patronage of Jamaica’s Consul General Oliver Mair, hosted by Miramar Vice Mayor Carson Eddy Edwards, presented by the Jamaica Hi5 Foundation, and produced by Tallawah Productions.

The performances come at a fitting time. Jamaica celebrates its 64th anniversary of Independence on August 6, marking the day in 1962 when the island became an independent nation after gaining its freedom from the United Kingdom.

A Perfect Setting for Jamaica Independence

Miramar is home to one of the largest and most active Jamaican communities outside of Jamaica. Along with the wider South Florida region, the city has become a center for Jamaican culture, business, community organizations, and public service. Many residents even refer to the area as Kingston 21, reflecting its strong connection to Jamaica.

Each year, Jamaica Independence is celebrated across South Florida with concerts, festivals, church services, flag raisings, and community events. The return of the University Singers adds another cultural event to this year’s Independence calendar while giving audiences an opportunity to experience a group that has represented Jamaica around the world.

A Choir with a Rich History

Founded in 1958, the UWI Singers are the premier performing choir of The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. For nearly seven decades, the ensemble has promoted Jamaican and Caribbean music through performances across the Caribbean, Europe, and the United States.

The choir has also performed for international leaders, including former South African President Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth II.

Throughout its history, the group has remained committed to promoting Caribbean musical traditions while serving as a cultural ambassador for both Jamaica and The University of the West Indies.

A Program That Reflects Jamaica’s Musical Heritage

The UWI Singers perform music from many traditions. Their repertoire includes classical works, gospel, spirituals, Caribbean folk songs, reggae, jazz inspired selections, contemporary arrangements, and original Caribbean compositions.

Their performances often combine choral singing with movement and costumes, creating presentations that reflect the diversity of Jamaican and Caribbean culture.

The Miramar concerts are expected to feature a blend of traditional favorites and modern interpretations that showcase the range of the ensemble.

Connecting the Diaspora Through Music

For many Jamaicans living in South Florida, cultural events during the Independence season provide an opportunity to reconnect with traditions from home and pass those experiences on to younger generations.

The UWI Singers have long been recognized for preserving Jamaica’s musical heritage while introducing Caribbean music to audiences around the world. Their return to South Florida continues that tradition by bringing together members of the Jamaican diaspora and the wider community through music.

The performances also reflect the close relationship between Jamaica and South Florida, where generations of Jamaicans have helped shape the region’s cultural identity.

Event Details

The University Singers will perform at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26 at the Miramar Cultural Center.

The concerts are presented by the Jamaica Hi5 Foundation and produced by Tallawah Productions under the patronage of Jamaica’s Consul General Oliver Mair and hosted by Miramar Vice Mayor Carson Eddy Edwards.

Tickets start at $45 and are available through the Miramar Cultural Center website and box office.

For those celebrating Jamaica’s 64th anniversary of Independence, the performances offer an opportunity to experience one of the country’s most respected musical ensembles during its return to South Florida.