On Saturday, August 3rd, Jamaica’s Consul General in South Florida Oliver Mair attended the STUDIO 45 | Jamaica 62nd Independence Celebration at Truck Stop in Weston, Florida.
The event drew hundreds of revelers, and Consul General Mair took the opportunity to engage with the crowd before taking to the stage to acknowledge the event’s success. He congratulated promoters Gary Hart and Omar Shoucair for organizing a memorable celebration that honored Jamaica’s independence.
During the festivities, Consul General Mair presented the prestigious Consulate General of Jamaica One Love Award to two prominent South Florida promoters, Marco Brown and Tyrone Robertson. This award recognizes their significant contributions to the Jamaican Diaspora through their unwavering dedication to producing events that celebrate and preserve Jamaican culture.
Marco Brown, a trailblazer in the entertainment industry, made history in the 1970s by opening the first Jamaican nightclub in Broward County. He is well-known for producing iconic events like Sundays on the Bay and Rancho Grande. Reflecting on his long career, Brown expressed his gratitude, saying, “I have been in the entertainment business for a long time, and I still get a feeling of satisfaction when I see patrons enjoying themselves at events that I have produced.”
Tyrone Robertson, who began his career organizing smaller events in Kingston, Jamaica, and Miami Lakes, FL, drew inspiration from successful ventures like Sundays on the Bay and clubs such as Hungry Whale. His efforts culminated in the creation of the popular First Fridays of Florida monthly event, which served the community from 2000 to 2016. Robertson is also the co-producer of the Atlanta Caribbean Jerk Festival and co-founder of both CaribTix.com and the Caribbean streaming service Caribcast. He noted, “Seeing the success of Sundays on the Bay and clubs like Hungry Whale served as a foundation for me to produce events and platforms that cater to the Caribbean community.”
Brown and Robertson have also collaborated on several events, including SeaBreeze Sundays and the annual Pluto & Friends concert. Their work has played a vital role in keeping the Caribbean culture and entertainment vibrant within the Diaspora.
The Consulate General of Jamaica One Love Award serves as a testament to the outstanding efforts of Marco Brown and Tyrone Robertson in promoting Jamaican culture and community spirit in South Florida.
