The Jamaican diaspora was urged to shift from traditional remittances toward long-term, strategic investment in national development as Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson, delivered a pointed address in Atlanta over the weekend.
Speaking at a signature event hosted by The Elaine Bryan Foundation, Ambassador Anderson said diaspora contributions must evolve beyond household support to more structured engagement in enterprise, innovation and nation-building.
Anderson, receives a gift from Jamaica’s Honorary Consul in Atlanta, Dr Elaine
Grant Bryan, following his keynote address at the Elaine Bryan Foundation
Inspirational Luncheon at the Buckhead Club in Atlanta on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
Looking on (right) are Dr Dahlia Pottinger and Bernie Layne.
The gathering, held at the Buckhead Club in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, May 3, 2026, was organized by The Elaine Bryan Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dr. Elaine Bryan, Jamaica’s Honorary Consul to Atlanta. The event brought together civic leaders, business professionals, diplomats and members of the wider Caribbean community.
Framing his remarks as a call to action, Anderson said the diaspora’s role in Jamaica’s development must be seen in broader terms.
“What is happening here is not simply giving back. This is nation-building.”
The foundation has built a growing profile supporting students across Jamaica and the Caribbean through education-focused initiatives aimed at leadership development and social mobility.
Ambassador Anderson said while remittances remain a vital economic pillar for Jamaica, they are no longer sufficient on their own to drive sustainable growth.
“The diaspora has always been there in times of need. What is required now is a shift from support to strategy, leveraging that commitment into sustained investment, enterprise, and national development,” he said.
He pointed to the gathering itself as evidence of the diaspora’s reach and influence, noting the presence of professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders across multiple sectors. He also signaled plans to deepen formal ties between Jamaica and Atlanta as a hub for economic and cultural collaboration.
A significant portion of his remarks focused on Jamaica’s recovery from Hurricane Melissa, which caused widespread damage across several parishes and strained infrastructure and services.
Anderson praised coordinated recovery efforts, noting that despite the scale of the disaster, Jamaica had restored most essential services within months. He also highlighted the role of diaspora-led organizations in supporting relief efforts.
“The Elaine Bryan Foundation demonstrated once again that diaspora organisations can serve as genuine first responders—not just in spirit but in action,” he said.
“You cannot rebuild an economy on sympathy. You rebuild it by restoring activity, restoring confidence, and restoring people’s ability to earn.”
The event also served as a platform for the foundation to highlight its ongoing work supporting education and community development initiatives for underserved students.
Closing his address, Ambassador Anderson returned to the theme of shared responsibility.
“This is an investment in you. And your duty is to invest in others.”
The gathering underscored Atlanta’s growing role as a center of Caribbean diaspora influence in the United States and reinforced the Elaine Bryan Foundation’s position as a key link between Jamaica’s development agenda and its global community.
