Jamaican-born Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness is one of the 144 Jamaicans who will this year be honored by the Jamaican government for their service to the island.
Holness has been conferred the island’s fifth-highest honor, the Order of Distinction, Commander Class for his work in the Diaspora. After migrating to the United States at the age of 17, Holness later became an elected representative in Broward County and is now one of the leading Caribbean politicians in South Florida. He will officially receive the award during the ceremony on Jamaica’s National Heroes Day, October 18th.
In expressing his gratitude towards the government of Jamaica, Holness said he is particularly thankful that the government saw it fit to show their appreciation for his work in South Florida.
“I’m greatly honored to be bestowed the Order of Distinction, Commander Class by the government of Jamaica.,” Holness told CNW Network.
“My Jamaican heritage got me where I am. It means a tremendous amount to me, someone who was born in the hills of Hanover, to be in this place where the government of Jamaica sees fit to honor my service to the diaspora and to Jamaica,” he added.
Holness, a real estate broker by profession, began his political career as a Commissioner for the city of Lauderhill. He later served as Lauderhill vice-mayor and then Mayor of Broward County in 2019. Throughout his career, Holness has consistently promoted brand Jamaica by leading missions to the island and by working with the Jamaica Promotions Corporation to open investment avenues for Jamaican-Americans, among other initiatives.
“Leading several trade missions to Jamaica, creating a sister city with Falmouth and working with the Consulate office [in South Florida] to help strengthen the community and help promote Brand Jamaica,” Holness listed as just some of the ways he has contributed to the development of the Jamaican diaspora throughout his career.
Dale Holness has also thrown his hat in the race for the congressional seat for Florida’s 20th Congressional District. If elected to the US congress, he will be the first Jamaican-born individual to serve in that capacity. Holness has promised to continue promoting investment in Jamaica if elected to congress.
