Minister Terrelonge to open Jamaica Diaspora Northeast USA Conference in Philadelphia
Key Points(5)
- Jamaiaca's Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Alando Terrelonge will lead the opening session of the 2026 Jamaica Diaspora Northeast USA Conference, which begins Oct.
- 23-24 at Temple University, bringing together government officials, diplomats, business executives, investors, educators, healthcare professionals, community leaders and young professionals to discuss ways to strengthen the Jamaican diaspora’s contribution to national development.
- The opening ceremony will feature remarks from Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L.
- Parker, Lishann Salmon, chargé d’affaires at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, D.C., and Oliver Mair, Jamaica’s consul general in New York.
- Michelle Tulloch-Neil, the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council representative for the northeastern United States and chair of the conference planning committee, will provide an overview of the event.
Jamaica's Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Alando Terrelonge will lead the opening session of the 2026 Jamaica Diaspora Northeast USA Conference, which begins Oct. 23 in Philadelphia.
Terrelonge, who has responsibility for diaspora affairs, will join Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Brian Wallace, to address “The State of Jamaica and the Role of the Northeast Diaspora” at the two-day conference, being held under the theme “One Diaspora, One Vision: Advancing Jamaica Together.”
The conference will take place Oct. 23-24 at Temple University, bringing together government officials, diplomats, business executives, investors, educators, healthcare professionals, community leaders and young professionals to discuss ways to strengthen the Jamaican diaspora’s contribution to national development.
The opening ceremony will feature remarks from Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, Lishann Salmon, chargé d’affaires at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, D.C., and Oliver Mair, Jamaica’s consul general in New York.
Michelle Tulloch-Neil, the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council representative for the northeastern United States and chair of the conference planning committee, will provide an overview of the event.
The conference builds on the inaugural Northeast Diaspora Conference, held in Philadelphia in June 2025. Organizers aim to move beyond discussions to develop practical partnerships and initiatives that deliver measurable benefits to Jamaica and its overseas communities.
Terrelonge’s participation will be a key feature of the opening day, which will also include a business leaders’ luncheon and strategic dialogue focused on business development, investment and stronger economic ties between Jamaica and its diaspora.
Discussions throughout the conference will cover trade and investment, entrepreneurship, healthcare, education, immigration, public safety, human trafficking awareness, shipping and customs, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
Participants will also explore opportunities for public-private partnerships, professional mentorship, youth leadership development and sustainable community initiatives.
The conference comes as Jamaica faces recovery and rebuilding needs following Hurricane Melissa, with organizers highlighting the potential role of coordinated diaspora engagement in supporting long-term national development and resilience.
Featured speakers include Norma Jarrett of OFANA, Andrea Lawful-Sanders, David Mullings, Ambassador Wallace, Beverly Clarke and Blane Stoddart.
Mair is scheduled to deliver the keynote address on Saturday, Oct. 24, under the title “Together, We Go Far: Building a Stronger Jamaica Through Diaspora Collaboration.”
This year’s conference will also feature young professionals representing seven universities across the northeastern United States. Their participation is intended to strengthen connections between emerging leaders and opportunities for mentorship, entrepreneurship and professional development.
Organizers say youth engagement is important to building a more connected diaspora, encouraging young Jamaicans and people of Jamaican heritage to take an active role in community development and Jamaica’s future.
The conference planning committee, led by Tulloch-Neil, hopes the event will help business leaders, community organizations and other diaspora stakeholders establish new relationships, exchange expertise and identify collaborative projects that benefit Jamaica and Jamaican communities overseas.
Through its theme, the conference emphasizes a united approach to mobilizing the skills, resources and influence of Jamaicans abroad in support of a more prosperous and resilient homeland.
