“MISS LOU” - LOUISE BENNETT-COVERLEY
JAMAICA’S NATIONAL TREASURE
Organizational Summary

The Louise Bennett-Coverley Heritage Council (Fla) Inc., a Florida Not-For-Profit organization, was founded in February 2007 as the Louise Bennett-Coverley Reading Festival. In 2015, the organization was incorporated as The Louise Bennett-Coverley Heritage Council (Fla) Inc. Espousing a focus on cultural programming, and a mission to educate through entertainment, the organization was developed to accomplish the following goals:
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To establish the Louise Bennett-Coverley Reading Festival as a cultural contribution to Black History Month celebrations
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To increase the presentation of cultural events in South Florida, highlighting the culture of the Jamaican people
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To provide “‘edutainment’-education through cultural entertainment” as a way of giving back to the next generation, by providing opportunities for developing their own cultural psyche
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To develop opportunities for a scholarly look at the works of the late Jamaican cultural icon, the Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley, OJ, and to identify how these works have impacted the development of a Jamaican national, cultural persona.
Mission: Charitable and Educational

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To provide scholarships annually, to deserving students at the Edna Manley College (JA) and a designated College in Broward County (US), in the name of the late Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley, OJ.
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To address the immense influence, that the works and legacy of social commentator and internationally acclaimed folklorist, the late Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley, OJ have had on Jamaicans at home and abroad.
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To engage with other non-profits in community cultural events
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To sponsor Panel discussions, Symposiums and Entertainment, showcasing all facets of Jamaican culture, in Florida.
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To sponsor and participate in, fundraisers for worthy causes, in order to fulfill financial commitments to education and the arts
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To encourage young people to read and further their interest in their cultural heritage.
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To provide a source for information and assistance, on cultural events.
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To present the Annual Louise Bennett-Coverley Reading Festival, as part of the S. Regional Broward Library’s annual Black History Month celebrations.
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To provide a platform for inter-generational interaction, through story-telling and “Brain trust” discussions.
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To participate in and support cultural events within the Diaspora e.g.-Anancy Festival; Kwaanza Celebrations.
Board of Directors

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President Colin Smith
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Vice President Valrie Simpson
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Secretary Marcia Ward
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Treasurer Donna Lee Raymond
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Director Dr. Susan Davis
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Director Maxine Plummer
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Director Malachi Smith
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Director and Past President Norma Darby
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Honorary Director/ Chaplain Fr. Horace Ward
For more information on the work of the Louise Bennett-Coverley Heritage Council, contact us at: louisebennettheritage@gmail.com