Grand marshals to be recognised for contribution to culture
Six Bermudians will be honoured for their contributions to the island’s culture during tomorrow’s Bermuda Day celebrations.
Duranda Greene, who is stepping down as head of the Bermuda College after 16 years, will be granted the title of Grand Marshal in recognition of her four-decade career in education.
The other five recipients are Gavin “Djata” Smith, Milton Raposo, Ras Mykkal and Christie Hunter Arscott, with a posthumous award going to Choy Aming.
The first woman to be appointed president of the Bermuda College, Dr Greene has overseen the island’s only facility of higher education attain accreditation with overseas universities.
According to a government spokeswoman, Dr Greene has supporting countless young Bermudians in their pursuit of higher education while personally reaching the highest levels of academic achievement.
Described as “a fierce champion for the arts and entertainment scene in Bermuda”, Mr Aming was crucial in popularising Calypso music on the island — and across the world.
An accomplished musician, Jamaican-born Mr Aming also worked as a record producer for Columbia Records. He was also instrumental in establishing the first Bermuda Day parade in 1979.
Describing that event, a government spokesman said: “The parade was one of the most integrated events the island had ever seen, with hundreds of people from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds joining together to take part.”
A musician and arts and entertainment specialist, Mr Smith has organised concerts featuring global artists such as Busta Rhymes and Naughty By Nature.
He is also the founder of The Chewstick Foundation, a local arts charity.
Mr Raposo, a film producer, “has been able to shine a light on diverse topics such as heroin addiction in Bermuda and declining shark populations”.
A government spokesman added: “It’s safe to say Mr Raposo is passionate about all things creative.”
A sports photographer, poet and author, Mr Mykkal fell in love with motocross at a young age — a passion that would fuel his career as a sports photographer throughout his life.
In 2020, he launched Bermuda’s first digital sports magazine, The Bermuda Sports Journal, and followed it up last year with a book chronicling the 50-year history of motocross sports in Bermuda.
A researcher and writer whose speaking career has taken her around the world, Ms Hunter Arscott is an adviser to global companies intent on making their organisations more diverse and inclusive.
Ms Hunter Arscott serves on the Women’s Leadership Board of the Women and Public Policy Programme at Harvard Kennedy School.
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