More than one hundred young persons and adults from Anguilla benefitted from the holding of the 18th Annual Black Summit in Anguilla from August 1-3. They were joined by sixty persons from the USA, the Caribbean and Africa for the event that was organized by the Enlightenment Team from Anguilla that included Una Gumbs, Courtney Abel, Kenn Banks, Linda Banks, Ijahnya Christian, John Benjamin and Seymour Hodge.

Rosemary Blake, one of the facilitators from the USA said that the Summit fulfilled the Enlightenment Team from Anguilla’s vision which was “The Enlightenment Team Lights Anguilla’s FIRE”. The letters in FIRE were F for freedom, fun, forgiveness and friendship, I for illumination, imagination, ignite, and inspiration, R for realize, respect, reclaim and restore and E for emancipation, excitement, energize and empower.
The Summit takes place every first weekend in August and is attended by people of black African descent from diverse backgrounds, countries, lifestyles and opinions. Through questions and issues participants realize their vision for the black community and the world, and their part in it. Una Gumbs, the Host Team Leader said that when each person understands their vision it can affect everyone else. She stressed that relationships are a big part of the Summit that becomes part of life. She noted too that every time a Summit is held many of the persons will attend the following year and build up relationships.
The event is described as a conversation that starts on the first day and continues until the last, in this case until 10.00 p.m. on Sunday August 3. It was described as nothing like the usual type of conference but a meeting where people get together and ask certain questions of themselves about their life, their vision and what they think or want. Susan Shelton, one of the facilitators for the International Black Summit, said that Anguilla was a revelation for her and the energy created by the participants and facilitators was unbelievable and made a lasting impression on her.
There were two main sections—an adult summit and a youth summit. One of the

The Adult Participants in the International Balck Summit

adults, Courtney Abel, said that he was very glad he did not miss the event. He found it extremely enlightening and caused him to reflect on what he is contributing to himself, his family, the community and the world. He said that because of the Summit he will be able to contribute to all these better. Another of the adult participants said “Thank you for coming to Anguilla and for having me look for things missing in my life.”
One of the young persons attending, Amethyst, described the Summit as great. She was a youth facilitator and said she had a lot of fun and learnt a lot of different things. One of the main things that she gained was to learn that there is no right way to be and everyone is their own special person. Another of the young participants said that she had laid her burden down and now felt free to complete the passion in her life. Each evening the groups were given an assignment so they would meet later in the evening or for breakfast the next day to discuss the question and bring it back to the other groups.
Next year the Black Summit is scheduled to take place in London. Previous venues include many meetings in the USA as well as South Africa, Jamaica, Canada, Brazil and Ghana.

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