The conversation went as follows:

Me: I would like to set up a meeting with you to discuss business opportunities in the Caribbean Diaspora.

The Official: What would be the purpose of our meeting?

Me: I run a public relations agency in Manhattan and since you’re the head of marketing for the Caribbean, I thought I’d start with you.

The Official: I don’t mean to discourage you, but currently, there are no islands seeking public relations for tourism.

Me: I understand that, but I want to discuss opportunities - beyond tourism and travel. My agency is a full-service public relations firm. We handle all industries - from technology to travel, real estate to entertainment.

The Official: As I said, there are no business opportunities at the moment, but I’m always happy to meet with Caribbean people. What’s your name? And, what’s the name of your company?

Cut off at the knees, once again.

Upon reflection, I should not have been surprised at the response. That attitude, in one form or another, has been consistent over the years since I have sought to do business in the English-speaking Caribbean.

This response has come from high- and low-level executives as well as prominent ministers from all the islands.

As I researched for business opportunities in the Caribbean, I was dismayed to learn that not one company, owned by an individual of Caribbean-descent, or for that matter, person of color, has a contract for public relations with any of the islands.

How can Caribbean government justify not involving companies owned by persons of color, in an industry that grosses $25 billion a year on tourism?

On one occasion, I approached the Minister of Tourism of one of the islands, and asked that very question.

His response to me was: “We just don’t feel comfortable with one of our own.”

I found that answer disconcerting for the following reasons:

I was born in Kingston, Jamaica. I have Masters Degree in Journalism from Columbia University. I am a partner in a global public relations firm that has represented clients successfully from all over the world. Yet, a person who looks like me, from an island that shares much of the culture of my homeland, told me: “I wasn’t good enough.”

I make no apologies for wanting to do business in the place of my birth. I readily admit that my motive, like any good businesswoman, is to make money. However, black exclusion from the lucrative tourism industry has a profound impact on the islands themselves.

For instance, it is imperative that emerging economies, like those in the Caribbean, begin to build support and profitable liaisons with their fellow countrymen and women.

These companies are more likely to hire other Caribbean-immigrants; there are more likely to support institutions within their home countries and those dollars are more likely to circulate back to the Caribbean economy as opposed to using companies that have no social, cultural or political ties to the island.

It is especially important that Caribbean companies support businesses such as my company, Dash Media, that are run by fellow countrymen in the United States. They can be a vital support for lobbying the United States government on global economic issues that affect both positively and negatively on the Caribbean. You cannot expect the rest of the world to look out for Caribbean interests, if Caribbean government won’t look out for its own.

Besides, who better understands the nuances of Caribbean culture than someone who was born there?

I attended St. Hugh’s High School for girls. My family hails from Trelawny and farmed land in Falmouth for generations. I have traveled to numerous Caribbean islands and promoted their interests, at every chance, as a former editor of the Financial Times of London.

It is time for Caribbean government to set aside stereotypes about people of color, born out of their colonial past.

The Caribbean islands, rightfully so, took great pleasure in the election of America’s first African-American president. The great Caribbean writers, artists and political activists – Countee Cullen, Edna Manley, Marcus Garvey - helped lay the groundwork for that election. It is now time for Caribbean entrepreneurs to take their place as global business leaders. But this will never happen until Caribbean government changes its dated policies of exclusion.

Donnette Dunbar
Partner
Dash Media, LLC
32 E. 57th St.
New York, NY 10022
www.dashmediapr.com

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