Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg will lead a local business group to Barbados in October to discuss trade, cultural exchange and climate change. Last year, the Caribbean nation with deep historical ties to Charleston severed its remaining sovereign ties with Britain.
At least 75 people are expected to travel with the mayor on October 12 on a seven-day trip sponsored by the Barbados and Carolina Legacy Foundation. Rhoda Greene, President and CEO of the Foundation and Honorary Consul of South Carolina in Barbados, invited the group to the island to discuss the historical and cultural ties between the state and Barbados. I took it. This will be my first tour involving business development and climate change.
Barbados will become a republic in November 2021, marking the 55th anniversary of its independence from Britain, sacking Queen Elizabeth as head of state.
“I have the utmost respect for the new independence of the Barbados government,” Tecklenberg said. city paper“From the economic development side of things, we have a natural hospitality link between the two economies,” he said, saying more could be done in Barbados.
Rudy Grant, Barbados’ Consul General of Miami, said Tecklenburg’s visit was “in the context of strengthening Charleston-Barbados ties and identifying how available opportunities for trade, commerce and culture could be exploited.” Our historic ties were forged from the colonial exploits of enslaved peoples but provide a solid foundation for deepening ties of friendship and cooperation.
According to Grant, some of the most urgent actions as a result of the mayor’s and other Charleston citizens’ visits are the development of the medical cannabis industry in Barbados and the treatment and rehabilitation of the nation’s sea turtles through collaboration with Barbados Sea Turtles. Project and the South Carolina Aquarium. He also said early discussions had identified a possible relationship with the International African American Museum in Charleston, which is scheduled to open in January 2023.
“Barbados is developing heritage districts that include museums and research institutes,” he said. “This district is built next to the Newton Slave Cemetery Memorial. This cemetery is the largest and oldest burial ground in Barbados, containing the remains of hundreds of enslaved African men, women and children. This history and experience will allow museum stakeholders in Charleston and Barbados to explore how a collaboration could benefit both organizations.”
Tecklenburg said he also wants to strengthen the existing sister city relationship between Charleston and Speightstown, a town on Barbados’ west coast. Settlers from Barbados, who founded the Colony of Carolina in 1670, began their expedition from Speightstown. In November 1997, when Joseph P. Riley Jr. was mayor of Charleston, the city entered into a sister city relationship with Speightstown.
“This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Charleston-Speightstown Twin City Agreement,” said Grant. “This silver anniversary shows how strong the partnership between these two cities is. The presence of the Mayor of Tecklenburg at such an occasion highlights the importance of maintaining our partnership.” shows.”
Environmental and economic issues are also on the agenda
Climate change and sea level rise are also on the agenda.
“Barbados is an island nation and we are coastal cities. We have a lot in common.” has shared it and wants to discuss it.”
Grant and Tecklenburg recently met in Charleston. Grant said Barbados Prime Minister Mia Motley and Tecklenberg “showed their commitment to take the necessary action to tackle the challenge of climate change. Both Charleston and Barbados have been hit by natural disasters such as hurricanes. and the failure to meaningfully and timely address issues related to climate change could be even more devastating.”
Barbados and South Carolina were once plantation societies, Green added. Sugarcane in Barbados and rice in South Carolina were profitable crops that enabled a productive economy that yielded enormous wealth. ” Barbados served as an economic model for England to build economies in other Caribbean colonies.
A trip to Barbados in October will create an opportunity to redesign its ancient economic model. We are embracing the challenge: for those of us who are descendants of enslaved people, revisiting that model and making our voices heard now, developing our business and using our skills I think there’s an opportunity to reframe it to work in spaces that are looking for opportunities.”
Dwayne Green, a Charleston attorney, is a member of the foundation’s board of directors and is Green’s son.
“I am very proud that my mother’s lifelong passion has reached this milestone,” he said. “I am very grateful that the city has accepted my connection with Bhajan and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important work. An environmental element is added to the cultural and historical connection.”
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