Three Virgin Islanders honored in celebration of United Nations’  74th Anniversary 

written by Joi Thomas-Lewis

Three Virgin Islanders were honored in  celebration of United Nations 74th Anniversary , “Our Planet, Our Future”

Natives of the U.S. Virgin Islands Kervin L. Clenance, Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh, and Angela Golden Bryan were among 11 individuals — including a mayor and a Florida House of Representatives member — who were honored by the United Nations’ Broward County Chapter on Sunday afternoon at an event in Florida.

The United Nations chose the theme, “Our Planet, Our Future”, to recognize the climate crisis declared by the UN as a defining issue of our time. The UN is dedicated to working with global leaders and civil society, developing solutions to combat the climate crisis and work toward a more sustainable future. Broward’s “United Nations Day Scholarship & Awards Luncheon”,  honored local champions for climate action, and social justice, while raising funds for refugees.

“It feels great to represent the Virgin Islands and St. Croix in particular with my work in South Florida over the past 3 decades.” It is especially humbling to see other Virgin Islanders doing the same,” said Mr. Clenance, a former producer of the St. Croix Jazz Festival and retired Cox Media broadcast executive

During Dr. Smith-Baugh’s acceptance speech, she admitted to changing her speech on the spot so she could thank Mr. Clenance, fellow Virgin Islander and honoree, for encouraging her and inspiring her when she first started with the Urban League many years ago.

Dr. Smith-Baugh committed to looking into ways the Urban League could partner with the United Nations Association and encouraged the audience to probe how they could personally become involved in the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.

Mrs. Bryan, also a member of the United Nations Association-USA Broward County chapter, said “we are civilians that partner with the UN by promoting and participating in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. I am the Ambassador for Gender Equality (goal #5) and the UNA Women Chair. My 501(c) 3, The Fireburn Foundation, INC is an NGO partner with the United Nations Association and we seek to partner with organizations that serve those in need, particularly in the USVI”.