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Grand marshals to be recognised for contribution to culture

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Honoured: Duranda Greene, the outgoing president of Bermuda College (File photograph)

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.

Making music: entertainment specialist Gavin Smith (Photograph supplied)

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”.

Shining a light: film producer Milton Raposo (Photograph supplied)

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.

Sharpshooter: photographer and poet Ras Mykkal (Photograph supplied)

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.

Top speaker: Christie Hunter Arscott has an international reputation as an adviser (Photograph supplied)

Ms Hunter Arscott serves on the Women’s Leadership Board of the Women and Public Policy Programme at Harvard Kennedy School.

Tribute: musician Choy Aming will be honoured during tomorrow’s Bermuda Day celebration (File photograph)

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Published May 25, 2023 at 11:34 am (Updated May 26, 2023 at 6:22 pm)

Grand marshals to be recognised for contribution to culture

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