Bermudian motivational speaker Dennis Rahiim Watson has been given a warm welcome from Tampa, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as he tackled the issue of black youth and gun violence.

Mr Watson was the keynote youth lunch speaker at the recent 30th National Conference on Preventing Crime in the Black Community, during which he recalled his humble beginnings in Bermuda.

“As I reflect upon my long journey from Paget Glebe School to the Ord Road School to the Southampton Glebe School and on to Prospect School for Boys, to being a caddie at Belmont, Mid Ocean and Riddell’s Bay golf courses, I get tearful, because I’ve lived long enough to create a phenomenal legacy for my four children and for future generations of Bermudians,” Mr Watson said.

He said he had persevered and survived because of the mentorship and positive influences instilled in his youth by Bermuda’s men, and had identified more than 500 local men who had enriched his life.

“One of my fondest wishes and desires as a son of the soil, before I leave this Earth, is to be invited home to Bermuda to meet with stakeholders to share my expertise, inspire and to empower this generation of knuckleheads and future success stories to get busy with purpose in life and to discover their calling,” Mr Watson told The Royal Gazette.

Mr Watson asked for anyone needing to contact him or the Black Males against Gun Violence Task Force to e-mail him at saving.ouryouth@yahoo.com.