MIAMI, Fla. (FNN) — Distinguished leaders, cultural icons, tourism executives, and community champions from across the Caribbean and its Diaspora are set to gather for the 2025 Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Awards—an afternoon dedicated to excellence, service, and the advancement of the region.

This year’s ceremony will feature a landmark moment: the presentation of the inaugural CMEx Lifetime Achievement Award to Sir Baltron Bethel, one of the Caribbean’s most influential tourism visionaries and a national icon of The Bahamas. Sir Baltron is recognized as the first and longest-serving Bahamian Director General of Tourism and a key architect of the region’s tourism growth and policy development.

Honoring Caribbean Changemakers

The 2025 CMEx Leadership Awards will recognize an exceptional roster of laureates whose work continues to shape Caribbean tourism, culture, and economic development. Honorees include:

Carole Alexis (Martinique), Dave Chang (Carnival Cruise Line), May-Ling Chun (St. Maarten), Ronella Croes (Aruba Tourism Authority), Laura Davidson (LDPR), Muryad de Bruin (Curaçao Tourist Board), Cathleen Decker (The Decker/Royal Agency), Loreto Duffy-Mayers (Barbados), Monique Hamaty-Simmonds (Cayman Islands), Clarisa Jiménez (Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association), Luce Hodge-Smith (British Virgin Islands), Janelle Hopkin (Grenada), Vonulrick “Von” Martin (Caribbeana Communications), Shomari Scott (Health City Cayman Islands), and Marcus Simmonds (Tortuga International Holdings).

“These exceptional honorees embody the spirit of leadership, innovation, and service that defines the best of the Caribbean,” said Bevan Springer, President of CMEx. “Their contributions across tourism, business, culture, and community development continue to transform the region.”

Regional and Global Dignitaries to Attend

The ceremony will welcome an array of regional officials and global tourism leaders, underscoring the event’s significance. Confirmed attendees include Lady Betty Hopkin (Grenada); Jennifer Matarangas-King (U.S. Virgin Islands); Cardigan Connor (Anguilla); Dona Regis-Prosper (Caribbean Tourism Organization); Latia Duncombe (Bahamas Ministry of Tourism); Joy Jibrilu (Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board); Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace (The Bahamas); Vanessa Ledesma (Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association); Wendy McDonald (Royal Caribbean Group); and Dr. Lisa Indar (CARPHA).

Tourism directors from Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, and Grenada will also be in attendance. Adding a cultural highlight, Bahamian vocalist Simmone Bowe will return as the featured performer, bringing her blend of jazz, reggae, R&B, and gospel to the stage.

Committed Partners and Sponsors

The 2025 CMEx Leadership Awards and Fundraiser is supported by a coalition of corporate, governmental, and destination partners whose contributions help sustain CMEx programs focused on youth development, education, and professional training throughout the region.

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation serves as the Platinum Sponsor, with major sponsors including the Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board, British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission, Tropical Shipping, Unique Vacations Inc., The Decker/Royal Agency, Grenada Tourism Authority, Barbary Pyle Foundation, Tortuga Rum Company, Carnival Corporation & plc, Rodman Marketing Guru, and the St. Maarten Tourist Board.

Additional supporting sponsors include Calabash Cove Resort & Spa, Coco Palm, Comfort Suites Paradise Island, Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Jade Mountain, Ladera Resort, Marketplace Excellence Corporation, Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort, Park Hyatt St. Kitts, Round Hill Hotel and Villas, Tropical Attractions, and Villa Kaya.

The CMEx Leadership Awards celebrate individuals whose achievements span hospitality, cruise tourism, medical tourism, sustainable development, destination marketing, and media—fostering collaboration and a shared vision for a thriving Caribbean future.

DAVIE, Fla. (FNN) — Senator Barbara Sharief has issued a formal proclamation honoring Harold L. Smith, a 100-year-old U.S. Army Air Corps veteran, for his remarkable military service during World War II and his decades of civic and community involvement.

Smith was born in Colorado in 1923 and raised in Iowa. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in 1942, serving until 1946 and training on the B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber. Following his military service, Smith pursued a career in contracting and focused on faith, family, and public service.

Smith has been a member of The Gideons International since 1979, spending years visiting Broward County jails every Saturday to provide devotionals and encouragement. In recognition of his contributions and leadership, he was inducted into the Broward Senior Hall of Fame in 2019.

Beyond his service and philanthropy, Smith also enjoyed a successful artistic career as a dancer, instructor, and vocalist with the Arthur Murray Dance Organization, where he trained numerous performers who later appeared on and off Broadway. He remains active today, still gardening weekly at age 100.

“Harold Smith represents the very best of our nation — service, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to others,” Senator Sharief said.

The proclamation commemorates Smith’s lifetime of dedication to the country and his enduring impact on Broward County residents.
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SOUTH FLORIDA (FNN NEWS) – As millions of Americans prepare to lose access to food assistance due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, the Poverello Center, and DoorDash are joining forces to call for urgent action and provide support to vulnerable families in need.

On Friday, October 31, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., the three partners will hold a media availability at the Poverello Center (2056 N Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305) to highlight the need for an emergency food response as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding is set to run out on November 1, leaving more than 40 million Americans—including thousands of South Florida residents—without access to critical food assistance.

DoorDash Expands Emergency Food Response Nationwide

In anticipation of the SNAP funding lapse, DoorDash has activated its Emergency Food Response initiative, providing free delivery for its Project DASH food bank and pantry partners nationwide. The initiative also includes a partnership with major grocery retailers to waive delivery and service fees for an estimated 300,000 grocery orders for SNAP recipients.

Additionally, DoorDash will donate food from DashMart stores to local food banks, including the Poverello Center, helping ensure families have access to nutritious food during the government funding gap.

“Project DASH has been a lifeline for families and food banks across the country,” said Alyssa Betz, DoorDash’s Head of Federal Affairs. “As SNAP benefits expire, we are proud to expand our commitment to ensure communities continue to receive the support they need.”

Poverello Center’s Ongoing Impact

Since its launch in 2018, Project DASH has facilitated over 8 million deliveries, providing an estimated 135 million meals to families in need. The Poverello Center, a long-time partner of the program, has successfully completed 10,000 deliveries to local residents, helping bridge the gap for those facing food insecurity.

Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick praised the partnership, emphasizing the importance of government and private sector collaboration in addressing hunger during a crisis. “No family in South Florida should go hungry because of political gridlock. Together, we are working to ensure that our most vulnerable residents have food on their tables,” she said.

Event Details:
When: Friday, October 31, 2025 – 11:00 AM
Where: Poverello Center, 2056 N Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305
Who:

• Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

• Representative from the Poverello Center

• Alyssa Betz, DoorDash’s Head of Federal Affairs

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Stay connected with Florida National News and the FNN News Network for ongoing coverage of the federal government shutdown and its impact on families and communities across Florida.

News@FloridaNationalNews.com