BLACK RIVER, St Elizabeth — Alison Smith, the Jamaican-American attorney who smashed legal tradition to become the first black woman elected president of the nearly century-old Broward County Bar Association (BCBA) in Florida, was recently awarded by the St Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce for her professional success and contribution to this heritage-rich town.

Smith, who grew up in St Elizabeth and Manchester, was recognised during the annual Black River Day celebrations for her civic contributions in South Florida and her continued support to St Elizabeth. The event was atttended by hundreds of people from across the parish.

Black River Day, which comprises a day and night street festival, is organised yearly by the St Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, with support from the St Elizabeth Municipal Corporation.

Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth South Western Floyd Green told the Jamaica Observer that Smith, who was among a group of awardees on Black River Day, received the inaugural Diaspora award.

“This is the first we are giving a Diaspora award. It is a new drive that we are going to be going on, not just to acknowledge those who contribute locally but also those who are from Black River who are contributing significantly abroad and are keeping Jamaica’s name flying proudly to reward and award them on Black River Day,” he said.

The local awardees were namely Ruff Cut Sound, AAIMS medical school, Andrea Bell, and former mayor of Black River Everton Fisher.

“Ruff Cut sound system based in Black River has done very well, winning Jamaica Cultural Development Commission sound clash competitions as well as a number of international sound clash competitions — including a recent one in New York — and bringing Black River’s name all over the globe,” said Green.

“AAIMS medical school, which is based in the St Elizabeth capital, has done a very good job over the years in terms of bringing external people to the town; they include many people of Indian descent.

“Outside of that you can always call upon them for participation in various events, doing things like blood drives, pressure checks and those things, so they have really ingrained themselves in the community,” added Green.

“Bell, who was awarded posthumously, was a member of the Black River Day Committee. She operated Waterloo [first place to have electricity] and [was the person] who kept that alive for the past 30 years and participated immensely in a number of initiatives geared around Black River,” said Green.

He also lauded Fisher whom he listed as one of the conceptualisers of Black River Day.

Smith expressed gratitude for the award and told the Observer of her family roots in St Elizabeth.

“I am extremely honoured and humbled to receive the award; I know it makes my family extremely proud. It is especially meaningful because my family was a significant part of the fabric of the Black River community for decades,” she said.

Smith, who is the granddaughter of former Member of Parliament (MP) C D “Poco” Wright, hopes that her success will inspire young people.

“My grandfather was the first Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth South Western, serving for decades and very beloved by the people. He passed away before I was born. I am honoured to stand on his shoulders. Manchester and St Elizabeth are neighbours, and I have so much love for both because my most important formative years were spent in both places,” she gushed.

“I hope the successes I have been able to attain create a sense in young people that you are not limited by any external boundaries — only those you set in your mind. It is imperative to be proud of your heritage, to stand proudly behind their roots and never forget where they came from,” she added.

She pledged to contribute to the development of Black River through partnerships.

“I hope to do a lot more with the leaders in that area to promote the beauty and history that lies there. Black River is a richly preserved historical treasure and to give back in a tangible and meaningful way to the communities in that area of our majestic island of Jamaica is very important to me,” said Smith.