Jamaica at 63: Celebrating resilience, culture, and global influence

Sixty-three years after the Union Jack was lowered and the black, green, and gold first rose over an independent Jamaica, that flag continues to ripple far beyond the island’s shores. This past weekend, more than 400 Jamaicans and friends of the island gathered at the Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church in Takoma Park, Maryland, to mark the moment—not just with celebration, but with purpose, prayer, and pride.

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Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson, captured the spirit of the occasion perfectly: “We are here to celebrate a significant milestone… The black speaks to the strength and creativity that have sustained us through both triumphs and adversity; the green reflects the hope and abundance of our beautiful land; and the gold captures the warmth of our sunshine and the richness of our spirit as a nation.”

That richness—of spirit, of culture, of contribution—has been Jamaica’s greatest export.

This year’s Independence theme, “Be Proud. Be Bold in the Black, Green, and Gold,” resonates deeply with Jamaicans at home and abroad. It’s a call not only to wear the colours, but to live them.

As Ambassador Anderson reminded the congregation: “These colours don’t just fly on Independence Day; they live in us, every day. They show up in our hard work, in our faith, in our laughter, and in the way we support one another.”

That sense of identity—resilient, proud, and deeply rooted—has become a hallmark of Jamaica’s global influence. Whether through reggae, track and field, cuisine, or activism, the Jamaican brand is instantly recognizable. And it is not powered by government alone—it is propelled by the Jamaican people, especially those in the diaspora.

Nowhere is this influence more visible than in the United States, where Jamaican-Americans have made their mark in every field—from classrooms to boardrooms, from state capitols to Capitol Hill.

“You carry our culture through music, food, fashion, and family values,” said Anderson. “You give back, whether through remittances, charitable work, or simply by being shining examples of what it means to be Jamaican.”

That giving spirit was on full display at the Maryland service, where this year’s offering was earmarked for the Hanover Infirmary back home. Diaspora engagement isn’t just symbolic—it’s tangible, deeply impactful, and increasingly strategic. With a buoyant Jamaican economy and growing investment opportunities, the Ambassador urged attendees to “grasp these opportunities” and help shape Jamaica’s future not just as cultural ambassadors, but as partners in progress.

Jamaica’s 63 years have not been without challenges—economic shocks, natural disasters, and social struggles among them. But the island’s global visibility and influence far exceed its size. The people—whether living in Kingston or Kensington, Montego Bay or Maryland—remain the cornerstone of Jamaica’s story.

As the National Anthem swells this Independence Day and flags are hoisted in parishes and parks around the world, let us be reminded: the black, green, and gold are more than fabric. They are memory. They are movement. They are mission.

And as we enter a new chapter, let us walk boldly in their meaning—not just as a nation, but as a global Jamaican family.