The Tribune

THE head of African American media group, Black Enterprise (BE), has pledged to send potential group business worth millions of dollars to the Bahamas.

Earl 'Butch' Graves Jr, president and chief executive, led a delegation to the Bahamas that pledged to forge a partnership with this nation.

At a meeting with Dionisio D'Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, Mr Graves outlined a number of events his organisation could host in the Bahamas over the next two years. These include the Women of Power (WOP) Summit, a four-day executive leadership conference; the Women of Power Executive Retreat; and the BE Executive Golf Outing.

The Bahamas has already been able to attract several groups as a result of its association, participation and sponsorship of Black Enterprise events in the US.

One event, Soul Reborn Conference, is scheduled to take place in Bimini at the Hilton Resort from July 12-15.

The Soul Reborn Conference is expecting an attendance of about 150, and has been organised by author, speaker and success coach, Cheryl Polote-Williamson.

Disney is also looking at hosting its Women of Power 2018-2019 retreat, featuring some 40 women, in Nassau or one of the Family Islands.

Linville Johnson, Ministry of Tourism director for the multicultural market, hosted the Black Enterprise (BE) group during their Bahamas visit.

He said the partnership between Black Enterprise and the Bahamas has been a long one that began with Earl Graves Senior, with the visit of Earl Graves Jr "cementing the relationship and taking it to an even greater level."

Mr Johnson said he is "looking forward to the proposed groups and to the strong financial impact they will have on the islands of the Bahamas".