Well-wishers from Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New York, Oklahoma, and various islands of the Bahamas descended on Nassau, Bahamas and the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island to help Karen Sutherland celebrate her birthday. Karen is Senior Director of Training & Development/Human Resources at Atlantis.

The party started with a blast on Friday with a “fantastic voyage” aboard the M/Y Carrousel with everyone wearing black or white. From there, the action moved to the Atlantis casino. After a leisurely Saturday in 75-degree weather, the group hung out with the Marina Village Junkanoo Band, then adjourned to witness entertainer “Big, Black and Sexy” do his thing.

By Sunday afternoon, Dec. 4, many of the partiers were back at their respective cold-climate destinations.

PHOTO CREDIT: CHARLES W. CHERRY II / FLORIDA COURIER

Supporters of the African Diaspora converged on Africa House in Gallatin, Tenn. for an inaugural dinner supporting the activities of the African Union's Diaspora African Forum (AU-DAF). Special guests of honor were Patrick R. D. Hayford, Director of the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa at the United Nations; Her Excellency Dr. Erieka Bennett, founder, chair, and Head of Mission of AU-DAF in Accra, Ghana; and Her Excellency Amina S. Ali, Permanent Representative of the African Union Mission to the USA. Hosts for the event were Dr. Arikana Chihombori and the leadership team of AU-DAF. Theme of the dinner was "From Brain Drain to Brain Gain."

PHOTO CREDIT: CHARLES W. CHERRY II /  FLORIDA COURIER

The second day of the NNPA Annual Convention began with a breakfast sponsored by Neilsen featuring an inspirational address from the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., and attended by professor and radio talk show host Michael Eric Dyson and his wife, the Rev. Marcia Dyson; Afrocentric philosopher Dr. Maulana Karenga, who originated the celebration of Kwanzaa; activist and university professor Dr. Cornel West; civil rights activist Ben Chavis; and the Rev. Eugene Rivers, a Boston-area pastor and MSNBC commentator.

A corporate partners forum followed, hosted by NNPA Chairman Danny Bakewell, Sr. with panelists Chuck Morrison representing Ford; Jocelyn K. Allen representing GM; Cheryl Pearson-McNeil representing Neilsen; and Michelle Thornhill representing Wells Fargo.

Lunch was served during a brief speech by the Rev. Al Sharpton with civil rights activist Martin Luther King III, media commentator Roland Martin, Chavis, the Dysons, Dr. Karenga, the Rev. Jackson, and Dr. West all in attendance and seated at the same table. Immediately thereafter, journalist George Curry hosted a spirited but cordial conversation between Dr. West and the Rev. Sharpton that briefly addressed their recent televised disagreement about the policies of the Obama administration, among other issues.

Later, Harvard Law School Professor Charles J. Ogletree facilitated a National Leaders Forum with Dr. Chavis, the Dysons, the Rev. Jackson, Dr. Karenga, and Dr. West.

Day Three ended with the Legacy of Excellence Dinner and Awards Gala recognizing the achievements of civil rights activist and broadcaster Xernona Clayton and Miami Times Publisher-Emeritus Garth Reeves, the NNPA's oldest living publisher. The Temptations provided after-dinner entertainment.

PHOTO CREDIT: CHARLES W. CHERRY II / FLORIDA COURIER

Florida Courier Publisher Charles W. Cherry II and president/CEO Dr. Glenn W. Cherry journeyed to Accra, Ghana to evaluate entrepreneurial opportunities for Black Americans and to write about the experience. These pictures are from Day 3, their second full day of activities.

Click here to read the accompanying story.

Florida Courier Publisher Charles W. Cherry II and president/CEO Dr. Glenn W. Cherry journeyed to Accra, Ghana to evaluate entrepreneurial opportunities for Black Americans and to write about the experience. These pictures are from Day 1, their arrival into the country.

Click here to read the accompanying story.

PHOTO CREDIT: CHARLES W. CHERRY II/FLORIDA COURIER