Repeating Islands

Jeffrey Poitier, nephew of famous Bahamian actor, Sir Sidney Poitier, arrived in Grand Bahama Island on April 24th to screen his documentary film, VOICES. The film captures the stories of Bahamian and African-Americans who originally settled and built Coconut Grove, Florida, in the 19^th century. The four year project features interviews of Grove pioneers. Although the film was first screened in the U.S. in October 2008, this will be its first screening in the Bahamas.

Born in Nassau into a long-established family, which spans more than 10 generations in the Islands, Jeffrey’s father, Carl, was one of the 10 children of Reginald and Evelyn Poitier, including internationally acclaimed actor Sidney Poitier. The elder generation of Poitier children were raised on Cat Island and later moved to Nassau, where Jeffrey was also raised.

The documentary was born in 2004 when Poitier moved to Miami and discovered that his own neighborhood was originally built by people from his homeland. Further research into anecdotes told by Coconut Grove natives uncovered a personal connection to its history.

“Working on this project has been the dream of my lifetime, and to be asked to screen a portion of it for my people at home in Freeport is a great honour,” Jeffrey said when asked about his upcoming screening. “I will never forget all that growing up in The Bahamas has provided me and I welcome this chance to show you all what I have done with those opportunities.”

For full article, see http://freeport.nassauguardian.net/print/54586417784118.php

Photograph from http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/publish/grand-bahama-bahamas/Jeffrey_Poitier_arrives_on_Grand_Bahama_to_screen_his_film_about_Bahamians_who_settled_Coconut_Grove_Florida-006166.shtml