Ambassador John Gets Awaed

Ambassador Ellsworth I. A. John to Receive Garifuna Coalition Award

For his contribution to the Renaissance of the Garifuna Heritage and Culture in St. Vincent & the Grenadines "Yurumein"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 8, 2009

Contact: Jose Francisco Avila (718) 402-7700 info@garifunacoaiition.org

New York – The Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
nonprofit organization is pleased to announce that Ambassador Ellsworth I. A. John will be
recognized during its Annual Yellow White and Black 2009 Fundraising Gala, scheduled for
Saturday November 14th, 2009 at The Eastwood Manor located at 3371 Eastchester Rd
Bronx, NY 10469.

Ambassador Ellsworth I. A. John, Director of the Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit
(RIDU) will be honored for spearheading the inclusion of the Garifuna Reunion in the Vincy
Homecoming 2009 program, therefore, contributing to the Renaissance of the Garifuna Heritage and Culture
in St. Vincent and the Grenadines "Yurumein" the Ancestral Homeland of the Garifuna people.

Vincy Homecoming 2009 was aimed at unifying and educating while identifying the unique Vincentian Identity
and designed to be a catalyst to generate support for the aspirations of the Vincentian people and as the
driving force for Vincentians across the world to come together with a common objective of recognizing,
uplifting and revitalizing the essence of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

In his initial communication with the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc, Ambassador John wrote, “We are looking
forward to welcoming all of your members for Vincy Homecoming 2009-The Garifuna Reunion. We are ready
to work with you to develop an exciting and fulfilling program to ensure that you have a full appreciation of your
homeland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (Yurumein).”

The Garifuna Delegation that visited St Vincent and the Grenadines for the Garifuna Reunion, on July 18th 23rd
as part of Vincy Homecoming 2009, commented that there are no words to explain the experience and
although they were confident of Ambassador John’s commitment to the success of the Garifuna Reunion, he
and his staff exceeded their expectations with a flawless event!

“The Garifuna Reunion represents the next chapter in our unique story and Ambassador John and his staff are
the coauthors of that new chapter,” said Rejil Solis, President of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc.

The Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. is proud to recognize Ambassador John for his
outstanding contribution to the preservation of the Garifuna Culture and invites the community to join us in
recognizing him.