NEW YORK, March 21, 2026 – The Consulate General of Antigua and Barbuda in New York has unveiled a strategic initiative designed to reinvigorate connections between younger diaspora generations and their Caribbean homeland. This pioneering effort seeks to actively engage first, second, and third-generation Antiguans and Barbudans residing in the United States with their cultural heritage while facilitating their participation in the nation’s socioeconomic advancement.
Ambassador Walton Webson, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations, emphasized the critical importance of maintaining intergenerational ties despite geographical separation. “We have a fundamental responsibility to ensure that the voices of our diaspora youth are not only heard but actively incorporated into our national discourse,” Ambassador Webson declared. “Preserving and strengthening these connections remains essential for our nation’s future, regardless of how many generations have been raised abroad.”
The consulate’s inaugural Diaspora Networking Mixer, scheduled for March 25th at Jumeika Grand Restaurant on Lexington Avenue, represents the first concrete step in this outreach campaign. The event will feature notable figures including Chef Claude Lewis, winner of the popular culinary competition ‘Chopped’ and descendant of Antiguans who immigrated to the US in 1980, alongside Dean Fenton, Antigua and Barbuda’s Director of Tourism for the United States.
Beyond social networking, the initiative aims to develop a comprehensive database of skilled young professionals whose expertise can be leveraged for diaspora community needs. This strategic approach recognizes that sustained engagement requires both cultural connection and practical involvement in national development projects.
The consulate, which has managed diaspora relations since the nation’s independence in 1981, is now prioritizing intergenerational continuity. Ambassador Webson characterized the mixer as “an exemplary initial move toward building robust connections, better comprehending youth requirements, and guaranteeing sustained engagement with our homeland.”
This endeavor ultimately seeks to safeguard national heritage while harnessing diaspora talent for the continued development of the Caribbean nation. Registration for the event remains available through the Consulate’s EventBrite platform.