International
Sir Sidney Poitier's 89th Birthday Celebrated in LA
By Oswald Brown
Feb 25, 2016 - 11:50:28 PM

Pictured at the dinner held in honour of Sir Sidney Poitier from left to right are: Bahamas Honorary Consul to Los Angeles Cedric Scott, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell, Sir Sidney, and Bahamas Consul General to Washington, D.C. Paulette Zonicle.

LOS ANGELES, California - A celebratory dinner in honour of legendary Bahamian actor Sir Sidney Poitier being awarded BAFTA’s Fellowship Award and his 89th Birthday was held at the Wilshire Four Seasons in Beverly Hills on Sunday, February 21, 2016.

The event was hosted by Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell, Bahamas Consul General to Washington, D.C. Paulette Zonicle, whose consular jurisdiction includes Los Angeles, and Bahamas Honorary Consul to California Cedric Scott.

The BAFTA Fellowship Award is the highest honour given by The British Academy and is awarded to individuals in recognition of outstanding and exceptional contributions to Film and television.

At his birthday dinner, Sir Sidney Poitier was presented with an oil painting by Bahamian artist Jamal Rolle of "Two Parrots,” the symbol of Cat Island, the home Island of Sir Sidney.

In his welcoming remarks, Honorary Consul Scott offered heartfelt congratulation to Sir Sidney and introduced Consul General Zonicle, who got the evening’s events started with a presentation of an oil painting by the Bahamian artist Jamal Rolle of "Two Parrots,” the symbol of Cat Island, the home Island of Sir Sidney.

HAPPY 89TH BIRTHAY SIR SIDNEY was inscribed on the birthday cake, and there was a small Bahamian flag designed with icing in the colours of the flag in the lower left corner.

Minister Mitchell then spoke and what proved to be the most emotional moment of the evening was when he introduced the young Bahamian singer Angelique Sabrina White, who serenaded Sir Sidney with the theme song from one of his most famous films, “To Sir With Love”. Sir and everyone in attendance erupted in thunderous applause as it ended.

Also in attendance at the dinner were Sir Sidney’s daughters, Mrs. Beverly Poitier-Henderson and Ms Pamela Poitier, Dr. Connie Wilson, Mrs. Yuki Morita-Scott, Mr. and Mrs. Gregg White and the members of the Bahamas-California Committee: Ms Jackie Edwards, Mr. Sam McIntosh, Mr. Kevin King, Mrs. Kimberly King-Burns and her husband, Mr. Prescott Young, Mr. Travolta Cooper, Ms Paula Lauren Gibson, Ms Annette Goodparker and Mr.and Mrs.  Amalaye Oyake.

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