Thursday, July 9, 2009

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A good choice With the exception of J. Richard Blankenship, who was U.S. ambassador to The Bahamas from December 2001 to July 2003, since becoming an independent nation in 1973, The Bahamas has been fortunate to have a number of excellent United States ambassadors who fully understood what their roles were as America's top diplomat in this country. The chief criticism against Blankenship was that when speaking on certain matters, he had a penchant at times for redefining diplomacy, resulting in some Bahamians accusing him of interfering in the internal affairs of The Bahamas. But even in the case of Blankenship, there was never a question of whether his flawed brand of diplomacy would result in a strained relationship between The United States and The Bahamas. Whatever lingering resentment there may have been against Blankenship evaporated during the tenure of his successor, fellow Floridian John D. Rood, who served from September of 2004 to October of 2007. Rood was the epitome of an exemplary diplomat, and so was his successor Ned L. Siegel, another Floridian, who was ambassador from October 2007 to January of this year. All indications are that Bahamians will be very pleased with United States President Barack Obama's choice of Nicole A. Avant, a California businesswoman, philanthropist and activist, to be the next U.S. Ambassador to The Bahamas. Avant, who is vice president of Interior Music and Avant Garde Music Publishing, a family-owned business, has an impressive background that suggests that she will be a great envoy for her country. As noted in the White House press statement announcing Obama's intention to nominate her to the Bahamian post, Avant "has been recognized for her tireless efforts to mobilize the younger generation towards greater charitable and political involvement." She has worked as an academic counselor at The Neighborhood Academic Initiative, a USC mentorship program for high school students. She serves as a board member for the Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program, the Center for American Progress and Best Buddies, and was named one of the American Cancer Society Next Generation Leaders in 2007. In an article written by Tina Daunt in The Los Angeles Times on April 20, 2007, political consultant Kermin Maddox had this to say about Avant: "She is tenacious, she's smart, she savvy. She never gives up and she is as cool as the other side of the pillow." Maddox was referring, of course, to her fundraising efforts on behalf of Obama during his presidential campaign. To be sure, the fact that Avant was one of the co-chairs of Obama's Southern California Finance Committee and was responsible for raising more than $500,000 no doubt was one of the reasons why she has been nominated for what is considered to be one of the "plum diplomatic posts". But that has historically been the case with regard to the appointment of U.S. ambassadors to The Bahamas. Indeed, Blankenship, Rood and Siegel were all big contributors to the election campaigns of former President George W. Bush, who rewarded them with their appointments. As only the second African-American to become ambassador to The Bahamas, Avant should blend in well in all areas of Bahamian society, as did Sidney Williams, the first African-American to serve in that post, from March of 1994 to January of 1998. Williams, who was also considered to be an exemplary ambassador, is the husband of Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and given the fact that Avant is reported to have been a fundraiser during Waters' congressional campaigns, she may already have some good insights into what to expect during her tenure as U.S. ambassador to The Bahamas. We are looking forward to welcoming her. Tuesday June 9, 2009