Miami – The Curtis Foundation Inc. is inviting the public to the First Miami Celebration of the 49th Anniversary of the Independence of the Bahamas.

The event will take place on Sunday, July 10, at 2 p.m. at Senior Family Center, 18330 NW 12th Ave., Miami Gardens.

Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited.

The honorees will be Bahamian pioneers and Bahamian Americans.

The program will feature Vice Consulate of the Bahamas Kevin Collie, Florida state Rep. James Bush III, Majic Mortimer, Ruban Roberts, Gary Allen, former Miami-Dade County Commission chairwoman Audrey M. Edmonson, Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris and Councilwoman Shannon Ighodaro, and Dr. Mary Hylor.

Ariovistus P. Lundy will receive the E.W.F. Sturrup, Sr. Entrepreneurship & Community Development Award.

The Garth Basil Coleridge Reeves, Sr. Philanthropy Award will be received by Dr. Andrew "Andy" Ingraham.

The M. Athalie Range Community Service Award will be received by Thelma A. Gibson.

The Dr. Enid Curtis Pinkney Historic Preservation Award will be received by Dr. Dorothy Jenkins Fields.

The celebration sponsors include Gary A. Allen, Retha BooneFye, Bishop Noward E.C. Dean, the City of Miami Gardens, Bonnie Hariston CPA, Virginia Key Beach Park Trust, Miami Gardens Councilwoman Shannon Ighodaro, Dr. Andrew "Andrew" Ingraham, Rev. Lorenzo Johnson, Rev. Roberta "Bobby" Knowles, Dr. Enid C. Pinkney, Samantha Quarterman, Dr. Stephanie Thomas, Ruban Roberts, and Joann Rosen.

For other information call 305297-7912.