Margaret Bernal 

Project Director, Caribbean Realities 

Margaret Reckord Bernal is a sociologist, poet and cultural heritage specialist, who has worked in the fields of cultural documentation, academic research, heritage tourism, public relations and community development throughout her professional career. In Washington Mrs. Bernal has worked actively with city, national and international interests, pioneering new areas of multicultural community exchange with the extensive Jamaican and Caribbean community in North America.

In Washington, Mrs. Bernal serves as Founding Board Member of several philanthropic, cultural and development institutions including: the International Advisory Board of the Kennedy Center’s Very Special Arts (1991-present), the Jamaica Nationals Development Foundation (1991present/ Chairman,); Women in Environment and Development (1994), Jam-Care, (1993–present) and the Commonwealth Women’s Association  (President 1993, 1994). As Founder of JAMFEST the summer trade fair which celebrates Jamaican Independence in Washington, D.C. she brought some 50, 000 persons into Freedom Plaza for the biggest celebration to date of Jamaica’s Culture and Heritage in the City.

In October 1999, she founded the JAMAICA ARTISTS ALLIANCE, headquartered in Washington D.C. and as President promotes internationally a greater knowledge of and appreciation for Jamaica’s outstanding heritage in culture and the fine arts. Since its inception, the JAA has hosted 4 Art Exhibitions in New York, Washington, Plymouth NH, a nation-wide traveling exhibition and premiered Jamaica’s first entry in the 2001 Venice Biennale.

A Sociology graduate of the University of Nottingham, England Mrs. Bernal worked at the University of the West Indies on the Women in the Caribbean Project, and the film Statements - The Lives of Eight Caribbean Women on the socio-economic realities of Caribbean women. Before coming to the USA in 1991 to take up diplomatic duties, Mrs. Bernal was Executive Director of the Bureau of Women’s Affairs, Jamaica, responsible for coordinating and implementing the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) policies and programs for women.

Mrs. Bernal and her husband H.E. Dr Richard L. Bernal, Dean of the Caribbean Group, are currently among the longest serving diplomats in Washington since their May 1991 arrival.