The Tribune

FORMER US Ambassador to the Bahamas Nicole Avant has announced that the first recipients of scholarships from her newly formed foundation will be awarded to members of Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BMFI).

The gesture is in honour of Dr Myles Munroe, BMFI senior pastor, and his wife Ruth who, with seven others, died on November 9 in a plane crash in Grand Bahama.

“Dr Myles Munroe’s faith in God and love for people was evidenced in the standards he set for Bahamian youth,” Ms Avant said. “Throughout his life, he emphasised the importance of education as the key to refining your God-given gift, and developing and maximising your potential to become the leader you were born to be. It is with that in mind I’m honoured to announce that the first beneficiaries of the foundation will be selected from the halls of Bahamas Faith Ministries International.”

The Ambassador Avant Scholarship Foundation will be chaired by Bernadette Christie, wife of Prime Minister Perry Christie. It will be associated with the College of the Bahamas and focus on continuing the efforts established by Ambassador Avant during her tenure in the Bahamas.

Ms Avant served as US ambassador to the Bahamas from September 2009 until November 2011.

She was the youngest person and first African-American woman to hold the position.

“Ambassador Avant’s work with women and girls in the Bahamas is a significant part of her legacy. We look forward to the momentous impact that this foundation will have in furtherance of those efforts,” said Attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson.

“The Bahamian-American partnership was further fortified under Ambassador Avant,” said National Association of Black Hotel Owner Operators and Developers President Andy Ingraham, who has led the efforts among Bahamian business leaders to form the foundation.

“Her direction, particularly in the spheres of business and education, greatly expanded opportunities for Bahamian/American collaboration and introduced the Bahamas to a new audience in the world of business.”

Since returning to the US, Ms Avant has been honoured by various organisations and publications for her humanitarian and philanthropic efforts, including The Trumpet Awards, The Boys and Girls Club of America, BESLA and Girls Inc.

Ambassador Avant now resides in southern California and is married to Ted Sarandos, chief content officer of Netflix.