The Tribune

By FELICITY DARVILLE

WHEN faced with the valleys in life, Raymond “RH” Culmer has trod through with dignity and the kind of perseverance that has pushed him to the mountaintop. He has never been afraid of the lowlands that every human being will face on life’s journey, because he grew up in the Valley. This area in Nassau, Bahamas is well known for being the stomping ground of great Bahamian trailblazers.

RH Culmer is one of them, having made contributions to commerce, industry and community that have empowered many. His upbringing, undergirded by island-style manners and respect, discipline and a strong sense of community has shaped him into the man he is today - a friend and mentor to many.

If communities in New Providence could revive the spirit of dignity and respect that existed in the Valley during his childhood, RH Culmer believes that The Bahamas, and specifically New Providence, would be a better place.

The Culmer family lived on Mount Royal Avenue. His father, Raymond H Culmer, Sr, was an Out Island Commissioner for many years before the family settled in the Valley. The family moved wherever his father’s work called on him to be. For this reason, the young RH was born in 1954 at Mangrove Cay, Andros, where his father was serving as Commissioner. He brought joy to their lives as a bundle of joy born on Christmas Day. His mother, Ruth N Culmer (nee Franks), hailed from Rum Cay and his father came from Eleuthera. Together, they would have 13 children.

Long before Raymond would feel the love of the community that awaited him in Nassau, he enjoyed the togetherness of the big family he was born into. By knowing their roles and disciplining themselves to their parents’ teachings, the Culmer children grew strong together.

After spending the first year of his life in Mangrove Cay, the Culmer family moved to Cat Island, where his father assumed a new post as Commissioner. Raymond spent his childhood days running the beaches and enjoying the type of island life that is idyllic and full of adventure. Finding soldier crabs, picking berries and fishing were the kinds of activities that defined the life of island boys. Eventually, his father would be needed back in Andros to continue the development of the island, this time in Fresh Creek, Central Andros. By the time Raymond was five, his family moved to the capital city.

Needless to say, such a big clan made a statement when they arrived in the Valley, which comprises areas in Centerville and Palmdale. He was enrolled in St Thomas Moore School, in walking distance from his home.

Growing up in the Valley was a wonderful experience, Raymond told me. The friends he grew up with became significant figures in the country - all with that special Valley flair - a people that lived and strove for success together. They also rushed together; Junkanoo was a mainstay in the Valley and a source of cultural pride.

Former Prime Minister of The Bahamas Perry Gladstone Christie grew up just a few doors down from the Culmers. The late Conrad Knowles, an outstanding member of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, also grew up in the Valley, along with other great Bahamians like Dr. Ronnie Knowles, Joan Albury, founder of the Counsellors media, Vernon Burrows, former Director of Immigration, and Dayle Burrows, successful hotelier, to name a few.

“We were all one big family,” Raymond recalls of his childhood days in the Valley.

“Community living was very important to us. The camaraderie, the fellowship, the importance of family - I appreciate all of that for moulding me. Of course we had our Junkanoo group, the Valley Boys, and we all participated.

“I grew up in a traditional family. My mom was very hands on. But my father allowed us a great deal of freedom to roam the Valley that kids nowadays wouldn’t get. The neighbourhood was my home.”

With a solid upbringing and a strong sense of self, Raymond graduated from St Thomas Moore and entered St Augustine’s College. Like many of the boys who attended the Fox Hill school back in the day, he would ride his bicycle home.

It was 1966 when his parents enrolled him and at the time, it was still an all boys school. The following year, the school would see the integration of girls into the campus.

The young Raymond was considered a runt and therefore, he got picked on quite often in high school. Most of the boys in his form were older and bigger than he was. This could have been a defining moment - and not in a good way - as bullying can have a devastating impact on children.

However, he came from a solid home filled with support, and an entire neighbourhood of friends to identify with. So instead, Raymond pushed harder and longer to rise from the valley to the mountain.

Raymond focused on proving himself through his grades and through athletics - and he excelled. He earned high scores in mathematics and English language, and he was a well rounded student. In sports, he participated in basketball and track and field. He became an outstanding athlete and the same boys who picked on him would turn out to be the ones who would cheer from the stands as he helped to bring in victories for SAC. He became such a good athlete that he earned the “victor ludorum” title - the best athlete - for the intermediate athletes in track and field during his senior year. He graduated in 1971.

His good grades earned him entry into St John’s University in Minnesota, where he studied Psychology. He has his mother to thank for his college education. She was a hard worker, he said, spending many years at BaTelCo. She saved and put him through college, ensuring that all his hard work in academics and athletics would pay off. Back then, as a college kid, Raymond learned how to survive on a $10 per week allowance. He may not have had much, but he remained committed to his goals and pushed through every adversity and trudged through every valley he faced. Nothing was going to stop him from earning his degree.

Once he received his Bachelor’s Degree, Raymond returned to the Bahamas where he worked for several companies including JS Johnson, Jack-Al Sounds, The Wreck Bar, Bahamas Princess, BORCO and Taino Air - he was industrious with great aspirations.

He was a far cry from his days of being teased for his size. In fact, the athletics, good food and good genes resulted in a growth spurt and eventually, he would become a strapping 6ft 7in tall man.

In 1986, Raymond opened New Image Beauty Salon Ltd. The success of this business led him to open another in 1992 - New Image Beauty Supplies. His knack for mathematics from childhood paid off as he made one good business decision after another. He went on to purchase and operate Logwood Road Liquor Store, and all of his businesses were very successful.

In 2014, Raymond applied and was eventually granted a Gaming Licence for Jarol Investment Ltd, trading as Chances. He opened many online gaming stores throughout the Bahamas, rising to become one of the most successful operators.

He never forgot the strong values he grew up with, and he used them to help form his principles as a businessman. He took everything that could have broken him, and every valley that he faced, and transmuted them by having a positive mental attitude and an unshakeable will to succeed.

“This is what the young people of today have to do in order to see the kind of success they want in their lives,” he said.

“Understand just how critical it is for you to make the right decisions at this time in your life. During my young adult years, there were some who turned to marijuana and cocaine. Some joined gangs in areas like Kemp Road and Chippingham. They beat around the block. They missed out on college. A few of them were able to turn their lives around. But if you, as young people, choose that kind of life, it is likely to be a hard road ahead.”

Raymond found his way to success with perseverance. SAC Alumni Association graciously awarded him on Saturday, October 21 with the Lighthouse Award for humanitarianism. With every step of his success, he has been known for giving back, helping individuals and groups with worthy causes that he saw as beneficial for The Bahamas.

A man with many friends, Raymond prides himself on giving back to his community. Over the years he and his companies have donated to hundreds of charitable causes throughout the Bahamas.

Raymond is also extremely dedicated to his family. He is a very hands on dad who loves spending time with his wife and children. He loves to travel with them, fish, and teach them about things like history, cuisine and music. He is extremely family oriented and focuses on core family values. He is the support system, providing structure and stability for his family. He has worked hard for his family and continues to do so, even now in his senior years.

Raymond is married to Dhalene T Culmer and they have 7 children and 11 grandchildren, namely: Janure (Ure and Charles III), Raymond/Shanae (Brody), Candace/Garvin (Gianno and Graycin), Rhumer/Shawn, Tyran/Bracquel (Tyranique, Essence and Kyranae), Ashleigh and Treigh (Cyri, DiReigh and Rhaya).