Judged by the content of their character

Martin Luther King Jr. arguably said it best in his iconic “I have a dream” speech, which he delivered 57 years ago and in which he said: “I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” For the turbulent year that was 2020, there was a stronger focus on humanity with a call to action for justice and making life better. People advocated for social change and came together to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.

And organizers of Character Day Bahamas’ Hidden Heroes Champions 2020 say the “Champions” are the people who consistently show their character strengths by their actions, words, or deeds – celebrating the good in people, and the people who make The Bahamas a great place to live. And that justice and humanity were the top character strengths of the winners of the fifth Character Day Bahamas Hidden Heroes 2020 campaign that wrapped up at the end of 2020.

The persons named “Champions” demonstrated their qualities through their actions, words and good deeds, and are thought of as community builders and thought leaders, according to organizers of the program.

And it was definitely the content of their character that resulted in 10 people being named Character Day Bahamas “Champions” – Melania Nixon, Logan Stubbs, Dr. Willard Barr, Andra (Andy) Smith, Stephen Smith, Antonio Huyler and David Thompson, Earlyn Mills, Jonathan Kelly, and LaToy Williams; six named “heroes”, 11 receiving honorable mentions, and 20 nominees.

Nixon, an eighth-grade student at Lyford Cay International School (LCIS) who is a high achiever, was nominated for her impact at school, and in her community, has a charity called Operation Love and Gratitude.

In earning the title “Champion” her character strengths were identified as social responsibility, kindness, love and perseverance.

“Good character is positive, compassionate, and overall one that is filled with humility,” said Nixon. “This person is someone you can count on or go to for advice or for a shoulder to cry on. They are not perfect, but rather, can accept you for who you are.”

Logan Stubbs, a sixth-grade principal’s list student at Xavier’s Lower School was also identified as having character strengths of social responsibility, kindness, love and perseverance.

Her charity, “Helping Hands”, helps citizens and organizations in the communities, and she created a plastic-free 2020 campaign PSA (public service announcement).

“To be kind and giving and always strive for excellence,” she said are the character traits taught to her by her parents. “Good character means giving that helping hand to those in need and displaying godly principles.”

Retired educator and former district superintendent of the Ministry of Education, a church leader and counselor at the Grants Town Seventh-day Adventist Church Drug Rehabilitation Centre, Dr. Willard Barr’s character strengths embody leadership, courage and optimism.

“What motivates me to be who I am in the community in which I live is the fact that I believe that I have a God-given responsibility to motivate the next generation who will propel this country to another level. I believe that good character is having integrity when nobody is watching. I believe that these are enshrined in the six pillars of character. They are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and how to become a good citizen.”

Andy, the owner of a fishing lodge in Andros, with his wife, is a philanthropist, environmentalist and Cacique Award recipient for his contribution to the bone fishing industry and tourism. He has agitated for marine protection. He empowers youth and continues to build communities.

His character strengths embody social responsibility and leadership.

Stephen Smith, deputy park warden with the Bahamas National Trust (BNT), is also a philanthropist and environmentalist who has contributed to the bone fishing industry, as well as to the development of youth culture and sports. He works to protect wildlife, the mangroves and the coastline. When not working at BNT, he is a sports fishing guide and volunteer for many causes.

“My pride as a Bahamian and as an Androsian,” he said serves as his motivation. “A driving force behind me is assisting and trying to build a better community, and an environment for younger generations to come, like our forefathers did. Having a good character basically means staying positive in everything you do.”

His character strengths are said to be social responsibility and leadership.

Antonio Huyler and David Thompson, chefs, philanthropists and volunteers both have character strengths that embody social responsibility, kindness, love and perseverance.

The owners of Da Blue Hole Restaurant, which was destroyed by Hurricane Dorian, Huyler and Thompson wanted to help restore the livelihood of their 30 staff members affected by the storm, who they said were like family and were recognized as the backbone of their business. The chefs created a Blue Hole Culinary Relief Tour, in and outside of The Bahamas to raise funds.

The chefs were described as men with shining examples of strength, bravery and selflessness in the face of adversity.

“We love the community of Abaco,” said Huyler. “Hurricane Dorian was the most traumatic experience of my life and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I hope that this project shows our team exactly how we feel about them. We love our team. We love that the people who work with us have helped make our dreams come true, and our visions come true. We want them to know that we truly care.”

Thompson said it was an opportunity to grow and showcase what they were capable of doing. “Two young chefs coming together. It has tied the community together and offered them something they deserved. Traditionally, food is something that’s always brought people together. We sit down with family and friends and share experiences. Now more than ever, it’s important for us to come together and create some relief for this tragedy. It takes our individual efforts collectively.”

Earlyn Mills, an educator, math teacher, volunteer and environmentalist, is said to have character strengths that embody social responsibility, kindness and teamwork.

“One motivation is my roots. My mom is a school teacher and she has always been vested in the community, the students, and everything that she participated in, we were right there behind her. So, I feel that it’s an intrinsic value that I developed over time and it’s just who I am. Good character means being thoughtful of the people around you, and being kind.”

Jonathan Kelly, a music and physical education teacher, volunteer fireman and environmentalist is a member of organizations involving the environment and improving lives of others. It was said that he is always there to lend a helping hand and share his love of music and culture with the community.

“I feel that a person with good character is a person who a small child can look up to. I feel that people, seeing what they do, seeing the sacrifices they make – keeps me going. The job that I work at, working with the children, no matter how bad it gets, no matter how bad the day is going, they always find some way to give me what I need to keep going – whether they realize it or not. They find a way to give me the push.” His character strengths include social responsibility, kindness and love.

LaToy Williams, guidance counselor and Hurricane Dorian survivor, has character strengths that embody social responsibility and perseverance.

“Don Vito Corleone said, ‘Great men are not born great – they grow great’. The first time I heard that statement, it stuck with me. Good character means consistently showing certain traits [such] as honesty, loyalty, courage, fortitude … among other characteristics. I love achieving those – coaching, mentoring the youth of our country. I love learning new things, as well. I feel that knowledge is power. I like to see when a plan comes together.”

Character Day 2020 Heroes were Ernesto Williams, Father Shazazzabar Turnquest, Fredie Smith, Patrick Douglas, Renee “Empress” Davis and Tonya Storr-Bell.

Charlene Carey, project coordinator, described it as “refreshing” to be able to share the “hidden heroes” with the public.

“They are influential leaders in their own right. We know that character is malleable – it’s flexible and that one can change any weaknesses to strengths.”

Character Day is an international event founded by Tiffany Shlain, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and founder of The Webby Awards, at San Francisco-based Let it Ripple Studio. The PACE Foundation, Bahamas AIDS Foundation and Lyford Cay Foundations FOCUS program, have partnered to host Character Day in The Bahamas with funding from the Templeton World Charity Foundation, Inc.

Nominators were asked to choose the top three strengths that they thought the person they nominated held. A periodic table of character strengths was referenced and the strengths attributed to the champions included wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance and transcendence. Under the justice category, social responsibility applied to 90 percent, followed by the category of humanity where more than half of the individuals were recognized for their kindness and love. Other strengths held by the champions were perseverance, leadership, teamwork, courage and optimism.

“The persons who were nominated for Character Day Bahamas are like nation-builders. The characteristics of these wonderful people illustrate the great people that they are, and our campaign helps to shine the light on their contribution to their communities,” said Sonia Brown, PACE (Providing Access to Continued Education) president who launched Character Day Bahamas in 2015.

Character Day is affiliated with a global program that includes over four million people across 200,000 groups and spans 125 countries.

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