MIAMI – The Miami-Broward One Carnival Host Committee, Inc. provides our deepest condolences on the passing of Aldwyn C. Thomas, the Founding Father of the West Indian American Day Carnival Affiliation of Miami – later to develop into Miami Carnival. Our ideas and prayers are with Al’s spouse, Claudette, and his household and pals.
Al served as President, Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Director of a number of organizations presenting Miami Carnival, together with West Indian American Day Carnival Association, Carnival Affiliation of South Florida, and Miami Carnival Inc. He was President and CEO of Metro Broward Capital Corp. for a few years and later was the Finance Supervisor of the North Miami Group Redevelopment Company.
He has served on a number of Boards, together with the Florida Black Enterprise Funding Board. Within the face of adversity, in 1984, Aldwyn persevered and succeeded in producing the primary – and lots of extra – Caribbean Carnivals in Miami and South Florida.
The Caribbean Carnival neighborhood owes a debt of due to Al for his dedication to and love of our tradition. The late calypsonian Rootsman might have been talking of Al when he sang, “In Miami, I’ll be there.” Thanks, Al, from the Carnival Group. You served for such a very long time.
Joan Justin
Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee, Chair