Who We Are
Our History
The Bahamas Philadelphia Foundation was founded in September of 2019, by Remonne (Remy) Duncombe. When Hurricane Dorian decimated the Northern Bahamas Islands of Abaco, and Grand Bahamas, the Philadelphia media was in search of someone from The Bahamas that could provide them with accurate on-the-ground information, and updates. All fingers pointed to Remy, who was already a fixture in the community with volunteering efforts to Philadelphia Caribbean Festival and other diaspora initiatives. During the conversations with media, Remy advocated for them to share resources while appealing for more help for The Bahama Islands affected by the storm. Remy put together a small group of Bahamians in efforts to collect disaster relief items and monetary donations through The Caribbean Community in Philadelphia and Culture Trust. A press conference was put together with the help of The Miranda Alexander, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, and Stanley Straughter of the Mayor’s Commission On Africa and Caribbean Affairs. Remy addressed the media, appealed for help, and the support was astonishing. The disaster relief items and monetary donations were successfully shipped and wired to the Grand Bahama Chamber Of Commerce in 2020, after all the restrictions were lifted from the Pandemic.
As of 2025, with the leadership of Remy Duncombe and Marcia Knowles, Bahamas Philadelphia Foundation, Inc has officially become a 501c3 Nonprofit Foundation. With a small, but dynamic group of (63) Bahamians living in the Philadelphia Area. Even though our mission is rooted in disaster relief, we have broaden our vision to cultural preservation with an annual flag raising, an independence celebration, a scholarships fund, and a myriad of other fund raising events that take place throughout the year. When asked by a UPenn journalist what he wants for the future of Bahamians in Philadelphia, Duncombe stated "We’re in this country… we’re gonna be in roles where we’re dominating in our fields. And we’re affluent and we’re creating prosperity and we’re contributing to our community"
Bahamas Philadelphia Foundation, “Connecting The Bahamas and Philadelphia and Philadelphia.”