Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago -The Trinbago Diaspora Outreach Network (TDON) hosted an intimate and heartfelt celebration on Wednesday, July 1, honouring Trinidad and Tobago-born diaspora advocate Robert Cumberbatch with a TDON Diaspora Patriot Award, recognizing his decades of outstanding service to Caribbean community development and diaspora engagement in the United States.
Held at the Olympia Restaurant, Radisson Hotel Trinidad, the event brought together members of TDON’s leadership, invited guests, cultural advocates, and members of the media for an afternoon that celebrated not only one man’s enduring commitment to his homeland, but also a shared vision for reconnecting Trinbagonians across the globe.
The ceremony also served as the official introduction to Trinbago Homecoming 2026 – TDON’s flagship initiative designed to reconnect overseas nationals with their homeland through heritage, culture, investment, service, and community engagement. During the programme, TDON Founder and Chair Dr. Andre Phillips presented the organization’s vision for Homecoming 2026, with a trailer outlining the programme that seeks to position Trinidad and Tobago as a destination where members of the global diaspora can rediscover their roots while contributing meaningfully to national development.
As part of this announcement, TDON proudly recognized the Radisson Hotel Trinidad as the official Home Base for Trinbago Homecoming 2026, reflecting a growing partnership that will provide a welcoming hub for returning nationals and international guests throughout the Homecoming celebrations.
Serving as Master of Ceremonies, Qushiba Le Fleur guided guests through an afternoon marked by gratitude, reflection, and inspiration. TDON Director Rayan Ramoutar shared the story of Robert Cumberbatch’s remarkable journey and the profound impact of his work in Arizona, where he has spent decades strengthening Trinbagonian identity and fostering meaningful connections among diaspora communities. Through his leadership of the Arizona Caribbean Cultural Association (ACCA) and his role as TDON’s Western United States Diaspora Liaison, Cumberbatch has become a tireless ambassador for Trinidad and Tobago abroad.
Receiving the award, Mr. Cumberbatch expressed heartfelt appreciation for the recognition, describing the honour as both humbling and deeply meaningful. He reflected on the importance of maintaining strong ties with one’s homeland and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting TDON’s mission of strengthening connections between Trinidad and Tobago and its global diaspora.
Adding a deeply personal dimension to the afternoon were two impromptu poetry presentations by long- standing TDON supporter Diana Benskin. One piece offered an introspective reflection on identity, self- discovery, and the passage of time, inspired by her experience of looking at a photograph of her younger self before confronting her reflection in a mirror. Her second tribute honoured the life and legacy of the late Oscar “Oscar B” Benjamin, whose recent passing has left the cultural fraternity and the wider Trinidad and Tobago community in mourning.
Oscar B, a beloved Tobagonian-born entertainer and former lead vocalist of Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, shared a close relationship with TDON and had become a cherished annual performer at its Diaspora Patriot Awards. Known for his extraordinary ability to captivate audiences and bring people together through music, his passing was deeply felt. Guests observed a minute of silence in honour of his life, legacy, and lasting contribution to our national culture.
The programme also featured a moving musical performance by Patrice Inglesbirth. The afternoon reflected the very spirit of TDON’s mission, that is, that distance does not diminish patriotism, and that the enduring relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and its overseas nationals remains one of the country’s greatest and untapped strengths.
Others n attendance included Mrs.Karen Cumberbatch; TDON team members Gail.Ewing ,Julianna Joseph and Rodney Reynolds.
As TDON looks ahead to Trinbago Homecoming 2026, the organization invites Trinidad and Tobago nationals around the world to reconnect with their heritage, celebrate their identity, and become active partners in shaping the nation’s future. Homecoming 2026 will bring together members of the global Trinbagonian family through cultural experiences, community engagement, networking opportunities, and initiatives that strengthen ties between the homeland and its diaspora.