Anguilla’s Silence After Kenny Mitchel’s Death: A Family Betrayed, A Community Still Waiting for Justice Share More than six years after the killing of Anguillian hotel worker Kenny Mitchel , the island remains shrouded in a silence that many residents describe as unbearable. Mitchel, a young father and beloved member of the West End community, died after a violent encounter with American tourist Scott Hapgood at the Malliouhana Resort in 2019. What followed, or rather, what didn’t follow, has left a wound that has never healed. For many Anguillians, this case has become a symbol of how quickly justice can evaporate when power, privilege and international politics collide. Hapgood was charged with manslaughter and initially appeared in court, but he later stopped returning to Anguilla, claiming he feared for his safety. Authorities insisted those fears were unfounded, yet no trial ever took place. No verdict. No accountability. No closure. Inst...
Norman Powell’s rise to becoming an NBA All-Star marks a historic moment not only for his career but for Jamaica’s expanding global sporting footprint. Born to Jamaican parents and raised in San Diego, Powell has long spoken about the pride he carries in his heritage, crediting his family’s roots for his discipline, resilience, and competitive fire.
Norman Powell stands courtside during NBA All-Star Weekend, representing his Jamaican heritage with pride as he celebrates his first All-Star selection.
After years of being labelled underrated despite championship pedigree and consistent scoring production, his 2026 All-Star selection represents a breakthrough that many analysts agree was overdue. It is the culmination of a journey defined by persistence, late‑night gym sessions, and an unwavering belief in his ability to impact the game at the highest level.
For Jamaica, Powell’s achievement adds a new chapter to a nation already renowned for producing world‑class talent across track and field, football, cricket, netball, and boxing. Jamaica’s sporting identity has traditionally been anchored in speed, rhythm, and natural athleticism, but Powell’s All-Star recognition places the island’s influence firmly inside the world’s most competitive basketball league.
Powell joined the Heat in July 2025, signing as part of their major offseason roster rebuild. Image Credit Nic Antaya/Getty Images.
It signals to young Caribbean athletes that the NBA is not a distant dream but an attainable reality, and it reinforces the global reach of Jamaican excellence. Powell’s success becomes part of a wider narrative: Jamaica does not just participate in sport, it shapes it.
Powell’s journey from a determined college prospect at UCLA to an NBA champion and now an All-Star is a testament to the power of heritage, hard work, and cultural pride. His ascent reflects the values embedded in many Jamaican households: humility, discipline, and the drive to outperform expectations.
As he steps onto the All-Star stage, he carries not only his own story but the hopes of a region that continues to punch above its weight in every arena it enters. For Jamaica, this moment is more than a sporting milestone, it is another reminder that its influence stretches far beyond the Caribbean Sea, reaching into the heart of global basketball.
