Davidson L. Hepburn, PhD: 13th District

Abstract

Davidson L. Hepburn, PhD:13th District Myron E. Reed In June I had the honor of speaking with Davidson L. Hepburn, PhD, a native of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. For those unfamiliar with The Bahamas, it is comprised of a chain of islands spread over 500 miles in the Atlantic Ocean, located east of Florida, north of Cuba and the island of Hispaniola, and west of the British Overseas Territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands (with which it forms the Lucayan Archipelago). The island's capital is Nassau, which lies on the island of New Providence. Andros is the country's largest island. The other inhabited islands, some of which have interesting names, are Grand Bahama, Rum Cay, Eleuthera, Cat Island, Long Island, San Salvador, Ragged Island, Crooked Island, Acklins, Exuma, Great Inagua, Great Abaco, the Bimini Islands, Mayaguana, and the Berry Islands. The country of approximately 400,000 residents is 90% Black, with the overwhelming majority of its citizens considering themselves Christians. Interestingly, the country is one of the richest in the western hemisphere, following the United States and Canada, with an economy based, in large part, on offshore finance and tourism. Dr. Hepburn has had a long and distinguished career in public service. Among his honors include serving as Ambassador of the Bahamas to the United Nations (UN), President of the General Conference of the United Nations, Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and non-resident Ambassador of the Bahamas to Cuba and Haiti. Myron E. Reed: Brother Hepburn, you obviously have had a long, distinguished, and impactful career in public service. For the purpose of this discussion let's focus on your early life, formal education accomplishments, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and some of your professional experiences. Davidson L. Hepburn: Yes, that would be fine. I am deeply honored to be among the Omega Men selected for this project. [End Page 371] MER: Tell me about your early life growing up in The Bahamas. DLH: I was born on Cat Island, Dowds hamlet, New Bight. I lived there until I was about 15 years of age then moved to Nassau, New Providence, the capital, to continue my education. To give you an idea of how rural life was on Cat Island, the school I attended was a one-room schoolhouse where all students met and studied together. I had a wonderful childhood upbringing. My parents were very dedicated to my education, particularly my mother. MER: What did your mother and father do for a living? DLH: My parents were farmers, we had various crops and had livestock such as sheep, goats, and horses. MER: Talk a little more about your early life on Cat Island? DLH: I was one of eight children. One of my early vivid memories was that among the sons, after reaching a certain age, as an early test we were required to break in a horse. The way we did it on Cat Island was to take the horse into the ocean into water up to the horse's shoulders so they could not run away. After the horse becomes calm, we walked the animal back to the sand where they would dash away, and if you didn't fall off, you passed the test. I was never a great lover of horses, but it was something we were required to do. MER: How did your early education progress after Cat Island? DLH: I finished high school in Nassau, New Providence. MER: What high school did you attend? DLH: I attended Southern Senior High School along with evening continuation classes to help prepare myself for the required junior and senior certificate examinations. MER: Was Catholicism a big part of the curriculum at the schools you attended? DLH: No, Catholicism was not part of the curriculum, but the Baptist church had a major influence and control of the youth. At a certain age we were required to be baptized and became full members of the church. Baptisms were held on the beach. There was a specific area set aside for the ceremony with a hole for the minister and helpers. Each candidate would be escorted out and dipped into the water...