LINDA WATSON-LORDE
Former Cultural and Community Affairs Officer, Consulate General of Barbados at New York
Linda Watson-Lorde recently concluded a distinguished 20-year tenure as the Cultural and Community Affairs Officer at the Consulate General of Barbados in New York. Her retirement marks the culmination of decades of dedicated service, both within the diaspora and across diverse professional spheres.
Her career path reflects a rich tapestry of experience spanning finance, non-profit management, and youth development. She previously served as a Bookkeeper at Shamrock Trading Ltd. in Barbados and at Top Two Textiles in New York, and as an Account Manager at Tri-State Transportation Inc., a non-profit organization. Her deep commitment to youth empowerment was also evident in her role as Youth Director for the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island, where she cultivated meaningful engagement with young people and their communities.
A proud alumna of CUNY Brooklyn College, Linda holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Her academic foundation, combined with her innate passion for service, has guided her through a lifelong journey of community leadership, spiritual stewardship, and civic activism.
Her enduring contributions to Brooklyn’s civic and faith communities are notable. She presently serves as Executive Secretary of Brooklyn’s Community Board 9, is an active Vestry Member at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, and is affiliated with several advocacy and cultural organizations including the United Black Episcopalians (UBE), the Migration Caucus, and the Barbados Cancer Association USA, Inc., where she holds the post of Vice President.
Linda’s intellectual pursuits in theology and philosophy continue to inspire her personal and spiritual growth. She believes deeply in the guiding grace of God and embraces every opportunity to live purposefully and serve generously. Her appreciation for nature and the arts rounds out a life devoted to beauty, learning, and giving.
Above all, she cherishes her role as a mother to three adult children and a grandmother to three beloved grandchildren, embodying generosity, wisdom, and
grace in every facet of her life..
