Michael thompson jamaica biography of william

Bahamian basketball player (born 1945)

For his eldest son, also a former NBA player, see Mychel Thompson. For other people with similar names, see Michael Thompson.

Mychal George Thompson (born January 30, 1955) is a Bahamian sports commentator and former professional basketball player. The top overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft, Thompson played the center position for the University of Minnesota and center and power forward for the National Basketball Association's Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, and Los Angeles Lakers. Thompson won two NBA championships with the Lakers during their Showtime era in the 1980s. He is the father of basketball players Klay Thompson and Mychel Thompson, and baseball player Trayce Thompson.

Early life

Thompson was born to a Catholic family in Nassau, Bahamas, where he grew up playing pickup basketball on the local courts and fostered his love for the game. He eventually moved to the United States as a teenager in order to compete at a higher level. Settling in Miami, Florida, Thompson attended Miami Jackson Senior High School. In his senior year in 1974, as part of a basketball starting lineup nicknamed the "Jackson 5" featur

The untimely death of reggae artist, songwriter, author, and producer Micheal ‘Visionary’ Thompson has sent shockwaves through the Canadian reggae music fraternity and the community at large. In a video message posted on Facebook by his daughter Morriah Thompson on December 27, 2021, she confirmed the death of her father and stated that he died from contracting the dreaded COVID-19 virus.

“I am Micheal Thompson or Visionary’s daughter and I want to come on here and confirm that he did in fact pass away yesterday the 26th of December 2021 due to COVID”, Morriah Thompson said. “It’s been really shocking because of how fast everything occurred, and we are still processing”. She went on to say she will update the community with further news about future arrangements.

Visionary was loved and had the respect of fans and people wherever he ventured. Here is a sample of reaction from people on social media after hearing about the passing of the beloved artist.

Long time manager and friend Janet Lewis wrote:

“Visionary was a remarkable and caring person who lit up any room he was in with his superstar structure yet humble demeanour. His big smile and his warm presence always made a fan out of those who met him. Visionary’s powerful voice could silence a room and move you to tears all at once,” she said. “It’s rare to meet a genuine person and Visionary was just that. Vision For Life Productions will send out updates once more information is released”.

Reggae promoter from Germany Angelika Djibrilla:

“I’m so shocked I spoke to him a day before my Condolences to the Family” …

Danae Peart:

“By far the most shocking news this year…R.I.P. Michael Thompson aka Visionary”

William Doyle-Marshall:

“Truly shocking. This young man only just began living life and creating wonderful material. Quite a loss”.

Lesa Francis:

“Oh no!! One of the sweetest men I have ever met. My gos

The National Gallery of Jamaica’s Last Sundays programming for March 31, 2019 will feature the Pimento Band as well as the winner and top 100 entries for the International Reggae Poster Contest (IRPC) in The 25th Art of Reggae Exhibition. There will also be a speech by IRPC founder Maria Papaefstathiou and IRPC board member Carolyn Cooper.

The 25 Art of Reggae Exhibition is hosted by the IRPC, which was founded in 2011 by Michael Thompson (1958-2016) and Maria Papaefstathiou. The contest aims to highlight positive Reggae music and the impact it has had around the globe. The long term goal is to create a Kingston based Reggae Hall of Fame museum and performance centre that wil facilitate and celebrate Reggae. In addition to that IRPC aims gain support for the Alpha Boys School, an vocational institution located in Kingston. It was founded in 1880 by the Sisters of Mercy. It is geared towards underprivileged youth and has been home to many notable Reggae artists such as Yellowman and Desmond Dekker.

Born in Athens, Greece, Maria Papaefstathiou is a graphic designer who has been practicing since 1996. Her main focus and research is in poster design. She is the founder and editor of the blog Graphic Art News where she selects high quality international works including designs, illustrations and art to teach and inspire other designers. Graphic Art News has been known to be used an educational tool to many.

A Jamaican author and scholar, Prof. Carolyn Cooper is a consultant on culture and development. A woman of many accolades, Cooper received a scholarship to complete her B.A in English at UWI, Mona and fellowships to complete bother M.A and PhD at the University of Toronto. She has authored the books Sound Clash: Jamaican Dancehall Culture at Large (2004) and Noises in the Blood: Orality, Gender and the ‘Vulgar’ Body of Jamaican Popular Culture (1993). She also initiated the International Reggae Studies Centre at UWI.

The reception will

The Caribbean community lost another successful and accomplished pioneer last week when William Thompson died on Christmas Eve at age 94.

The son of immigrants from St. Kitts and Nevis, Thompson was Brooklyn’s first African-American state senator and a former state Supreme Court justice in addition to being a distinguished World War II veteran.

“Relatively small in number then, the Caribbean newcomers were ambitious and known for a desire to own property,” wrote Brooklyn College Associate Prof. Ron Howell about Thompson and others in a recent opinion piece for the Daily News.

“Most notably, they became pioneers in the attainment of black political power in New York, especially in Harlem and in black Brooklyn,” added Howell. Howell is the author of the recent Fordham University Press book, “Boss of Black Brooklyn: The Life and Times of Bertram L. Baker,” about his grandfather — an immigrant from St. Kitts-Nevis who became Brooklyn’s first black assemblyman and elected official.

Thompson was a graduate of Brooklyn College and Brooklyn Law School. He served in World War II as part of the Army’s historic “Buffalo Soldiers” division — the 92nd Infantry Division which was the only African-American infantry group to engage in combat in Europe during the war. The military unit’s Buffalo Soldiers moniker comes from Native American tribes’ nickname for 19th century African-American cavalrymen

He was awarded the Purple Star and combat awards during his WWII service.

Thompson was elected to the Senate in 1965. After the Senate, he served in the City Council from 1969 to 1973, and in 1974, he began a distinguished judicial career — ultimately attaining the position of associate justice of the state Appellate Division, 2nd Department, in 1980, before his retirement in 2000, which was followed by private-sector legal work.

The late politician’s son, William Thompson Jr.,