05/10/2023
MEET Dr. BEVAN HUGH EARLE “THE BROADCASTER”
One of this year's distinguished FATHER HONOREES. Be part of the June 17th solemn Fathers' Celebration! Get your tickets at www.evenbrite.com
On a balmy June 1st day, Bevan Hugh Earle, affectionately known as “The Duke of Earle” was born in the Parish of St James, a little district about ten (10) miles from the beautiful City of Montego Bay. During these formative years, he started off attending Sunday School, and from there, he attended Spot Valley Basic School and completed Mt. Zion for All Ages.
After leaving school, Bevan was always with his Mother, whom he was very close to as a boy. His mother was a Higgler selling food in the Sugar Cane field in Spot Valley St James. Fondly, Bevan shared that his Mother always carried him everywhere she went: work, church, and the market, all around Jamaica. Bevan was like a handbag to his Mother, always with her, always important to her.
At an early age, it was clear that Bevan Hugh Earle was a hard worker. He helped his mother shave the ice and serve the drinks to customers. Also, he sold raspberry, a very sweet fruit, mangoes, guinep, sweet sap, and any other delicious fruits he could pick on their property. Bevan also aided his father with raising and tending to pigs, goats, and chickens. In the absence of running water to the house, Bevan carried water to the house for a variety of family uses. While perhaps not always easy, Bevan remembers those days and the lessons learned fondly.
After leaving Mt. Zion All Ages School, Bevan joined the Army, The Jamaica Defense Force, where he spent about five (5) years. This experience served as his first job. While rough at times, and discouraging at others, Bevan refused to give in and give up, he refused to quit. This is when Bevan really began to appreciate the power of perseverance and purpose; this is when he learned the true value of hard work and stick-to-itiveness. While he wanted to walk away, he just could not. Eventually, he did leave and instead enrolled in the Jamaica Constabulary Force where he became a Police Officer. He remained there and served for almost nineteen (19) years.
For Bevan Hugh Earle, becoming a Police Officer was the best decision he has ever made. When reflecting on his life, Earle credits the Jamaica Constabulary Force for molding him into the man he is today. For him, the training he received was like any university that now exists in today’s world. Being a Police Officer exposed one to all kinds of things; the good, the bad, and the ugly. Bevan acknowledges the graduating class of 1972 at Mobile Reserve for impacting his life. His core values, leadership skills, personal resiliency, emotional intelligence, sense of ethics, and commitment to serving and supporting the greater good are all rooted in his experiences at the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
Sports have always been a major aspect of his life, particularly cricket, and football. He was elected twice as Vice-President of the St James CC and served as Vice-President on the Jamaica Football Federation Branch Board for two successive terms under the Leadership of Wesmore Thomas and Sunny Vassell. He remains an avid sports fan to this day.
After resigning from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, he migrated to South Florida where he did odd jobs and was able to garner a skill as a “Window, Doors and Store Front Installer.” Earle still enjoys this work tremendously and is proud that he attained a skill once he left Jamaica. As fate would have it, his path crossed with one of his Police Academy Instructors, Don Pollack, a man who had taught him in a Police Training school in Jamaica. This time, Po**ck introduced Bevan to Radio Broadcasting. Po**ck called another of his good friends to assist Bevan, a brotherly friend named Calvin Shaw, who was a well-known Broadcaster on both major radio stations in Jamaica.
This was the beginning of a new journey for Bevan Hugh Earle. With the help of Calvin Shaw, and Pollack’s introduction to Ray Hooper, the General Manager of WAVS RADIO 1170 AM, Bevan was able to secure some airtime on WAVS Radio. Sadly, the Jamaicans that were there at WAVS and in some cases, still there, were extremely selfish, and they would not show him anything or share any information with him. Unfortunately, they wanted him and any newcomers to fail, it was like a “Dog eat Dog world,” extremely competitive. Without question, the lessons Earle learned on the Jamaica Constabulary Force became even more valuable in his personal growth and career journey.
With the help of Don Pollack, Calvin Shaw, and the great Ray Hooper, Bevan was able to weather the storm, although he was told by a present Radio Personality that he would not last as long as a Snowball. This was a lesson to him, and one he shares with others. “You cannot allow naysayers to put doubt and fear in your mind and spirit. You must trust yourself. Hold onto your dreams and stay focused on your goals. In this life, people for various reasons will say things intended to derail you and deny your success. Do not allow that to happen, instead, use their words and even their negativity as spiritual fuel to keep you inspired. Press on regardless”
Today, Bevan Hugh Earle is much more than a Snowball. With hard work and dedication, he is now a highly successful radio broadcaster. His shows, Hot Talk and Exposure air on WAVS Radio 1170 AM and 107.9 FM six days a week, adding value to the community, and bringing a lot of benefits to the advertisers and listeners. The creation of “The Caribbean Voice Newspaper” came from the radio programs, a once-a-month publication that carries a cross-section of news from all perspectives.
With a strong love for his homeland, Bevan hosts an annual sojourn “Jamaica Homecoming” trip for those who have never been to Jamaica, those who want to experience Jamaica with him, and others who love “the yard.” At Sandals and Beaches Resorts Property, the best in the Caribbean, In addition to these annual trips, Bevan Hugh Earle conducts a wide range of charitable activities for youth and families in South Florida, and in communities in Jamaica, most of all the Annual Christmas Back to School Treat with Sandals Foundation and contribution of Back to School supplies from the listening audience.
Bevan is also the founder of The Jamaica National Flag Day Celebration which is a free event and is held on every 6th, of August for the past 13th years, The event is Sponsored by Broward Meat & Fish, Sandals & Beaches Resorts, Jamaica Tourists Board, Jamaica National Money, and Frasers Property and Adjusting, and the Annual New Year’s Eve broadcast to his homeland Jamaica.
Over the years, Bevan “the Duke of Earle” has received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters, Proclamations from two Governors, Keys for Service to Broward County, the IRMA Award and Top Show 2013, and most importantly, “The Jamaica Diaspora Change-Maker Jamaica 50th” presented by Governor General Sir Allen, among a host of other awards. The Duke says his family keeps him doing what he loves best and is always ready to help those that need help wherever he goes!!
The International Fathers’ Association members congratulate Dr. Bevan Earle and wish him well in his future endeavors
