Wednesday, February 13, 2008 4:27 AM

Jamaica, 44 Years Grand Independence Celebration Ball
Hilton hotel, New York, NY
Aug 12th 2006

The 44-Year Celebration of Jamaica was indeed a festive celebration.  It began with a warm welcome by the Master of Ceremonies, Mr. David “Squeeze” Annakie, followed by wonderful renditions of both the American and Jamaican National Anthems.  There was then a wonderful invocation by Bishop E Don Taylor , and a welcome by Dr.Basil K. Bryan, the Jamaican Consulate General, who spoke about the disproportionately large contribution Jamaica has made to the world in relation to its size, making its mark in sports, politics, public service, business, cultural arts, music, academics, and culinary arts, and the great amounts of respect it has gained for the nation as a whole.

The guest of honor, The Honorable Portia Simpson Miller Newly Elected Prime Minister of Jamica,and the first ever Woman Prime Minister of Jamaica. Spoke about how she and her administration are making education their top priority for Jamaica, and she also went on to say that Jamaican’s have made contribution in every possible field,Eg, Sports,Entertainment , Business, Sciences and many more fields,she also went to say that entertainment is a very big business in Jamaica and that she will she how able to make it a more  profitable business. 

We then all enjoyed a wonderful dinner, which was followed by the presentation of the Consulate General’s Award by Dr. Basil K. Bryan, Jamaica’s Consulate General. The honorees for the evening included :Minell M.Porter, President Giddy Hall School Alumni Association, Paul Campbell, Vice President Human Resources for Polo Ralph Lauren, Amir Abdullah ,Founder (CAPE), Barbara Richards, President (UJAA),Raymond Goulbourne,Executive Vice President, (BET),Valerie Wilson, DOA, for Grand Central Paartnership,Patricia Chin ,Co Founder, VP Records, and Saleem Josephs, the only student to graduate from Columbia University with, Doctorate and two masters degrees in five,rather then 8 years,which it would take if one where to do them consecutively.

Silent auction winners were then announced, and there was plenty of dancing and vocal and instrumental entertainment, including Byron Lee & The Dragonaires, John Holt, Ossie D & Stevie G, Carlton James (Mento Music).

A little about Jamaica.   Jamaica has a multi-racial population of approximately 2.6 million, which is ethnically diverse.  Ninety percent of the population is of African American descent, and ten percent is a multi-racial mix of  European, Asian and Middle-Eastern origin. The predominant language is English with a local dialect called patois.    It’s economy is driven largely by sugar and bananas.  International links include two international airports based in Kingston and Montego Bay.   The dominant religion among the Jamaica people is Christianity, and the culture is a reflection of ethnic diversity, hence the motto “Out of Many One People.” Cultural performances within Jamaica are amateur in status.  Jamaica has achieved much fame as a result of its Reggae, a blend of indigenous and Black/Afro American music.  Jamaica has also produced some of the world’s leading athletes, giving the nation excellent standing in the area of international sports competition.

 

Gloria smith is a School teacher for the past 25 years based here in Queens NY,with a masters degree in Education, she loves to travel allover the world, & writes about different topics,on International Business, Cultural events, & All Kind of Women Issues. & Events pertaining to women of all nationalitys.If you are interested in having Gloria cover one of your events,please send an email 1 week inadvance, @ LNGloria@lnom.org or tel: 718 507 7616 between 8am to 8pm EST.