Caption: Sen. The Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, poses with Jamaican Diaspora Honourees and their representatives at the Jamaica Diamond Jubilee Gala, New York City (NYC), August. The honourees from left to right (L-R) are: Mr Keith Grant, representing Jeffrey Flanks of the Hartford Health Centre; Mr. D.K. Bartley, representing Mr. Basil Anderson; Dr. Sandra Lindsay; Mr. Mark Newman; the Hon. Monty Alexander OJ, CD and Dr. Maurice Wright.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, has reiterated the Government’s appreciation of the Jamaican Diaspora’s critical role in national development and their assistance during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking at the Jamaica Diamond Jubilee Gala in New York City (NYC), the Minister said, “The Government and people of Jamaica are grateful to Jamaicans in the Diaspora and friends of Jamaica, for your enduring partnerships that provide invaluable assistance to our nation, particularly during periods of global uncertainty.”
Expressing special pleasure at recognizing, during the Independence period, the contributions of Diasporans and Friends of Jamaica currently contributing to nation-building, the Minister congratulated the evening’s honorees: Mr. Monty Alexander; Mr. Basil Anderson; Mr. Jeffrey Flaks; Dr. Sandra Lindsay; Mr. Mark Newman and Dr. Maurice Wright.
Minister Johnson Smith also reflected on the significance of the Diamond Jubilee to the Diaspora. The Minister said, “Jamaica’s 60th anniversary of independence is a remarkable milestone which reflects on the challenges navigated and the tremendous progress made as a nation. The Diamond Jubilee theme, Reigniting a Nation for Greatness, was chosen to harness our collective energies as Jamaica seeks to emerge from the pandemic stronger and indeed greater. Just as New York City never sleeps, so the greatness of Jamaicans never sleeps, whether on the track, in the boardroom, in the studio, in the classroom, the hospital, the State Legislature, the diplomatic corps, the Congress or the White House. Wherever we are, our hallmark is greatness. We must therefore continue to strive for the connections that synergize our extensive individual capacities to make our nation even greater.”
The Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister was addressing an audience that included Mrs. Alsion Roach Wilson, Jamaica’s Consul General in NY; Rep. Yvette Clarke, US Congresswoman; the Hon. Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City; H.E. Brian Wallace, Jamaica’s Permanent Representative to the UN; H.E. Nick Perry, Ambassador of the United States to Jamaica; the Hon. Shawyn Patterson- Howard, the first female Mayor of Mt. Vernon, NY; Mrs. Brenda LaGrange-Johnson, former US Ambassador to Jamaica and Patron; and Mr. Donovan Richards, Queens Borough President.
Also, of great significance to Jamaica and the Diaspora, is that the proceeds from this Gala will be donated to the Jamaica’s Promise Foundation to purchase six (6) haemodialysis machines as well as funding tertiary scholarships and violence interruption programmes in Jamaica. Proceeds will also support community health efforts in the Bronx, NY.
