Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor 
Dr. David McBean of CVM Television, one of the major sponsors of the annual Upliftment Jamaica gala shares the latest news with Michael Looktoy of Cable and Wireless, Elena Young of ZIP FM and Stacy Cespo of Cable and Wireless. - Roger Chuck Photo
IT HAD all the elements of a great event: elegantly garbed men and women, a lavish menu of scrumptious items, an eloquent master of ceremonies, miles of red carpet, a fabulous band on the stand, one-of-a-kind gifts from Phat Farm, numerous crystal awards and the 'mother' of all keynote speakers Rev. Al Sharpton. And Upliftment Jamaica Chairman, Gary Foster, must be feeling on top of the world for pulling off his sixth annual gala and awards dinner.
Held under the theme: 'Each One Teach One to Reach One', it was a treat that citizens of the Whitehorses community in St. Thomas have come to expect since Mr. Foster, a son of the parish, decided to use his success to its benefit.
The gala was the culmination of a week of activities including: community tours, a cocktail party in honour of Rev. Al Sharpton and a list of American who's who; church services and a team of doctors who gave free medical care and drugs to citizens of the parish.
The night included three entertaining sets from the increasingly popular 50-50 Band, guest appearances from DJs Been Man and Bounty Kill , presentations by the Upliftment Cultural Group and brief greetings from politicians: Bruce Golfing Opposition Leader; Port Symposia Miller Minister of Labour and Sports; Philip Paulwell Technology Minister and James Robertson Member of Parliament for West St. Thomas. There was a large contingent of executives from title sponsors, Cable and Wireless led by President Rodney Davis.
A number of community stalwarts including the police received awards for service and Sandra Kenton Fraser, Upliftment Jamaica's Executive Director thanked everyone who had grasped the vision to make the new Skills Development Complex a reality
Mr. Foster was in high spirits and expressed both gratitude and positive vibes for past, present and future largesse.
But the night belonged to keynote speaker Rev. Al Sharpton whose rousing speech included pleasant reminiscences of his meeting with Amy Jacques Garvey, then widow of national hero Marcus Garvey, in Jamaica at age 10. He told the gathering that among his most treasured possessions are letters he received from Mrs. Garvey following that meeting.
