Shaggy rocks AFJ gala in New York

Ambassador Audrey Marks, Jamaica's chief envoy to the United States, says Jamaica's embassy in Washington, DC, is one of the most important tools used by of the Government of Jamaica to influence the government and people of the most powerful country in the world. She made the point to underscore the continued close ties between the two countries and the gains made in the marked reduction in crime since the May uprising in Tivoli Gardens.

She was addressing the annual Hummingbird Gala and Banquet of the Amarican Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) held at New York's magnificent The Capitale on Monday, October 18. In outlining to the organisation that recent political gains make Jamaica ideal for new investment, she pointed to plans for massive renewal and redevelopment of downtown Kingston and the successful Jamaica Debt Exchange initiative undertaken by the country that has subsequently led to stability in the foreign exchange market.

hummingbird award

Ambassador Marks lauded the AFJ, whose efforts had positively impacted the lives of many of the most vulnerable in the Jamaican society.

"I am grateful that Jamaica has become, for many United States ambassadors, a place to more than just serve their countries. The welfare of Jamaica's citizens is important enough for you to build this organisation and use your resources to promote self-reliance and independence for many who were existing on the margins of society," she said.

This year, the AFJ presented the prestigious Hummingbird Award to Olympian Sanya Richards-Ross, born in Jamaica but now competing for the US, for international achievement. Her leadership and philanthropic efforts include the USA Track and Field Win with Integrity Programme in which she travels to schools and speaks to children about a healthy, drug-free lifestyle and hard work. She recently joined the Lance Armstrong campaign in the fight against cancer. And, Richards-Ross has participated in initiatives with Feeding America to ease the hunger epidemic in America. Her other causes are the American Bechet's Disease Association and Fun 4 Kidz.

But the highlight of the evening was the energetic had well-received performance put on by international superstar Shaggy. In a short but sweet set, he and the black-tie audience on its feet, gyrating to his popular hits, fitting in some new moves and begging for more. Hard to believe that Shaggy was en route to Jamaica for a show having just hours before, stepped off a plane from Australia!

And what a fantastic performance by husband-and-wife auctioneer team Barbara and Wade West! With tongue-twisters, jokes, whoops and hollers, they made sure every item up for bidding went for top dollar. Well done!

The AFJ is a 29-year-old non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting Jamaican charities and social initiatives targeted at improving the lives of Jamaicans through systemic development in the areas of health care, education and economic development. To date, it has raised some US$11m and is supported by American multilateral corporations with commercial interests in Jamaica. Other support groups include Americans who own winter residences in Jamaica members of the diplomatic corps, the Jamaican diaspora and the private sector.

Working alongside current president, Ambassador Sue Cobb (Ret) are board directors: James Cada, Ambassador J. Gary Cooper (Ret); Sylvia and Sydney Engel; Manuela Goren; Ambassador Glen Holden (Ret); Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson; Mark Jones, Monica Ladd; Lorraine Lorenc; Ambassador Stanley McLelland (Ret); Becky Stockhausen, Dr Laura Tanna and Lacy Wright Jr Ambassador Audrey Marks is the AFJ's honorary chairperson.

Some past recipients of the Hummingbird Award are: Lennox Lewis, former world heavyweight boxing champion; Michael Lee-Chin, chairman, National Commercial Bank; Chris Blackwell; Jamaica National Building Society and many more.

barbara.ellington@gleanerjm.com