Fri | Sep 26, 2025

GraceKennedy Foundation awards over $2 million in Carlton Alexander bursaries

Published:Friday | September 26, 2025 | 12:07 AM
First-time recipients of the 2025 Carlton Alexander Memorial Bursary (seated) at the awards ceremony held on August 29, at GraceKennedy Headquarters. Sharing in the moment are (standing) (from left) Steven Whittingham, CEO, GraceKennedy Financial Group; Pr
Contributed
First-time recipients of the 2025 Carlton Alexander Memorial Bursary (seated) at the awards ceremony held on August 29, at GraceKennedy Headquarters. Sharing in the moment are (standing) (from left) Steven Whittingham, CEO, GraceKennedy Financial Group; Professor Julie Meeks-Gardner, chair of the GraceKennedy Foundation (GKF); Andrea Coy, CEO, GK Foods; Zoe Alexander, granddaughter of the late Carlton Alexander; Caroline Mahfood, CEO, GKF; and Annette Morrison, group chief human resources officer, GraceKennedy Limited. A total of 23 children of GK team members were awarded for the 2025/26 academic year.

The GraceKennedy Foundation (GKF) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting education by awarding prestigious Carlton Alexander bursaries to 23 children of GraceKennedy team members for the 2025/2026 academic year. The awards, which recognise academic excellence, discipline, and leadership potential, were presented at the 35th annual ceremony on August 29 at GraceKennedy’s headquarters in downtown Kingston, under the theme ‘Lights, Camera, Legacy’.

This year, over $2 million in bursaries were awarded, with recipients receiving $65,000 at the secondary level (up to Grade 11), $90,000 for sixth form, and $150,000 for tertiary studies. The bursaries are renewable annually, contingent on continued strong academic performance by the recipients.

The bursary awards, established in memory of the late Hon. Selwyn Carlton Alexander, OJ, former chairman and CEO of GraceKennedy Limited, reflects his belief in the transformative power of education. It remains a cornerstone of GKF’s mission to nurture Jamaica’s youth, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire future generations.

“Carlton was more than a leader and a visionary; he was the embodiment of GraceKennedy’s enduring culture of excellence,” said Andrea Coy, CEO of GK Foods. “His journey from an entry-level position to the helm of the company is a story worthy of any spotlight. As we award these bursaries in his name, we not only celebrate academic achievement, but also a living legacy that continues to shape GraceKennedy’s future.”

Caroline Mahfood, CEO of the GraceKennedy Foundation, explained, “These bursaries are given to students who exemplify academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement. We are proud to invest in their continued growth and success.”