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JCOBA-NY launches US$500,000 STEM capital campaign at its anniversary gala
Hon Lisa Hanna, stellar honorees and a packed audience share the celebration
October 4, 2015 - New York, NY -- A star-struck audience witnessed a glittering affair as the Jamaica College Old Boys Association of New York Inc. hosted its Silver Anniversary Awards Banquet, Saturday, October 3, 2015. The venue was the LaGuardia Plaza Hotel, Elmhurst, Queens.
Honorable Lisa Hanna, Jamaica's Minister of Youth and Culture and the event's keynote speaker, headlined a cast of Jamaican-American luminaries of culture, business and philanthropy being honored at the function. With her remarks well received by the approximately 300 people in attendance, Minister Hanna commended JCOBA-NY for its outstanding and innovative programs supporting Jamaica College and noted that its impact was islandwide.
Minister Hanna went on to describe several momentous developments in Jamaican history, namely the Maroons' struggle against English colonizers, Emancipation, the independence movement, the emergence of reggae as a global force and the dramatic social reforms of the 1970s.
She hailed Jamaica's leadership activity in the Non-Aligned Movement and anti-Apartheid struggle in the face of pressure from big powers. The seminal role of JC alumni like Norman and Michael Manley in these struggles and also in the overall drive for national development was highlighted. She exhorted the audience to redouble efforts to empower Jamaican youth with opportunities via education.
With a lineup of honorees of breathtaking quality for a high school alumni event, the awards ceremony was punctuated by applause and sometimes raucous exclamations of support as crowd favorites were recognized. In the "Music Icons" segment the honorees (all JC alumni) were Ian and Roger Lewis (founders of Inner Circle band) Monty Alexander (one of the world's greatest jazz pianists) and Michael "Ibo" Cooper (a founder of Third World).
The Lewis brothers and Monty Alexander were unavoidably absent because of European tour commitments. Prerecorded video acceptance speeches and commendations of honorees were played. The audience was also treated to brilliant musical pieces performed by Ibo Cooper on piano with world class Albanian-American cellist, Gjilberta Lucaj.
The Business and Community Icons segment saw honors bestowed on Lowell Hawthorne (founder of Golden Krust) Stephen Hill (founder of Caribbean International Network) Pat Chin (founder of VP Records) as well as JC stalwarts Dr Wyman Bethune and Ian Forbes who received resounding acclaim from former classmates and students they had positively influenced.
In perhaps the single most significant development of the evening JCOBA-NY launched a huge capital campaign to boost its already nation-leading Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs led by a groundbreaking robotics initiative.
With a goal of raising US$500,000 in 5 years, this new thrust, if successful, would be a watershed moment for the entire Jamaican alumni support movement. With JCOBA-NY signaling a dramatic shift away from event-based fundraising to program-focused corporate giving, the performance bar is being raised to new heights.
Other alumni associations intent on maximizing their effectiveness in a competitive environment are bound to take note.
After an extensive but satisfying formal program, patrons enjoyed dancing, communing with old friends and meeting new ones as the evening's proceedings closed.
About Jamaica College & JCOBA-NY Inc.
Founded in 1795, Jamaica College is a prominent high school in Jamaica with a proud record of service to Jamaican society. Its graduates have an unmatched history of nation-building, creating key Jamaican institutions in politics, civil service, business, culture and social services. http://jamaicacollege.org/
Since 1990 JCOBA-NY has supported educational and extracurricular programs at Jamaica College through project fundraising and technical assistance. JCOBA-NY also conducts community outreach programs in health, culture and sports in the Northeast USA. http://www.jcobany.org/
Event Sponsors: Caribbean Airlines * Golden Krust * Royal Caribbean Bakery
Event WebLink Minister Hanna's Address National Model STEM programs
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