Non-Profit Organization Honored Island Records Founder Chris Blackwell As International Humanitarian While Raising $75,000 With Charity Auction
NEW YORK – The American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) celebrated 25 years of leadership and philanthropy with the black-tie Silver Anniversary Jamaica Benefit Gala last month in New York City. Acclaimed actor and Jamaica native Delroy Lindo served as Master of Ceremonies of the event, whose 300 guests included Guest of Honor Jamaica’s Prime Minister, the Most. Honorable Portia Simpson-Miller, US Ambassador H. E. Brenda LaGrange Johnson, Jamaican Ambassador His Excellency Gordon Shirley, and notable names including Vogue’s Anna Wintour, Nicole Miller, Queer Eye’s Thom Felicia, Veronique and Bob Pittman and Atlantic Record’s Ahmet and Mica Ertegun.
A live and silent auction raised funds for Jamaican non-profits in the areas of education, health, and human and economic development. The auction raised close to $75,000 for AFJ charities, $20,000 alone from a single yacht vacation courtesy of Farhad Azima.
“For twenty five years, the American Friends of Jamaica has been tried and true in the constancy of its friendship with our beautiful island,” the Most. Honorable Portia Simpson Miller said in her opening speech. “It is as though once infected by its beauty, the charm of Jamaica and Jamaicans cannot leave you. Indeed I would want to characterize your friendship as a lasting love affair with Jamaica.”
Island Records founder Chris Blackwell received The American Friends of Jamaica’s International Humanitarian Award for his achievements in promoting Jamaican culture and in recognition of his ongoing philanthropic contributions to its people. In a rare address, Blackwell held the audience captive as he recounted his work with Jamaicans linking the roots of rap and contemporary music to Jamaican music. “I remember hearing some of the early words of Bob Marley and the Wailers but had never met him until he turned up with Peter, Josh and Bunny Livingston in my office in London, stranded, completely broke but in spite of that totally charismatic and self confident. I am standing here completely because of Jamaicans. The Jamaicans from the country parts, the streets, and the Ghettos…They have put me in the position where I have been invited to be honored here tonight. I love these people.”
A visionary in the music world, beginning with the launch of Island Records in 1959, Blackwell brought Jamaica’s music, including that of Bob Marley’s, to a growing global audience. Additionally, Blackwell has found success with Island Outpost, his collection of chic boutique properties in Jamaica and the Bahamas that are defined by the strength and beauty of their local landscape and culture. Blackwell remains active in the entertainment business through his current music and film venture, Palm Pictures, headquartered in New York and London.
Giving back to the culture he so highly regards, Blackwell established Island ACTS (Assisting Communities Toward Strength), an umbrella organization for Island Outpost’s many charities throughout Jamaica. Blackwell’s charities, including the successful Oracabessa Foundation, works towards the advancement of education, healthcare and community development.
“Through the Oracabessa Foundation and his many innovative charities, Chris Blackwell has helped the way Jamaica lives, laughs and loves.” said Keisha Phipps, Executive Director of the American Friends of Jamaica. “His heartfelt respect for Jamaica has made an immeasurable impact, for which its people are most grateful.”
The American Friends of Jamaica will now begin planning its 3rd Annual South Florida Gala scheduled for Saturday, May 19, 2007 at the Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove.
About the American Friends of Jamaica
Since its inception in 1982, the American Friends of Jamaica has donated almost $11 million to Jamaican charities focused in the areas of education, healthcare and economic development. In 2006, 15 grants were awarded to organizations such as Jamaican Ministry of Education, the Jamaica Society of Blind and Hanover Charities. In addition to fundraising through special events such as the gala, the AFJ has a comprehensive strategy involving individual giving, and partnerships with corporations and foundations such as the Tiger Woods Foundation, Jockey International, Grace Kennedy Limited and Western Union International. The AFJ Diaspora Giving Program also invites Diaspora members to fundraise through their network of family and friends for charitable causes in Jamaica.
For more information on the AFJ Gala, please visit our website at www.theAFJ.org/gala .
