The Atlanta Jamaican Association, Inc. (AJA) Independence Ball & Scholarship Awards – Saturday, August 11, 2018

Original Jamaican Olympic Bobsledder and International Motivational Speaker, Devon Harris, will be the Keynote Speaker at the Atlanta Jamaican Association’s (AJA) Independence Ball and Scholarship Awards on Saturday, August 11. Music for Dancing will be Provided by Florida’s Award-Winning JAH Movement Reggae Band and DJ Mark Swaby

The Atlanta Jamaican Association, Inc. (AJA) Independence Ball & Scholarship Awards - Saturday, August 11, 2018 1

The Atlanta Jamaican Association, Inc, (AJA) recently launched its official celebrations in recognition of its 41 years of service and the 56th Anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence. The highlight of the celebrations will be the Annual Independence Ball and Scholarship Awards, a black-tie affair at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, 165 Courtland Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, August 11, 2018 from 6:00 PM to 1: 30 AM. This annual premier event done in collaboration with the AJ Cultural & Educational Fund, is always eagerly anticipated. Get your tickets early for what is bound to be a sold-out and memorable event.

For starters, Mr. Devon Harris, www.devonharris.com, one of the original Jamaican Olympic bobsledders, International Motivational speaker, author and philanthropist, will be the keynote speaker. The Jamaican Olympic bobsled team of 1988 was the real-life inspiration for the acclaimed movie “Cool Runnings.”  Devon has continued to support the team and was instrumental in the New York State legislature’s recent approval of a measure that would allow New York to issue special Jamaican Bobsled Team license plates.  Scholarship awards will be given to twelve superbly qualified and deserving college-bound students from various high schools in metro Atlanta and Jamaica. Music to dance the night away will be provided by the acclaimed Florida’s award-winning Reggae band, JAH Movement, and Miami DJ Mark Swaby. Raffle prizes to be drawn at the event include airline tickets, gift certificates, premium wines, and gift baskets. Book signing with Jamaican author Esther Tyson, steel pan and other activities will enliven the cocktail hour.

Early Bird tickets can be purchased online at  www.atlantajamaicanassociation.org or from AJA members. Individual ticket prices are $90, and a table of 10 is $850. After July 15, individual ticket prices will be $100 and a table of 10 will be $950.  Proceeds from the Ball benefit the Scholarship and Building Funds and the many charitable programs and services that AJA spearheads or supports in metro Atlanta and Jamaica.

This year’s scholarship award recipients from metro Atlanta are: Alana Barr, Stephanie Bryan-Popo, David Duncan, Peyton Hayes, Tyler Wilson, David Wright, and Julian Young. Six of the Georgia students -pictured here – attended the AJA’s June meeting where they shared their career goals, met and were congratulated by members of the organization. The recipients from Jamaica are: Adjaynae Billings, Shanique Carde, Shanique Ennis, Lori-Kaye Miles and Christopher Stewart. Since the inception of its Scholarship Program, the AJA has provided more than $100,000 in college scholarship awards to students in Jamaica and in the metro Atlanta area.  The Atlanta Jamaican Association, Inc. (AJA) Independence Ball & Scholarship Awards - Saturday, August 11, 2018

The AJA would love to have everyone’s support. Please contact our secretary Ms. Aj Stone  at [email protected], or 404-436-1427, visit us at www.atlantajamaicanassociation.org, or like us on Facebook to celebrate with us at the Ball, and to get information about the Independence Service, Family Day, Christmas Party, and other celebratory events over the rest of the year.

The mission of The AJA is to foster and promote goodwill and understanding among Jamaicans and all peoples in and around metro Atlanta and to provide assistance to Jamaicans and others in metro Atlanta and Jamaica.