New York Premiere Of Bob Marley: The Making Of A Legend – A Huge Success!

The New York Premiere of critically acclaimed documentary film, BOB MARLEY: THE MAKING OF A LEGEND with VIP Reception featuring Guest Speaker, the First Lady of Jamaica, Mrs. Lorna Golding was a huge success!

The New York Premiere of critically acclaimed documentary film, BOB MARLEY: THE MAKING OF A LEGEND with VIP Reception featuring Guest Speaker, the First Lady of Jamaica, Mrs. Lorna Golding was a huge success! The event was held on Friday, August 26, 2011 at Tribeca Cinemas in Manhattan. The New York Premiere was result of a partnership between the Caribbean Education Foundation, Inc. (CEF) and Filmmakers, Esther Anderson, the Oscar-nominated (A Warm December with Sidney Poitier) and NAACP Award-winning Jamaican Actress and Gian Godoy. It was held as a Benefit to raise funds for CEF Paul Bogle Scholarships, which enables brilliant, poor children to attend public high schools in Jamaica.

The Benefit commenced with a stellar VIP RECEPTION with Open Bar featuring splendid Hennessy Cocktails and Terrazas Wines sponsored by Moët Hennessy USA; delicious Caribbean Cuisine catered by Negril Village Restaurant and a Silent Auction including rare, limited edition photographs of Bob Marley; Boxing Glove signed by Legendary Muhammad Ali and “Thriller Album” autographed by The King of Pop, Michael Jackson. As usual, the Hennessy service was impeccable.

The event Guest Speaker, Mrs. Lorna Golding presented a compelling speech on the critical importance of educating all children throughout Jamaica and the Caribbean region. In line with the Benefit theme of “Achieving Meaningful Independence by Educating our Youth,” Mrs. Golding not only discussed how an educated populace will enhance each country and region, but how vital it is in our interdependent global world.

The feature presentation, BOB MARLEY: The Making of a Legend film lived up to its highly anticipated billing and fanfare! The film showed priceless footage of Bob Marley, The King of Reggae, “lost for more than 30 years” during his early years, before he became famous. According to guests, “It was a total pleasure to see a rare and priceless glimpse of Bob the man, before the Legend and iconic status.” An attendee remarked, “To see Bob Marley in a real-life fashion in those so very early days, just being Bob, is more than WORDS can convey. I am too grateful to have been at the screening. Big Thanks to Esther Anderson and Gian Godoy for creating such a compelling documentary and kudos to Nikiki Bogle and the CEF for promoting it.” Indeed, for a brief moment, the audience was transported to a time when Bob Marley was traveling throughout Jamaica with Esther Anderson and writing lyrics for what would become platinum songs. Refreshingly, viewers received previously unknown insights into the inspirations behind the “Burnin’ Album” and Blockbuster songs, such as: “I Shot the Sheriff” and “Get Up, Stand Up.” One can understand why this film has been nominated for a UNESCO Award!

Filmmakers, Esther Anderson and Gian Godoy flew in from London to attend the Benefit and provide overview of the film as well as question and answers to attendees. Esther Anderson was also co-founder of Island Records with Chris Blackwell, managing Bob Marley & the Wailers during the 1970s, propelling the group to stardom.

During the VIP Reception, Special Guest, the Honorable Eric A. Stevenson from New York State Assembly, 79th District remarked about the importance of education. In addition, Assemblyman Stevenson presented a New York State Assembly Citation to Nikiki T. Bogle, Esq., the Founder and President of the Caribbean Education Foundation. In discussing the Honor, Ms. Bogle stated, “Many of us who do human rights work do not expect recognition or thank you. Personally, I do it because it is the right thing to do. I feel deeply that I must do something to help, however small, to make the world more just, particularly for innocent children who are our future. Therefore, for Assemblyman Stevenson and to present me with this Citation from the New York State Assembly, it is a wonderful surprise and a tremendous honor! I am humbled and grateful that CEF’s efforts to help provide meaningful access to education for poor children are being recognized.”

The Caribbean Education Foundation, Inc. (CEF) is a registered (501)(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization based in United States. It operates with a dedicated team comprised entirely of volunteers. While the organization works with all levels of education, its focus is to enable high school students in financial need to have meaningful access to quality education in its current mission country of Jamaica. CEF awards “Paul Bogle Scholarships” to brilliant, poor children so they are able to attend public high schools. The Paul Bogle Scholarships pay school fees, purchase text books, school supplies, uniforms, meals and transportation.

Funds are very limited for CEF Scholarships, and the Foundation continues to urge individuals, groups, companies and organizations to visit its website, donate, sponsor and Adopt a CEF Student. In 2008 and 2010, CEF awarded a total of $945,000 JA in student scholarships.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the BOB MARLEY: The Making of a Legend Film Screening and VIP Reception is funding the 2011 Paul Bogle Scholarships for students in Jamaica entering high schools in Grade 7 and renewing awards for 2010 recipients who entering Grade 8 in September 2011-2012 school year. The CEF 2011 Paul Bogle Scholarship Award recipients will be announced this month. The Caribbean Education Foundation wishes to thank the following companies and individuals who made the event a tremendous success:

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO MAJOR SPONSORS: Moët Hennessy USA; BOGLE & CHANG, LLC law firm; BeeSMART PR; BOB MARLEY: The Making of a Legend; Trenhorne Films; Esther Anderson and Gian Godoy.

HEARTFELT THANK YOU: Guest Speaker, Mrs. Lorna Golding; Special Guest, Hon. Eric Stevenson; Special Guest, Capri Nugent, Miss Jamaica US 2011; A.S.A.P., A Shereen Ashman Project; Negril Village Restaurant; Golden Krust; Caribbean Media, WVIP 93.5 FM, The Ken Williams Show; Natasha Davidson; Jamaicans.com; Sandal Sole and Chris Bonafide of Reggae Rock Your World.

THANK YOU: Furla; Autograph Store; Nagasaki Restaurant; Kingston College Old Boys Association, New York Chapter; Immaculate Conception High Alumni, New York Chapter; Jamaica College Old Boys Association, New York Chapter; ZYNC TV; Michele Williams of Examiner; Urban News; NewsCarrier; Red Carpet Shelley; Caribzone; Global Advertising Services; Junior Rodigan; Host Committee members; VIP guests and event attendees.

Special thank you to CEF Director and Event Chair, Erica Lee-Benedetto; President Nikiki Bogle, Esq., Vice President, Malcolm Medley, Esq.; Board member, Nicholas Gaglio, Esq.; volunteers and Host Committee members, including Beverly Walker, Tori Willis, Celia Boothe, Susan Watson, Kara Lee, Wayne Melbourne, Esq., Hakeem Rahim, Marilyn Walker and Ena Renee.

– By Caribbean Education Foundation, Inc.