jamarchJamaicans around the world will join in celebration for the 50th anniversary of independence, and South Florida promises to take center stage in the festivities.
Jamaica’s Consul General to the South U.S., Sandra Grant Griffiths, has confirmed the official calendar of events for South Florida.
Signature event
In honor of this landmark year, the Consulate’s grand event will be the Jamaica Diaspora Honors and Gala Benefit, on Saturday, August 25, at the JW Marriot Marquis Hotel in Downtown Miami.
The Gala will honor 50 Jamaicans in the southern U.S. for their pioneering contributions to the Jamaican Diaspora. Members of the Jamaican Diaspora are invited to nominate honorees in the areas of education, faith and religious leadership, community development, social services/philanthropy, entrepreneurship and business, healthcare, culture, arts and the media, sports, and law and justice.
To nominate your candidate for the Jamaica Diaspora Honors,
, print and complete. Mail your application to the Consulate General of Jamaica, at:
25 SE 2nd Avenue
Ingraham Building, Suite 609
Miami, Fl. 33131
Following your submission, a selection panel will finalize the list of honorees.
To commemorate this special event, a souvenir magazine will be published, featuring the honorees and celebrating 50 years of Jamaican achievements. This keepsake will be published in conjunction with 50th anniversary partner, the National Weekly.
Other official events planned by the Consulate include :
– The Jamaica Consulate General Essay Competition, inspired by the theme “Advancing the Welfare of the Whole Human Race,” which will be launched on March 23
– The lighting of the Miami Tower in downtown Miami in the Jamaican colors from August 3 to 6
– The Consulate General of Jamaica’s Ecumenical Church Service, with esteemed guest clergy, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kingston, the Most Rev. Charles Dufour
– The official South Florida Flag Ceremony, civic reception and cultural exhibition, which will be held in the City of Miramar on August 6
– The “Meet Jamaica” trade mission and exhibition, hosted by the Jamaican Promotion Company (JAMPRO), which will be held from Sept 24 to 25 at the Jamaica Pavilion at the Miami Food & Beverage Show
Go for gold
As Jamaican athletics head to England to represent their country at the 2012 London Olympics in this special year, Jamaica 50th National Committee co-chair, Sydney Roberts is currently in discussion with NBC-TV to set up live broadcasts of events featuring Jamaican athletes. If successful, Jamaicans in South Florida will then be able to watch their fellow countrymen compete for gold in real-time. A final decision will be announced shortly.
In addition, the Consul General appeals to all local committees and organizations in South Florida to submit their 50th anniversary events to the Consulate for a final listing on the official “Calendar of Activities – South USA.” The updated calendar will then be published via Diaspora media throughout the southern U.S.
Media Writer
