Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music, Inc (CPR) is pleased to share that Sharon Gordon, co-founder and chairperson of the organization is among five women who will receive a 2014 Emerald Award from the Woman of Great Esteem organization. Since 1995, more than 150 women from 27 countries have been honored with the Emerald Award for their relentless efforts to nurture and serve their communities. Women from diverse fields, including medicine, politics, law, academia and science have been honored. Sharon will receive her award in recognition of her accomplishments in the field of arts and entertainment as well as journalism. The 2014 Emerald Awards takes place on Saturday May 3rd at the New York Ritz Carlton, starting at 7:00PM.
In addition to co-founding and chairing the nine year old CPR, a 501(c) (3) organization, Sharon is president of TSO Productions LLC, and has been an accomplished journalist, radio personality, media specialist and event producer for more than two decades. Since 1992, her distinctive voice has been heard on several radio and television programs. Currently, she hosts the popular Reggae Calling, on CPRLive and her role as host and moderator of the CPR Community Conversation Series aptly demonstrates her prowess as an effective communicator.
Sharon’s writing has graced the pages of several publications. She is a regular contributor to the North American edition of The Jamaican Weekly Gleaner, where she writes a weekly column, Views on the News. She is also a proficient publicist and event coordinator whose tried and proven guerrilla tactics spearheaded some of the most successful reggae concert marketing campaigns in the tri-state area long before social media existed. Sharon has also been producer, road manager, M.C. and publicist for entertainers, touring with the likes of Beres Hammond, Buju Banton, Marcia Griffiths and others.
Sharon, an authority on the customs and language of the Jamaican people, is a well sought after lecturer and speaker on things Jamaican, known for her uncanny ability to intersperse her native vernacular (patois) with the language of the mainstream in her presentations. She has consulted with numerous media and production houses on Jamaican music and culture. She has served as Caribbean Consultant and marketing consultant for films including Brooklyn Babylon (1999), Africa Unite (2008), and Better Mus’ Come (2013), and recently fulfilled dual roles as consultant and actress in a principal role for the soon to be released, Respect The Jux.
In 2003, Sharon co-founded TSO Productions, a full service community economic development company which has produced and hosted several events including the phenomenally successful Black History Month tri-state presentation of “Tep Ova Makka” featuring the award winning Cari-Folk Singers (2004), Reggae Culture Salute, now in its 10th season, The New York Roots Reggae Family Festival-The Caribbean Family Reunion (2006); and Reggae Cabaret, the upscale after work networking series (2007). TSO, which means turning solidarity into opportunity, offers services in marketing, public relations, promotions, publicity, advertising, event coordination, editorial and media services, strategic planning and project management.
Sharon, who migrated to the United States with her family from Jamaica in 1979, attended Samuel J. Tilden High School in Brooklyn and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications from Baruch College where she later lectured in Black Institution and Culture. Before migrating, Sharon attended Convent of Mercy Academy (Alpha) and St. Joseph’s Primary School, where she excelled as a dancer and was one of several students who frequented the studios of the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation as a regular on Romper Room and later on Ring Ding, hosted by the late Louise Bennett Coverley (Miss Lou), and often performed at State events for visiting dignitaries.
Sharon has been recognized for her advocacy of Jamaican music and culture with many awards and certificates. In 2000, she was honored by Women Celebrating Women and in 2012, received a Congressional Proclamation from Congresswoman Yvette Clarke for her tireless work as a cultural activist, media specialist, event producer, promoter and journalist and continues to perform and host events throughout the tri-state area and beyond.
Sharon is the mother of her only child, Omar.
