MARGATE – JIFFD and members of the Jamaica Diaspora NUH GUH DEH Campaign are working to raise awareness and prevent child sexual abuse as well as provide support services to survivors.
JIFFD will host a “Protect Them” benefit gala on Saturday, April 23rd, 2016 at 6pm at the Carolina Golf Club in Margate in an effort to raise funds. “Funds raised from The Protect Them Gala are critical to ensuring local and international service providers are supported in their efforts to eradicate child sexual abuse,” said event Chair, Lavern Deer.
The evening will include a welcome reception where guests will have a chance to mingle, bid in the silent auction, and enjoy photo opportunities with many of the community leaders confirmed.
In addition to a delicious three course meal, guests will enjoy a special musical presentation by legendary Soul and R&B singer-songwriter Betty Wright. Wright, well known for hits like Clean-Up Woman and No Pain, No Gain, will present: The M.O.S.T- Mountain of Songs Today- A Performing Arts Initiative. “When Ms. Wright agreed to share her time and talents with us, we were overwhelmed with her generosity,” said Lavern Deer.
Betty Wright is also the founder of The Mister Mister Foundation, Inc.; a 501 (c) (3) organization, founded in January 2006. Mister Mister was established to enfranchise and habilitate at risk males. “Through the arts and spiritual guidance we can look for immense improvement in how they treat young girls and women, not just other young men and their elders,” said Wright of her support for the event. “This collaboration makes sense. Men and women, girls and boys are affected by child sexual abuse and we are honored to mobilize male support for initiatives such as these; especially where we can leverage my 50 years in the music business and 40 years in the ministry to give back and become involved in worthwhile community events.”
Protect Them Gala Honorees
Florida State Representative Hazelle Rogers and City of Miramar First Lady Angela Messam will be recognized for their outstanding efforts in the community to educate, integrate and motivate via information-sharing, as well as their proven ability to make a difference in the lives of many people they’ve touched through their work and community involvement.
State Representative Hazelle Rogers
The Honorable Hazelle Rogers was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2008. She was subsequently reelected in 2010; was unopposed in 2012, and reelected to serve for 2012 and 2014, respectively. She first served as a Democratic Deputy Whip from 2010-2012 and again for 2012-2016. Representative Rogers has served as the Democratic Ranking Member on the House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee since 2012 and as secretary for the black caucus from 2013-2016.
In 2009, she initiated the Caribbean Heritage Month Celebrations at the Capitol and in 2010, was appointed by former Governor Charlie Crist as a member of the Sunshine Census Statewide Complete Count Committee.
In 2014, she passed a bill that exempts school districts from liability for donating food to local charities. She has also been a strong advocate for in-state tuition for undocumented students.
Angela T. Messam, LEED AP, BD+C
Mrs. Messam is very involved in Broward, Dade, and Palm Beach communities. Her passion is giving back and she enjoys being a motivational speaker and mentor to young girls throughout South Florida.
Mrs. Messam proudly served as an advisory board member for YMCA (Pembroke Pines) and other non-profit organizations. She is also an active servant at her church The Fountain of New Life, member of The Links, Incorporated, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she is a Life Member of the Florida State University Alumni Association and the Florida State University Black Alumni Association, and currently serves as a board member for the Florida State University College of Business Board of Governors.
Angela is committed to helping her community and the communities her firms serve. Her Motto for Life: When your Faith becomes your sight, then, and only then, will you be ready for Greatness.
Protect Them Gala Keynote Speaker
The inaugural gala promises to be a night of impact as the Government of Jamaica will be represented by Keynote Speaker, the Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Honorable Ruel Reid.
Senator Reid has had a distinguished career in teaching which began in 1996 when he joined the academic staff at his alma mater Munro College. Since then he has had numerous achievements which include being appointed Master Teacher in 2003.
Senator Reid has received several awards recognizing his work in Education. He was conferred with the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) in 2011. Other awards include the Vocational Award for Excellence from the Rotary Clubs of St. Andrew and Downtown Kingston in 2007 and 2009 respectively and awards for excellence from Kingston Book Shop and the St. Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation.
He has served as Board Member of Family Life Ministries, Caribbean Examinations Council, HEART Trust – National Training Agency (NTA) and as chairman of the Audit Committee of HEART Trust – NTA; Chairman of the National Council on Education (NCE), Chairman of the National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NCTVET) and Special Advisor to the Minister of Education.
Senator Reid has been the principal of Jamaica College since 2006 and was appointed a Senator and Minister of Education, Youth and Information in March 2016.
The ticket prices for the gala are $250.00 per person, $325 per couple or $2,000 for a table of ten. To purchase tickets or to RSVP visit Eventbrite/ProtectThemGala.
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