Co-chair of EPOC to deliver keynote at Atlanta Jamaica Association (AJA) Independence Ball
ATLANTA – Co-chair of the Economic Program Oversight Committee (EPOC) and President and CEO of Cigna Group, Mr. Richard O. Byles, will deliver the key note address at the Atlanta Jamaica Association (AJA) Annual Independence Ball, Scholarship Awards and Black Tie Gala, at the Marriott Gateway Hotel in Atlanta, on Saturday, August 16, 2014. The gala will bring the curtains down on the activities to mark Jamaica’s 52nd year of independence celebrations in Atlanta.
According to President of the AJA, Mr. Allan Stewart, the association will extend its scholarship program this year to include students in Jamaica. He said four scholarships would be given to children of Jamaican heritage living in Atlanta while three will be given to students in Jamaica enrolled in a tertiary institution. He pointed out that the association was keen in supporting education and funds raised from the ball will go towards its education fund.
Prior to the commencement of the gala, there will be the launch of the book, “Jamaican Entrepreneurship” by Jamaican, Dr. Glen Laman. The book examines the achievements of 15 of Jamaica’s entrepreneurs highlighting the historic, social, political and geographic factors which have contributed to the Jamaican economic environment. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to AJA’s “Teen Challenge Jamaica” initiative. The launch program will begin at 6:00 pm during the cocktail hour.
Attendees at the ball will dance to music provided by the Caribbean Music Farm band. Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica in Atlanta commenced the independence celebrations with a Thanksgiving Service at St. Timothy church on Sunday, August 3 and on Independence Day, August 6, were treated to a cultural concert.
