Washington, DC – Eight Caribbean Americans were the recipients of the prestigious Caribbean American Heritage awards at its 22nd Gala held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Washington, D.C. on Friday (Nov. 20th) night.
Awards Honourees
The honourees were: Jamaican international artiste Maxi Priest who received the Luminary Award for his outstanding contribution to reggae music; musician Gordon Henderson who received the Trailblazer Award; Dr. Brenda Hutchingson, the Excellence in Medicine awards; Lt. Colonel Shawna Kimbrell, the Vanguard Award; Miguel Southwell, the Outstanding Public Service Award; Magdalah Silva, the Outstanding Entrepreneur Award; Michael Thompson, Outstanding Community Service Award, and Beverly East received the Forerunner Award.
Five hundred individuals attending this black tie affair, which has become a calendar event for Caribbean nationals. In attendance were members of the diplomatic core, representatives from the White House, the US government, The District of Columbia as well as a host of prominent Caribbean Americans from various States.
In her remarks, founder of the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) Dr. Claire Nelson explained that the awards ceremony was started 22 years ago to highlight the significant input of Caribbean Americans to the building of the American society. It also celebrates the caliber of individuals who claim Caribbean American ancestry, and to provide a forum for honouring and recognizing their contribution to the public.
Chairman of ICS and Jamaican Ambassador to the African Union Carl Masters, said the honourees were recognized for having risen to the heights of their respective professions while maintaining a strong commitment to community. Their influence has resonated beyond their respective career areas and has impacted all of us.
In presenting the Luminary Award to Maxi Priest, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, his Excellency Ralph Thomas lauded the awardees for demonstrating excellence in their various fields. He pointed out that he saw them all as ambassadors.
Ambassador Thomas said, “I am deeply impressed with the outstanding contribution the eight recipients have made in their various fields of endeavours and I salute you.”
The Jamaican Ambassador had high praises for the ICS for conceptualizing the awards, “for this awards ceremony to be celebrating 22 years is a testimony of the high esteem in which the ICS is held. It also demonstrates the determination of the institute to bestow recognition upon members of the Caribbean community in the United States.”
(Photo Credit Derrick A Scott)
