ATLANTA – Last month the Atlanta Jamaica Association (AJA) held its annual gala event – The Jamaica Independence Ball and Scholarship Awards to mark Jamaica’s 49th anniversary of Independence. The event was held in collaboration with the Atlanta Jamaica Cultural and Education Fund at the Georgia International Convention Center, Concourse, College Park, Georgia.
This year’s special award was presented to Elaine Grant Bryan, “in recognition of her contributions to the positive image of Jamaica as an outstanding Jamaican in Atlanta.
Elaine Bryan is a Financial Columnist, Empowerment Speaker, Real Estate Broker, Atlanta Mayor’s Phoenix Award recipient, Leadership Sandy Springs Alumni Council Member and 2010-11 GSCA Region VI Counselor of the Year.
Students have received thousands of scholarships and valuable guidance from her selfless commitment to service. Elaine has excelled in the real estate business so well that she was invited to share her knowledge on the HGTV show “What you get for the Money.” Elaine’s trademark is: The What What What Approach – What You Do With What You Have Determines What You Become.
Elaine is a Northwestern University Alumna and owner of Elaine Bryan Realty in Sandy Springs, Georgia. She is currently a columnist for the Jamaica Gleaner and a counselor at Chamblee Charter High School while pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership. On August 6th she received the Atlanta Jamaica Association “Outstanding Jamaican Award,” at the annual independence ball.
Gregory and Elaine Bryan pose with her award from the Atlanta Jamaica Association Independence ball in Georgia.
Below are some of her commendations/awards:
. Leadership Sandy Springs Graduate – 2009
. United States Postal Service “Women Putting their Stamp on Atlanta
Diversity Champion” Award – 2008
. DeKalb Counselor of the Year – 2008
. Mayor of Atlanta Phoenix Award for outstanding service – 2006
. Turner Broadcasting Education Award – 2006
. Judge Glenda Hatchett Mentor Award – 2005
Elaine is married to Gregory Bryan who is a Systems Analyst, keyboardist, music composer and arranger.
She was nominated by Judge Elliot Shoenthal and Councilwoman Karen McEnerny and is now a graduate of Georgia’s Leadership Sandy Springs. Elaine Bryan is the first and only Caribbean-American to receive the Georgia School Counselor Association Regional Counselor of the Year and Judge Glenda Hatchett Awards for outstanding service to the community.
Errol Ritchie, president of the Atlanta Jamaica Association poses with Elaine Bryan after presenting her with the Outstanding Jamaican in Atlanta award.
