NEW YORK – Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States (US), Professor Gordon Shirley has commended the management of Golden Krust for its decision to support community projects and programs in the US and Jamaica.
Ambassador Shirley was delivering the keynote address at the recent launch of the Mavis & Ephraim Golden Krust (Memorial) Foundation at the Villa Barone Manor in the Bronx.
“The launch of the Foundation this evening to bring some structure to that process by which the Golden Krust and Hawthorne family give back to the community, is again charting the way forward for other organizations,” said Ambassador Shirley.
Professor Shirley praised Lowell Hawthorne, President and Chief Executive Officer of Golden Krust, describing him as an extraordinary entrepreneur, who was the perfect example of “our potential as Jamaicans to harness business opportunities here in the USA and Jamaica”.
Mr. Hawthorne, who is also President of the Foundation, said the Foundation would not be constrained by geographical limitations, but like its parent company, Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill, would extend its range of services and benefits to its local and international constituency, “in keeping with the principles so indelibly inculcated in our minds by our late parents”.
Executive Director of the Foundation, Claudette Phipps noted that its establishment and launch had come at an opportune time, as the Foundation’s focus was on, “learning as much as possible about disparities in education, health and economics and then doing something about it”.
Six scholarships were awarded to High School seniors entering US colleges in the new school year. They are: Amanda Addison (University of Pennsylvania); Kara-Beth Vassell (University at Albany); Melanie J-B Charles (Julliard School of Music); Shantel Gaynor (John Jay College of Criminal Justice); Claytoya Tugwell (Columbia University) and Natashia Malcolm (Queens College).
Another eight scholarships were awarded to students at the Oberlin High School in Jamaica.
The event also featured a video presentation in honor of the late Mavis and Ephraim Hawthorne, in whose memory the Foundation has been formed.
