SUNRISE – The “I AM JAMAICA” Campaign, in collaboration with the Jamaica Tourist Board and Jamaicans.Com, will launch a worldwide video campaign to capture the energy, spirit and voice of Jamaicans at the Annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival, Sunday, November 14, 2010, at Markham Park in Sunrise, Florida.
Patrons will have the opportunity to visit the Jamaica Tourist Board hospitality tent at the Annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival in Markham Park, Sunrise, Florida and create their own I AM JAMAICA video and be eligible to win travel, accommodation, and tour packages with various destination partners in Jamaica. Each video will be judged on originality, creative expression, and the true reflection of the Jamaican personality in completing the statement, “I AM JAMAICA, because . . . . .”
The “I AM JAMAICA” campaign, an initiative of the Jamaican Diaspora, calls on all Jamaicans, at home and abroad, celebrities, community leaders, artists, entertainers, entrepreneurs and others, to encourage a sense of personal responsibility, to inspire each other in embracing our talents and resources as a burgeoning global community for the upliftment and prosperity of our youth, and to evoke an emotional connection of hope, positive vibes, prosperity, oneness, and all other core qualities of ‘Brand Jamaica’ among Jamaicans worldwide.
The spine of the campaign is a Declaration for Change and Accountability which supporters are asked to sign, uphold and share with others. An official “I AM JAMAICA” theme song featuring several reggae veterans has been produced to convey the message of the campaign and mobilize the community with the realization that music moves people. The reggae artists include Hopeton Lindo, Shaggy, Freddie McGregor, Marcia Griffiths, Courtney John, Peter Gee, Sophia Brown and Anthony Cruz. (See videdo, www.sflcn.com/multimedia.php?id=JCoCxlUc664)
Thousands of patrons will descend on Markham Park in Sunrise to delight in delicious jerk foods and an explosion of authentic Caribbean culture at the highly anticipated 9th Annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival. The one-day family-friendly event will attract some over 18,000 patrons who come to feast not only on the succulent jerk fare, but also on the diverse culture and entertainment.
Beginning November 16, 2010, the public will be welcome to upload their own video (up to 60 seconds) on www.facebook.com/iamjamaica2. To qualify and be eligible for the video competition, participants must be at least 18 years or with parental approval and videos must not contain violence, profanity, sex, or direct attacks on individuals or organization and must be your own original creation or using any copyrighted music, video, or images.
“The essence of the video campaign is to bring the voice and cultural energy of Jamaican people to life. Our personality and cultural DNA are part of our strength as a people. We are Brand Jamaica.” Stated Marlon Hill, Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board member for the Southern United States.
“Jamaicans.Com is connected with Jamaicans in corners across the world. We are proud to be part of this creative initiative to tap the soul of Jamaicans worldwide,” stated Xavier Murphy, webmaster, of Jamaicans.com
