SOUTH FLORIDA – Jamaica Awareness, Inc., South Florida’ s premiere presenter of the “Caribbean-Consciousness” approach to building cultural bridges, and advocate for strengthening connections between Caribbean cultures and the wider global community, celebrates 30 Years of its commitment to excellence; in helping to successfully bring together diverse cultures, from across the Caribbean to South Florida and beyond.
As we celebrate our 30th year as an organization, we are proud to be playing a continuing role in the celebration of the exciting uniqueness of the culture of Jamaica, and the Caribbean; cultures emblematic of both independence and interdependence.
Jamaica Awareness is using this opportunity to say, “Thank You” for helping to make this possible.
Their 30 years of community service would not have been possible without early business community pioneers, for example, who stepped up to the plate to strengthen and support the infant South Florida Caribbean community when it reached out. Without them, and others like them, the journey would have been much harder
Early pioneers of corporate goodwill, support, and sponsorship for our then-much-smaller Caribbean community included Air Jamaica, Red Stripe Beer, Albert Lee of Pepper Pot Restaurant on 27th Ave in Miami, across the street from MDC-North campus. Other very early corporate supporters of Jamaican and Caribbean culture included Just Cooool, Rankin Records, and Pepper’s Restaurant in Ft Lauderdale.
Over the past 30 years, many other individuals, groups, organizations, businesses and corporate entities have continued to help make our work of presenting the best of our islands’ culture possible.
Jamaica Awareness’ President, Sydney Roberts, points in particular to individuals such as the late Prof. Rex Nettleford, as the one who was, and still remains, the spiritual/cultural guide to the organization; also Basil Dawkins, Lenford Salmon, and Trevor Nairne, who were always available, along with the JCDC, and the Ministry of Youth & Culture, to provide artistic support.
Corporate entities such as Grace, Western Union, Jamaica National Building Society, Jamaica National Money Transfer, have become important international parts of the JA – Jamaican and Jamaica Awareness – experience.
Jamaica Awareness recognizes, moreover, and salutes the very significant, if understated and often unsung, support from the public; and from the stores, shops, and business-places such as De Jamaican Shop, Rainbow Variety Store, Sam’s West Indian Groceries, among others, who have provided outlets for information, promotional materials, and tickets; they have our gratitude for their long-standing and committed support. Thanks also to the entire media family, with clear and sincere recognition of the role of the Caribbean media, and also to the political leadership.
JAMAICA AWARENESS INC., says special thanks to all builders of community; and to those who have been supporters of the Caribbean Community and Jamaica Awareness, whether through sponsorship, guidance, or morale support, JA says a hearty and sincere “Tenk yuh!” on behalf of all of us in the JA community. We look forward to continuing and enhancing the positive and supportive reciprocity between us, our community, organizations, corporations, and individuals across and beyond the Caribbean.
For 30 years, Jamaica Awareness (JA) has been privileged to be present, and involved in the budding, the building, and the growth of the Caribbean community in South Florida; and as the American community continues to appreciate its abundant Jamaican and Caribbean gifts, the organization is blessed to continue to be a valued and integral part of a global sharing community.
JAMAICA AWARENESS says very special thanks to the cultural community, and its supporters especially the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs, Cultural Affairs Council, Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, Southern Arts Federation, the National Endowment for the Arts, Florida Department of Cultural Affairs, and the City of Miami.
Visit them on the web: www.jamaware.org
