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Let’s Connect with Ambassador Marks to Feature Jamaican Diaspora Technology Innovators

Let's Connect with Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks.
Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks  Photo Credit: Derrick Scott

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] –  Using technology to drive Jamaica’s development will take center stage at the upcoming monthly town hall meeting with Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks. This month’s Let’s Connect will take place on Thursday, 22nd July, 2021 at 7:00pm EDT.

The event is being held in collaboration with the ‘Jamgooglers.’ The Jamgooglers are a group of over 115 employees of world leading Search Engine Google, who are of Jamaica origin. And, working in Google offices across the world. The group’s main purpose is to promote the development of technological skills among Jamaicans at home and abroad. In addition to creating a sense of belonging, especially for new employees of Jamaican descent.

Featured Jamaican Tech Entrepreneurs

  •  Kevin Reid – Blue Lagoon Capital

The town hall meeting  will feature outstanding Jamaican tech entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs. One of the evening’s special guest will be Mr. Kevin Reid, the former co-founder CEO and CTO of VirtuStream. The company was acquired by EMC for $1.2 Billion, just seven years after he and his partner co-founded it. He is currently the co-founder at Blue Lagoon Capital. In addition to being an active contributor to his family charity which is focused on funding education and sport initiatives in Jamaica, among other ventures.

  • Dr. Lloyd Carney – Carney Technology Acquisition Corp

Dr. Lloyd Carney former CEO of Brocade until its acquisition to Broadcom Inc. for $5.5 Billion. He is currently Chief Acquisition Officer at Carney Technology Acquisition Corp and an active contributor to the Silicon Valley Start-up Common (SVSC) which is an ecosystem of entrepreneurs, mentors and investors arranged to help get start-ups off the ground and grow. He also established Carney Global Ventures, LLC, an early round investor focused on proven individuals with creative technology ideas, among other ventures.

  • David Sangster – Nutanix

Ambassador Marks will also be joined by Mr. David Sangster, COO for Nutanix software company and Honorary Consul at the Consulate of Jamaica in San Jose, California to cohost the event.

Jamaicans In Technology

In announcing this month’s “Lets Connect’ event, Ambassador Marks shared that it was decided to focus on Jamaicans in technology. Highlighting the transformative developments being done by members of the Jamaican diaspora in the technology sector. Plus, expose young Jamaican students and entrepreneurs to opportunities in this sector as Jamaica seeks to use technology to drive it’s most COVID-19 recovery.

Andrew Walker – Jamgooglers

Andrew Walker is the convener of the Jamgooglers and is based in the NYC offices of Google. He said, “I am happy to be given the opportunity to connect with Ambassador Marks and the wider Jamaican family. We are a ‘little but tallawah’ group that cares deeply about Jamaica and it’s future”. Several of our members are engaged in meaningful projects giving back to Jamaica. We hope that this connection will help to build a framework that enables groups such as ours to expand our contributions to Jamaica’s digital development”.

The team meets regularly to discuss topics of national interest. In addition to hosting events on the Google campus celebrating their Jamaican heritage and culture.

Access Let’s Connect

Let’s Connect’ With Ambassador Marks offers members of the diaspora an opportunity to speak directly with the Ambassador about issues that are of interest to them, as well as to be updated on the government’s policies and programmes as well as the Embassy’s activities.

Persons can connect with Ambassador Marks via Jamaica Connect website, Jamaica Connect and associated social media pages.

From time to time, the Ambassador will be joined by various guests including ministers of government. As well as key members of the diaspora, US government, and key players in various agencies.

 

South Florida Caribbean News

The SFLCN.com Team provides news and information for the Caribbean-American community in South Florida and beyond.

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