New York – (JIS) – Jamaica’s Consul General to New York, Dr. Basil Bryan, has praised the United States-based group Chicago Concerned Jamaicans, for its dedication and commitment to education in Jamaica.
“Chicago Concerned Jamaicans has been one of the most helpful groups of Jamaicans in the United States. Your input and contribution certainly belie the size of your organization and we are always grateful for your support of the education sector mainly through scholarships and various levels of assistance to a large number of students unable to afford tuition”, Dr. Bryan said.
The Consul General was the keynote speaker at the group’s 18th anniversary scholarship and awards gala held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, downtown Chicago, recently.
Chicago Concerned Jamaicans is a broad-based community organization of Jamaicans in Chicago, which was formed in the aftermath of Hurricane Gilbert in l988, to garner support for victims of the disaster.
The group, has to date, disbursed just under US$600,000 in goods, services and cash to students in Jamaica and the United States, in addition to providing tuition and scholarships.
At the recent awards function, two Jamaican educators – Dr. Beverly Anderson, Provost /Vice President at the Chicago State University (NIU), and Dr. JoAnn Karr, Professor at the Northeastern Illinois University – were honoured for their professional excellence and support for the development of tertiary level education in Jamaica. Dr. Karr was cited for her pioneering work, which has allowed students at the Moneague Teacher’s College in St. Ann, to study at NIU.
Two Jamaican students attending the Kettering University in Michigan were also presented with scholarships from the CCJ to pursue tertiary studies. They are Nakia Chamberlain, a past student of Ardenne High School and Texita Skeine, a graduate of Immaculate Conception High School.
Ms. Chamberlain was presented with the Douglas McIntyre Memorial Scholarship, named in honour of a founding member of the CCJ, who died earlier this year. Mrs. McIntyre later accepted a plaque on behalf of her late husband, in recognition of his vision and commitment to the organization he helped to form.
Entertainment was provided by Byron Lee & the Dragonaires band.
