SOUTH FLORIDA – A low-key personality, Cheryl Wynter says she always preferred efficiency over the spotlight. That attitude, which has served the Jamaican Diaspora for almost 30 years, earned her a Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition is from administrators of the People Profile Awards.
The eleventh staging of that event took place July 12 at the Broward Center For The Performing Arts in South Florida.
Wynter took the acknowledgement in stride.
“I feel humbled, honored and truly appreciated to be a Lifetime Achievement awardee from People Profile. It’s an honor to serve my Jamaican Diaspora as an ‘ambassador’ of my native homeland, and share with our host country our rich cultural history,” she told South Florida Caribbean News.
Wynter is from Westmoreland, a rural sugar-belt parish in western Jamaica. She attended Queens High School in Kingston, and worked in the country’s capital for several years as an information officer at the state-run Jamaica Information Service.
For over 20 years, Wynter has been the community relations officer at the Jamaican Consulate in Miami. Citing that yeoman service, the Jamaican government awarded her a Badge of Honour For Meritorious Service in 2021.
Interestingly, that recognition came during the Covid-19 pandemic, which Wynter considers one of her most productive periods.
“My career high points are, working assiduously thru COVID to help 2500 stranded Jamaicans through border closures, job displacements, etc. Then recently, helping to organize major relief efforts for Jamaica following hurricanes Beryl and then Melissa,” she said.
“Just to see our people come together immediately responding to aid for our local communities and our beloved homeland is a testament to our love, passion and service.”
2026 People Profile Awards Recipients
There were 20 recipients of the 2026 People Profile Awards. The others are:
- Andre Bailey (aquatics coach)
- Dr. Tameka Bradley (educator)
- Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh (President and CEO of the Urban League of Broward County)
- Chibueze and Mrs. Adanna Alutu (family-based educators)
- Joanna Marie Robinson (singer/businesswoman)
- Litonya White (aspiring doctor and social worker)
- Lenworth ‘DJ Squeeze’ Salmon (veteran Disc Jockey/sound system stalwart)
- Kimberly Y. Walker (educator)
- Charlotte Thompson (mayor of Florida City)
- Blanca Garcia (humanitarian)
- Mikey Spice (singer/musician)
- Jedidiah M. Quinones (educator/philanthropist)
- Marie Woodson (Florida State representative)
- Walter Elmore (entertainment executive)
- Dr. Sasha Davidson (physician)
- Zarie Ricketts (entrepreneur)
- Charmaine Reynolds-Mullings (community service)
- Father Albert Cutie (broadcaster/community activist)
- Aniyah Felix (student)
Proceeds from the People Profile Awards are donated to education initiatives in Jamaica. In 2024, administrators provided funds for a wellness centre at the Maverley Primary School in Kingston. In 2022, the organization donated funds to create a reading lab at Whitfield Town Primary School, also in Kingston.
