WASHINGTON, DC – Three Jamaicans were among eight Caribbean Americans singled out by the Institute of Caribbean Studies for top honors at its 18th Annual Caribbean Heritage (CARAH) Awards in Washington, D.C., on Friday, November 11, 2011.
Rev. Dr. Neville Callam, Janet Rollé, and Garth Fagan were honored for their extraordinary contributions in the fields of religion, art and business. The gala was held at the Renaissance Marriott Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C.
Rollé, an international media strategist who is also Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of CNN worldwide, received the Trailblazer Award for her innovative ideas and strategy in communications and marketing.
Internationally-renowned choreographer and dancer Fagan, who founded the Rochester, New York-based Garth Fagan Dance, received the ICS’s Marcus Garvey Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding achievement in the field of dance and for choreographing the internationally acclaimed, Lion King Broadway production.
Meanwhile, General Secretary of the World Baptist Alliance and inspirational orator, Rev. Dr. Callam received the Luminary award for his work in the fields of media and religion.
The other Caribbean personalities honored by the ICS this year were Maryse Condé of Guadeloupe, presented with the Award for Excellence in Literature; Frank L. Douglas, M.D., PhD., of Guyana, received the Trail Blazer Award for his work in medical science; Hazelle Goodman of Trinidad and Tobago accepted the Award for Excellence in the Arts; Dr. Arlie Petters of Belize was presented the Award for Excellence in Science and Technology; and Larry Quinlan, Chief Information Officer for Deloitte LLP, received the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Corporate America.
In presenting Mr. Fagan his Marcus Garvey Lifetime Achievement Award, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey P. Marks, noted how his name had become synonymous with the highest standard and accomplishments in the arts, especially in the field of dance. She lauded Mr. Fagan for founding his own company, Garth Fagan Dance Group in Rochester, New York, which has celebrated forty years of existence and for making history when he created the dance for the Broadway production “The Lion King,” in 1997. “You are an outstanding cultural ambassador who is an exceptional example and inspiration to up and coming artists the world over,” the Ambassador said. Ambassador Marks also congratulated the other two Jamaicans as well as the other Caribbean awardees for their stellar contributions to human development in a variety of fields.
Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey P. Marks is flanked by Jamaican recipients of the 2011 Caribbean Heritage Awards. From (l-r) are Garth Fagan, the renowned Jamaica dancer and founder of Garth Fagan Dance, who received the Marcus Garvey Lifetime Achievement Award; Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of CNN worldwide, international media strategist Janet Rollé, who received the Trailblazer Award; and General Secretary of the World Baptist Alliance, Rev. Dr. Neville Callam who received the Luminary Award.
Founder and President of ICS, Dr. Claire Nelson, herself Jamaican-born, explained the awards ceremony was started eighteen years ago in an effort to highlight the significant input of Caribbean Americans to the building of the American society as well as to celebrate the caliber of individuals that claim Caribbean American ancestry; and to provide a forum for honoring and recognizing their contributions to the public.
In his brief remarks, ICS chairman, Ambassador Carlton Masters, said that the honorees were being recognized for having risen to the height of their respective professions while maintaining a strong commitment to community. Their influence has resonated beyond their respective career areas and has impacted us all, said Masters.
Just over three hundred individuals attended the black tie affair that also celebrates the Institute’s anniversary and has become a calendar event for Caribbean nationals in and around Washington, D.C. The attendees included ambassadors and other diplomats, a representative of the White House, and a host of prominent Caribbean Americans, some from all over the United States.
Scenes from the 18th Annual Caribbean American Heritage Awards Gala at the Renaissance Marriott Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C., on Friday, November 11, 2011
Founder and President of the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS), Dr. Claire Nelson; 2011 Lifetime Achievement awardee and internationally acclaimed dancer, Garth Fagan; Trailblazer awardee, Janet Rollé; Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks; Luminary awardee, Rev. Dr. Neville Callam; Delegate Shirley Natham-Pulliam, of the Maryland House of Delegates; and Chairman of ICS, Ambassador Carlton Masters, all pose for a photograph after Friday night’s 18th Annual Caribbean American Heritage Awards Gala.
Chairman of the Institute of Caribbean Students (ICS), Ambassador Carlton Masters, is flanked by Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency P. Audrey Marks (left) and Washington Area’s WJLA Channel 7 news anchor Maureen Bunyan, who served as Master of Ceremonies.
Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey P. Marks, presents the Marcus Garvey Lifetime Achievement Award to renowned Jamaican dancer and choreographer Garth Fagan.
Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of CNN worldwide, international media strategist Janet Rollé, accepts her Trailblazer Award from Partner of Bert Smith LLC, George Willie.
General Secretary of the World Baptist Alliance, Rev. Dr. Neville Callam, of Jamaica, accepts his Luminary Award from Maryland’s House of Delegates member, Shirley Natham-Pulliam.
Members of the FUTURE POINTE Dancers from Rochester New York perform a special piece.
Photo Credit Derrick Scott
