Washington, DC – The Institute of Caribbean Studies will recognize the outstanding accomplishments of three Jamaicans at the 18th Annual Caribbean American Heritage (CARAH) Awards on Friday, Nov. 11th at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C.
International media strategist Janet Rollé, renowned choreographer dancer Garth Fagan, and inspirational orator and leader Rev. Neville Callam will accept awards for success in their various fields at the gala affair.
Ms. Rollé, the executive vice president and chief marketing officer for CNN, has steadily risen in the marketing industry for her innovative ideas and strategy on communications and marketing. She has been highly commended for her role at BET Networks where she was in charge of brand strategy and marketing that included on-air promotion, off-channel and digital marketing as well as affiliate and trade marketing. Her work there on brand development earned her a spot as one of “10 Who Made Their Mark” by Advertising Age magazine. She will receive the Trailblazer Award.
Garth Fagan
Garth Fagan, talented dancer, is the choreographer of the internationally acclaimed Lion King Broadway production. Mr. Fagan successfully launched his own dance company, Garth Fagan Dance, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary season. He has been hailed as a ‘true reformer’ and ‘genuine leader’ of modern dance. He has won an Oliver Award as well as a Tony Award for his path-breaking choreography and artistic direction. As choreographer of Garth Fagan Dance his direction of Mudan 175/39 was named by New York Times as the third of the top six dance watching moments of 2009. He will accept the Marcus Garvey Lifetime Achievement Award.
Neville Callam
Rev. Neville Callam is the General Secretary of the World Baptist Alliance, the largest Baptist organization with more than 47 million members in over 200 countries. Rev. Callam’s Baptist roots also inspired his work in the media. He created and ran The Breath of Change (TBC FM), a religious radio station, and was a founding director of the National Religious Media Company of Jamaica, the operator of LOVE FM and LOVE TV. He has also served as Chairman of the Board of the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica. Rev. Callam will receive the Luminary Award.
Janet Rolle
Ms. Rollé, Mr. Fagan and Mr. Callam are among eight Caribbean Americans who will be honored by ICS. Others include: Maryse Condé of Guadeloupe will be presented the Award for Excellence in Literature, Hazelle Goodman of Trinidad and Tobago will accept the Award for Excellence in the Arts, Dr. Arlie Petters of Belize will be presented the Award for Excellence in Science and Technology and Larry Quinlan, Chief Information Officer for Deloitte LLP, will receive the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Corporate America.
The awards ceremony started 18 years ago by the ICS in an effort to highlight the Americans and the Diaspora community, the caliber of individuals that claim Caribbean American ancestry and to provide a forum for honoring and recognizing their contributions to the public,” said Dr. Claire Nelson, ICS Founder/President. Over the years, well known individuals such as Susan Taylor, former editor-in-chief of Essence magazine, Rita Marley, reggae matriarch and philanthropist, and Earl Graves Sr., publisher of Black Enterprise, have received a CARAH Award
The Caribbean American Heritage Awards raises the profile of Caribbean Americans who have been successful in their fields or are emerging as ‘next generation’ leaders. It also spotlights the continued contributions of Caribbean Americans to the United States.
