By Derrick Scott
Washington, D.C. – Mrs Juliette Holness, wife of Jamaica’s Prime Minister, the Hon Andrew Holness will pay a three-day official visit to Atlanta, Georgia from August 12 – 15.
Mrs Holness and her delegation will arrive on Friday, August 12 and will be met by a welcoming party headed by Jamaica’s Honorary Consul to Atlanta, Mrs. Jewell Scott, President of the Atlanta Jamaica Association (AJA), Mr. Allan Stewart and representatives from the Hartfield Jackson International airport.
While in Atlanta, Mrs Holness will participate in a number of events starting on the day of her arrival where she will be interviewed at noon by Ms. Pat Baccas, host of the Caribbean show on Future Movements Radio.
At 2pm she will pay a courtesy call on Atlanta’s Mayor, Mr. Kasim Read at his city hall office. She will subsequently visit Georgia’s first lady, Sandra Deal, wife of the Governor of Georgia, Nathan Deal.
Later that evening, Mrs Holness will attend a special reception given in her honour by Atlanta’s Honorary Consul, Mrs. Jewel Scott. The reception is expected to be attended by a wide cross-section of the Jamaican and Caribbean communities as well as members from local and state governments.
On Saturday, August 13, Mrs. Holness will be interviewed by the host of the program “Rockers International” on Atlanta’s radio 89.3 by Mr Paul Abrahams.
Later on Saturday Mrs Holness will deliver the keynote address at the AJA’s independence ball and scholarship awards at the Atlanta Marriott Gateway hotel. The ball which is considered a premier event to celebrate Jamaica’s independence will see over 400 patrons in attendance.
Jamaica’s Consul General to Miami, Mr. Franz Hall, Jamaica’s Honorary Consul to Atlanta, Jewel Scott, representatives from Atlanta City Council, the state of Georgia as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps will attend this soiree.
According to President of the AJA, Mr. Alan Stewart, his organization is very honoured to have Mrs, Holness, the wife of the Prime Minister to be the keynote speaker at the ball to celebrate Jamaica’s 54th year of independence. “We are pleased that Atlanta will be her first overseas visit in her capacity as wife of the Prime Minister and the Jamaican community looks forward to welcoming her. This is a special occasion for us”, he said.
Mr. Stewart pointed out that the AJA will present six scholarships to high school and college students in Jamaica or those of Jamaican parentage at the ball this year. He also said that these scholars are a way for the organization to give back to the Jamaican community as well as to help provide opportunities for the students.
Entertainment for the ball which commences at 6pm will be provided by the Revelation band and DJ Mark Swaby.
On Sunday, August 14, Mrs Holness will be hosted at a special breakfast before returning home with her delegation later that evening.
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