Extraordinary Jamaicans honoured by The Weekly Gleaner

LONDON:

Thirteen outstanding United Kingdom Jamaicans and two organisations, headed by inspirational and innovative Jamaican leadership, were honoured last Thursday at the third annual Weekly Gleaner Honour Awards luncheon held in London.

Leading the awardees was Jamaica-born poet, academic and campaigner Linton Kwesi Johnson, who was awarded the coveted Platinum award for his over five decades of literary and music activism on the black British experience of racial injustice and oppression.

When he was announced as the Platinum winner, the over 150 guests, at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in south Kensington, including Jamaica’s High Commissioner to the UK, Alexander Williams, gave Johnson a standing ovation as the certificate on which his name was emblazoned was presented to him by Gary Allen, senior corporate executive of the RJRGleaner Communications Group, owners of The Weekly Gleaner.

Johnson now joins Britain’s longest-serving black female MP Diane Abbot and Dr Neville Lawrence, the father of Stephen Lawrence, who was murdered by racists in 1993, as winners of the Platinum award, the ultimate prize among a line-up honouring various categories.

Commenting on his award, Johnson said: “I have been a regular reader of The Weekly Gleaner throughout my adult life, always hungry for reliable news from ‘yard’. It was, therefore, a special delight to receive the Platinum Award in the presence of several eminent UK Jamaicans.”

Three other outstanding trailblazers were also honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards for endeavours to uplift others.

They were Lee Jasper, a renowned advocate for racial and social justice with a long history of working on civil rights and anti-racism issues in Britain; Keith Valentine Graham, better known as Levi Roots, for his entrepreneurship in creating the popular Reggae Sauce, after appearing on Dragon’s Den; and Dr Patrick Vernon OBE, the tireless campaigner for his work to improve the health and social care for black elders as a cultural historian on the black identity in Britain and his advocacy to bring the 2017 Windrush Scandal to national prominence.

Before the awards presentation began, guests were welcomed by Gary Allen, who noted that over the last two years, The Weekly Gleaner Honour Awards has shone a light on some of the extraordinary things that members of the UK Diaspora community have done for their fellow Jamaicans.

He said: “We would like to specially thank our sponsors, J. Wray & Nephew Ltd and GraceKennedy, who are supporting us again this year for helping to stage these awards, which have made Jamaicans at home aware of some of the extraordinary things individuals in our diaspora community are doing.

“It must take an extraordinary strength of character to go beyond one’s self, beyond family, beyond community to do things for humanity effortlessly without reward, and that’s what our nominees and past awardees have done. That has been the Jamaican way for many in our country, and whereever Jamaicans go, ordinary people are doing extraordinary things. ‘Little but talawah, poor and boasie, living and giving’, that’s who most of us are. Out of many one people who are extraordinary in many ways.

“I would like to thank the judging panel who selected the winners of awards, and we are delighted to welcome everyone to the third Weekly Gleaner Honour Awards, and we look forward to celebrating your accomplishments.”

COMMENDABLE DEDICATION

In a brief address before the awards presentation, High Commissioner Alexander Williams, on behalf of the Jamaican Government, congratulated the RJRGleaner Communications Group for staging the event, which he described as an inspiration for others.

He said: “This event not only highlights the achievements of the remarkable nominees and awardees, but also serves as an inspiration to others, highlighting the positive impact that one can have on the community and the wider society. It is a moment of pride and celebration for the Jamaican community in the UK, fostering a sense of unity and cultural pride.

“The RJRGleaner Communications Group’s commitment to this annual event demonstrates the commendable dedication to fostering a spirit of excellence in the diaspora for those who continue to do well and fly the Jamaican flag high. This also helps to forge stronger ties between Jamaica and Jamaicans in the UK not only in terms of commerce and investments, but also through mutual support.”

The award for Art and Culture went to celebrated classical music composer, conductor, and violinist, Shirley Thompson OBE, for her nationally recognised work in creating symphonies, ballets, and operas, some of which have also been used in film, television, and theatre.

Dawn Butler, the member of parliament for Brent East, was awarded the Public Service Award for her outstanding work with young people and being a consistent voice for equality and social justice for over two decades. She has held many prominent roles, including Minister for Young Citizens and Youth Engagement and shadow minister for BME communities.

The Business and Commerce award was given to Beverly Johnson, the proprietor of JLB Shipping and Logistics Ltd based in Birmingham, which has been providing essential shipping services and support to the Jamaican diaspora for over 30 years.

The award for Community Service was presented to Beverly Lindsay, OBE, OD, who was described as a champion for the African Caribbean community in Birmingham for over 40 years. She was the first woman president of the Birmingham Rotary Club and has served as the vice lord-lieutenant for the West Midlands as well as the current chair of the Association of Jamaican Nationals in Birmingham.

SUPPORT SYSTEMS

Other notable winners on the day were Caroll Thompson, affectionately known as the ‘Queen of Lover’s Rock, for Entertainment; Professional Nurse advocate Jennifer Pearson for her work in Health and Wellness and contribution to race equality and staff well-being; Amoi Duffus, an outstanding teacher of drama and English at St Michael’s Catholic School in Aylesbury for Education; Dr Donald Palmer, an honorary senior lecturer at Imperial College London for his work in science and technology; Dr Norma Gregory in the area of Voluntary Service for her work in preserving the heritage of Jamaican coal mine workers and labourers in the UK through her ‘Digging Deep’ project.

Two organisations received recognition for their leadership role in serving the community.

Simeon Grossett and Desmond Jaddoo from the BME Housing Association collected the award for Organisations and Foundations. The BME Housing Association is a Community Interest Company (CIC) dedicated to creating home ownership, job creation, and community development.

The Raheem Sterling Foundation, founded by Jamaica-born England footballer Raheem Sterling, won the Sport Award for its groundbreaking knife-amnesty project in Brent, north London, where Sterling grew up. The foundation has partnered with organisations to offer support systems to help young people overcome challenges and thrive for a better future.

Musical entertainment was provided by international recording artistes Jonny Orlando, himself a former honour award winner, who took guests down memory lane with a few Motown classics.