US: The Grandeur of Jamaica’s Independence Gala in New York
By Dennis Kabatto – It was way past midnight inside the Grand Ballroom but distinguished guests were still rocking and swaying to infectious reggae music provided by the Fab Five Band and veteran reggae artist Tinga Stewart as they celebrated while others murmured patois catching up on current affairs with former schoolmates and longtime friends.
Distinguished guests enjoying dinner at jamaica’s 51st. Independence Ball at New York Hilton Hotel Grand Ballroom in Midtown Manhattan
Over 800 Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica on August 17 intermingled at the New York Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan under the Patronage of Jamaica’s consul in New York, Herman LaMont, to commemorate Jamaica’s 51st Independence annual Grand Ball.
The Ball attracted socialites and elites of the Jamaican Diaspora, Caribbean community and notable Americans. Congress member Yvette D. Clarke, US Senator Vincent Hughes, civil rights attorney Colin Moore, New York City Councilmember Leroy Comrie, New York City 2013 mayoral candidate Bill Thompson, former New York City Councilmember Una Clarke and her husband Leslie Clarke, Judge Sam Walker among others.
“It was a fantastic evening. It was an honor especially to read President Barack Obama’s message on the evening of our Independence Celebration. Brand Jamaica occupied pride of place, from the décor to the music and menu,” emphasized Paulette Willoughby, Chair of Jamaica Independence Celebration Foundation Inc. (JICFI) in a statement.
from (l-r) Stephen Vasciannie, Jamaica’s ambassador to the United States; Heather Foster of the White House’s Office of Public Engagement – honoree; Paulette Willoughby
Jamaican Independence Celebration Foundation chair; Robert Clarke – CEO of Irie Jam Media – honoree; Alison Lyle -guest; Ray Goulbourne – honoree – executive VP of Black Entertainment Television and Herman LaMont – Consul General of Jamaica, New York
“We were thrilled to highlight the accomplishments of the honorees; our wonderful Jamaicans who make us proud everyday in all they continue to do. The event was well attended by our elected officials; we have been receiving great, positive feedback from our patrons, saying they had a ‘ball,’ so all in all it was a great year— a fitting outcome for the theme: Celebrating Jamaica, triumphant, proud and Free!” Ms Willoughby said.
The celebration became sombre when Jamaica’s ambassador to the United States, Stephen Vasciannie in his keynote address expressed concerns over the large number of deportation of Jamaicans basis back to Jamaica on a monthly basis.
“Far too many Jamaicans are stepping on to the deportation train. Each month about 75 Jamaicans are sent back home for indulging in unlawful activities,” acknowledging that “they may have come to the United States as children, live their lives there and now they are required to fend for themselves in unfamiliar territory,” Ambassador Vascianne said.
He stressed the deportation process of Jamaicans may be counter-productive to both Jamaica and the United States. “It sets in place a loop for criminality where persons are sent back to Jamaica with no means of economic survival. Thereby they become more entrenched in criminality, which creates instability at home and sometimes exported back to the United States,” he argued.
He urged Jamaicans to redouble their efforts to maintain good relations with the United States of America “even as we also ensure that Jamaicans in the Diaspora continue to share their lives and retain their links with family and friends at home.”
Mistress of Ceremony, Tony Award winner, actress, singer and activist Sheryl Lee Ralph whose mother is Jamaican added more spice to the evening. Her witty humor delivery aroused a lot of laughter.
Three distinguished Jamaicans Heather Foster, Office of Public Engagements at the White House; Raymond Gouldbourne, executive vice-president, Broadcast Media and Irie Jam Media CEO Bobby Clark were honored and awarded for their contributions to the overall Jamaican community and accomplishments in their respective fields.
The month-long 51st Independence Anniversary celebrations will culminate on Labor Day weekend when Caribbean Fever Irie Jamboree Festival kicks off a three-night music extravaganza featuring French Caribbean music, Soca and Reggae at the Barclay Center followed by the Labor Day Carnival parade on September 1 in Brooklyn, New York.
