IN BALTIMORE, “MARLEY” HIGHLIGHTS PERSONAL, POLITICAL ISSUES—05/16/15
Kwame Kwei-Armah, the director of the jukebox musical “Marley,” which is being performed in Baltimore, Maryland through June 14, 2015, says the production is meant to highlight the personal and political issues facing reggae legend Bob Marley during the years 1975 and 1978. The music performed in the show encapsulates events in Jamaican history during those years.
ANDERSON TO SPEAK AT CONFERENCE IN CANADA—05/17/15
Don Anderson, Jamaican sports administrator, political pollster, and market research professional, has been named one of the keynote speakers at the Black Canadian Studies Association’s second biennial conference in Halifax, Canada. The conference is scheduled for May 21 through 24, 2015 at Dalhousie University. The conference attempts to build a bridge between the academy and communities comprising individuals of African descent, both locally and internationally. Anderson will speak about leadership challenges and solutions from the point of view of Jamaica’s Olympic experience.
MATTHEWS DISCUSSES HIS ROAD FROM JAMAICA TO HARVARD—05/18/15
Jamaican John Matthews credits his parents with helping him achieve his goal of obtaining a degree from Harvard University in the United States. He says he was given considerable freedom during his childhood, but that his parents ensured that he followed the “right path” providing him with the discipline, morals and family support he needed to push him toward getting his advanced degree.
HANOVER READIES FOR DIASPORA CONFERENCE—05/19/15
Jamaican Diaspora members who have ties to Hanover will hold official meetings with leaders of the community on the last day of the Sixth Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference in Montego Bay in June. The meeting is crucial to efforts in encouraging members of the Diaspora to provide real contributions to the growth and development to enterprises based in the rural community.
SOPHIA BROWN GETS AWARD FOR “OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT”—05/20/15
Jamaica’s Sophia Brown, an international reggae singer, won the Outstanding Achievement in Music award at the Linkage Awards, which were held in New York. After receiving her award, she provided a performance that covered Betty Wright’s “Tonight” and “Lover’s Rock.” Brown also headlined a concert in Hartford, Connecticut two days before winning the achievement award.
U.S. TOUR BY JLP’S MONTAGUE DEEMED A SUCCESS—05/21/15
The New York State Republican Party and the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) are partnering to develop approaches in areas of mutual interest. To that end, Jamaican Senator Robert “Bobby” Montague, the chairman of the JLP, met with Edward P. Cox, chairman of the New York State Republicans during Montague’s three-day Jamaican Leadership Diaspora Tour. The meeting was characterized as informative and instructive as the leaders discussed party management and investment opportunities in Jamaica’s energy sector.
UN CALLS CANADA’S DEPORTATION OF MENTALLY ILL MAN “INHUMAN”—05/22/15
The United Nations has called Canada’s decision to deport a mentally ill Jamaican man who had lived in Canada for some 30 years “cruel and inhuman treatment.” In 2011, Canada deported Audley Horace Gardner, 52, and left him without any medical or family support, said the UN’s Human Rights Committee.
Gardner was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 1993; Canadian authorities deported him in 2011 for: serious criminality.” Gardner entered Canada at the age of 15. The UN noted that Canada had the right to protect itself, but that Gardner’s crimes were related to his mental illness. In 2006, he was evicted from his home and had been unable to access appropriate medication, subsequently suffering psychotic lapses.
WEDDING FOR JAMAICAN CATHOLIC PRIEST WHO THEN BECOMES ANGLICAN—05/22/15
Michael Lewis, a former priest in the Jamaican Roman Catholic Church, married Patricia Moss Solomon in Florida in early May 2015, some months after he left the Church. Lewis subsequently joined the Anglican Church in the United States following his marriage. Lewis had been the pastor at Stella Maria Roman Catholic Church in St. Andrew prior to leaving.
