From left, Blare Stoddart (TJB Philly); honoree Karlene Largie; Irwine G. Clare, Snr. OD (TJB); and honoree Sandra Brunson, Second Spherical Basis.
Photograph by Ajamu Photograph/Marlon Ajamu Myrie
Irwine Clare, founder and CEO of Workforce Jamaica Bickle (TJB), the Jamaica, Queens-based nonprofit devoted to supporting Jamaican and Caribbean athletes on the annual Penn Relays Carnival, on the College of Pennsylvania in Pennsylvania, has moved one step nearer to his group’s legacy objectives following a profitable “Labor of Love Luncheon – Black Tie & Sneakers Gala.”
The occasion was held on the Cresthollow Nation Membership in Woodbury, Lengthy Island final Sunday, April 13.
The gala’s spotlight got here when keynote speaker Sandra Brunson — mom of New York Knicks NBA star Jalen Brunson and co-founder of the Second Spherical Basis — introduced an on-the-spot money pledge of US$15,000 to TJC.
Reflecting on her Jamaican heritage mentioned, Brunson mentioned: “Being the daughter of Jamaican mother and father is without doubt one of the biggest sources of delight in my life. It’s a heritage rooted in power, resilience and an unshakable sense of id.”
Brunson recounted her mother and father’ immigrant’s journey, emphasizing the cultural values they handed on to her.
“They got here to this nation with little greater than their religion, their values and their desires,” she mentioned. “They carried the spirit of Jamaica with them — its music, meals, language, and tradition — and poured it into my childhood dwelling.”
Brunson reiterated her basis’s assist for TJB, telling the packed home, “We consider in assembly younger folks the place they’re—not simply on the court docket or monitor however within the areas in between.
“Meals, lodging, medical assist — these are the quiet, highly effective moments that permit expertise to thrive,” she mentioned.
Clare thanked the Brunson’s earlier than highlighting his group’s enduring partnerships, notably that which has been solid with Queens-based VP Information, Miss Pat and sons Chris, and Randy Chin.
Clare praised their function in securing reggae artist Colvin “Cocoa Tea” Scott for the 2008 “On the Highway to Beijing Olympics” live performance, which, he mentioned, raised “essential funds” for Jamaican athletes competing on the Olympic video games that yr and which impressed the Reggae Sumfest sponsored Reggae Pop-Up Vibe—an occasion that was featured on the ultimate day of the Penn Relays final yr.
He mentioned the pop-up included Highway Worldwide and a efficiency by former Bickle Ambassador, singer Christopher Martin.
Clare additionally prolonged gratitude to key sponsors, together with Resorts World New York Metropolis, Caribbean Meals Delights, Tower Isle Patties and Irie Jam Radio, acknowledging their funding within the success and improvement of Caribbean athletes.
As well as, he thanked singer Johnny Osbourne, Aza Lineage and document producer King Jammys, who carried out for the packed home.
Award recipients on the gala included four-time Olympian and president of the Jamaica Bobsleigh Federation Dr. Nelson Christian Stokes; Karlene Largie, a former president of the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations (USA); and Sandra Brunson of the Second Spherical Basis.
This yr’s Penn Relays Carnival shall be held over three days – from Thursday, April 24, climaxing on Saturday, April 26.
