In a landmark celebration of Jamaican heritage and civic contribution, 4 distinguished Jamaican-People have been collectively honored by Highland Park Mayor Elsie Foster and the Jamaica Group of New Jersey (JON-J) through the group’s annual Awards of Excellence and Independence Gala, held July 19 at Hanover Manor in East Hanover.
The occasion, which types a part of Jamaica’s 63rd Independence observances, noticed Mayor Foster current official municipal citations alongside JON-J’s conventional awards—signaling a brand new stage of institutional recognition for the Caribbean diaspora’s position in American society.
The honorees—Dr. Karren Dunkley, Lynval James, Jacqueline Lewis, and Elaine Matthews—have been acknowledged for his or her neighborhood service, advocacy, and management, every reflecting the bridge-building spirit that blends Jamaican heritage with U.S. civic life.
The handshake between Mayor Foster, a local of Trelawny, and Dr. Dunkley on the gala was emblematic of a deeper shift: one the place native authorities strikes past cultural acknowledgement to formally combine diaspora excellence into civic frameworks.
“These matches are greater than only a contest between two prime worldwide groups – they’re a part of our ongoing dedication to rising and globalizing the sport,” mentioned CWI CEO Chris Dehring. “We see it as our accountability, as the one full ICC member nation on this hemisphere, to assist shepherd the event of cricket in america.”
Mayor Foster’s involvement alerts what observers have described as a “Municipal Validation Technique,” recognizing that Caribbean communities contribute way over variety—they provide excessive ranges of entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and healthcare advocacy.
“This mannequin challenges conventional assumptions about immigrant integration,” mentioned one organizer. “Somewhat than requiring assimilation, this partnership embraces the concept that sturdy cultural identification enhances civic participation.”
The honorees replicate a broad spectrum of diaspora management:
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Dr. Karren Dunkley, educator and former Northeast USA Diaspora Consultant, delivered the keynote tackle and obtained accolades for her work in training and public service. Her remarks provided a candid reflection on Jamaica’s challenges—together with rising AIDS instances—whereas highlighting nationwide achievements like debt discount and cultural impression.
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Lynval James, co-founder of JON-J, was celebrated for many years of civic management and neighborhood organizing, translating Caribbean values into American political engagement.
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Jacqueline Lewis was acknowledged for healthcare advocacy, addressing systemic gaps by means of culturally competent management.
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Elaine Matthews earned honors for her grassroots activism, laying the muse for sustainable diaspora organizing.
JON-J, now in its twenty seventh 12 months, has advanced from a cultural preservation group right into a revered establishment acknowledged by municipal authorities. Mayor Foster’s participation symbolized this transition and underscored the group’s position in constructing neighborhood and fostering civic contribution.
“Their dedication to service, each right here within the USA and in Jamaica, reminds us that wherever we’re on this planet, we supply the guts of our homeland with us and may make a distinction,” mentioned Valerie Bailey, Esq., JON-J Board President.
As Jamaica approaches its 63rd 12 months of independence on August 6, the East Hanover ceremony affords a template for future collaborations between municipal governments and diaspora communities. The twin recognition—organizational and municipal—demonstrates that cultural delight could be a driving drive for civic excellence.
