It will be a big night in Kingston Tuesday, September 25, 2012 when 26 Jamaican companies, organisations and individuals vie for the annual American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AMCHAM) 2012 Business and Civic Leadership Awards.

The awards highlight businesses, individuals and non-profit organisations that are driving and achieving economic and social progress in Jamaica through ethical leadership and stewardship and community-building activities.

The third annual AMCHAM Business & Civic Leadership Awards will be presented at a glitzy affair at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston where the 26 nominees will be acknowledged for their work in three categories, as well as the presentation of seven awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.

In addition to nominees previously announced in the Business Observer last Wednesday, other nominees in the Corporate Social Responsibility category include:

o Caribbean Cement Company for its provision of skills education, training and certification of the "Kiln Fire Paving Crew" in the Rockfort community

o J Wray & Nephew Ltd, for its provision of training, scholarships and employment to community members and support of sporting activities in volatile communities

o Jamaica Gypsum & Quarries Ltd, for their "Plant for Life Project" which has provided training and economic opportunities for the communities of Ten and Eleven Miles, Bull Bay, St Thomas

o Jamaica Public Service, for their support of education from Early Childhood development to the tertiary level via nutrition programmes and academic grants

o LIME Jamaica for their investment in youth through education and sporting activities such as LIME Skool Aid

Additional Nominees in the Civic Leadership category (individual) are:

o Luke George Cooke for his work in establishing Operation Hope, mentoring programmes and other social initiatives in Jones Town

o Ugochukwu Ononogbo Durueke for his contributions to the Ferncourt High School and Faith Tabernacle Church

o Robert Gordon for 20 years of contribution to various organisations, including the Cornwall Court Citizen's Association, Jamaica Combined Cadet Force, Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, St James Parish Council and Hanover and St James Disaster Preparedness Commission

o Peter Melhado for his stewardship in the development of, and current chair of the American International School of Kingston (AISK), which has developed into a first class, modern education facility, where 100 per cent of AISK graduates go off to post secondary education institutions, which are mostly top-tier schools. In 2011, the school attracted over US$2.2 million in scholarships, among its graduating class of 17

o Michele Rollins for her philanthropic work with the SOS Children's Village and Cornwall Regional Hospital

o Winston Churchill Laughton Blake for his contribution to discovering and honing the careers of many Jamaican artistes and the advancement of Brand Jamaica, through music, in Jamaica and abroad

o Rupert Wright Harper for musical contributions particularly as a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force Band and in community initiatives.

Pics: Peter Melhado; Michelle Rollins (in Sunday folder)