MIAMI, USA – Three Jamaicans will today be honoured by the Caribbean Bar Association (CBA), at its 10th annual scholarship and awards banquet in Hollywood, Florida.

Dr Karl S Wright, president of the Florida Memorial University, will be recognised for his outstanding work in the field of education; Winsome “Lady C” Charlton of Hi-Class Promotions will receive an award for contribution to culture; and Aston Lue of Ocho Rios Miami Incorporated will be recognised for contribution to commerce.

The function, which will be held under the theme ‘Contributions of Caribbean nationals’, will see the award of scholarships to three South Florida students of Caribbean descent for outstanding academic achievement.

Jamaica’s cultural icon Louise Bennett-Coverley will also be among several Caribbean nationals to be recognised for significant contributions to music, literature, politics, science and education, during a cultural segment of the ceremony.

Jamaica’s consul general and chairman of the CARICOM Consular Corp in Miami, Ricardo Allicock, said that the event was “highly relevant in light of the decision by the President of the United States to officially declare June as Caribbean American Heritage Month”.

He said that Caribbean nationals have significantly and positively impacted the US over the past 200 years.

An economist, Dr Wright was earlier this year appointed president of the Florida Memorial University in North Miami. Described as a staunch advocate of academic excellence, Dr Wright was instrumental in increasing the size and upgrading the credentials of the 127 year-old institution, leading the university through successful accreditation processes while developing significant external relations with the community.

Lady C is considered the pioneer of Caribbean-formatted radio broadcast in North America. Her commitment to Caribbean culture in the US also saw the founding of the annual ReggaeSoca Music Awards show, also known as the Caribbean Grammies, to recognise outstanding talent in the Caribbean entertainment industry. The award show is now in its 13th year.

Aston Lue of Ocho Rios Miami Incorporated will receive the corporate leadership award for his company’s continued commitment and support of Caribbean events throughout the South Florida community.

Ocho Rios Miami, a South Florida company, is a major distributor of Caribbean products through the US, Canada and the Caribbean.

Last year, Lue was the national winner of the US Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Exporter of the Year award.