Playwright and actor David Heron was among 36 recipients at last Thursday’s Caribbean Life Impact Awards at Paradise Hall in New York. He was recognised for his achievements in the arts and entertainment.

In his acceptance speech, Heron said there is enough artistic talent and potential screenplays in Jamaica to win the ultimate awards in film and theatre.

“We have conquered the world athletically and musically. But we have wonderful stories in Jamaica that have never been told on stage or screen,” he said. “There has never been a film about Annie Palmer and Rose Hall. There should be a mini-series about the complex relationship between founding fathers Alexander Bustamante and Norman Manley. Where is the stage musical about the Morant Bay Rebellion? Where is the movie about the life of Marcus Garvey? These are award-winning stories that need to be told and that can appeal to an international audience. We artists just need the right opportunity and support to get it done.”

Before migrating to the United States, Heron had a successful run in Jamaican theatre, with the provocative plays Against His Will and Ecstacy.

Caribbean Life is one of the largest Caribbean newspapers in the eastern United States. The Caribbean Life Impact Award is presented annually to individuals in New York of Caribbean descent who have made significant contributions to the arts, entertainment, business, medicine, community service and social work.