HAVING spent her formative years in Jamaica, Keturah Hamilton is aware of the economic challenges working-class families face, especially when the summer back-to-school period approaches. The Los Angeles-based actress is committed to providing assistance through her Keturah Hamilton Foundation.

On August 30-31, the organisation donated educational items to children ages five to 10 in Tredegar Park, St Catherine, at Classic Complex and Newsman Centre in Knockpatrick, Manchester. It was the second such gesture by Hamilton, who has appeared in several movies, television shows and theatre plays.

“The Keturah Hamilton Foundation chose these communities at large because we became aware of the dire needs of these children. We wanted to give them a fair chance at an education during the upcoming school year,” she told Career & Education.

The donation comprised 200 school bags, dictionaries, pens, pencils and composition (writing) books. Hamilton disclosed that, “Our sponsors are US-based business executives, friends, and family who believe in our mission and will continue to support our worthy cause.”

Hamilton’s early years were spent in Kingston, and although she migrated to the United States in her teens, she never lost touch with her roots. Giving back is a trait she inherited from Clarence French, her stepfather, whom she described as a “generous giver, provider and caretaker”.

The first KTH back-to-school donation took place in August 2020 in Spanish Town.

Hamilton has appeared in the hit television series New Amsterdam, the movie Gaslit and most recently the play Lou Gehrig Did Not Die of Cancer.

— Howard Campbell