After a five-month postponement, Laurell Nurse’s Queens Of Reggae Island Honourary Ceremonies (QORIHC) took place at Courtleigh Auditorium in St Andrew, last Sunday, to recognise the classes of 2022 and 2023.

Twenty-four women (including the duo Brick & Lace) who have served their fields for over 10 years were recognised for achievements in entertainment, media, and academia.

It was an evening of diverse quality, the New York-based Nurse told the Jamaica Observer.

“I got a chance to include more versatility in the honorees and performances: Brick & Lace bringing the youthful glamour and gratitude. Althea Laing bringing the mature grace and pride. Mitzie Williams and Bridgett Anderson bringing the timeless roots culture. And all other queens representing the ‘Out of Many One’ theme in unity and love,” she said.

“It was a wonderful blend of every woman. Everyone could identify with an honoree as a representation of them. So was the entertainment, it was a great blend of the dynamic structure of what we enjoy daily as entertainment is Jamaica,” Nurse added.

Bridgett Anderson, who has worked with roots acts like Garnet Silk and Jahmali, was honoured for her multiple roles of artiste manager, set designer and booking agent.

“I am extremely grateful and humbled that QORIHC saw it fitting to acknowledge my contribution to the entertainment industry. Kudos to the conceptualiser, Laurell Nurse,” she said.

The other awardees were: Althea Laing (model, lifestyle coach); Pebbles (fashion designer); Jenny Jenny (media personality); Lorna Wainwright (former Tuff Gong/artiste manager); Debbie Bissoon (media personality); Andreen Rose-Cephas (celebrity hairstylist/entrepreneur); Susan Simes (host – The Susan Show); Pamputtae (dancehall artiste); Yasmine Peru (entertainment journalist); Sharon Schroeter (TV producer); Neahlis (celebrity hairstylist); Tifa (dancehall artiste); Monica Jackson (artiste manager); Terminal 4 Media (music video producer); Sophia Jones (fashion designer/maker); Yumika Gabe (DJ/sound system selector); Gem Myers (singer); Donna P Hope (editor, professor of dancehall culture); Sher Luxury Doll (dancer, entrepreneur); Mitzie Williams (media personality); Yendi Phillipps (public figure); Brick & Lace (pop artistes/songwriters).

The inaugural QORIHC was staged in 2016.