Third Atlanta Caribbean Community Awards to honour Jamaicans and Caribbean nationals
A number of Jamaicans and Caribbean nationals are to be recognised at the third staging of the Atlanta Caribbean Community Awards on March 9.
Scheduled to be held at 8020 Rockbridge RD, S.W. Lithonia in Georgia, the event will honour the works and achievements of individuals whose contributions have impacted lives positively.
The event is organised by Jamaican Robert Shaw, a veteran media practitioner and Wesley Graham, who was born in the United Kingdom but who resided in Westmoreland for several years.
“We decided to have this event to recognise Caribbean individuals here in Atlanta, throughout the Diaspora and back home in the West Indies who are doing extraordinary things. Our first staging was held in 2022 so this will be our third staging,” Shaw disclosed in an interview with Observer Online on Thursday.
According to Shaw, the event has been widely accepted.
“I would say that the public has widely accepted this event, especially those from the Caribbean both here and outside of the United States. Each year the support grows and the feedback has been tremendous. One of the highlights of this event is just seeing ordinary Caribbean people, within the communities, being recognised for making extraordinary contributions in their areas of influence,” said Shaw.
Shaw said the recipients are chosen by a committee which comprises a diverse group of Caribbean leaders and individuals.
“The idea was conceptualised by Wesley Graham who saw the need for ordinary Caribbean individuals making a difference in the Caribbean Community and sponsors who support the various business and major events be recognised. Since 2023, I have been a co-chair of the event,” Shaw explained.
The awards are presented in the areas of education, entertainment, sports, television and radio and humanitarian. There is also a lifetime achievement award.
This year’s recipients will include publicist and music producer Ralston Barrett, sports personalities Lenworth ‘Lenny’ Hyde and Everton Tomlinson
Entertainment will be provided by Jemere Morgan, son of Morgan Heritage member Gramps Morgan, Tania ‘Lou’ Hernandez and Andrew Bell.
Marla W Mignott will be the guest speaker at the function, while Donna McLeod and Antony Duare will serve as MCs.
-Kevin Jackson
