Last Saturday night several individuals from across the Caribbean Diaspora in Atlanta and select Caribbean countries were recognised for their contribution in various fields at the third staging of the Atlanta Caribbean Community Awards in Lithonia, Georgia.

Held at the Front-Page Event LLC venue, the event was a jam-packed affair and it featured performances by singers Professor Roach and Andrew Bell, as well as poet and folklorist Tania “Lou” Hernandez.

Awards were given in the fields of education, sports, community leadership, humanitarian, media, and entertainment.

Entertainment publicist, artiste manager and music producer Ralston Barrett and Tania “Lou” Hernandez were among the recipients in the entertainment category.

As he made his way onto the stage to receive his award, it was evident that Barrett was overcome with emotion.

“I feel honoured to be recognised for the work that I’ve done in the music industry. It’s been 33 years of hard work and dedication. It hasn’t always been a smooth journey, but I am thankful for all that I have learned and achieved,” Barrett shared in an interview with the Jamaica Observer shortly after he received his plaque.

He added: “This award shows that my work has not gone unnoticed and that I have made a significant impact in the music industry. I am very thankful to the organisers of the Atlanta Caribbean Community Awards for acknowledging my contributions with this award.”

Originally from Westmoreland, Barrett, who now resides in St Elizabeth, has worked with several chart-topping acts, including Mr Vegas, Alozade, Protoje, Serial Kid, and Spice among several others.

Tania Mayne Hernandez, who is originally from the community of the Cassia Park area, moved to Canada in 1995.

Having studied at Holy Childhood High School, including being head girl, she immersed herself into the performing arts at a young age.

“I am very humbled, honoured, and extremely ecstatic to be among the trailblazers who paved the way for the next generation. As a tribute to ‘Miss Lou’ and as a folklorist, it was an honour to represent my Jamaican culture. And I want to keep the folk culture alive because persons in the Diaspora, both in Canada and the United States, have fond memories whenever I perform,” Hernandez told the Jamaica Observer.

She shared how her interest in the performing arts developed.

“It started when I was living in Cassia Park doing poetry and singing songs. I used to go to Miss Lou’s Ring Ding show and I got a chance to be a part of it. That was what influenced me and I later on entered the JCDC [Jamaica Cultural Development Commission] Festival of the Performing Arts competitions, including poetry, drama, and singing. It was my teachers who encouraged me to enter,” said Hernandez.

She is from a family of singers. Her grandmother was a singer and she is also related to former winner of The Voice, Tessanne Chin. Chin’s mother Christine was also in a band.

“Singing is in my blood. I was crowned Miss Holy Childhood Talent when I was 13 years old in the late 1970s. I also won a Bank of Jamaica talent competition when I was in my 20s. When I was in the sixth form I participated in and won a public speaking competition in which I did some drama. I really have a love for the performing arts,” Hernandez shared.

Among her vocations has been as a special education teacher when she resided in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Other recipients of awards in the entertainment category of the Atlanta Caribbean Community Awards included singer Jemere Morgan, Garfield McCook (JIISC founder), Andrew Bell (singer and songwriter), Steve Hyper, and Denise Ottey (event promoters).

Founded by Jamaican Wesley Graham, the Atlanta Caribbean Community Awards celebrates achievers and contributions within the Caribbean community. Graham was born in England to Jamaican parents and he later migrated to Westmoreland.

Co-chair of the awards is Robert “Pastor Rob” Shaw.