President of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA), Sydney Thwaites, has called for a renewed commitment by Jamaican companies to support disadvantaged communities.

He made the call earlier this week while addressing the launch of the memoir of the late, renowned businessman Sameer Younis titled “The Lion of King Street: Sameer Younis – A Portrait of Service”.

Thwaites highlighted Younis’ legacy of community upliftment, saying, “We can’t grow the private sector without growing our people, the two go hand in hand”.

Thwaites stressed that the philanthropic work that Younis undertook during his lifetime such as the focus on environmental cleanliness, road safety, crime, and education, are aspects of the society that impact businesses and the psyche of Jamaican people.

“It’s one thing for the members of the private sector to get up and advocate for things that are meaningful to our businesses, that’s what we do. It is a totally different thing to not lose the sight that the communities make up our businesses and the work he did in communities was one of the things that resonated with me as I read,” said Thwaites.

Communications consultant and author Elaine Commissiong signs copies of the memoir of the late, renowned businessman Sameer Younis titled “The Lion of King Street: Sameer Younis – A Portrait of Service”.

Also speaking at the launch, former President of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC), Milton Samuda, in paying tribute to the late businessman stated: “Mr Younis’ complexity and humanity informed everything that he did. He knew it was crucial for so-called ordinary people to have opportunities to advance and escape difficult circumstances.”

Samuda commended Younis’ innovative programmes that fostered collaboration among inner-city residents and law enforcement officers, emphasising that these initiatives brought immense joy to Younis.

Dubbed “The Return of the Lion,” the event celebrated the life and career of Younis, a former president of the JCC and JMEA (then JMA), as well as iconic leader. The memoir, authored by his longtime communications consultant Elaine Commissiong, chronicles his journey from his high school and college years to his work in business and civil society. The book also provides an intimate look at his family life, including his marriage to Leila, whom he met on a visit to Lebanon, his parents’ homeland.

Commissiong delivered excerpts from the memoir, reminding attendees of Younis’ groundbreaking work through the JCC Civic Affairs Committee. His campaigns championed cleaner cities, compassion for the homeless, and road safety, leading to significant legacies such as the anti-litter and seatbelt laws, as well as inner-city training initiatives now managed by the JCC Sameer Younis Foundation.

The launch drew an impressive audience of family, friends, and prominent leaders in business and government, including a “who’s who” of past and current JCC executives.

Held at the S Hotel, in New Kingston, the site of Younis’ first Fabrics de Younis store established in 1970, the event highlighted his enduring impact on Kingston’s development and Jamaica’s private sector.

The Lion of King Street: Sameer Younis – A Portrait of Service is available for purchase at local bookstores, offering readers an inspiring glimpse into the life of a man whose commitment to service and nation-building remains unparalleled.