WE joined the starstruck audience at Plantation Cove two Saturdays ago to enjoy not only the headliner Dionne Warwick, but also our local legends Marcia Griffiths and Myrna Hague.

As we sang along to Warwick’s hit song, What the World Needs Now, a kaleidoscope of all the happenings across the Earth, this planet we call home, flashed through my mind. There is the astounding unease between the US and its former best friend, Canada, and with the continued bombing of entire neighbourhoods in Palestine, thousands will have no home to which to return even if the promised peace treaty is achieved.

Then last week, US President Donald Trump announced tariffs that have left world markets in a tailspin, recording trillions of dollars of losses. In our own little corner of the world, Jamaicans are affected on so many fronts. Exporters are pondering the response in our largest market, the US, to the increased prices of our products. Meanwhile, holders of green cards are fearful of travelling as there have been reports of deportations on return to the US. Even those with visitors’ visas are having second thoughts about their usual visits to family and friends.

An acquaintance of mine shared that her brilliant son, who headed a project at a popular US university, was now jobless, because the project which focused on persons with disabilities was declared “DEI”(diversity, equity, and inclusion) and federal funding was withdrawn. With the hundreds of thousands of federal workers being made redundant, no doubt Jamaicans are affected and may in turn affect remittances, a pillar of our foreign exchange earnings. This may be an opportunity for Jamaican corporates to cast their employment nets into our Diaspora. They would bring the productivity practices which we need now to accelerate our growth.

Expo Memories

The JMEA Expo, which ended yesterday, brought back memories of its early days and the dedicated volunteers from the then JMA (Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association) and JEA (Jamaica Exporters’ Association).

There was Gloria Millwood, with her impeccable knowledge of protocol, who hosted the Hospitality Suite and Horace Abrahams, both gone to their rest. The longest-serving member of the Expo Committee, Deryck Rose, is still there, though now playing a less active role. Paulette Wong Rhoden of blessed memory was a dynamo, quickly completing her Crimson Dawn display and then running from booth to booth to help them make the deadline for the opening.

One of the most dramatic scenes was of a business owner who arrived the night before opening and was so disappointed with the appearance of his display that he destroyed it single-handedly! The contractors worked all night to get it right, and they did. The best booth competitions were filled with drama and intrigue, with rumours of expensive gifting.

The most amazing displays were sponsored by Butch Hendrickson’s Bold One of Manufacturing programme. They showcased an avenue of displays of upcoming manufacturers, with all the reusable promotional materials created for their ongoing marketing programmes. Visitors were introduced to Lacey-Ann Bartley’s All in Wood, Michelle Smith’s Chocolate Dreams, and Devon and Nayana William’s Lifespan Water.

As we were enjoying our locally grown breakfast, including the best coffee in the world, we heard a call for an Eat Jamaican campaign from a JMEA representative at Expo 2025. Our shop had run an Eat Jamaican campaign about 10 years ago and the logo we created continues to be used. It features “Doctor Bird” complete with stethoscope, a mascot we created, which featured in our cross-island road show with Ity and Fancy Cat. A highlight was a visit to the culinary arts final of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) with a young Shelly-Ann Fraser. The fact that our home-grown athletes are world leaders should tell us something about the great nutrition offered by our produce.

Sure, we saved a few dollars running abroad to shop, but we need to save our economy by supporting the top-class Jamaican-made products which were on display at the JMEA Expo. The business of manufacturing creates employment and the most delicious and enjoyable products. They say the closer to home that you source your food, the healthier it is. Paulette Rhoden used to emphasise also the ready markets in the Caribbean and Central America. The US tariff may focus us more wonderfully on the opportunities that exist outside of the USA.

Cardiff Hotel & Spa

Speaking of local treasures, we spent an afternoon at the Cardiff Hotel & Spa, which is part of the Heart Runaway Bay Hospitality Training Centre. We were staying in Ocho Rios for the Dionne Warwick Show, but remembering the traffic snarls from a previous event, we decided to go to the other side of Plantation Cove for easier access.

We were pleasantly surprised by the clean, attractive facilities and the great service. Congratulations to the teachers and trainers. The staff we met will have a bright future in the hospitality industry.

Farewell, Fine Jamaicans

We lost three Jamaicans recently from various walks of life, who made their mark in their own unique way.

Pat Reid was an excellent executive assistant with whom we corresponded from her days at the Office of the Prime Minister and most recently with the Ministry of Energy and Transportation. She was thorough and respectful in all her dealings, never condescending despite her high connections. Minister Daryl Vaz wrote, “I lost one of the most valuable women in my life… she worked for both Prime Minister [Edward] Seaga in the 80s and PM Bruce Golding during 2007-2011… loyal, organized, dedicated, honest, protective, supportive, caring … most professional woman I know.”

It was a joy to have interacted with Hilary Sherlock, the inspiring principal of the STEP Centre while representing the Digicel Foundation, a steadfast sponsor of the centre for children with disabilities. The school had started in Sherlock’s living room until funds were raised to expand to the Tremaine Road location. Sherlock, daughter of Sir Phillip Sherlock, was made an honorary graduate of The University of the West Indies at Mona in 2020 for her work in special disabilities education and was conferred with a doctor of laws degree.

In his book, Usain Bolt: My Story, our legend wrote of his father Wellesley Bolt: “He is a rules man who expects everybody to be on time.” He said he was taken to school extra early because “his view was it was better to be an hour early than a minute late”. He said although he was at a height that may have made it easy to get a drivers licence, his dad insisted on 30 hours of lessons. He spoke of his dad’s advice on challenging work and the importance of living humbly. These lessons were never lost on his son, who became an international favourite, always comfortable in his skin because of his sound upbringing.

Our deepest sympathy to the families of Pat Reid, Hilary Sherlock, and Wellesley Bolt. May their good souls rest in peace.

Jean Lowrie-Chin is an author and executive chair of PROComm, PRODEV, and CCRP. Send comments to lowriechin@aim.com.

Marcia Griffiths (LH Photography)

Dionne Warwick (Chris Pizzello)

Donald Trump