ROSE HALL, St James — Lecturer in business and management at the University of Science and Technology in China Dr Nicoleen Johnson was one of seven individuals honoured on Monday by the governor general during the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference in St James. A member of the Jamaican Diaspora, Dr Johnson, has lived and worked in China for nearly 30 years.

While the trade consultant has been providing assistance and consultation to Jamaicans wanting to do business in China for several years, she said the recognition caught her by surprise.

“I feel blessed. I feel that this is something that I did not work for, or look for. I just did what I was born to do, which is to connect people, to help our Diaspora, just to be a Jamaican in a place and to open the doors for other Jamaicans. This award, for me, is like icing on the cake,” she told journalists at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

She believes her award will be an inspiration to other Jamaicans living in China who “are there doing amazing stuff”.

“There are people selling Jamaican products, people promoting our culture in China, and I think this would be a kind of encouragement for them to continue to promote our culture in this country so far away from home, but still…spreading our Jamaican roots and making ourselves known,” Johnson added.

She received the Governor General’s Diaspora Achievement Award of Excellence for her dedicated service to the Diaspora and her contributions to international trade.

Based in Shanghai, Johnson operates her own business, Global Connections Gateway. She described her role over the past 29 years as helping others navigate the Asian country’s landscape.

“Twenty-nine years of living in China, I understand the culture, I understand the business culture, so I’m able to help and assist Jamaicans doing business in China. Also, the Government coming to China to do business, I work closely with them as well,” she explained, noting that the Diaspora community in China is “very strong”.

Originally from Bethel Town in Westmoreland, Johnson attended Bethel Town All-Age School and then Herbert Morrison Comprehensive High School. She later studied at the University of Technology, Jamaica before moving to China in 1997 on a scholarship. She went on to become the first Jamaican to graduate from a Chinese university.

“This has just been an amazing journey, being the first Jamaican there, being a pioneer for Jamaicans who have come after me to study in China, to work in China, and being on the ground to be able to help them to navigate life in China. That, I think, has been my greatest accomplishment,” stated Johnson.

In the early days, it was not easy being in a country where she did not speak the language.

“When I got there, I discovered that my course was going to be taught in Mandarin. I had no idea at the time, and so I had to learn the language. I had nine months of crash courses in Chinese before I started my master’s programme. The first year, I had absolutely no idea what was happening in the classroom because I was the only foreigner in a classroom full of Chinese students,” reminisced Johnson.

“That propelled me. It was the best way to learn the language. I was able to learn it with the help of my Chinese classmates and then I was able to actually navigate, complete my master’s, defend my thesis using Chinese, and then went on to a PhD. Also, both courses were taught in Chinese,” she added.

Governor General Sir Patrick Allen (centre, seated); Lady Allen (fourth right, seated); Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith (fourth left, seated); state minister Alando Terrelonge (third right, seated) along with other representatives of the Government share a photo opportunity with the 2026 Governor General’s Achievement Awards – Diaspora (GGAA-D) recipients. The seven recipients (standing, second row) received their awards during a special ceremony at the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James on Monday. (Photo: JIS)

Other distinguished individuals who received awards from Sir Patrick Allen on the first day of the three-day conference are Asha Richards and Dr Richard White (United States); Kristina McPherson and Lisa Rutty (Canada); Karl Samuels (United Kingdom); and Dr Sandra Colly-Durand (France).

Richards was recognised for her work in migration advocacy and disaster response initiatives; Rutty for her leadership in Diaspora engagement and humanitarian support; McPherson for her dedication to mentorship and immigrant empowerment; and White for his efforts in advancing education and expanding access to social services.

In addition, Samuels was honoured for his work in preserving Caribbean heritage and strengthening communities; and Dr Colly-Durand for her significant contributions to Diaspora mentorship and youth development. McPherson and Richards were recognised in the under-35 category, while the other five recipients were honoured in the over-35 category.

In his address, the governor general noted that the seven awardees exemplify steadfast service to Jamaica and have achieved significant distinction in their respective fields. He affirmed that their accomplishments serve as a powerful reminder to all Jamaicans that excellence carries with it a responsibility to uplift others.

“Today’s awards represent our nation’s gratitude for your persistence and your continued devotion to Jamaica. They also reaffirm our resolve to deepen engagement with other Diaspora through meaningful opportunities…opportunities for service, opportunities for mentorship and national development,” the governor general told the awardees.

He urged them not to regard the recognition as a final destination but as a steppingstone towards even greater impact.

“Let us remember that the true measure of a nation is not found in its size nor its wealth but in the willingness of its people to lift each other up. This is the story of Jamaica, that is the story of our Diaspora, and that is the story for which we honour you today,” the governor general affirmed.

He further noted that Monday’s ceremony not only honoured excellence but also celebrated belonging.

“Jamaicans everywhere understand that home is more than a place. It is a connection of heart, heritage, and shared purpose that transcends oceans, generations, and time zones,” he declared.

The governor general paid tribute to members of the Diaspora who have never forgotten the land that nurtured their earliest dreams and helped shape their values.

“The Jamaican Diaspora remains one of our nation’s greatest strengths. Through your achievements, your service and commitment, you have carried the spirit of Jamaica into communities all around the world,” he noted.

— Additional reporting by JIS