The RalRosa Foundation marked five years of expanding access to healthcare with a milestone fundraiser that has helped generate millions for underserved communities in Jamaica and Washington in the United States.

The non-profit organisation based in Washington celebrated the success of its fifth year with an annual fundraiser held on June 20.

With this year’s proceeds, The RalRosa Foundation would have raised more than $23.4 million since its inception in 2022.

Proceeds from this year’s event will support Holy Cross Health Community Clinics in Maryland, Golden Spring Health Centre in St Andrew, Jamaica, and the procurement of medical equipment for primary healthcare clinics impacted by the 190-mile-per-hour winds of hurricane Melissa, which damaged one-third of the island’s primary care clinics.

The special milestone event, held during Caribbean-American Heritage month, under the theme “Five Years of Doing Good Together,” officially kicked off the summer season on the beautiful grounds of The Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens and brought together healthcare leaders, business executives, philanthropists and community advocates, who all share the common purpose of advancing access to quality primary health care in underserved communities in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) and the island of Jamaica.

Guests felt the good vibes in the air as they enjoyed an inspiring evening that began with an elevated VIP reception that featured a spirited Rum and Rosé mini masterclass sponsored by VOGA Wines and Planteray Rum and curated island nibbles, courtesy of RAMMY New Restaurant of the Year finalist, ISLA Restaurant.

Guests then transitioned to the courtyard tent for live Caribbean Jazz from the Blue Mountain Jazz Band, dinner, tropical cocktails and a short awards programme.

Highlights from the programme included the presentation of the inaugural Healthy Spirit Award to distinguished healthcare leaders, Karen Dale, chief executive officer (CEO) of AmeriHealth Caritas DC and Dr Heather Lawson-Myers, owner of Liguanea Family Dental, Kingston, Jamaica, recognising them for their vision, generosity, and commitment to improving health outcomes, advancing equity and making a lasting impact in their respective communities.

“This award is not a destination; it’s a divine confirmation that a life lived on purpose sends ripples far beyond what we can see,” said Dr Lawson-Myers. “The Healthy Spirit Award feels so deeply personal. It’s not just about me; it’s about standing in the current of a legacy that says your life must count for others.”

The foundation also presented the inaugural Small Gift, Big Impact (SGBI) micro-grant award to The New Freedmen’s Clinic, a medical student-run free clinic at Howard University. The grant will be used to help kickstart their mobile clinic initiative.

The evening highlighted another first, the President’s Rising Star award, which recognises young leaders with extraordinary character, passion and promise of making a transformative impact in their community.

The award was presented to board member Courtni Foster, a rising 4th year Georgetown University medical student from Montego Bay.

The programme also included a solo musical interlude performance from classical pianist, Obataiye Lyles, recent graduate of Howard University’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts who will be heading to Jamaica to intern at the iconic GeeJam Studios in Port Antonio.

“Our fifth anniversary is more than a celebration to highlight our footprint over the past five years, it’s evidence of the power of purpose” said Dr Jacqui Watson, president of The RalRosa Foundation, and healthcare strategic advisor in Washington, DC.

“It’s proof that when we choose to join hands together, anything is possible – we can overcome challenges, we can do good, we can do well and together we can make a meaningful difference in our world. We are a small and growing community of dedicated volunteers, donors, sponsors, and committed partners that believe that healthcare is not a privilege for a few but rather a right and necessity for everyone.

We embody the Jamaican expression, likkle but tallawah, which emphasises that though something may be perceived as small or insignificant, it can possess great strength, determination, and influence,” Watson added.