An evening of elegance at COJO awards

ONE of the most highly anticipated events on the New York social calendar, the 24th annual Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) Scholarship Gala and Awards took place inside the ballroom at the Hilton JFK Hotel last weekend, attracting dozens of Jamaicans dressed in all their elegance.

The black tie event attracted diplomats, ministers of government, business leaders, philanthropists and other members of the diaspora, who came to support the non-profit which seeks to transform the lives of children in need in Jamaica and the United States.

Held under the theme Empowering the next generation…Investing in education, guests were treated to a cocktail hour where they dined on hot and cold hors d’oeurves, with drink service from an open bar. They then moved to the ballroom for the main programme, where they were entertained by Chevaughn, known for creating the hook on the 2009 chart topping breakout song Holiday with Ding Dong, as well as Tropical Rhythms, and music by Empea Entertainment.

After the dinner and the presentation of awards, guests got down to dancing into the wee hours of the morning, marking another successful staging of the event.

The brainchild of chairman and founder Gary Williams, COJO has as its mission helping to improve the health, education and general well-being of less fortunate children. Since its inception in 1994, it has dedicated its resources — human and financial — to help make a difference in the lives of underserved children in Jamaica, as well as the United States of America. For more than a decade, the organisation’s funding has benefited such Jamaican institutions as the Alpha Boys’ Home, the Glenhope Place of Safety (for girls), the Child Protection and Family Services Agency, and the Young Men’s Christian Association.

Here are some of the red carpet picks from the event, captured by Ajamu Photography.

— Petulia Clarke-Lawrence