GoodHeart | ‘Me feel real proud ah myself!’
First-year Edna Manley student cops inaugural Oliver Samuels Scholarship
Published:Saturday | January 24, 2026 | 12:05 AM
Dante Saunders, a first-year student at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA), has been named the first recipient of the Oliver Samuels Scholarship. The $300,000 award was established by Jamaica’s legendary comedian and cultural icon to support the next generation of artists.
Samuels presented the scholarship during a special handover ceremony at EMCVPA. Saunders, who is pursuing studies in arts management and humanities in the School of Arts Management and Humanities, was selected for his academic promise, leadership potential and personal story, which the selection committee said reflected the resilience and vision the scholarship was created to support.
“I stand here with a deep sense of appreciation and responsibility. Me feel real proud ah myself! Thank you to Mr Oliver Samuels and Mr Jeff Browne for making this possible. It’s not all about the cheque, it’s about the fact that people believe in me, so I really appreciate the Oliver Samuels Foundation,” an emotional Saunders told the audience.
Bestowing the scholarship, Samuels shared the reason the foundation is important to him: “All I want is to see the arts in all aspects be continued for generations. The Caribbean is an amazing place. Our cultures are really wonderful, so we should preserve it. I’ve always wanted to give back, so it is my responsibility to go out there and mek sure seh it is sustained, and to give students the opportunity to learn and hone their craft.”
The Oliver Samuels Scholarship forms part of EMCVPA’s wider strategy to expand student support through partnerships with cultural icons, corporate Jamaica and public agencies, ensuring talented young people are not excluded from professional arts training due to financial barriers. The Oliver Samuels Foundation aims to award four annual scholarships in the arts to students in Jamaica and the diaspora.
Interim Principal Dorrett R. Campbell described the scholarship as a transformative partnership: “Scholarships do more than cover tuition costs. They affirm a young person’s worth. They say, ‘We see you, we believe in you’. For nearly five decades, Edna Manley College has been the crucible in which Jamaica’s creative talent has been shaped. Dreams require resources. Potential needs pathways. Today, these are not merely words. Today, they become action. Today, they become hope, made tangible.”
The foundation’s chairman, Jeff Browne, underscored its mission, stating: “Hope without real investment is just a nice speech. We must have a burning desire to envision a Jamaica where dreams, love for people and willingness to work hard will help you lift yourself and others.”
Deanroy Bernard, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, attended on behalf of Minister Olivia Grange and commended the foundation, noting that “arts education is both cultural and economic infrastructure”.
“Today we’re making a statement that the arts and dreams of our young people are worthy of serious investment. Jamaicans are proud of you, Oliver. Not simply because you’ve always made us laugh, but because you made us recognise ourselves. You held up a mirror to Jamaican life,” Bernard added.