25 to receive Atlanta Caribbean honours

ATLANTA, GA:

A total of 25 individuals will be presented with citations for exemplary and extraordinary service to their communities and the wider Caribbean diaspora during ceremonies put on by the Atlanta Caribbean Community on Saturday, April 5, in Lithonia, Georgia.

This year’s nominees will come from the areas of; sports, humanities, entertainment & the cultural arts, education, journalism & media arts, religion, entrepreneurship, government and community activism.

The categories of sports and humanitarian get the bigger slice with six nominations each.

Aldrick ‘Ali’ McNab, a trailblazer in the field of sports, a pro chancellor at the UTech, formerly the College of Arts, Science & Technology (CAST), and current adviser to the Government of Jamaica, who will deliver the keynote address, will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for contributions to sports.

Peter Gracey, the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council representative for the southern USA and a cultural ambassador, will be presented with tokens for his contribution to relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, and for his leadership skills.

Jamaica’s Honorary Consul to Atlanta, Dr. Elaine Bryan will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for services to the Atlanta Caribbean community since 2018. Petula Angela Samuels–Felicien, aka Petal Samuels of Guyana, will be cited for her pioneering efforts with women’s cricket in the state of Georgia and the USA in general since 2016.

Emprezz Golding, a trailblazer in her own way, with multiple roles in traditional and social media, will no doubt have the audience in rapt attention in her role as mistress of ceremonies. She is also being recognised for her many advocacy initiatives using social media platforms.

Started in 2021, by Wesley Graham, who wanted to say ‘thank you’ to persons who went beyond the call of duty during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event has seen very modest growth over the years.

“I am pleased that this idea has grown so much, to the point where it’s a event on the community calendar. It says a lot and I am looking forward to this year’s event. I truly see this turning into something special,” noted Graham.

The honourees/category are; Stacy Ann King, Petal Samuels (sports/cricket); Andrew Graham, Dame Walters, Michael Tulloch, Ali McNab (sports); Aubrey Campbell, Emprezz Golding, Trevor Smith, Alderene Foote (media); Veronica Brown, Michelle G. Walker, Dr. Demi-Battle-Oche, Peter Gracey, United Barbadians In Georgia (UBIG) (humanitarian); Fabian James, Richard Brown (public service); Andrew Bell, DJ Cold Rice, Doxology Band (entertainment); Marsha Jackson (education); Danielle Graham, Jabari Anthony Shaw (young professionals).