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Marks meets Los Angeles diaspora

Published:Sunday | November 28, 2010 | 12:00 AM
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Jamaica's ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks, poses with internationally acclaimed Jamaican comedian Oliver Samuels.
(From left) Audrey Marks with the president of the Jamaica Awareness Association of California, Yasmin Facey, and honouree Cathy Rectlin at the 24th annual fund-raising banquet on Saturday, November 13 at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel.
Don Wint (left), Milade Azan (second left), Anthony Pearson (centre), Errald Miller (second right) and David Dabdoub.
The Portia Simpson-Miller Foundation hosted fund-raising cocktail party in Norbrook, St Andrew, on Friday, November 12. From left are: Deacon Ronald Thwaites, Claudette Jackson-Rickards, her husband Allan and Dr Peter Phillips, who were among the guests.
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Touting strides in the economic and social development of Jamaica, the island's ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks, praised the diaspora's contribution to the island's progress. The Jamaica Awareness Association of California (JAAC) and its work were singled out as a model to those "who are looking for ways to help to advance the development of our country".

The JAAC and other organisations in the diaspora "have tried - and succeeded - in supporting Jamaica, one child, one hospital, one small project, at a time," Ambassador Marks declared in her keynote address to the more than 500 guests at the association's 24th annual fund-raising banquet at the Los Angeles Marriott Hotel on Saturday, November 13.

"Those of you who live outside of Jamaica are part of our support system, and together, we make a formidable team," Marks continued.

She noted that the financial demographic of the diaspora in Los Angeles and the wider California state makes them an important partner not only in philanthropic endeavours but also as major investors in their ancestral homeland.

Pointing to a renewed optimism about the macroeconomic direction of the country, she cited factors such as the successful Jamaica Debt Exchange; a stable exchange rate; recent expansion of tourism investments and major investment projects under way or in the final stages of planning, including construction of the US$220-million Falmouth cruise ship terminal and the Harmony Cove Casino and Hotel Development.

"Altogether, this has helped Jamaica's ranking at 21st for global interest as an inward investment location and 12th in foreign direct investment ( FDI) technology transfer. Jamaica is, therefore, a very attractive location for overseas investors, and this must include the Jamaican diaspora," she said.

The ambassador also updated the gathering on strides in the agricultural sector, the completion of the National Energy Policy and the progress with the Education Transformation Trust.

"Altogether there is a development momentum occurring in Jamaica, and this is the time for the Jamaica diaspora, which represents some of our best and brightest people, to become even more involved in the potential of Jamaica."

The ambassador reiterated the Jamaican Government's strong commitment to building and enhancing its relationship with the diaspora. She said this commitment is reflected in the embassy's effort to ensure that within the first six months of her being in the USA, she visits diaspora groups in at least eight of the 16 states identified with large Jamaican centres.

She urged the JAAC and other diaspora organisations to ensure follow-up on projects they undertake or support in order to have a better idea of the lasting impact of their work on Jamaica.

Oliver Samuels, internationally acclaimed comedian, was master of ceremonies. Among the guests were: Daniel Tabor, mayor of Inglewood, Yasmin Facey, president of the Jamaica Awareness Association of California, and medical mission leaders, Dr Lawrence Weeks and awardee Dr Linda Weeks and Dr Ray Frasier of the Annotto Bay Hospital.


Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer