Dear Members and Friends of the Jamaica Foundation of Houston,
Thank you for your continued support of the Foundation. We wish you peace and love this holiday season!
We started the year 2020 strong!
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 2020 | GENERAL MEETING
We held our first general meeting of the year at the Tracy Gee Community Center located at 3599 Westcenter Dr., Houston, TX 77042. The informal greeting was held with members and prospective members. Light refreshments were served. View our general meeting dates (click to view)
MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2020 | MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., PARADE
The Foundation’s Youth Group participated in the 42nd Annual MLK, Jr., Parade in Downtown Houston on Monday, January 20, 2020. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy was celebrated at this commemorative parade. The event was coordinated by the Black Heritage Society, Inc., a non-profit organization chartered by the State of Texas.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 2020 | SUPPORT JAMAICA’S REGGAE GIRLZ
Friends and family of the Jamaica Foundation of Houston participated in a meet-and-greet for Jamaica women’s national football team, nicknamed the “Reggae Girlz” on January 24, 2020 at Cool Runnings Restaurant & Grill in Southwest Houston, Texas. (click to view map). Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz qualified for the 2020 Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying tournament that was held January 28 through February 4 in Edinburg, Texas.
March | The Jamaica Foundation of Houston canceled in-person events, in response to growing concerns with the corona virus (COVID-19).
March – December | GENERAL MEETINGS
General meetings were now held virtually in an effort to keep members and friends of the Jamaica Foundation of Houston safe.
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020 |ALL WHITE PARTY – DJ BATTLE STREAMED TO FACEBOOK LIVE
Members and friends still came to support the Foundation’s All White Party scholarship fundraiser! The event was originally planned to be held at Cool Runnings Restaurant & Grill in Southwest Houston, Texas, thanks to the generosity of restaurant owner Mr. Terron Henry. Due to the pandemic concerns, the event was held virtually instead. Despite the change in plans, the night was full of good vibes with music from DJs Sugar Notch, Natural Touch and Fatta Carey. We were grateful for their continued support of the Foundation.
MAY | ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON
Although we canceled the Scholarship Luncheon this year, due to the pandemic, the Foundation still awarded five scholarships this year to qualifying and deserving students. Thank you to our scholarship donors!
SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 |MISS LOU
The Louise Bennett-Coverley Heritage Council and the Friends of the South Regional/Broward College Library, invited us to the launch of its distinguished Honorable Louise Bennett-Coverley Memorial Lecture Series, 2:00pm-3:30pm Saturday, June 20th, 2020. Visit the website link at https://www.louisebennettheritage.com/
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2020 | JAMAICA 58 “RESILIENT AND STRONG”
In keeping with the theme Jamaica 58 “Resilient and Strong”, our Foundation members and friends continued to support our efforts despite challenges due to the ongoing pandemic.
On behalf of the Jamaica Foundation of Houston, thank you members, friends and family for joining us in celebrating Jamaica’s 58th Year of Independence! The virtual Jamaica Independence Celebration was held on August 1, 2020 at 8 pm CT. Special thanks to those who participated in a ‘taste of Jamaica’ by virtually sharing their favorite national cuisine and wearing Jamaican or Caribbean attire. We were also grateful for our sponsor, Grace Kennedy Money Services.
Look forward to our next Independence Gala! The Gala is our preeminent social and fundraising event of the year. Funds raised from this event support our Scholarship Fund. Sponsors for our Gala Souvenir Booklet (click to view our 2019 booklet) help fund our scholarship program also. Funding scholarships requires an ongoing and dedicated effort to accomplish the goals set each year. Sole individuals, individuals with company matching funds, and sole corporate sponsorships have been and remain the backbone of the funding for our scholarship program as well as cultural initiatives.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2020 | CHRISTMAS PARTY
The Jamaica Foundation of Houston held a virtual Christmas Party on the evening of December 5, 2020! We were honored to have Consul General for Jamaica Honorable Oliver Mair join us to share a holiday message.
Special thanks to Beverly Cadien, sister of Board Director Karlene Rose, for an absolutely beautiful children’s presentation. ?? The children learned more about Jamaican culture and enjoyed the program ?
The evening was not without great musical entertainment, thanks to DJ Nellie Famous and her continued support of the Foundation.
Foundation Advisor Andy Adams was gracious enough to conduct the installation of Board Members. We continue to be thankful for the guidance of our Advisors Andy Adams and the Honorable Beverly Ford.
We are most grateful to all Board Members for their ongoing dedication to the Foundation’s mission. Special thanks to Board Director Peter Ford for managing the program. ??
We also thank Madam Vice President Gloria Campbell ?? for her inspiring closing remarks.
Board Members and Advisors, as well as members and friends of the Foundation — MANY THANKS ?? ???
On behalf of the Jamaica Foundation of Houston
NEWS
- The City of Lauderhill Mayor and Commissioners along with the Herron Family were present for the unveiling of a new street sign honoring Rev. Dr. Melville B. Herron. Commissioner Campbell sponsored Resolution #20R-08-159 to have portions of NW 70 Avenue renamed “Rev Herron Ave.” Rev. Dr. Melville B. Herron, brother of Mr. Edward Herron and brother-in-law of Mr. Andy Adams, was one of Lauderhill, Florida’s most prominent civic activists.
- You may still support the Consulate’s Adopt-a-Clinic initiative. Click for more on ADOPT-A-CLINIC – Ministry of Health
ONGOING | KEEP UP WITH WHAT’S HAPPENING
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ONGOING | KNOW JAMAICA, MAKE HER KNOWN
Become a member of the Jamaica Foundation of Houston (501-C3 non-profit organization) in strengthening cultural ties between the Caribbean and Houston communities. The Foundation conducts and sponsors educational, charitable and civic activities with institutions and individuals in the greater Houston community as well as in Jamaica. This can truly be a mutually beneficial relationship!
JOIN or RENEW your membership and pay online at http://www.jamaicafoundationofhouston.org/membership-form/