Dear Fellow Jamaicans and Friends,
This year 2019 was an exciting for the Foundation! We held events to include our annual White Party, Scholarship Luncheon, 2019 Independence Gala, Picnic, and Christmas party. This year also included our inaugural 5k Run/Walk-Fest promoting fitness and wellness. These events were fundraising activities in support of our scholarship program and community service initiatives. Your involvement and donations are the catalyst for this journey.
The Jamaica Foundation of Houston Board of Directors has had the pleasure of working with members and friends to preserve our mission, which is to promote education, culture, and volunteerism. As we reflect on 2019, please know we are grateful for your contribution to our effort.
Martin Luther King, Jr., Grande Parade
The Jamaica Foundation of Houston members and youth group participated in the 25th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Grande Parade on January 21, 2019. The youth group dressed in national costume and marched alongside foundation members and supporters on this important occasion.
Jamaican author and Man Book Prize winner, Marlon James, in Houston
In light of Black History Month, the Jamaica Foundation of Houston attended a reading by Jamaican author and Man Book Prize winner, Marlon James, on February 10 @ 7:30 pm at the Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church.
Youth Cooking Class
The Jamaica Foundation of Houston’s Youth Group, led by Sharon Anglin, participated in a cooking class on Saturday, March 30, 2019. The class was hosted by Ms. Ina Foster, longtime member of the Foundation and former owner of the first Caribbean restaurant in Houston, Caribbean Cuisine.
4th Annual White Party | May 4, 2019
Friends and family enjoyed Caribbean vibes at our Annual White Party. The White Party, one of the Jamaica Foundation of Houston’s annual fundraising events, was graciously hosted by Cool Runnings Jamaican Grill restaurant in Southwest Houston. Proceeds from this event supported the scholarship program.
Annual Scholarship Luncheon
Ten exceptional college students and high school graduates in the Houston metropolitan area earned scholarships this year through our scholarship program. Awards are made possible thanks to sole individuals, individuals with company matching funds, and corporate sponsors who have been and remain the backbone of the funding for the annual awards.
The Annual Scholarship Luncheon was held May 18, 2019, with guest speaker Dr. Shaun Smart, Assistant Professor of Neurology at McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas. >> read more
Town Hall
We thank friends of the Caribbean and the Greater Houston community for participating in an open dialogue with Consul General to Jamaica Honorable R. Oliver Mair at a Town Hall held on Friday, July 26, 2019. The Consul General spoke on matters of interest relating to Jamaica and the Diaspora. Vice Consul Vance Carter, Honorary Consul to Jamaica in Houston Attorney K. Omari Fullerton, and Regional Director Vivion Scully from JAMPRO were part of the panel discussion. Community Relations Officer Cheryl Wynter contributed to the discussion as well.
The Town Hall was held by the Jamaica Foundation of Houston in partnership with the Houston Missouri City Domino Club & Association of Jamaican Nurses of Greater Houston. >> read more
Annual Gala
We are grateful for those who celebrated Jamaica’s 57th year of independence with us at our annual gala. We celebrated Jamaica’s 57th year of independence with the theme “One nation, One People” which spoke to the foundation’s goals to strengthen cultural ties within the Caribbean diaspora in Houston and the Greater Houston community as a whole.
The gala is our preeminent social and fundraising event of the year. The 2019 Gala was held Saturday, July 27 at the Red Oak Ballroom in CityCentre.
Thanks to our honored guests Consul General Honorable R. Oliver Mair, Vice Consul Vance Carter, Community Relations Officer Cheryl Wynter, and JAMPRO Regional Director Vivion Scully! Special Thanks to Honorary Consul to Jamaica in Houston Attorney K. Omari Fullerton.
View our 2019 Gala Souvenir Booklet
Thanks to 2019 Gala Souvenir Booklet sponsors!
Supporting others in need
- Mustard Seed Communities thanked the Foundation for 2017 & 2019 donations of uniforms and for joining them in their mission of caring for the most vulnerable.
- We are working on supporting the Consul General’s ADOPT-A-CLINIC – Ministry of Health initiative.
- The Foundation supported the Association of Jamaican Nurses of Greater Houston’s Annual Health Fair by participating in health screenings and their back-to-school drive on August 3, 2019 at The Crossing Church.
Link-Up :: Networking
The Foundation accepted invitations to host booths at other Caribbean events in order to spread awareness about our mission, vision, fundraising events, and membership as well as upcoming events.
Thanks to 1st Fridays for hosting us at their Caribbean Style Traffic Blocking Black, Green, and Gold Parking Lot JAM at Uptown Lounge on August 2, 2019.
Thanks to ILoveBeingCaribbean for inviting us to host a booth at their Caribbean Craft Market on Saturday, March 23, 2019.
The Foundation was invited to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston for a screening of a never-before-released in the US film called BABYLON to be shown twice in early August. This was a rare opportunity to see a little-seen film in this country about a dancehall DJ in South London as he pursues his musical ambitions, battling against the odds.
Contact: rgomez@mfah.org
Annual Church Service
On August 4, 2019, Pastor Caldwell of Windsor Village United Methodist Church recognized Jamaica’s 57th Year of Independence and the Jamaica Foundation of Houston. Pastor Caldwell prompted his musicians to play reggae music as he sang along with the twenty members and friends of the Jamaica Foundation of Houston who attended service–what a special moment!
After service, in the main lobby, many members of the congregation experienced a “Taste of Jamaica” with Jamaican spince bun and cheese, as well as fruit punch. Special thanks to Terron Henry of Cool Runnings Jamaican Grill for the fruit punch.
Annual Family Picnic
Family and friends of Jamaica bonded over reggae music and dancing, authentic jerk chicken, kids races, and dominos on Sunday afternoon on September 1, 2019 in Memorial Sugarland Park. The FREE family event is hosted annually by the Jamaica Foundation of Houston. 
Special thanks to the Jerk Kings and Lovebird in West Houston and DJ Paul Notch and Flavor Entertainment for the reggae, soca, and excellent rhythms/music.
Dorian Bahamas Relief
The Jamaica Foundation of Houston in conjunction with the Association of Jamaican Nurses Houston and Houston Missouri City Domino Club raised funds for the Dorian Bahamas Relief through our GoFundMe page from September to October of 2019.
1st Annual 5k Walk/RunFest
Friends and family joined in on the fun in a 5k Walk/RunFest to promote health and fitness. The run was held early morning on October 26, 2019 at Memorial Sugarland Park. Individuals participated by signing up for the race, donating funds, and sponsoring the event. Special thanks to our sponsors Neha t-shirt printing, Dr. Nasha Hunter, and Dr. Sharon Warren. The fundraising event was held to support the disaster relief, scholarships and medical clinics in Jamaica.
2019 Elections
Elections were held prior to the Christmas Party on December 6, 2019 at the Tracy Gee Community Center. Renew or start your membership now so you too can vote in next year’s elections–renew or start your membership today!
Christmas Party
Last, but not least, what a treat it was to see Foundation members and friends at our annual Christmas party! Some of us joined in on the Secret Santa gift exchange fun, others enjoyed a game of dominos, while a game of Ludo grabbed the attention of our younger members.
Thanks to Lovebird restaurant for catering dinner. Special thanks to the Honorable Khalfani Omari Fullerton Honorary Consul of Jamaica for gracing us with his presence, as well as members of the Association of Jamaican Nurses and the Houston Missouri City Domino Club.
Thanks
There is much to be grateful for and much to look forward to. We continue to increase membership, member and sponsor benefits, youth leadership, academic scholarship, and fundraising efforts.
One love to our advisors, Mr. Andy Adams and the Honorable Beverly Ford. Special thanks to all our donors and supporters who attend our events.
All the best and Happy New Year!
Sent on behalf of the Jamaica Foundation of Houston
