Several diasporans among Jamaicans receiving 2024 national honours

Several members of the overseas Jamaican communities were named in this year’s list to receive Jamaican national honours and awards.

Heading the list is Jamaica’s Ambassador to Washington, Audrey Marks, who has been awarded membership in the Order of Jamaica.

Also receiving national honours are Dr Karren Dunkley, who joins the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer (OD); Dr Novlet Davis-Bucknor, who has also been made a member of the OD; Mary Bishop, who will receive the Badge of Honour, and Marie Ruth Gill, who will also receive the Badge of Honour.

Marks receives the OJ for her outstanding service to the government and people of Jamaica in her contribution to economic development, promotion of social development enterprises and to nation-building.

Dunkley receives her honour for service to the Jamaican diaspora in the United States.

Davis-Bucknor has been recognised for her contributions to community development and philanthropy.

Davis-Bucknor leads a medical mission yearly to Clarendon in Jamaica.

Gill receives the Badge of Honour (Meritorious Service) for contributions to the economic and technical development of Jamaican business owners in the United States.

Bishop gets the Badge of Honour (Meritorious Service) for services in the field of philanthropy and contributions to the development of the diaspora in Canada.

PREVIOUS ROLE

Dunkley previously served as Global Jamaica Diaspora Council member for the United States Northeast region.

Reacting to the news of her national honour, Dunkley said in a statement, “It is with profound humility and immense gratitude that I accept the Order of Distinction for service to the Jamaican diaspora. This honour is not just a personal achievement but a testament to our community’s collective efforts and unwavering dedication to advancing Jamaica’s national development.”

She said she would dedicate the honour to her beloved mother, Barbara Carmeta-Dunkley, “whose support and love have been my guiding light. I also share this recognition with the many deserving sons and daughters of our soil”.

Dunkley said Jamaica’s greatest asset is its people and she was honoured to continue this collaborative work of upliftment and unity for our community and country.

“As we celebrate the gift of life during this 62nd Emancipendence season, let’s remain steadfast in putting God and country first and fulfilling the promise of Jamaica Land We Love,” she said.

Jamaicans in the diaspora have been marking Jamaica’s Independence anniversary with several flag-raising events, church services and Independence galas.

Over in New York, the official church service organised by the Jamaican Consulate General in New York to mark Jamaica’s Independence will be held on August 11 at 4 p.m. at the First Cathedral Church in Bloomfield, Connecticut.

Under the patronage of Consul General Alsion Wilson, a special collection will be taken to assist Jamaica’s hurricane relief efforts.

Another flag-raising ceremony will be held today at 10 a.m. at the Stamford Government Center in Stamford, Connecticut.

Team Jamaica Bickle will host an Independence Gala in Philadelphia on Saturday at the Hilton Hotel with special guest Olympian Inez Turner and honourees at the VM Group, Steven Olson, Anthony E. Gay and Alice Francis.

The Independence Gala put on by the Jamaican Consulate will not be held this year.

editorial@gleanerjm.com