COJO scholarship gala to honour Grace, others

Jamaica's GraceKennedy and Company Ltd and three individuals are to be honoured at the 2017 Children of Jamaica (COJO) Scholarship Gala and Awards dinner at the Hilton Hotel JFK Airport on Saturday, December 2.

GraceKennedy will receive an award for corporate service, while awards for contributions to COJO and community development will be presented to Kaye Chong, Dennis Sherwood and Dr Fitzclaud Grant, MD.

Gary Williams, chairman of COJO, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation headquartered in New York, said: "Each year we put the spotlight on some of the people who are going the extra mile to help build and strengthen our communities. All of these companies and individuals have made sterling contributions in support of COJO's work, helping us to achieve our vision for a better existence for scores of Jamaicans."

KEY TO A BETTER FUTURE

Noting that the proceeds of the annual scholarship gala help to fund scholarships to tertiary institutions in Jamaica for former wards of children's homes, Williams said "many of these children can leave their disadvantaged past behind, as a degree from an accredited university is a passport to more opportunities and the key to a better future".

Earlier this year, COJO presented scholarships valued at more than US$20,000 to six Jamaican students in Kingston.

In addition to the awards, COJO's entertainment segment will be led by powerhouse Jamaican reggae singer Ikaya. Flying on JetBlue Airways to New York, the singer will be sharing her popular catalogue of songs, including those featured on the recently launched VP records-produced Reggae Gold 2017 series. VP has produced compilations of the best dancehall, roots and lovers rock reggae for more than two decades. Popular NY1 news reporter and anchor, Ruschell Boone, will marshal the proceedings at the event.