GraceKennedy to host 'Birthright' interns

GraceKennedy Limited will host four university students from the diaspora for a month-long professional and cultural internship that is designed to immerse them in the Jamaican culture.

Tianna Thomas of Brock University in Canada; Menelik Graham from Princeton University in the US; Matthew Robinson of Georgetown University, US; and Cleveland Douglas of the UK-based Imperial College will be hosted by GraceKennedy in Jamaica from July 5 to August 7.

GraceKennedy partners with public and private-sector entities to give the interns a taste of Jamaica and, for the first time, Caribbean Airlines will be on board as a sponsor.

"A big part of the success is the support we receive from our partners. We are excited to announce that Caribbean Airlines has agreed to come on board this year as the official airline partner. This will ensure that our Birthright interns start their cultural immersion from the minute they board the flight," said Caroline Mahfood, executive director of the GraceKennedy Foundation.

"GraceKennedy is committed to anchoring the roots of these students, many of whom have never been to Jamaica before. Coming in contact with the dynamics of their parents or grandparents' culture first hand helps to foster strong connection between Jamaica and the diaspora, and empowers these young people to think differently about themselves, their heritage and their contribution to the world," Mahfood added.

The GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright Programme is a cultural and professional internship designed to connect second- and third-generation Jamaican university students living in the USA, Canada and the UK with their Jamaican heritage.

"Caribbean Airlines is in the business of connecting people, and we are pleased to partner with GraceKennedy on this internship programme, which will promote positive business acumen, as well as foster a sense of homecoming for the university students," stated Dionne Ligoure, Caribbean Airlines' head of corporate communications.