Twenty-five J’can students get JHUAN awards

WASHINGTON:

The Jamaica Howard University Affinity Network (JHUAN) announced the distribution of US$102,000 in scholarships to 25 students of Jamaican heritage attending Howard University.

The 25 recipients will be recognised at the organization’s sixth annual fundraising event, ‘HUes of Blue’, on Saturday, September 21 in Washington, DC.

Each awardee receives US$4,000 in scholarships to help offset tuition. This year, two students will be recognised with the inaugural Bancroft S. Gordon Scholarship Award which celebrates excellence in athletics, academics, leadership, and community engagement. The award honours the late Bancroft Gordon, a Howard alumnus and football player.

EXEMPLARY CAREER

JHUAN’s Chairman and Howard University board member Donald Christian said, “I am honoured to be a part of a community that supports Jamaican students who have navigated challenges to pursue their studies. As an alumnus, it is critical that we identify ways by which we can bolster our academic institutions while supporting our students.”

Fundraising efforts continue through to the end of the year and donations are still being accepted for the scholarship fund at https://www.jhuan.org/become-a-donor/.

The event will be hosted by Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Audrey P. Marks, a co-founder and leading advocate of the organisation at her Chevy Chase residence.

HUes of Blue will for the second year recognise exemplary Howard alumni with JHUAN’s IMPACT Award for distinction in professional achievements, leadership qualities, and service to their communities.

This year’s IMPACT Award will go to a Jamaican architect in the luxury and hospitality industry and CEO of Design HQ, Isiaa Madden, a graduate of Howard University’s School of Architecture with an exemplary career in launching innovative designs.

These include hotel projects such as Riu Hotels Jamaica, Excellence, Oyster Bay Resort, The Royal Decameron, Hyatt Ziva and Zilaria, Half Moon Resort, Princess Resort, Hard Rock & Unico Hotel and the most recent, Pinnacle Jamaica.

PHILANTHROPIC PROGRAMMES

In addition, entrepreneurs and philanthropists Heather and Kevin Reid will receive the IMPACT Award for their work with the Blue Lagoon Foundation.

This is an organisation they co-founded to fund philanthropic programmes, including initiatives that help children in Jamaica further their education.

Established in 2018, JHUAN’s mission is to identify and provide access to high-potential Jamaican students who are facing critical financial needs. Now in its sixth year, JHUAN has awarded 89 scholarships totalling US$356,000.

With the mission of serving the Jamaican student community at Howard University through scholarships, mentorships and career development, the organisation is led by a 17-member board that provides strategic leadership and oversight.