JAMAICAN BUSINESS leader and senator, Don Wehby, Group CEO of GraceKennedy, one of the Caribbean’s largest conglomerates with operations spanning Jamaica, several other Caribbean islands, North and Central America, the United Kingdom and several European countries, along with three of the Caribbean region’s heads of state, are among a group of eight distinguished recipients of the 25th anniversary awards of the American Foundation for the University of theWest Indies (AFUWI). Wehby will receive the AFUWI Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Global Business Leadership, and the GraceKennedy Group will receive the AFUWI Corporate Award for Global Business Excellence. AFUWI Legacy Awards will be presented to Hon Gaston A. Browne, prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, and Dr Timothy J. Harris, prime minister of St Kitts and Nevis; and the Vice-Chancellor’s Award to Dr Mark A. Brantley, premier of Nevis. The other four honourees receiving awards on Thursday, April 21, at the AFUWI 25th anniversary gala, to be held at the prestigious 583 Park Avenue event hall, will be Wayne Berson, CPA, chief executive officer, BDO USA, who will receive the Pinnacle Award for Excellence in Financial Advisory Services; Dawnn Lewis, Grammy Award-winning songwriter, producer and actress who will receive the Bob Marley Award; Ambassador Ralph S. Thomas, the Pelican Award; and Graham Robinson, SVP & president, Stanley Industrial, the Caribbean Luminary Award. The AFUWI Awards are conferred annually on notable individuals and companies which represent high levels of achievement within their respective fields of industry, enterprise and in service in their communities by the US-based AFUWI, which partners with the UWI alumni, the Caribbean community in the USA, American foundations and corporations to raise funds for projects, scholarships and academic programmes on the university’s four physical and one virtual campuses. Prof Sir Hilary Beckles, vice-chancellor of The University of theWest Indies, said that“the 2022 awardees are indeed a distinguished group deserving of acknowledgement at the 25th anniversary of the AFUWI Awards gala. This is a time, too, when we must pay homage to the many sponsors of the event and the persons who annually attend the gala, thus contributing to the raising of scholarship funds for hundreds of worthy students”. Sir Hilary noted that “The UWI, which is preparing to celebrate its 75th anniversary next year, has worked tirelessly to develop sustainable strategies in the face of many economic challenges that have causedmany governments to reduce student support, and of course, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic, which has made our situation even more difficult.” He said that the UWI has forged linkages between industry and academia, sports, entertainment, and culture to deliver innovation and value for the economic growth of Caribbean nations. He announced that the institution will soon be going to the bond market to raise US$60million to finance the establishment of an offshore medical university in Trinidad and Tobago as part of a range of measures to place the institution on a sound financial footing. “The UWI is working to transform itself into a global university, providing education to 100, 000 students all over the world, online. We have already forged partnerships with leading universities in Africa, Cuba, the USA, England, and China. Soon there will be a UWI in every continent,”Sir Hilary declared. 3 Natalie Joseph/ Contributor CHARLOTTE, NC: J AMAICAN IMMIGRANT Vinroy Reid is seeking a historic nod as the first Caribbean American elected into public office in the state of North Carolina and is counting on the support of his community on primary day, May 17. ORIGINALLY FROM Kingsvale, Jamaica, he came to the United States (USA) with an open mind and an entrepreneurial spirit. In just under thirty years, he established several very successful small businesses and has been devoted to serving his community on the East Side of Charlotte. Reid started out as a carpenter and worked his way up to be a general contractor, providing employment for District 5 residents with his construction company,VR King Construction. His close-knit family provided the inspiration for Mama’s Caribbean Restaurant, a popular neighbourhood gathering spot on historic Central Avenue in the bustling downtown business enclave. Over the past three decades, he has worked to contribute to the development of Charlotte’s East Side. He advocates for issues important to the community on his radio and television show, ‘The Caribbean Connection’, and currently serves on the Charlotte Business Inclusion Advisory Committee (CBIAC), and is a founding member of the African Caribbean Political Action Committee (ACPAC). An active member of the Democratic Party, Reid was elected to the North Carolina State Executive Committee (NCSEC), representing Mecklenburg County. Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and members of the Charlotte International Cabinet (CIC) presented Reid with the CIC International Entrepreneur Award during the 2021 Annual Mayor’s International Community Awards (MICA). Reid will focus on issues such as: living wages for seniors, veterans and working families, economic opportunities for business owners, entrepreneurs, and graduate students, and affordable housing with equity. He hopes to bring his business acumen and love of community to the Charlotte City council. J’can Vinroy Reid to vie for public office Vinroy Reid. CONTRIBUTED AFUWI 2022 honourees named DonWehby, GraceKennedy, Caribbean heads of state among 8 distinguished AFUWI 2022 awardees THE MONTHLY GLEANER | APRIL 7 - 30, 2022 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEW Wayne Berson, CPA. CEO BDO USA. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Don WehbyDon Wehby
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