9 THE AMERICAN Foundation For the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) 26th annual Legacy Awards Gala will this year recognise six professionals who have distinguished themselves in the diverse fields of wealth management, music, political leadership, medicine, and academia. Each year, the titans of corporate Jamaica and the diaspora gather in New York for the gala, which recognises excellence among people of Caribbean heritage and raises significant amounts to fund scholarships to The University of the West Indies (UWI) for gifted and deserving students of modest means. The six, who will be honoured at the gala on April 20, include Sandra L. Richards, managing director, global sports and entertainment and segment sales, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management; Mark A.G. Brantley, premier of Nevis; Dr Farley R. Cleghorn, chief medical officer and global head, health practice; Robert ‘Don Pooh’ Cummins, veteran music industry executive and entrepreneur; Dr Hazel Carter, associate professor and programme director of educational leadership, City College of New York; and Beverley Hunter, administrative officer, Institutional Advancement Division, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, The University of theWest Indies. Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, vice-chancellor of the UWI, said that “the 2023 awardees illustrate the tremendous depth of talent and accomplishment which exists in the islands of the Caribbean and the diaspora. We are grateful for their contributions to the betterment of their communities and their support to our beloved University of the West Indies, which this year is celebrating 75 years of moulding and developing leaders for the Caribbean and the world. Our honourees are a wonderful inspiration for current and future students who are the beneficiaries of scholarship generated from this stellar event”. High praise for the honourees also came from Dr Cyrus O. McCalla, chairman of AFUWI, who noted their achievements in their respective fields and“the pride they have brought to their families, colleagues, friends and countrymen and women”. Reiterating AFUWI’s commitment to and support of the UWI, Dr McCalla said that “all of us in the diaspora have a vested interest in ensuring that we nurture the next generation of leaders and thinkers to be ready to take on the global challenges of the 21st century”. Ann-Marie Grant, executive director of AFUWI, noted that “this year’s gala is especially significant, given the UWI’s celebration of 75 years in higher education. Last year, the AFUWI, having hosted 25 legacy award galas, also proudly marked our contribution of US$8.3 million in donated items and an average of 50 tuition scholarships annually. We continue our mission towards providing increased access to higher education at the UWI for exceptionally talented, ambitious, yet financially disadvantaged students”. Tickets and tables for the gala may be purchased online at www.afuwitickets.org, or call 212-759-9345. Ashley Anguin/Gleaner Writer THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD ADRIANNA Laing, who was hospitalised for six months in the United States and underwent 26 surgeries after surviving severe burns from a house fire, was the life of a special dinner held for her at the Island Space Caribbean Museum at the Broward Mall in Florida last Wednesday night. THE VIBRANT teen had the antendees in awe and on their feet when she opened the event with the famous Bob Marley song Three Little Birds. Pretty in florals with a princess crown on her head, Laing rocked from side to side adding a little of her flavour to the music. Young Laing’s spirits were elevated higher as she was surprised with a special diaspora recognition award. Project manager of the Sanmerna Foundation, Stephen Josephs, who was instrumental in securing help for Laing, was likewise recognised with a humanitarian award. A special poem titled, Adrianna, was dedicated to her and performed by the Global Jamaica Disapora Council representative for 13 southern United States, Peter Gracey. “It reminds us that life is not usually fair to us. What she has experienced for her age just seems beyond [what] I can imagine. For us to come and celebrate her is an honour for me to drive almost 300 miles here just to see her, just to say this poem for her and embrace her presence,” Gracey said. After donating a pink-wrapped gift basket with skin care and personal items, along with cash at the celebratory event, President of Jamaican Women of Florida, Janice McIntosh, shared that Laing’s trauma and tragedy that brought us to this point should not be forgotten. SPIRIT OF A SURVIVOR “When Adrianna, ‘Pinky’ sang the famous Bob Marley lyrics ‘Every little thing will be alright’,” it speaks to the soul and spirit of a survivor whose resilience shone through. It’s in that gesture alone [that] we know that Adrianna will live and bring purpose to her life and help bring awareness for a burn unit in Jamaica,”McIntosh said. The JamaicanMen of Florida gave her a six-day, seven-night vacation stay and Jamaica HI5 donated cash. On September 4 last year, Laing and her brothers, nine-year-old Adrianno and seven-year-old twins, Jorden and Jayden, were burnt in the fire, but her bothers perished. Laing returned home to Jamaica on Thursday where she united with her friends and family. Adrianna Laing honoured in Florida TAX ADMINISTRATION Jamaica (TAJ) continues to make it easier for taxpayers to pay property tax online. You can now pay property tax your way: You Choose! - TAJ Online: jamaicatax.gov.jm. - TAJ Mobile App (available through Google Play and for android users only) - Mobile tax collection unit (as scheduled) - NCB online banking - Scotia onLine or Mobile App To pay online taxpayers need: - A credit card or debit card with credit card features (for TAJ online and mobile app) - Email Address - Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) - Valuation Number (in reference to property tax) HOW TO MAKE A PROPERTY TAX PAYMENT ONLINE: Go to Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) Website at www. jamaicatax.gov.jm. 1.LOGIN: On the home page of the Website www.jamaicatax.gov.jm click on the Login tab or the Client Login mini banner ad 2.SIGN IN: Enter username and password, if you already have an account tomake payment. If you DO NOT have a login, create account tomake payment (follow the instructions carefully). 3.Make a payment: Select option ‘pay property tax’, 4.Enter Payment Now: The Valuation number - For Strata Properties you will be required to enter your Strata Lot # in the slot provided or zero if not a strata - Select “Fiscal Year” to be paid - Select “Show Amount” - Enter the payer’s name in the “Paid By” space You can now view information in the amount to be paid. - Select the option: “Add to Today’s Tax Total” if you intend to pay the entire amount showing, if not you may adjust the amount to be paid and select “Recalculate”or “Add to Today’s Tax Total” NB. If you wish to add another tax year or valuation # select “ADD OTHER TAXES” and repeat steps 4-9 5.Now you are at the section titled ‘Declaration of Review’ - Review the information on the page ‘Today’s tax total’ carefully, then tick the ‘Declaration of Review”box to agree that the information is correct. - Select ‘Pay Taxes’ to continue to the payment section. - You will be required to review and confirm the amount to be paid - Enter credit card information and make payment 6.PROOF OF PAYMENT: Once the payment is completed you may email or print the statement of payment for your records. 7.SIGN OUT: Once you have completed the transaction, remember to sign out and close your browser. For further information taxpayers may contact the Tax Administration’s Customer Care Centre at 888-Tax-Help (888-829-4357) toll-free or visit the website at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm. Paying Property Taxes Online ADVERTORIAL AFUWI 2023 awards gala to honour six Vice chancellor of The University of the West Indies, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles. KENYON HEMANS/ PHOTOGRAPHER From left: Ambassador Sheila Sealy Monteith, permanent secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Stephen Josephs, project manager, Sanmerna Foundation; Adrianna Laing and Oliver Mair, consul general of Jamaica, Southern United States, following a presentation to Josephs and Laing during a dinner held for the 13-year-old burn survivor at the Island Space Caribbean Museum at the Broward Mall in Florida. PHOTO BY ASHLEY ANGUIN THE WEEKLY GLEANER | APRIL 6 - MAY 6, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS
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