Jamaican American 100” “POWER

Orelia Eleta Merchant is an American lawyer who serves as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. She previously served as chief deputy attorney general for state counsel in the New York Attorney General’s Office. From 1998 to 2002, Merchant served as Assistant Regional Counsel in the United States Environmental Protection Agency. She was her nominated was sent to the Senatein 2022.

WES MOORE

Democratic Primary Gubernatorial Candidate, Maryland

Democratic Primary Gubernatorial Candidate Wes Moore is a social entrepreneur, decorated army combat veteran, and bestselling author. He is the author of The Other Wes Moore and The Work, instant New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers that captured the nation’s attention on what draws the line between success and failure in our communities. He is the former CEO of one of the nation’s largest anti-poverty organizations, has devoted his life’s work to a basic principle: no matter your start in life, you deserve an equal opportunity to succeed – a job you can raise a family on, a future you can look forward to.

Futurist, Sustainability Engineer, Social Entrepreneur

Dr. Claire Nelson has been actively engaged in the business of international development for more than twenty-five years. She works in the area of project development and management, with a particular focus on private sector development. She is the first Jamaican woman to earn a Doctorate degree in an engineering discipline and the only black in her graduating class.

ORLANDO PATTERSON

Professor of Sociology, Harvard University

Orlando Patterson, a historical and cultural sociologist, is the John Cowles Professor of Sociology at Harvard University. He previously held faculty appointments at the University of the West Indies, his alma mater, and the London School of Economics where he received his Ph.D. He has written on the cultural sociology of sports, especially the game of cricket. He is the author of numerous academic papers and 6 major academic books.

CLAUDETTE POWELL, RN

Distinguished Nursing Professional, J’ca Diaspora Health Representative

Claudette Powell a registered nurse with administrative experience in hospital and community programs. Currently, she’s a health care consultant in compliance and regulatory affairs. Claudette’s strong passion for health and volunteerism, led her to venture and participate in wide range of activities. Recipient of the Governor General’s Award for excellence in the diaspora.

Mayor Messam is a first-generation American, born to Jamaican parents. Raised in South Bay, Florida, he is a lifelong athlete who proudly attended Florida State University on a full scholarship where he excelled both on and off the football field. He was a member of the 1993 National Championship Team under coach Bobby Bowden and had a brief stint in the National Football League as a Cincinnati Bengal. A Licensed General Contractor and LEED-Accredited Professional, Mayor Messam is a prominent professional in the construction industry

ZELLNOR MYRIE

New York State Senator Brooklyn

Senator Zellnor Y. Myrie is a Brooklyn native and affordable housing advocate serving the 20th Senate District. During his first legislative session, Senator Myrie served in leadership roles on several major legislative victories. Having grown up in a rent-stabilized apartment at the epicenter of the affordable housing crisis, Senator Myrie was honored to co-lead the Senate’s Housing Reform Working Group, which produced New York’s strongest affordable housing and tenant protection laws in generations.

ANDREW MORRIS

President/CEO, Sam’s Caribbean Marketplace

Andrew Morris, President, and CEO is a community stalwart with many accolades to his name, dating as far back from 2003 to 2018. An immigrant from Jamaica, he joined his family in the Bronx, New York in 1979. He enrolled in college and worked several jobs – foot massager, Textbook Editor for MacMillan-McGraw-Hill, and a Project Manager at Newsday, before venturing into the world of entrepreneurship.

President/CEO, Prospect Cleaning Service, Inc.

Murray, a Jamaica native is CEO of Prospect Cleaning Service, a family owned business whose has over 20 years experience. Located in the east Flatbush Community in Brooklyn, The company prides itself on the longstanding relationships it creates. Murray is philanthropic, donating funds annually to Jamaica for school children, as well as scholarships to help students achieve their academic goals.

55th Governor NYC

David Paterson is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who was the 55th governor of New York, succeeding Eliot Spitzer and serving out nearly three years of Spitzer’s term from March 2008 to 2010. He is the first legally blind person to be sworn in as governor of a U.S. state, and is the first African American to serve as governor of New York.

‘Abbott Elementary’ star Sheryl Lee Ralph made her breakthrough role as Deena Jones in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls in 1981, for which she received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. You may know her as Dee Mitchell on TV show, Moesha, and Florence Watson in the film, Sister Act 2. An AIDS activist, she is founder of The DIVA Foundation, created to remember the many friends she lost to HIV/AIDS and to break the silence and erase the stigma.

Noah Nickolas, “Nick,” Perry was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to be the Ambassador to Jamaica on March 10, 2022. He is the first person born in Jamaica to hold this position. Nick Perry, is a former New York State Assemblyman. He represented the 58th district for thirty years. The 58th district includes parts of East Flatbush, Canarsie, Brownsville and Crown Heights. He was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 1992. He was also Regional Vice Chairman of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.