A Message from the Dr. Nicole Bent Jones,

President of the Jamaica Foundation of Houston

Members and Friends of the Jamaica Foundation of Houston:

On behalf of the Jamaica Foundation of Houston, we thank you for joining us at our preeminent social and fundraising event of the year. This year’s Annual Gala celebrates Jamaica’s 61st Year of Independence themed Jamaica 61 “Proud and Strong”!

Today, we gather here to celebrate and reflect on a momentous occasion in Jamaica’s history – our independence. It is with immense pride and joy that we commemorate the day when Jamaica, a small island nation in the Caribbean, took its destiny into its own hands and became a sovereign nation.

On August 6, 1962, Jamaica embarked on a journey towards independence which required the resilience, determination, and unity of the Jamaican people. Our people transcended racial, cultural, and economic differences for a unity of purpose towards a shared vision of a free and independent Jamaica.

Independence granted us the power to make our decisions, the responsibility to shape our destiny, and the opportunity to create a nation that reflected our unique values, traditions, and aspirations. Through our challenges and successes, we have witnessed the power of our people’s creativity and resilience in the face of adversity. Jamaica, since its independence, has produced world-class athletes, renowned musicians, and influential intellectuals who have placed Jamaica firmly on the global stage.

As we celebrate this milestone today, let us move forward together, hand in hand, towards a brighter future. Our spirit knows no bounds. The legacy of those who have come before us serves as a guiding light, urging us to carry on the flame of independence, liberty, and progress.

Today, let us reaffirm our mission to promote culture, education, and volunteerism. Help us to continue strengthening cultural ties between peoples of the Caribbean and Texas, particularly those residing in the Greater Houston area. The Jamaica Foundation and its predecessor organization has awarded more than 300 scholarships to exceptional college students and high school graduates in the Houston metropolitan area since the inception of the Scholarship program in 1985. Recipients have gone on to graduate and become respected professionals in their chosen communities. We are thankful for sole individuals, individuals with company matching funds, and sole corporate sponsorships that have been and remain the backbone of the funding for the annual awards.

To our esteemed Board of Directors, you have my deepest gratitude for your selfless service, and I am forever indebted to you for your kindness and generosity. I recognize the invaluable contributions you have made to our non-profit organization through your dedicated volunteer work. You have played an instrumental role in shaping the vision and mission of our organization and generously given your time, expertise, and resources to ensure that our non-profit’s mission, to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need, is realized to its fullest potential.

As we move forward, know that with your continued guidance our non-profit organization will continue to thrive, bringing hope and positivity to even more lives in need. May we continue to make a lasting impact together. In the words of Elizabeth Andrew, an American author, “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”

In conclusion, my fellow Foundation members and friends, as we celebrate Jamaica’s independence, let us embrace the future with hope, optimism, and determination. Let us continue to work together, side by side, to build a community that fulfills the dreams of our ancestors and the aspirations of our children.

Happy Independence Day, Jamaica!

Sincerely,

Dr. Nicole Bent Jones President of the Jamaica Foundation of Houston