Impacting Jamaica

Donette Chin-Loy Chang is a communications leader and prolific philanthropist. Together with her late husband, G. Raymond Chang, chancellor emeritus of Ryerson University, she has made transformational investments in the areas of education, health, social justice and the environment. Chin-Loy Chang, who recently received an honorary doctorate – Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa – from Ryerson, is also the recipient of an honorary degree from the University of the West Indies. She and her family have led The UWI Toronto Benefit Gala Awards – Canada's largest fundraiser for Caribbean student scholarships – for over a decade. Donette Chin-Loy Chang, who believes in the power of education and giving, talks with Impacting Jamaica Host Neil Armstrong about her work and helping others.

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Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GraceKennedy Group Don Wehby has emphasised that the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector has a central role to play in Jamaica’s economic rebuilding process.He told the Senate that the sector is “a key driver for economic growth”, noting that typically, MSMEs account for more than 90 per cent of all firms, 60 per cent of employment; and 40 to 60 per cent of output in most economies.At the same time, the GraceKennedy boss called for more focus on agriculture, declaring that, “we need to cut our food import bill in half by 2030. We can achieve this by investing heavily in agro-processing, manufacturing, and agriculture, by ensuring our farmers have good crop insurance and technical training to mass produce certain crops.” Impacting Jamaica shares excerpts of Senator Wehby’s speech in the Jamaican Senate.

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Junior Rowe is the embodiment of passion for community. As Principal of Riverton Early Childhood, an educational initiative funded by the St. Patrick’s Foundation, Mr. Rowe has been serving the community for several decades and has been a beacon of hope, help and inspiration for children and parents in the Riverton community and the surrounding areas. Mr. Rowe shares stories of success, giving back and commitment with Impacting Jamaica Host Shelly-Ann Harris.

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Coming off a successful year of fundraising in 2019, last year was supposed to be a ‘breeze’ for members of the St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) Alumni Association. The COVID-19 pandemic had other plans, forcing the cancellation of seven events, including the association’s twenty-fifth anniversary celebrations.“Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, we continue to do well. This association is an association for all STETHS alumni,” said association president Donovan Wilson. “No matter who leads, we must strive to be bigger, bolder, better, and a positive force for STETHSANS as we uphold the traditions of our beloved alma mater.”At the same time, Treasurer Nadine Whitehead shared that the town of Santa Cruz will not be the same during the school’s 60th anniversary celebrations next year.

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Jamaica’s Government stewardship of the economy during the worst pandemic in 100 years has been hailed by highly respected businessman Don Wehby. He also saluted Jamaicans in the diaspora for their exceptional role in helping to rebuild the country.Speaking in the Senate, he said, “The Government has managed the country well through this pandemic and I have confidence that they will continue to lay the foundation for us to build back stronger.”Senator Wehby, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the GraceKennedy Group, lauded Jamaicans in the diaspora, stating that, “during 2020, Jamaica’s remittance inflows increased by over 20 per cent. Regardless of where they live, one thing I know is, our diaspora is passionate about and love our country.”Impacting Jamaica shares excerpts of Senator Wehby’s speech in the Jamaican Senate.

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Hunger is a challenge for many college students with limited financial resources. Caroline Mahfood, the chief executive officer of the GraceKennedy Foundation, shares how the charity is tackling the issue with the GK Campus Connect Food Bank, which provides over 100 students with food packages on a monthly basis.She also discloses that the foundation is working with The Ocean Clean-up to tackle the issue of pollution in the Kingston Harbour, for which the first phase of a pilot project will begin in September.Additionally, Tankita Chance-Wilson, the chief executive officer of the Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation, tells Impacting Jamaica Host John Myers Jr about 'The Journey to 1000', as parent company GraceKennedy prepares to commemorate 100 years of operations in Jamaica next year.

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Daddy Ernie is an award-winning Radio Presenter and DJ. He has been instrumental in the growth of Jamaican music and culture in the UK. He was the host of the first five-day-a-week reggae programme outside of Jamaica, with his historic show Superjam - which was born on Choice FM radio at the beginning of the 1990s.Throughout his career, he has become a household name and has interviewed some of Jamaica’s biggest music stars, including Gregory Isaacs, Shaggy, Buju Banton and Sizzla. Ernie, born to Jamaican parents in London, has been one of the most consistent advocates for Reggae music in the UK. Impacting Jamaica Host Sinai Fleary talks with him about his work and achievements.

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Sheldon Millington is the founder of Elitte Club Limited, a registered charitable organization, working mainly in inner-city communities. The club offers support to the less fortunate, while providing professional guidance to all its members.Since its inception, the charitable organization has touched in excess of 20,000 persons. Impacting Jamaica Host Keisha Hill chats with Millington about the club’s work and its plans for the future.

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Members of the Rosemount Alumni Association may be considered new kids on the block, relative to the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations (UJAA), USA, Inc. However, that has not dampened the enthusiasm for their St. Catherine-based institution, Rosemount Infant and Primary School. Having weathered the COVID-19 storm, members of the association will continue ‘lending a helping hand for the cause of excellence’.They are targeting a computer lab that got a big boost from a virtual concert event – Hand To Hand We Stand – last year, involving some big named performers and a collaboration with Love FM in Jamaica.President Thomas Gordon, Treasurer Patrick Dixon and Public Relations Officer Marcia Harris sat down with Impacting Jamaica Host Aubrey Campbell to discuss the association’s work.

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As the agency that regulates operations at the island’s ports, the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) has undertaken several initiatives that have positively impacted the lives and livelihoods of people across the island. Kimberley Stiff, assistant vice-president of marketing communications at the PAJ, explained that roughly $500 million was spent to redevelop and improve the Ocho Rios fishing village, which is nestled between the cruise ship pier and the Reynolds Pier in the St Ann resort town. Ms. Stiff said too that the Port Royal Ferry Pier in Kingston, commonly referred to as jetty by residents, was rehabilitated by the PAJ when it built a new cruise port to accommodate cruise liners and passengers. That initiative was part of a renewed thrust to establish the history-rich, seaside community as a cruise destination. Both projects have since transformed the areas in which they are located and have proven to be a major economic enabler for residents. Ms. Stiff spoke with Impacting Jamaica Host John Myers about the various projects.

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