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Born James Chambers in 1948 in Somerton, St. James, Jimmy Cliff rose from humble beginnings to become one of Jamaica’s first true global music ambassadors.

Jimmy’s journey began in Kingston as a teenager with a dream and a guitar.

By the early 1960s, he was already making waves with songs like “Miss Jamaica,” showcasing a smooth voice and songwriting maturity beyond his years. But it was the 1970s that cemented his legacy.

In 1972, Jimmy Cliff starred in the groundbreaking film “The Harder They Come.”

Not just as an actor — but as the soundtrack’s heartbeat.

Songs like

“You Can Get It If You Really Want,”

“Many Rivers to Cross,”

and the title track “The Harder They Come” became anthems of struggle and perseverance, introducing reggae to audiences who had never heard the sound of Jamaica before.

Jimmy Cliff’s music spoke to the working man, the dreamer, the oppressed, and the believer.

His lyrics carried spiritual depth, social awareness, and an unshakable sense of hope.

“Many Rivers to Cross” wasn’t just a song —

It was a testimony.

And unlike many artists of his time, Jimmy Cliff embraced evolution.

From ska to rocksteady, roots reggae to crossover collaborations, he never lost his Jamaican identity — even while performing on the world’s biggest stages.

In 2003 Jimmy Cliff was awarded the Order of Merit (OM) for his significant impact on Jamaican culture and international music, particularly through his work in The Harder They Come. In 2010, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — one of the few reggae artists to receive that honour.

Yet, accolades never defined him.

Jimmy Cliff remained a messenger.

A voice reminding us that success comes through resilience…

That freedom is worth fighting for…

And that belief can move mountains.

Even today, his music continues to inspire new generations — sampled, covered, and celebrated across cultures and continents.

As we celebrate the icons who shaped Jamaica’s sound, Jimmy Cliff stands tall —

A pioneer.

A storyteller.

A global force.

Because long before reggae ruled the world…

Jimmy Cliff showed us the harder they come — the harder they fall.

Jimmy Cliff, A legend whose music crossed rivers, broke barriers, and carried Jamaica to the world.

At the forefront stands Bishop Christine Gooden Benguche, the first female president of the Methodist Church in Jamaica.

In 2018, she made history when she became the first woman to be ordained as bishop within the church, a landmark achievement that opened doors for women in ministry across the island and the wider Caribbean.

Bishop Gooden Benguche’s impact extends far beyond the pulpit. A devoted educator, teaching has long been central to her ministry, and she has served in various capacities at schools throughout Jamaica.

She has served as Chaplain for St. Andrew Prep School and Shortwood Teacher’s College in Kingston.

With a lifetime dedicated to faith and service, Bishop Gooden-Benguche embodies courage, compassion, and pioneering leadership, a true inspiration for women everywhere.

A prolific, award-winning poet, essayist and memoirist, Lorna Gaye Goodison made history in 2017 when she became Jamaica’s first female Poet Laureate.

Through her work, she has memorialized Jamaican culture, womanhood, family life, and the enduring strength of the maternal figure. Her poem “I Am Becoming My Mother” remains one of her most cherished pieces, resonating with millions of readers across generations.

Her awards are numerous, including the Commonwealth Poetry Prize; the Henry Russel Award and the Shirley Verret Award for Exceptional Creative Work (University of Michigan); the British Columbia National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction; and the Musgrave Gold Medal. In 2013, she was conferred with Jamaican National Honour, the Order of Distinction (Commander Class).

Her influence extends far beyond our shores. Goodison’s writing has been studied in English and Literature courses worldwide. In 2019, she became the only Jamaican to receive the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry, honouring her remarkable body of work and international reputation.

She is currently Professor Emerita at University of Michigan.

From her first collection, Tamarind Season in 1980, to her celebrated memoir From Harvey River, Lorna Goodison has given us a legacy of language, memory, and identity, securing her place as a true pioneer of Caribbean literature.

She is the eighth of nine children and sister of late journalist, author and playwright, Barbara Gloudon.

In 1994, Wyvolyn Gager made history when she was appointed Editor-in-Chief of The Gleaner, becoming the first woman to hold the top editorial post in one of the Western Hemisphere’s oldest newspapers. At the time, the appointment marked a major breakthrough in a newsroom long dominated by men.

A proud native of Trelawny, Wyvolyn began her secondary education at Westwood High School for Girls before transferring to Excelsior High School in Kingston. She later attended the University of the West Indies.

Her professional life started as a pre-trained primary school teacher in Trelawny, but she soon transitioned into journalism at The Gleaner, joining the newsroom as one of the few female reporters at the time. She quickly built a reputation for her strong writing and her ability to develop sources and compelling news stories.

Her talent and determination opened doors, when in 1983, she was promoted to News Editor, a remarkable accomplishment for a woman. She later rose to the position of Associate Editor before reaching the pinnacle of Jamaican journalism as Editor-in-Chief.

Gager led The Gleaner Company Limited’s newsroom for six years, guiding the publication through a changing media landscape. In the process, she demonstrated that women can lead editorial content at the highest levels of journalism.

In 2014, Wyvolyn Gager was awarded the Jamaican National Honour, Order of Distinction, Officer Class in recognition of her contribution to journalism.

In retirement, her commitment to the profession continues. She serves as a volunteer adviser to the Press Association of Jamaica. She continues to serve as a judge on the PAJ’s annual National Journalism Awards Committee.

Wyvolyn Gager’s legacy remains a powerful reminder that breaking barriers can create opportunities for generations to come.

History was made in 2022 when, then Rear Admiral Antonette Weymss-Gorman was installed as the Jamaica Defence Force’s first female Chief of Defence Staff. At the time, she was the only female head of an armed force globally.

But her groundbreaking journey began decades earlier. At just 19 years old, Wemyss-Gorman joined the Jamaica Defence Force, one of only two candidates selected from a pool of 34 applicants. During her basic training, there were no other female seafarers in the Coast Guard. Inspired by the strength of the women in her life, including her mother and grandmother, she became determined not only to succeed, but to change the face of the force for other women.

In 1994, she was commissioned as the Jamaica Defence Force’s first seagoing female officer. Her steady rise through the ranks continued, and in 2002 she became Commanding Officer of Cutter Belmont Point, an 82-foot patrol boat, making history as the first woman to command a military vessel in the Caribbean.

Wemyss-Gorman has also helped shape the region’s maritime future. She played a key role in establishing the Caribbean Military Maritime Training Centre, now the School of Maritime Studies, which began operations in 2012. She holds a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the University of the West Indies (Mona)

With more than 30 years of distinguished service to the JDF; she has been honoured with numerous accolades, including the Order of Distinction (Commander Class), the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service, the Military Commendation Medal and the Medal of Honour for General Service by the Government of Jamaica.

A woman of many “firsts” Vice Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman is an international trailblazer in military leadership. She recently announced the release of her first memoir, Life, Duty and Command, reflecting on her journey, leadership lessons, and decades of service.