#Important Jamaican Schools

[ballroomfitz]

Ska be upon ye! Diversify your playlists!

i hate this sites music taste so much its literally Racism The Music Taste site. you guys dont like rap you dont like jazz you dont like country you dont like blues you dont like ska you dont like reggae you cannot CONCEPTUALIZE listening to foreign artists you dont even know what turbofolk is you cant conceive of music existing out of anglosphere you think that mcr is punk and its the end-all of definition of "punk" for you i hate everyone here like WHAT music do you people even listen to what the fuck is left

[argyrocratie]

"When I first went to Jamaica in 2012 as a graduate student studying the environmental politics of the Maroons, an Afro-Indigenous community who freed themselves from enslavement in the 18th century and established an autonomous society in the mountainous interior of the island, Chinese overseas development policy seemed irrelevant to my work. Yet as my field research progressed over the following eight years, first as a doctoral student in African diaspora studies and then as a post-doctoral researcher, the impact of Chinese infrastructural development and extractive industry on the Jamaican people and environment became increasingly apparent.

The timing of my field work overlapped with an unprecedented surge in Chinese economic and diplomatic engagement with Jamaica and the Caribbean as a whole.

(...)

It is beyond the scope of this article to detail the political economic dynamics and immense social impact of debt in Jamaica over the last 40 years.4 Suffice it to say that the island became a byword for structural adjustment during this period, with every new loan from the World Bank, or default on payments thereof, coming with International Monetary Fund-mandated austerity.

Health and education were notable casualties of this socio-economic assault. By the start of my field research, Jamaican child mortality had almost doubled over the span of a single decade while completion of primary school dropped from 97% to 73% in the same period. This despite the fact that Jamaica had already repaid more money than it had been lent, with continuing debt servicing accounting for a 106% debt-to-GDP ratio according to the latest World Bank figures.

All this is only a small snapshot of the catastrophic outcomes of debt wielded as a tool of neocolonialism.

With the island’s status as one of the most indebted countries on the planet, Chinese infrastructural development was received with fanfare from Jamaican elites, a possible economic lifeline out of the debt trap.

(...)

Jamaican elites may appreciate that they can pay back debts with land, and that China does not directly require broad policy changes like the structural adjustment conditions of IMF and World Bank loans.

However, even with the above and the fact that the Jamaican debt to China is small compared to that claimed by Western IFIs and private firms, Jamaican politicians are growing increasingly wary of the costs of doing business with China. In November 2019, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that Jamaica would no longer borrow from China, a scant seven months after formally joining the BRI.

As usual, most Jamaicans are not privy to the inter-governmental discussions and deals driving these decisions, but their government’s newfound reticence in engaging with China reflects deeper concerns among BRI partners that the initiative is a debt trap.

(...)

Almost two decades of Chinese loans and infrastructure-led development have left Jamaican workers and farmers as precarious and dispossessed as ever. The hard-fought and generational struggle for Jamaican workers’ power (trade unions were instrumental to Jamaica’s independence struggle) has been curtailed and rolled back by China’s transposed sovereignty.

Furthermore, Chinese mining interests appear poised to pick up where their Western counterparts left off in terms of irreversible ecological destruction and threats to indigenous survival. Certainly, Jamaica cannot bear another 50 years of capitalist exploitation and extractive industry.

If there is any hope in turning this dire situation into revolutionary momentum, it will be in Jamaicans making common cause with the Chinese laborers imported to the country. According to China Labor Watch, Chinese workers on overseas BRI projects are often subject to “deceptive job ads, passport retention, wage withholding, physical violence and lack of contracts” to the extent of constituting forced labor and human trafficking.

In fact, at least one Chinese worker in Jamaica has already blown the whistle on such conditions. Unfortunately, as of the time of writing this article, there appears to be no organized effort to make solidaristic alliances among Jamaican workers, Chinese workers, and Maroons. The Maroons are organized as an indigenous community seeking land and sovereign rights, rather than workers seeking class emancipation, and remain locked in a fractious political battle with the Jamaican state toward those ends.

Furthermore, the cultural and language barriers between Jamaicans and imported Chinese workers are significant. Yet both countries have rich revolutionary traditions. If Jamaican labor militancy and Maroon struggle were able to reconcile and align their interests, while cultivating strategic allies among the heavily exploited Chinese workers, a powerful relationship of international solidarity from below could be forged."

...

[cielles-random-vault]

random hobie brown headcanons!

all will be sfw the nsfw/spicy ones will be in pink

trying real hard not to delete this acc and kms bc of a sudden trigger

also this won't be proofread because im in the middle of a mental breakdown

he always looks for you when he performs

he's not the jealous "i show everyone who is my lover" type, more like the subtle "let's go" kind in crowded places to yk do unholy things

also small public demonstrations of affection <3 <3

like holding hands, putting his hand on your waist when you walk, small kisses both on your cheek and on your lips, small notes when he wakes up earlier than you since he's yk a spider man

he gave you one of his very own spike bracelets which i feel would be really dear to him

prob made you one esp for you

no matter how your styles differ he will still find a way to have something that reminds him of you on him whether it's a badge, a hair clip or even rings

taking you to the piercer as a first date!!

despite him being an anarchist he's actually very caring

you're sick? fuck capitalism he will make you his own medicine with some of his teas

unrelated but i feel like he's Jamaican or smth wait lemme check

ok i didn't find anything but ill js hc him as jamaican

so like yea when you're sick he makes you jamaican medicine

"take this shortcake! i know it doesn't seem yummy but i promise you'll feel better in a snap after!

you did feel better in a snap

(for fem aligned readers) when you're on your period he turns into the sweetest man ever

sometimes the two of you meet after his concerts - even though that's smth really important for him he makes sure you know you're his actual priority- you go on a rooftop and he tells you about his parents

feeling dysphoric because you're transmasc and on your period ? he makes sure you're the most handsome person he ever knew

when the two of you are doing it, he always makes sure he has your consent before trying anything new - or even before trying anything at all

he's not afraid to admit he's in love with you and he treats you like ROYALTY

you like this specific song? he'll post you to this song and even write love songs for you. remember that specific cat café you mentioned three months ago? he'll bring you there for your birthday.

going nonverbal and being overstimulated? that's no problem for him he'll sit with you in the dark in silence until you feel better.

THIS MAN IS A MAN OF AFTERCARE "you did so well for me darling <3 now what about we get some sweets and cuddle under the stars?"

he's a top most of the but yk he secretly lives when you're in control

HICKEYS HICKEYS HICKEYS ALL OVER YOUR BODY esp on your neck and in between your thighs

speaking of thighs whenever you feel insecure he turns into your girl best friend

having big thighs ? it's more comfy for when he has his head on his lap. big boobs?more comfy for cuddling. no/small boobs? it's ok clothes fit more easily. the list goes on but he always cheers you up.

UNLABELLED THEY/HE HOBIE‼️‼️‼️‼️

p sure he love when you ride him

like you're on top of him in some way but he somehow keeps control

probably likes to asset his dominance by putting a hand around your neck (wdym i don't have a choke kink i do)

BUT HE ALWAYS MAKES SURE YOURE OK THAT MAKES HIM LITTEALLY SM HOTTER OMG

he's always down for ditching class but he somehow has the best grades

which upsets you bc you're the one who always want to ditch class but your grades ain't following

omg it's giving academical rivals au

so like he sometimes comes at your place to help you w the subjects you have trouble with

eventually you end up pinned down on your desk passionately kissing

+ seeing you in a school uniform makes him go feral

fucking you in your school skirt? boy he sure is turned on

quickies in the school's bathroom ? man he loves danger so he's obviously down

+ he loves the way kissing you makes his piercing feel (idk but if i had healed piercings on my lips id love the way it'd feel)

SLOW BURN MAKE OUT SESSION IN THE RAIN

can you tell i love rain? bc i do

he makes sure you feel loved and says it to everyone he knows

"hey that's (reader's name) did you know they're my partner i love them sm"

he notices small habits and picks them up when he misses you (idk how to explain bit for example i sometimes twitch my nose because of my allergies- in that case if you did he would too)

HIGH PATTERN RECOGNITION even though he won't force you to tell him why you feel bad he instantly notices the changes in your behavior

"can you repeat, darling? i didn't hear what you said"

he makes sure you use your words despite you being overstimulated

+ his hands. they make you go crazy.

he's actually a lonely guy, give this poor man a big hug :(

no but fr tho he went through sm his backstory made me cry

OK bit of a vent now🕺🏻 but first tysm for reading ily ! <3 /p

i suddenly lost all motivation to post full fics bc i keep comparing me to others, most well known posters and it really triggers me so i guess i'll make the lonely series go on a hiatus. also working on requests! but it's getting harder to not kms bc of the pressure im putting on myself 🫠

anyhoo, kaheri there,back to dreamland! see you in the next dream! (new outro who dis?)

[beardedmrbean]

A Florida family is no longer sending their teen to a California college after their car was "bipped" when they moved their son into his dorm on Saturday, costing them thousands of dollars in lost belongings and important personal documents.

Rhomel Crossman had just graduated from a Florida high school and was slated to attend Lincoln University in downtown Oakland this fall — but after his family was robbed, they told KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco they intend to rescind his enrollment.

"In Oakland, California, you just gotta be careful," Crossman's mother, Nerissa Murray Watson, told the outlet. "Everything is totally gone."

Crossman's family flew to Oakland on Saturday and rented a car with Thrifty, the mother said. After registering their son, the family left their rental car parked a block away from Lincoln University on the corner of 15th and Franklin Street to pick up food at a Jamaican restaurant nearby.

When they returned 15 minutes later, the windows of the rented white Nissan Rogue were broken and their five suitcases stolen.

Among their contents were "three thousand dollars in a bag my husband put under the seat with three passports, social security cards, and my son’s high school diploma and birth certificate," Watson said.

The family also lost a sleep apnea machine that they said they'd left in the car, per KTVU.

"Bipping" is a slang term that comes from the police language "burglary in progress" and refers to smash-and-grab robberies from unattended cars, according to the San Francisco Standard. Thieves commonly use a "bipping hammer," a small, easily concealed tool used to easily and quietly break car windows without much force.

Witnesses told the family they saw masked men driving in a car without a license plate in broad daylight, KTVU reported. "I didn't know that these things happen in America, so it's really strange to me," the Florida mother said. "To me, it's lawless because we even called the police station three times and they said they can't come," she said, telling the outlet that their family was told to file a police report at the station. "I have to bring my son to Florida because it's not safe here," Watson told KTVU.

KTVU and Fox News Digital did not hear back from Lincoln University at press time. UC Berkley told the California outlet that they warn students not to leave belongings in their cars and educate them about safety practices during orientation.

The city of Oakland has recently reported lower crime rates, KTVU reported, touting a violent crime rate that is 30% lower than in 2023 and a burglary rate reduced by 60%.

[justforbooks]

The reggae pioneer and record producer Jah Shaka, who has died suddenly in his late 60s, was a giant of the British sound system scene. In a career that lasted more than 55 years, he transformed the sound system landscape with a distinctive and idiosyncratic style, eschewing the dominant trends to focus exclusively on contemporary reggae that was spiritually uplifting and politically relevant, presenting the music as a means of inspiration and empowerment for the disenfranchised and oppressed.

At the many dances he held in diverse underground spaces, playing on an ancient and archaic Garrard turntable in a trance-like state, Shaka would chant messages of encouragement as well as exhortations of transcendent devotion to Rastafari, adding custom-built effects and live percussive elements to increase the dramatic tension.

Through his masterful use of components such as a pre-amp, a syndrum and a homemade siren box, he made the sessions visceral and immersive, boosting the subsonic bass frequencies at regular intervals to create a transportive and transformative experience. He reinforced this shamanistic persona by not revealing his given name or other details of his personal life.

An integral part of the black community of his home base in Lewisham, south-east London, during the late 1970s, Shaka deployed a sonic wizardry that made a dramatic impact on the post-punk music of Public Image Limited and the Slits, whose members were then among the few white attendees of his dances. Broader audiences became aware of his importance when he appeared in Franco Rosso’s evocative 1980 urban drama film Babylon, playing himself at a south London sound system session as the action draws to a climax.

Jamaican reggae subsequently underwent dramatic changes during the mid-80s as the dancehall style came to the fore, its output largely preoccupied with lasciviousness, violence and frivolity. British sound systems inevitably embraced the new style, but Shaka opted to become a lone voice in the wilderness that kept the roots reggae flame burning, advancing an up-tempo homegrown variant that became known as UK Steppers.

With a backing band he dubbed the Fasimbas after a local activist group established in response to the discriminatory treatment of black children in the British school system, from 1980 Shaka also produced original music with upcoming unknowns such as African Princess and Sister Audrey, as well as self-produced work.

He went on to produce reggae vocalists such as Bim Sherman, Johnny Clarke, the Twinkle Brothers, Max Romeo and Horace Andy, and released an impressive series of dub albums, including collaborative works with Aswad and Mad Professor. In the same period he ran a three-storey community hub in New Cross, known as the Culture Shop, which acted as a focal point for local black youth and housed a record store, a Caribbean food outlet and a Rastafari-oriented hair salon.

Although his record productions did not achieve much mainstream success, they were consistently popular with his core audience, and, more importantly, the uniqueness of his sound system would ultimately inspire acolytes such as Iration Steppas and Zion Train, as well as various sound system operators across the world.

Shaka spent his infant years in rural Clarendon, south Jamaica, before his parents moved the family to the UK in 1956 in search of betterment. They settled in south-east London, and it was while attending Samuel Pepys comprehensive school that he began an apprenticeship on the local soul sound system Freddie Cloudburst, beginning in 1968 as a “box boy”, helping to transport and set up the speaker boxes.

Later he ensured that the amplifiers and speakers were functioning properly, and finally became the resident selector to showcase work by Nina Simone, the Temptations, the Drifters, Diana Ross and other Motown acts. Then, after being inspired by activists such as Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X and Angela Davis, as well as his overarching Rastafari faith, he formed his own sound system in 1970, which he named Jah Shaka after the Zulu king.

Armed with exclusive dubplates and a powerfully commanding presence on the microphone, Shaka soon began building a name on the sound system underground, triumphing at many a sound clash. But along with the accolades came tensions with the police, who raided a dance he held in Brockley, south-east London, in 1975, beating attendees and damaging his equipment.

Undaunted, Shaka established a residency at Phebes nightclub in Stoke Newington, north London, in the late 70s, followed by another at Club Noreik in Tottenham, and was crowned the top sound system at the Black Echoes reggae awards in 1980 and 1981. His audience widened during the 90s, when he enjoyed a popular residency at the Rocket, adjoining the University of North London (now London Metropolitan University).

Shaka made his first pilgrimage to the African continent in 1984, and established the Jah Shaka Foundation in Ghana in 1992 to distribute medical supplies, library books and other materials to schools and medical clinics. He also undertook charitable works in Ethiopia, Jamaica and Kenya.

His extensive touring schedule took him throughout Europe and to Japan, Africa, Mexico and Peru. He became a regular festival headliner while mentoring his son, known as Young Warrior, who became a leading sound system practitioner and record producer in his own right.

Noted for his stamina and for presiding over all-night sessions without a break, Shaka continued to command large audiences at events in the UK and abroad.

He is survived by his extended family.

🔔 Jah Shaka, sound system owner and record producer, born circa 1954; died 12 April 2023

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at http://justforbooks.tumblr.com

[grantgoddard]

Mister Soul Of Jamaica … and Thamesmead : 1938-2008 : reggae artist Alton Ellis

 The first record played on the first week’s show of the first reggae music programme on British radio was a single by Alton Ellis, a magnificent singer/songwriter too often overlooked when reggae legends are named. I immediately fell in love with his soulful voice, his perfect pitch and his beautifully clear enunciation, rushing out to buy ‘La La Means I Love You’ [Nu Beat NB014], unaware it was recorded two years earlier. Like many of Ellis’ recordings, this was a cover version of an American soul hit (despite the label’s songwriter credit), though Ellis distinguished himself from contemporaries by also writing his own ‘message’ songs with striking lyrics and memorable hooks. My next single purchases were noteworthy Ellis originals:

‘Lord Deliver Us’ [Gas 161] included an unusual staccato repeated bridge and lines that demonstrated Ellis’ humanitarian pre-occupations, including “Let the naked be clothed, let the blind be led, let the hungry be fed” and “Children, go on to school! Be smarter than your fathers, don’t be a fool!” Its wonderful B-side instrumental starts with a shouted declaration “Well, I am the originator, so you’ve come to copy my tune?” that predates similar statements on many DJ records.

‘Sunday’s Coming’ [Banana BA318] has imaginative chord progressions, a huge choir on its chorus and lyrics “Better get your rice’n’peas, better get your fresh fresh beans’’ that locate it firmly as a Jamaican original rather than an American cover version. Why does it last a mere two minutes thirty seconds? The B-side’s saxophone version demonstrates how ethereal the rhythm track is and shows off the dominant rhythm guitar riff beautifully. It’s a masterclass in music production.

It was only after Ellis had emigrated to Britain in 1973 that a virtual ‘greatest hits’ album of his classic singles produced by Duke Reid was finally released the following year, entitled ‘Mr Soul Of Jamaica’ [Treasure Isle 013]. I recall buying this import LP in Daddy Peckings’ newly opened reggae record shop at 142 Askew Road and loved every track on one of reggae’s most consistently high-quality albums (akin to Marley’s ‘Legend’). It bookended Ellis’ most creative studio partnership in Jamaica when Reid had to retire through ill health.

What was it that made Ellis’ recordings so significant? Primarily, as the album title confirms, it was that his voice uniquely sounded more ‘soul’ than ‘reggae’, occupying the same territory as Jamaica’s ‘Sam & Dave’-like duo ‘The Blues Busters’. I have always harboured the sentiment that, if he had been able to record in America during the 1960’s, Ellis could have been a hugely popular soul singer there. Maybe label owner Duke Reid shared this thought, having recorded ‘soul’ versions of some of Ellis’ biggest songs for inclusion in a 1968 compilation album ‘Soul Music For Sale’ [Treasure Isle LP101/5]. However, at the time, reggae was a completely unknown genre in mainstream America, so Reid’s soul recordings remained unknown there. [The sadly deleted 2003 compilation ‘Work Your Soul’ [Trojan TJDCD069] collected some fascinating soul versions by Reid and other producers.]

Secondly, Ellis’ superb Duke Reid recordings were backed by Treasure Isle studio house band ‘Tommy McCook & the Supersonics’ whose multitude of recordings during the ska, rocksteady and reggae eras on their own and backing so many singers/groups demonstrated a tightness and professionalism that is breathtaking. Using only basic equipment in the studio above Reid’s Bond Street liquor store, engineer Errol Brown produced phenomenal results for the time, operating a ‘quality control’ that belied the release of dozens of recordings every month.

Finally, Ellis’ recordings displayed a microphone technique that was unique in reggae and demonstrated his astute knowledge of studio production techniques. At the end of lines, he would sometimes turn his head away from the microphone whilst singing a note. Because Jamaican studios were not built acoustically ‘dead’, Ellis’ head movement not only translated into his voice trailing off into the distance (like a train pulling away) but also allowed the listener to hear his voice bouncing off the studio walls. ‘Reverberation’ equipment to create this effect technically was used minimally in studios until the 1970’s ‘dub’ era, so Ellis seemed to have improvised manually. Perhaps he had heard this effect on American soul records of the time?

On one of his biggest songs from 1969, ‘Breaking Up Is Hard To Do’ [Treasure Isle 220], you can hear Ellis use this effect during the chorus when he sings the words “everybody knows”, particularly just prior to the fade-out. It is similarly evident on Ellis’ vocal contribution to the brilliant DJ version of the same song, ‘Melinda’ by I-Roy [on album Trojan TRLS63] recorded in 1972.

The same vocal technique is audible on other songs including ‘Girl I’ve Got A Date’ [Treasure Isle DSR1691] in which Ellis elongates the word “tree” into “treeeeee”, as well as “breeze” into “breeeeeeze”, whilst moving his head away from the microphone.

I had always been intrigued by Ellis’ recording technique but had not thought anything more of it until, entirely by accident half a century later, I found startling 1960’s footage recorded at the Sombrero Club on Molynes Road up from Half Way Tree, Jamaica. Backed by Byron Lee’s Dragonaires, an uncredited vocal group I presume to be ‘The Blues Busters’ performed their 1964 recording “I Don’t Know” [Island album ILP923] during which one of the duo (Lloyd Campbell or Phillip James) moves his head away from the microphone at the end of lines, similar to what can be heard on Ellis’ recordings.

This started me searching for 1960’s footage of Ellis performing live. Sadly, I found nothing (either solo or in his previous duo with Eddie Parkins as ‘Alton & Eddy’ [sic], similar to ‘The Blues Busters’) to see if he emulated this vocal technique on stage too. For me, it remains amazing that the smallest characteristics audible in a studio recording (particularly from analogue times) can offer so much insight into the ad hoc techniques adopted to overcome the limitations of available technology. The ingenuity of music production in Jamaica during this period was truly remarkable.

Prior to emigration, Ellis had toured Britain in 1967, performing with singer Ken Boothe. Whilst in London, he recorded a single ‘The Message’ [Pama PM707] in which he raps freestyle rather than sings, fifteen years prior to Grandmaster Flash’s hit rap track of the same name, and declares truthfully “I’m the rocksteady king, sir”. Its B-side pokes fun at 'English Talk' that he must have heard during his visit. The backing music is the clunky Brit reggae of the time, but Ellis’ subject matter is fascinating for its innovation.

1971’s ‘Arise Black Man’ [Aquarius JA single] includes the lyric “From Kingston to Montego, black brothers and sisters, arise black man, take a little step, show them that you can, ‘coz you’ve got the right to show it, you’ve got the right to know it”. The verses and chorus “We don’t need no evidence now” are backed by a big choir. It’s a phenomenal tune despite not even having received a UK release at the time. (Was the chorus a reference to Britain's 1971 Immigration Act in which a Commonwealth applicant was "required to present [...] forms of evidence" to "prove that they have the right of abode" in the UK?)

The same year, ‘Back To Africa’ [Gas GAS164] has the chorus “Goin’ to back to Africa, ‘coz I’m black, goin’ back to Africa, and it’s a fact’ backed by a choir once again. There’s an adlibbed interjection “Gonna stay there, 1999, I gotta get there” that predates Hugh Mundell’s seminal song ‘Africans Must Be Free By 1983’.

Again in 1971, Ellis re-recorded his song ‘Black Man’s Pride’ [Bullet BU466], previously made for producer Coxson Dodd [Coxson JA single], with it’s shocking (at the time) chorus “I was born a loser, because I’m a black man”. The verses are a history lesson in slavery: “We have suffered our whole lives through, doing things that they’re supposed to do, we were beaten ‘til our backs were black and blue” and “I was living in my own land, I was moved because of white men’s plans, now I’m living in a white man’s land”. I consider this phenomenal song the direct antecedent of similarly themed, outspoken recordings by Joe Higgs (‘More Slavery’ [Grounation GROL2021]) and Burning Spear (“Slavery Days” [Fox JA pre]) in 1975. If only this Ellis song was as well-known as Winston Rodney’s! [In initial recorded versions, “loser” was replaced by “winner” and the song retitled ‘Born A Winner’.]

I first discovered Ellis’ song ‘Good Good Loving’ [FAB 165] as the vocal produced by Prince Buster for a DJ track by teenager Little Youth on the 1972 compilation album ‘Chi Chi Run’ [FAB MS8, apologies for the language] called ‘Youth Rock’. At the time, I was crazy about this recording, combining a high-pitched youthful talkover with a solid rhythm and Ellis’ trademark voice in the mix. I will be forever mystified as to why the DJ (sounding like Hugh Mundell/Jah Levi) seems to refer to “Cool Version by The Gallows [sic]” in his lyrics!

In 1973, Ellis released the song I never tire of hearing, ‘Truly’ [Pyramid PYR7003], that benefits from such a laid-back rhythm that it feels it could come to an abrupt stop at times. It is one of Ellis’ simplest but most effective songs and has become a staple of reggae ‘lovers’ singers since, employing wonderfully unanticipated chord changes. It sounds like a self-production, even though UK sound system man Lloyd Coxsone’s name is on the label. This should have been a huge hit record!

There are so many more Ellis tracks from this fertile early 1970’s period that make interesting listening, recorded for many different producers and released on different labels. Sadly, no CD or digital compilation has managed to embrace them all. I still live in hope.

After Ellis moved permanently to Britain during his late thirties, he must have struggled in the same way as some of his contemporaries, trying to sustain their careers in the ‘motherland’. Despite UK chart successes, Desmond Dekker, Nicky Thomas, Bob Andy and Jimmy Cliff were very much viewed as one-off ‘novelty’ hitmakers by the mainstream media rather than developing artists. Worse, Ellis had never touched the British charts. Neither did the majority of reggae tracks produced then in British studios sound particularly ‘authentic’ to the music’s audience, let alone the wider ‘pop’ market. Ellis performed at the many reggae clubs around Britain but the rewards must have been limited.

Ellis’ British commercial success came unexpectedly when another ‘novelty’ reggae single shot to number one in the UK charts in 1977. Its story is complicated! The previous year, Ellis’ 1967 song ‘I’m Still In Love With You’ had been covered in Jamaica by singer Marcia Aitken [Joe Gibbs JA pre]. A DJ version by Trinity over the identical rhythm followed called ‘Three Piece Suit’ [Belmont JA pre]. Then two young girls, Althia & Donna, recorded their debut as an ‘answer’ record to Trinity on the same rhythm and named it ‘Uptown Top Ranking’ [Joe Gibbs JA pre]. Other producers released their own ‘answer’ records, rerecording the identical rhythm, all of which could be heard one after the other blaring from minibuses’ sound systems in Jamaica at the time. Unfortunately for Ellis, Jamaica had no songwriting royalty payment system in those days.

I remember first hearing ‘Uptown Top Ranking’ as an import single on John Peel’s ‘BBC Radio One’ evening show. Even once it had been given a UK release [Lightning LIG506], Ellis was still omitted from the songwriting credit by producer Gibbs. Legal action followed and eventually Ellis was rewarded with half of the record’s songwriting royalties (for the music but not the lyrics), a considerable sum for a UK number one hit then. The same track (re-recorded due to producer Joe Gibbs’ intransigence) was then included on an album that Althia & Donna made for Virgin Records the following year [Front Line FL1012] that had global distribution, earning Ellis additional royalties.

Also in 1977, Ellis produced twenty-year-old London singer Janet Kay’s first record, a version of hit soul ballad ‘Lovin’ You’, released on his ‘All Tone’ label [AT006] that, prior to emigration, he had created in Jamaica to release his own productions. Ellis’ soul sensibilities and music production experience inputted directly into the creation of what became known (accidentally) as ‘lovers rock’, a uniquely British sub-genre that perfectly blended soul and reggae into love songs recorded mostly by teenage girls. This ‘underground’ music went on to dominate British reggae clubs and pirate radio stations for the next decade, even pushing Kay’s ‘Silly Games’ [Arawak ARK DD 003] to number two in the UK pop singles chart two years later.

Into the 1980’s and 1990’s, Ellis continued to release more UK productions on his label, including a ‘25th Silver Jubilee’ album [All Tone ALT001] in 1984 that revisited nineteen of his biggest hits, celebrating a career that had started in Jamaica as half of the duo in 1959. I recall Ellis visiting ‘Radio Thamesmead’ in 1986, the community cable station where I was employed at the time. He was living on London’s Thamesmead council estate and was interviewed about his label’s latest releases.

On 10 October 2008 at the age of seventy, Ellis died of cancer in Hammersmith Hospital. He had been awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaica government in 1994 for his contributions to the island’s music industry. I continue to derive a huge amount of satisfaction from listening to his many recordings dating back to the beginning of the 1960’s and wish he was acknowledged more widely for his outstanding contributions to reggae music.

Now, when I think of Alton Ellis, I fondly recall my daily car commute into work at KISS FM radio, Holloway Road in 1990/1991 with colleague Debbi McNally, us both singing along at the top of our voices to my homemade cassette compilation playing Alton Ellis’ beautiful 1968 rocksteady version of Chuck Jackson’s 1961 song ‘Willow Tree’ [Treasure Isle TI7044].

“Cry not for me, my willow tree … ‘coz I have found the love I’ve searched for.”

[I have curated an Alton Ellis playlist on Spotify though many significant recordings are unavailable.]

[sexypinkon]

Sexypink - JACQUELINE BISHOP, writer and visual artist, born in Kingston, Jamaica, and who now lives and works in New York City. She has held several Fulbright Fellowships, and exhibited her work widely in North America, Europe and North Africa. She is also an Associate Professor in the School of Liberal Studies at New York University.

On one hand, the market woman/huckster is the most ubiquitous figure to emerge from plantation Jamaica. Yet, as pervasive as the figure of the market woman is in Jamaican and Caribbean art and visual culture, she remains critically overlooked. In this set of fifteen dishes, I am both paying homage to the market woman—centering her importance to Caribbean society from the period of slavery onwards—and placing her within a critical context. In particular, I place the market woman within a long tradition of female labor depicted in diverse imagery that I have sourced online, including early Jamaican postcards, paintings of enslaved women from Brazil, the colonial paintings of the Italian Agostino Brunias, and present-day photographs, which I collage alongside floral and abolitionist imagery.

I work in ceramics because all the women around me as I grew up—my mother, my grandmother, my great-grandmother—cherished ceramic dinner plates. These were centerpieces kept in one of their most important acquisitions, a specially made mahogany cabinet. To fabricate the plates, it is important that I am working with Emma Price, a British ceramicist based in Stoke-on-Trent in the former Spode factories. In the realization of the series, that connection imbues them with a meaning that shows the long and enduring relationship between England and Jamaica. For that same reason, British Art Studies is a fitting venue for their first ever publication and partner to create an accompanying film exploring the plates and their themes.

Though the likenesses of none of the women in my family are represented in this series, centering the market woman is my way of paying homage to my great-grandmother Celeste Walker, who I grew up knowing very well, and who was a market woman/huckster/milkwoman par excellence. Celeste was born in the tiny district of Nonsuch hidden high in the Blue Mountains in Portland Parish on the island of Jamaica. Her mother died on the way home from a market, when my great-grandmother was too young to even remember her face. In her adulthood, while my great-grandfather farmed the land, my great-grandmother was the huckster who could easily carry bunches of bananas and baskets of food on her head; the market woman who travelled to far away Kingston to sell in Coronation Market, the largest market on the island. She also hawked fresh fish, and prepared and sold coconut oil, ginger beer, cut flowers, and cocoa beans that were pounded in a heavy wooden mortar. I remember her in my childhood as the milkwoman waking very early in the morning and walking through the district selling fresh cow’s milk. The tradition of huckstering would be passed on to my grandmother who relished the role in her older years. My hope in doing this work is to give much respect to the market women of the Jamaican and larger Atlantic world who have fed, and continue to feed, nations. The market woman is the defining symbol of Jamaican and Caribbean societies.

My work integrates the mediums of painting, drawing and photography to explore issues of home, ancestry, family, connectivity and belonging. As someone who has lived longer outside of my birthplace of Jamaica, than I have lived on the island, I am acutely aware of what it means to be simultaneously an insider and an outsider. This ability to see the world from multiple psychological and territorial spaces has led to the development of a particular lens that allows me to view a given environment from a distance. Because I am also a fiction writer and poet as well as a visual artist, the text and narrative are significant parts of my artistic practice.

Oftentimes I utilize a process of competing narratives to have the viewer participate in the creation of meaning. In my “Folly” series I recount a story I heard as a child, of two tales of a “haunted” house. In time, I researched the history of the house and through a process of photomontage combined photographs I took with archival footage to try and tell the two stories. The ghostly images of the past occupants are integrated into the walls and on the grounds of the present-day ruins. The overall effect is spectral and haunting. I also used this process of photomontage in an ongoing series of ethereal and transcendent “Childhood Memories,” in which characters are often split between heaven and earth. There is a palpable sense of loss in these images as characters seek to inhabit a time and a place long gone.

The “Babylon” and “Zion” paintings are about the Rastafarian ideas of Babylon being a place of captivity and oppression while Zion symbolizes a utopian place of unity and peace. In the Babylon series, I write the lyrics from songs and poems to create text-based drip paintings leading up to the “Hanging Gardens of Babylon,” in which I use popular dancehall posters to evoke the inner-city Babylonian “walls” of Kingston. The Zion series is comprised largely of monochrome paintings to delineate this symbolic paradise. Glitter is present in these works not only as a representation of the paradise that Rastafarians seek in the Biblical homeland of Zion but also as a commentary on the ‘bling and glitter’ culture that has enveloped much of Jamaican society. Consequently, my work is very much engaged with helping me to understand my heritage.

[danscetteminiworld]

I HATE SCHOOL AND TRIGONOMETRY

WHAT THE ABSOLUTE FUCK IS AN APOTHEM AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT LIKE NOBODY KNOWS WHAT IT IS MEANING IT CLEARLY IS NOT IMPORTANT FOR THE FUTURE WHY DON'T THEY JUST TEACH US USEFUL SHIT AT SCHOOL LIKE HOW TO PAY TAXES MOTHER FUCKER

I WANNA DROP OUT BUT I GOT JAMAICAN PARENTS

Anyways I love Daron Malakian

[blackhistorychatgpt]

Great Figures

me: Can you give me 50 important Black historical figures that I can study with a short bio for each of them?

ChatGPT:

Certainly, here are 50 important Black historical figures along with a short bio for each:

Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) - Civil rights leader who led the Montgomery Bus Boycott and advocated for nonviolent resistance to racism and segregation.

Harriet Tubman (c. 1822-1913) - Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and later became a "conductor" on the Underground Railroad, leading hundreds of enslaved people to freedom.

Barack Obama (1961-) - First Black president of the United States, serving from 2009 to 2017.

Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) - Born into slavery, Douglass escaped and became a prominent abolitionist, writer, and speaker.

Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) - South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and political leader who became the country's first Black president.

Rosa Parks (1913-2005) - Civil rights activist who refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Maya Angelou (1928-2014) - Poet, author, and civil rights activist who wrote the autobiographical book "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings."

W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963) - Civil rights leader, historian, and sociologist who co-founded the NAACP and was the first Black person to earn a PhD from Harvard.

Malcolm X (1925-1965) - Civil rights activist and leader of the Nation of Islam, known for his advocacy of Black self-determination and his criticism of nonviolent resistance.

Sojourner Truth (c. 1797-1883) - Born into slavery, Truth became an abolitionist and women's rights activist, giving her famous "Ain't I a Woman?" speech in 1851.

Angela Davis (1944-) - Political activist and author who was involved in the Black Panther Party and later became a professor of philosophy.

Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950) - Historian and author who founded Black History Month and dedicated his life to promoting the study of African American history.

Thurgood Marshall (1908-1993) - Civil rights lawyer who argued the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education before becoming the first Black Supreme Court justice.

Shirley Chisholm (1924-2005) - Political trailblazer who was the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first Black person to seek a major party's nomination for president.

James Baldwin (1924-1987) - Author and civil rights activist who wrote about the experiences of Black Americans in works such as "The Fire Next Time" and "Go Tell It on the Mountain."

Mae Jemison (1956-) - Astronaut who became the first Black woman in space in 1992.

Marcus Garvey (1887-1940) - Jamaican-born political leader and founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association, which advocated for Black nationalism and Pan-Africanism.

Ida B. Wells (1862-1931) - Journalist and civil rights activist who documented lynching and other forms of violence against Black people.

Medgar Evers (1925-1963) - Civil rights activist who worked to desegregate schools and public places in Mississippi before being assassinated by a white supremacist.

Huey P. Newton (1942-1989) - Co-founder of the Black Panther Party, which advocated for Black self-defense, community empowerment, and socialism.

Paul Robeson (1898

[centuryjm21]

Tips for Successful Investing in Rental Properties in Jamaica

As the real estate market in Jamaica continues to thrive, with homes for sale in Jamaica and Jamaica houses attracting investors from near and far, the opportunity to build wealth through rental property investments has never been more enticing. Whether you're eyeing a cozy studio apartment or a sprawling beachfront villa in one of Jamaica's vibrant communities, investing in Jamaica real estate can be a savvy financial move - but it's not without its challenges.

At 21st Century Real Estate, we've helped countless clients navigate the ins and outs of becoming successful Jamaica real estate investors. From finding the perfect Silverbrook Apartments or homes for sale in Jamaica to maximizing your rental income and managing tenants, we've compiled our top tips to set you up for success in the world of Jamaican rental property investment.

Location, Location, Location

When it comes to rental property investments, location is arguably the most important factor to consider. Look for neighborhoods in high-demand areas with low vacancy rates, good schools, and easy access to amenities like shopping, dining, and public transportation. In Jamaica, popular areas like Montego Bay, Negril, and Ocho Rios are always in high demand for both long-term rentals and short-term vacation rentals.

Do Your Due Diligence

Before purchasing any Jamaica houses or homes for sale in Jamaica, it's crucial to do your homework. Research average rental rates, occupancy rates, and operating expenses for similar properties in the area. Hiring a professional inspector to assess the condition of the home can also help you avoid costly surprises down the line. Don't forget to factor in additional costs like property management fees, insurance, and potential renovations or upgrades.

Crunch the Numbers

Once you've identified a promising property, it's time to run the numbers. Determine your projected rental income, operating expenses, and expected cash flow to ensure the investment aligns with your financial goals. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a property that will generate a monthly cash flow of at least 1% of the purchase price. This will help you cover your mortgage, taxes, insurance, and other costs while leaving room for a healthy profit.

Leverage Your Equity

If you already own a home in Jamaica or elsewhere, you may be able to use the equity in that property to finance the purchase of a rental property. This can be an effective way to grow your real estate portfolio without having to come up with a large down payment upfront. Just be sure to carefully consider the risks and speak with a financial advisor before tapping into your home equity.

Build a Reliable Team

Successful rental property investors know that they can't do it all alone. Surround yourself with a team of trusted professionals, including a knowledgeable real estate agent, a skilled property manager, a reliable contractor, and a savvy accountant. These experts can help you navigate the complexities of property acquisition, tenant management, maintenance, and tax planning.

Embrace Technology

In the 21st century, technology has revolutionized the way we manage rental properties. From online listing platforms and virtual tours to automated rent collection and maintenance tracking, there are countless tools and apps that can streamline your operations and save you time and money. Embrace these technological advancements to maximize the efficiency of your rental properties.

Screen Tenants Thoroughly

One of the most critical aspects of rental property investment is finding and retaining high-quality tenants. Take the time to thoroughly screen applicants, checking their credit history, employment status, and references. This can help you avoid the headaches of late payments, property damage, and evictions down the line.

Maintain the Property

Keeping your rental properties in top condition is essential for attracting and retaining tenants, as well as preserving the value of your investment. Develop a proactive maintenance plan and budget for regular upgrades and repairs. By staying on top of property maintenance, you can minimize costly issues and ensure your tenants are happy and comfortable.

Be Prepared for the Unexpected

Even the most carefully planned rental property investments can encounter unexpected challenges, from natural disasters to tenant disputes. Build up a financial cushion to cover vacancies, repairs, and other unforeseen expenses. Additionally, ensure you have the appropriate insurance coverage in place to protect your investment and your tenants.

Stay Informed and Adaptable

The real estate market is constantly evolving, and successful rental property investors know how to adapt to changing conditions. Stay informed about market trends, new legislation, and industry best practices. Be willing to adjust your strategies as needed to maximize your returns and ensure the long-term viability of your investments.

By following these tips and leveraging the expertise of the 21st Century Real Estate team, you can navigate the world of rental property investment in Jamaica with confidence. Whether you're looking to add a cozy Silverbrook Apartments unit to your portfolio or a sprawling beachfront villa, the opportunities for building wealth through Jamaican real estate are abundant. So why wait? Start your journey to becoming a successful rental property investor today.

[companyknowledgenews]

Diaspora stalwart Dr Karren Dunkley humbled to receive OD - Information Important Web https://www.merchant-business.com/diaspora-stalwart-dr-karren-dunkley-humbled-to-receive-od/?feed_id=210638&_unique_id=66f2d9d68609a #GLOBAL - BLOGGER BLOGGER For service to the Jamaican Diaspora in the United States, Dr Karren Dunkley will be conferred with the Order of Distinction (OD), in the rank of Officer, on National Heroes Day, October 21.The daughter of a corrections officer and an insurance salesman, Dr. Dunkley, whose mantra is “To serve is to live”,  recalls spending many summers in Elderslie, St Elizabeth, which is the birthplace of her parents and grandparents.Dr Dunkley grew up in Ensom City, St Catherine, where she attended St Catherine High School and graduated as valedictorian in 1989, before transitioning to Wolmer’s Girls for sixth form.She then moved to the United States on a student visa to pursue an undergraduate degree in political science and education at St John’s University.“When I came, like most immigrants, I had to work and put myself through school. Sometimes I was working three jobs at once. I waited tables, I had a cleaning company, just to make ends meet,” she revealed in a recent interview.  On completing university, her plan was to return to Jamaica, so she settled her credit cards, gave up her apartment, sold her car and then a phone call from St John’s offering her a full scholarship to pursue a Master’s in International Law changed the trajectory of her life.“I took that scholarship and the rest was history. I ended up being here from that time. I never went back home,” she notes.With a Doctorate in urban education from Columbia University’s Teachers’ College, Dr Dunkley has excelled as a deputy superintendent, principal, teacher, and coach, deeply committed to advancing educational equity and excellence.Though not physically in Jamaica, her passion for helping to develop the country has never wavered.She notes that she has several businesses in the land of her birth.“I have been one of those Jamaicans who have had the opportunity to come to the United States but have always planted roots in Jamaica and ensured the viability of the Jamaican ecosystem and infrastructure,” she said. From January 2020 to December 2022, Dr Dunkley served as the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council Representative for the Northeast United States, which covers 14 states, where she played a pivotal role in fostering partnerships that advance Jamaica’s national development goals.“I led during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic with a team of phenomenal individuals across the 14 states,” she says, noting that some 52 events were spearheaded by her team over the three-year period.During her tenure, Dr Dunkley created infrastructure for inclusive engagement across states by establishing a think tank comprised of state leads and sector leaders in the areas of health and wellness, education and innovation, economic development and empowerment, crime and citizen security and faith-based partnerships.Along with her team, Dr Dunkley secured US$3.6 million in forgivable government loans and grants through technical assistance for more than 30 small businesses.Her team also provided temporary housing, food, financial, and counselling assistance for 125 international students who were displaced by the pandemic and collaborated with Remnant Church of God Seventh-day to feed 300 families weekly across Pennsylvania.In addition, she led the registration of more than 500 individuals across Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for Census 2020; provided pro-bono immigration assistance to 25 international students through immigration attorneys; engaged in policy discussions and advocacy with various government ministries and agencies, primarily the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; and activated critical partnerships with the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington DC.Dr Dunkley’s contributions to academics, philanthropy and the diaspora have garnered her a long list of accolades.

“I am energised by giving and by serving. The greatest gift in terms of serving the diaspora in this capacity has been the Jamaican people. I have to commend the team – the think tank, our sector chairs and our state chairs, who are absolutely fantastic.“Even the young people who were stranded in Ukraine, we were one of the first calls, because people knew that we had built this ecosystem. I’m just privileged to have the opportunity to serve others,” Dr. Dunkley said.  She describes herself as a “quiet worker and giver” who has always believed in advocacy and national advancement.Dr Dunkley is humbled and honoured to be a recipient of the Order of Distinction.“I don’t do service with any expectation of reward, so it’s a tremendous honour and I share this honour with all my partners in the diaspora,” she said.“Diaspora stalwart Dr Karren Dunkley humbled to receive OD Loop News Reporter Tue, 09/24/2024 – 08:52…”Source Link: http://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/diaspora-stalwart-dr-karren-dunkley-humbled-receive-od http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pexels-photo-3751280.jpeg For service to the Jamaican Diaspora in the United States, Dr Karren Dunkley will be conferred with the Order of Distinction (OD), in the rank of Officer, on National Heroes Day, October 21. The daughter of a corrections officer and an insurance salesman, Dr. Dunkley, whose mantra is “To serve is to live”,  recalls spending … Read More

[bravecompanynews]

Diaspora stalwart Dr Karren Dunkley humbled to receive OD - Information Important Web - #GLOBAL https://www.merchant-business.com/diaspora-stalwart-dr-karren-dunkley-humbled-to-receive-od/?feed_id=210637&_unique_id=66f2d9d587f60 For service to the Jamaican Diaspora in the United States, Dr Karren Dunkley will be conferred with the Order of Distinction (OD), in the rank of Officer, on National Heroes Day, October 21.The daughter of a corrections officer and an insurance salesman, Dr. Dunkley, whose mantra is “To serve is to live”,  recalls spending many summers in Elderslie, St Elizabeth, which is the birthplace of her parents and grandparents.Dr Dunkley grew up in Ensom City, St Catherine, where she attended St Catherine High School and graduated as valedictorian in 1989, before transitioning to Wolmer’s Girls for sixth form.She then moved to the United States on a student visa to pursue an undergraduate degree in political science and education at St John’s University.“When I came, like most immigrants, I had to work and put myself through school. Sometimes I was working three jobs at once. I waited tables, I had a cleaning company, just to make ends meet,” she revealed in a recent interview.  On completing university, her plan was to return to Jamaica, so she settled her credit cards, gave up her apartment, sold her car and then a phone call from St John’s offering her a full scholarship to pursue a Master’s in International Law changed the trajectory of her life.“I took that scholarship and the rest was history. I ended up being here from that time. I never went back home,” she notes.With a Doctorate in urban education from Columbia University’s Teachers’ College, Dr Dunkley has excelled as a deputy superintendent, principal, teacher, and coach, deeply committed to advancing educational equity and excellence.Though not physically in Jamaica, her passion for helping to develop the country has never wavered.She notes that she has several businesses in the land of her birth.“I have been one of those Jamaicans who have had the opportunity to come to the United States but have always planted roots in Jamaica and ensured the viability of the Jamaican ecosystem and infrastructure,” she said. From January 2020 to December 2022, Dr Dunkley served as the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council Representative for the Northeast United States, which covers 14 states, where she played a pivotal role in fostering partnerships that advance Jamaica’s national development goals.“I led during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic with a team of phenomenal individuals across the 14 states,” she says, noting that some 52 events were spearheaded by her team over the three-year period.During her tenure, Dr Dunkley created infrastructure for inclusive engagement across states by establishing a think tank comprised of state leads and sector leaders in the areas of health and wellness, education and innovation, economic development and empowerment, crime and citizen security and faith-based partnerships.Along with her team, Dr Dunkley secured US$3.6 million in forgivable government loans and grants through technical assistance for more than 30 small businesses.Her team also provided temporary housing, food, financial, and counselling assistance for 125 international students who were displaced by the pandemic and collaborated with Remnant Church of God Seventh-day to feed 300 families weekly across Pennsylvania.In addition, she led the registration of more than 500 individuals across Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for Census 2020; provided pro-bono immigration assistance to 25 international students through immigration attorneys; engaged in policy discussions and advocacy with various government ministries and agencies, primarily the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; and activated critical partnerships with the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington DC.Dr Dunkley’s contributions to academics, philanthropy and the diaspora have garnered her a long list of accolades.

“I am energised by giving and by serving. The greatest gift in terms of serving the diaspora in this capacity has been the Jamaican people. I have to commend the team – the think tank, our sector chairs and our state chairs, who are absolutely fantastic.“Even the young people who were stranded in Ukraine, we were one of the first calls, because people knew that we had built this ecosystem. I’m just privileged to have the opportunity to serve others,” Dr. Dunkley said.  She describes herself as a “quiet worker and giver” who has always believed in advocacy and national advancement.Dr Dunkley is humbled and honoured to be a recipient of the Order of Distinction.“I don’t do service with any expectation of reward, so it’s a tremendous honour and I share this honour with all my partners in the diaspora,” she said.“Diaspora stalwart Dr Karren Dunkley humbled to receive OD Loop News Reporter Tue, 09/24/2024 – 08:52…”Source Link: http://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/diaspora-stalwart-dr-karren-dunkley-humbled-receive-od http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pexels-photo-3751280.jpeg BLOGGER - #GLOBAL

[boldcompanynews]

Diaspora stalwart Dr Karren Dunkley humbled to receive OD - Information Important Web - BLOGGER https://www.merchant-business.com/diaspora-stalwart-dr-karren-dunkley-humbled-to-receive-od/?feed_id=210636&_unique_id=66f2d9d482d98 For service to the Jamaican Diaspora in the United States, Dr Karren Dunkley will be conferred with the Order of Distinction (OD), in the rank of Officer, on National Heroes Day, October 21.The daughter of a corrections officer and an insurance salesman, Dr. Dunkley, whose mantra is “To serve is to live”,  recalls spending many summers in Elderslie, St Elizabeth, which is the birthplace of her parents and grandparents.Dr Dunkley grew up in Ensom City, St Catherine, where she attended St Catherine High School and graduated as valedictorian in 1989, before transitioning to Wolmer’s Girls for sixth form.She then moved to the United States on a student visa to pursue an undergraduate degree in political science and education at St John’s University.“When I came, like most immigrants, I had to work and put myself through school. Sometimes I was working three jobs at once. I waited tables, I had a cleaning company, just to make ends meet,” she revealed in a recent interview.  On completing university, her plan was to return to Jamaica, so she settled her credit cards, gave up her apartment, sold her car and then a phone call from St John’s offering her a full scholarship to pursue a Master’s in International Law changed the trajectory of her life.“I took that scholarship and the rest was history. I ended up being here from that time. I never went back home,” she notes.With a Doctorate in urban education from Columbia University’s Teachers’ College, Dr Dunkley has excelled as a deputy superintendent, principal, teacher, and coach, deeply committed to advancing educational equity and excellence.Though not physically in Jamaica, her passion for helping to develop the country has never wavered.She notes that she has several businesses in the land of her birth.“I have been one of those Jamaicans who have had the opportunity to come to the United States but have always planted roots in Jamaica and ensured the viability of the Jamaican ecosystem and infrastructure,” she said. From January 2020 to December 2022, Dr Dunkley served as the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council Representative for the Northeast United States, which covers 14 states, where she played a pivotal role in fostering partnerships that advance Jamaica’s national development goals.“I led during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic with a team of phenomenal individuals across the 14 states,” she says, noting that some 52 events were spearheaded by her team over the three-year period.During her tenure, Dr Dunkley created infrastructure for inclusive engagement across states by establishing a think tank comprised of state leads and sector leaders in the areas of health and wellness, education and innovation, economic development and empowerment, crime and citizen security and faith-based partnerships.Along with her team, Dr Dunkley secured US$3.6 million in forgivable government loans and grants through technical assistance for more than 30 small businesses.Her team also provided temporary housing, food, financial, and counselling assistance for 125 international students who were displaced by the pandemic and collaborated with Remnant Church of God Seventh-day to feed 300 families weekly across Pennsylvania.In addition, she led the registration of more than 500 individuals across Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for Census 2020; provided pro-bono immigration assistance to 25 international students through immigration attorneys; engaged in policy discussions and advocacy with various government ministries and agencies, primarily the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; and activated critical partnerships with the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington DC.Dr Dunkley’s contributions to academics, philanthropy and the diaspora have garnered her a long list of accolades.

“I am energised by giving and by serving. The greatest gift in terms of serving the diaspora in this capacity has been the Jamaican people. I have to commend the team – the think tank, our sector chairs and our state chairs, who are absolutely fantastic.“Even the young people who were stranded in Ukraine, we were one of the first calls, because people knew that we had built this ecosystem. I’m just privileged to have the opportunity to serve others,” Dr. Dunkley said.  She describes herself as a “quiet worker and giver” who has always believed in advocacy and national advancement.Dr Dunkley is humbled and honoured to be a recipient of the Order of Distinction.“I don’t do service with any expectation of reward, so it’s a tremendous honour and I share this honour with all my partners in the diaspora,” she said.“Diaspora stalwart Dr Karren Dunkley humbled to receive OD Loop News Reporter Tue, 09/24/2024 – 08:52…”Source Link: http://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/diaspora-stalwart-dr-karren-dunkley-humbled-receive-od http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pexels-photo-3751280.jpeg #GLOBAL - BLOGGER For service to the Jamaican Diaspor... BLOGGER - #GLOBAL

[technologycompanynews]

Diaspora stalwart Dr Karren Dunkley humbled to receive OD - Information Important Web - BLOGGER https://www.merchant-business.com/diaspora-stalwart-dr-karren-dunkley-humbled-to-receive-od/?feed_id=210635&_unique_id=66f2d9d323b53 For service to the Jamaican Diaspora in the United States, Dr Karren Dunkley will be conferred with the Order of Distinction (OD), in the rank of Officer, on National Heroes Day, October 21.The daughter of a corrections officer and an insurance salesman, Dr. Dunkley, whose mantra is “To serve is to live”,  recalls spending many summers in Elderslie, St Elizabeth, which is the birthplace of her parents and grandparents.Dr Dunkley grew up in Ensom City, St Catherine, where she attended St Catherine High School and graduated as valedictorian in 1989, before transitioning to Wolmer’s Girls for sixth form.She then moved to the United States on a student visa to pursue an undergraduate degree in political science and education at St John’s University.“When I came, like most immigrants, I had to work and put myself through school. Sometimes I was working three jobs at once. I waited tables, I had a cleaning company, just to make ends meet,” she revealed in a recent interview.  On completing university, her plan was to return to Jamaica, so she settled her credit cards, gave up her apartment, sold her car and then a phone call from St John’s offering her a full scholarship to pursue a Master’s in International Law changed the trajectory of her life.“I took that scholarship and the rest was history. I ended up being here from that time. I never went back home,” she notes.With a Doctorate in urban education from Columbia University’s Teachers’ College, Dr Dunkley has excelled as a deputy superintendent, principal, teacher, and coach, deeply committed to advancing educational equity and excellence.Though not physically in Jamaica, her passion for helping to develop the country has never wavered.She notes that she has several businesses in the land of her birth.“I have been one of those Jamaicans who have had the opportunity to come to the United States but have always planted roots in Jamaica and ensured the viability of the Jamaican ecosystem and infrastructure,” she said. From January 2020 to December 2022, Dr Dunkley served as the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council Representative for the Northeast United States, which covers 14 states, where she played a pivotal role in fostering partnerships that advance Jamaica’s national development goals.“I led during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic with a team of phenomenal individuals across the 14 states,” she says, noting that some 52 events were spearheaded by her team over the three-year period.During her tenure, Dr Dunkley created infrastructure for inclusive engagement across states by establishing a think tank comprised of state leads and sector leaders in the areas of health and wellness, education and innovation, economic development and empowerment, crime and citizen security and faith-based partnerships.Along with her team, Dr Dunkley secured US$3.6 million in forgivable government loans and grants through technical assistance for more than 30 small businesses.Her team also provided temporary housing, food, financial, and counselling assistance for 125 international students who were displaced by the pandemic and collaborated with Remnant Church of God Seventh-day to feed 300 families weekly across Pennsylvania.In addition, she led the registration of more than 500 individuals across Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for Census 2020; provided pro-bono immigration assistance to 25 international students through immigration attorneys; engaged in policy discussions and advocacy with various government ministries and agencies, primarily the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; and activated critical partnerships with the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington DC.Dr Dunkley’s contributions to academics, philanthropy and the diaspora have garnered her a long list of accolades.

“I am energised by giving and by serving. The greatest gift in terms of serving the diaspora in this capacity has been the Jamaican people. I have to commend the team – the think tank, our sector chairs and our state chairs, who are absolutely fantastic.“Even the young people who were stranded in Ukraine, we were one of the first calls, because people knew that we had built this ecosystem. I’m just privileged to have the opportunity to serve others,” Dr. Dunkley said.  She describes herself as a “quiet worker and giver” who has always believed in advocacy and national advancement.Dr Dunkley is humbled and honoured to be a recipient of the Order of Distinction.“I don’t do service with any expectation of reward, so it’s a tremendous honour and I share this honour with all my partners in the diaspora,” she said.“Diaspora stalwart Dr Karren Dunkley humbled to receive OD Loop News Reporter Tue, 09/24/2024 – 08:52…”Source Link: http://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/diaspora-stalwart-dr-karren-dunkley-humbled-receive-od http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pexels-photo-3751280.jpeg BLOGGER - #GLOBAL For service to the Jamaican Diaspora in the United States, Dr Karren Dunkley will be conferred with the Order of Distinction (OD), in the rank of Officer, on National Heroes Day, October 21. The daughter of a corrections officer and an insurance salesman, Dr. Dunkley, whose mantra is “To serve is to live”,  recalls spending … Read More

[onlinecompanynews]

Diaspora stalwart Dr Karren Dunkley humbled to receive OD - Information Important Web https://www.merchant-business.com/diaspora-stalwart-dr-karren-dunkley-humbled-to-receive-od/?feed_id=210634&_unique_id=66f2d8b340827 For service to the Jamaican Diaspor... BLOGGER - #GLOBAL For service to the Jamaican Diaspora in the United States, Dr Karren Dunkley will be conferred with the Order of Distinction (OD), in the rank of Officer, on National Heroes Day, October 21.The daughter of a corrections officer and an insurance salesman, Dr. Dunkley, whose mantra is “To serve is to live”,  recalls spending many summers in Elderslie, St Elizabeth, which is the birthplace of her parents and grandparents.Dr Dunkley grew up in Ensom City, St Catherine, where she attended St Catherine High School and graduated as valedictorian in 1989, before transitioning to Wolmer’s Girls for sixth form.She then moved to the United States on a student visa to pursue an undergraduate degree in political science and education at St John’s University.“When I came, like most immigrants, I had to work and put myself through school. Sometimes I was working three jobs at once. I waited tables, I had a cleaning company, just to make ends meet,” she revealed in a recent interview.  On completing university, her plan was to return to Jamaica, so she settled her credit cards, gave up her apartment, sold her car and then a phone call from St John’s offering her a full scholarship to pursue a Master’s in International Law changed the trajectory of her life.“I took that scholarship and the rest was history. I ended up being here from that time. I never went back home,” she notes.With a Doctorate in urban education from Columbia University’s Teachers’ College, Dr Dunkley has excelled as a deputy superintendent, principal, teacher, and coach, deeply committed to advancing educational equity and excellence.Though not physically in Jamaica, her passion for helping to develop the country has never wavered.She notes that she has several businesses in the land of her birth.“I have been one of those Jamaicans who have had the opportunity to come to the United States but have always planted roots in Jamaica and ensured the viability of the Jamaican ecosystem and infrastructure,” she said. From January 2020 to December 2022, Dr Dunkley served as the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council Representative for the Northeast United States, which covers 14 states, where she played a pivotal role in fostering partnerships that advance Jamaica’s national development goals.“I led during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic with a team of phenomenal individuals across the 14 states,” she says, noting that some 52 events were spearheaded by her team over the three-year period.During her tenure, Dr Dunkley created infrastructure for inclusive engagement across states by establishing a think tank comprised of state leads and sector leaders in the areas of health and wellness, education and innovation, economic development and empowerment, crime and citizen security and faith-based partnerships.Along with her team, Dr Dunkley secured US$3.6 million in forgivable government loans and grants through technical assistance for more than 30 small businesses.Her team also provided temporary housing, food, financial, and counselling assistance for 125 international students who were displaced by the pandemic and collaborated with Remnant Church of God Seventh-day to feed 300 families weekly across Pennsylvania.In addition, she led the registration of more than 500 individuals across Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for Census 2020; provided pro-bono immigration assistance to 25 international students through immigration attorneys; engaged in policy discussions and advocacy with various government ministries and agencies, primarily the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; and activated critical partnerships with the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington DC.Dr Dunkley’s contributions to academics, philanthropy and the diaspora have garnered her a long list of accolades.

“I am energised by giving and by serving. The greatest gift in terms of serving the diaspora in this capacity has been the Jamaican people. I have to commend the team – the think tank, our sector chairs and our state chairs, who are absolutely fantastic.“Even the young people who were stranded in Ukraine, we were one of the first calls, because people knew that we had built this ecosystem. I’m just privileged to have the opportunity to serve others,” Dr. Dunkley said.  She describes herself as a “quiet worker and giver” who has always believed in advocacy and national advancement.Dr Dunkley is humbled and honoured to be a recipient of the Order of Distinction.“I don’t do service with any expectation of reward, so it’s a tremendous honour and I share this honour with all my partners in the diaspora,” she said.“Diaspora stalwart Dr Karren Dunkley humbled to receive OD Loop News Reporter Tue, 09/24/2024 – 08:52…”Source Link: http://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/diaspora-stalwart-dr-karren-dunkley-humbled-receive-od http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pexels-photo-3751280.jpeg #GLOBAL - BLOGGER For service to the Jamaican Diaspora in the United States, Dr Karren Dunkley will be conferred with the Order of Distinction (OD), in the rank of Officer, on National Heroes Day, October 21. The daughter of a corrections officer and an insurance salesman, Dr. Dunkley, whose mantra is “To serve is to live”,  recalls spending … Read More

[internetcompanynews]

Diaspora stalwart Dr Karren Dunkley humbled to receive OD - Information Important Web - BLOGGER https://www.merchant-business.com/diaspora-stalwart-dr-karren-dunkley-humbled-to-receive-od/?feed_id=210633&_unique_id=66f2d8b221a90 For service to the Jamaican Diaspora in the United States, Dr Karren Dunkley will be conferred with the Order of Distinction (OD), in the rank of Officer, on National Heroes Day, October 21.The daughter of a corrections officer and an insurance salesman, Dr. Dunkley, whose mantra is “To serve is to live”,  recalls spending many summers in Elderslie, St Elizabeth, which is the birthplace of her parents and grandparents.Dr Dunkley grew up in Ensom City, St Catherine, where she attended St Catherine High School and graduated as valedictorian in 1989, before transitioning to Wolmer’s Girls for sixth form.She then moved to the United States on a student visa to pursue an undergraduate degree in political science and education at St John’s University.“When I came, like most immigrants, I had to work and put myself through school. Sometimes I was working three jobs at once. I waited tables, I had a cleaning company, just to make ends meet,” she revealed in a recent interview.  On completing university, her plan was to return to Jamaica, so she settled her credit cards, gave up her apartment, sold her car and then a phone call from St John’s offering her a full scholarship to pursue a Master’s in International Law changed the trajectory of her life.“I took that scholarship and the rest was history. I ended up being here from that time. I never went back home,” she notes.With a Doctorate in urban education from Columbia University’s Teachers’ College, Dr Dunkley has excelled as a deputy superintendent, principal, teacher, and coach, deeply committed to advancing educational equity and excellence.Though not physically in Jamaica, her passion for helping to develop the country has never wavered.She notes that she has several businesses in the land of her birth.“I have been one of those Jamaicans who have had the opportunity to come to the United States but have always planted roots in Jamaica and ensured the viability of the Jamaican ecosystem and infrastructure,” she said. From January 2020 to December 2022, Dr Dunkley served as the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council Representative for the Northeast United States, which covers 14 states, where she played a pivotal role in fostering partnerships that advance Jamaica’s national development goals.“I led during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic with a team of phenomenal individuals across the 14 states,” she says, noting that some 52 events were spearheaded by her team over the three-year period.During her tenure, Dr Dunkley created infrastructure for inclusive engagement across states by establishing a think tank comprised of state leads and sector leaders in the areas of health and wellness, education and innovation, economic development and empowerment, crime and citizen security and faith-based partnerships.Along with her team, Dr Dunkley secured US$3.6 million in forgivable government loans and grants through technical assistance for more than 30 small businesses.Her team also provided temporary housing, food, financial, and counselling assistance for 125 international students who were displaced by the pandemic and collaborated with Remnant Church of God Seventh-day to feed 300 families weekly across Pennsylvania.In addition, she led the registration of more than 500 individuals across Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for Census 2020; provided pro-bono immigration assistance to 25 international students through immigration attorneys; engaged in policy discussions and advocacy with various government ministries and agencies, primarily the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; and activated critical partnerships with the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington DC.Dr Dunkley’s contributions to academics, philanthropy and the diaspora have garnered her a long list of accolades.

“I am energised by giving and by serving. The greatest gift in terms of serving the diaspora in this capacity has been the Jamaican people. I have to commend the team – the think tank, our sector chairs and our state chairs, who are absolutely fantastic.“Even the young people who were stranded in Ukraine, we were one of the first calls, because people knew that we had built this ecosystem. I’m just privileged to have the opportunity to serve others,” Dr. Dunkley said.  She describes herself as a “quiet worker and giver” who has always believed in advocacy and national advancement.Dr Dunkley is humbled and honoured to be a recipient of the Order of Distinction.“I don’t do service with any expectation of reward, so it’s a tremendous honour and I share this honour with all my partners in the diaspora,” she said.“Diaspora stalwart Dr Karren Dunkley humbled to receive OD Loop News Reporter Tue, 09/24/2024 – 08:52…”Source Link: http://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/diaspora-stalwart-dr-karren-dunkley-humbled-receive-od http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pexels-photo-3751280.jpeg Diaspora stalwart Dr Karren Dunkley humbled to receive OD - Information Important Web - #GLOBAL BLOGGER - #GLOBAL