Embassy Creating Framework for Diaspora’s Role: Garth Fagan Honoured

WASHINGTON — Jamaica's embassy in Washington D.C. and its consulates in Miami and New York are to collaborate to establish an institutional framework, to facilitate a more significant role for the Jamaican Diaspora in the United States in the country's socio- economic development. 

This was disclosed by Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks, as she spoke at the Fifth Annual Jamaica Independence Ball, organised by the Rochester Jamaica Organization (RJO) on Saturday (July 23) at the airport Holiday Inn Hotel, Rochester, New York.

Jamaica's internationally acclaimed dancer/choreographer, Garth Fagan, was honoured at the function for more than 40 years' contribution to dance in the United States, and presented with RJO's Community Service Award.

Ambassador Marks told the gathering that her embassy in Washington will join both consulates in working closely to establish the framework within 12 months.

"We have already reached out to many of the Diaspora organisations, and we are anticipating their full participation," she said. 

She stated that the importance of the Diaspora to Jamaica's economic and social progress begins with the reality that, even though the population in Jamaica is 2.8 million, there are some 3.2 million people in the United States who define themselves as the Jamaican Diaspora.

"They include a range of successful professionals and academics who are distinguishing themselves in the American society, as well as a most dynamic segment of Jamaica's entrepreneurial class and a significant cohort of skilled artisans," she said. 

Ambassador Marks noted that Jamaican Americans are numbered among the most ambitious, aspiring and hard-working people anywhere, whose goal is to get their "share of the American Dream".

"You, here in Rochester, are a microcosm of what can be considered to be the best of Jamaica," she said. 

She said that, while Jamaicans in the Diaspora have tended to focus their activities on welfare interventions, they were capable of much more. She explained that, increasingly, her duties bring her into contact with Jamaican Americans who want a more meaningful economic role. She said she was convinced that the economic transformation of Jamaica will require a Diaspora which operates within an institutional framework facilitating their full participation in investments and trade.

She also paid tribute to Jamaican-born internationally acclaimed dancer/choreographer, Garth Fagan, who was honoured at the function for more than 40 years contribution to dance in the U.S.

Mr. Fagan, who founded his own company, Garth Fagan Dance in Rochester in 1973, leapt to national attention in the U.S. when he created the dances for the Broadway musical, Lion King (1997), and won a Tony Award for the effort. He has also been a professor at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Brockport since 1972.

The Ambassador noted that Mr. Fagan's name is synonymous with the highest standards and accomplishments in the arts, especially in the field of dance.

"You are an outstanding cultural ambassador. You are truly an exceptional example and an inspiration to up and coming artists, the world over," the Ambassador said.

Two students – Kareem Al Panthon of Campion College and Khand Esi Green of St. Jago High School – were this year's recipients of the RJO Delores Asynthia Lewis Memorial Scholarships. They will both attend the University of Rochester, starting in September. Over 300 Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica attended the event. 

On Sunday, July 24, Ambassador Marks joined members of the Jamaican community and friends of Jamaica in Rochester, at the annual Jamaica independence church service at the Genesee Baptist church.