Brazil’s Culture Minister to Receive UWI Bob Marley Award

The American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) will for the first time present the prestigious ‘UWI Bob Marley Award’ to Gilberto Gil, Minister of Culture of Brazil at the Foundation’s ninth Annual Benefit Gala at Cipriani 42 Street, New York City, on Thursday, February 2, 2006, at 6:30 p.m. Endorsed by Rita Marley, widow of the late reggae legend, Robert Nesta Marley as well as the Marley Foundation, the award is presented to an individual for outstanding achievements in the area of art and culture.
The annual benefit gala celebrations, which seek to highlight the outstanding legacy of the regional university, will again this year recognize a number of individuals and organizations for their commitment to the preservation of the educational legacy of the institution.
The 2006 distinguished class of honorees include: William R. Rhodes, Chairman, President/CEO of Citibank, NA and Citigroup, Inc; Al Roker, host and weatherman of NBC Network; Caribbean luminaries Sir Alister McIntyre, Sir Shridath Ramphal, Professor Rex Nettleford, Ambassador Peter King and Laurine Fenton, among others.
Speaking at a kick-off reception for this year’s gala at the Rockefeller Plaza-Rainbow Room, on Wednesday, January 18, Honorary Patron Harry Belafonte noted that much of the answers to today’s many challenges were rooted in the further education of our people.
Dr. Belafonte pointed out that as a result of an expanding world, there were system changes and paradigm shifts that made it increasingly difficult for institutions like UWI to meet the challenges of those who were most deserving of an education.
Verizon Foundation is the lead Chair for this year’s event. Masters of Ceremonies are co-anchor of UPN 9 News at Ten, Brenda Blackmon and Maurice DuBois of CBS Channel 2, NYC.
The AFUWI was established in 1956 and serves as the primary vehicle for the University of the West Indies in its Capital Campaign and fundraising efforts in the USA.