Adams to be guest speaker at Official Jamaica 60 Diamond Jubilee Gala

The Consulate General of Jamaica in New York announced on Tuesday that Mayor Eric Adams will be the guest speaker for the Official Jamaica 60 Diamond Jubilee Gala on Saturday, Aug. 20 at the Marriott Marquis, New York Hotel, Times Square.

The celebratory event is being hosted in partnership with Jamaica’s Promise Foundation, a voluntary non-profit 501(c)3 organization, providing the resources and support needed by local organizations to improve the education and training of young people from disadvantaged circumstances and communities, the Jamaica Consulate said.

It said Adams will deliver the keynote address for the event, themed “Re-igniting a nation for Greatness.” This is the theme of Jamaica 60 celebrations at home and around the world.

He will address the room, which will include Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Sen. Kamina Johnson Smith, members of the diplomatic and consular corps, well-wishers and honorees.

As part of this year’s celebration, the Consulate said six individuals will be recognized for their contributions in their fields of endeavors and contribution to the development of Jamaica.

They are: Monty Alexander, GRAMMY-nominated jazz pianist; Basil Anderson, chairman of the Governance & Nominating Committee and member of the Executive, Audit and Compensation & Human Resources Committees of the Board of Directors of Moody’s; Jeffrey Flaks, president and chief executive officer, Hartford HealthCare; Dr. Sandra Lindsay, critical-care nurse and director of Patient Care Services in Critical Care at Northwell Health’s Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens; Mark Newman, president and chief executive officer of Chemours; and Dr. Maurice Wright, chief medical officer of Harlem Hospital and Senior Associate Dean of Columbia University for academic affiliation.

The Consulate said the gala, like prior ones, will provide an avenue for persons to contribute to charitable causes in Jamaica and for the first time here in New York City.

These causes will cover the following areas: Health – seeking to purchase six dialysis machines, which cost $40,000 each; Education – seeking to provide six scholarships for students from across the three counties to attend tertiary institutions in Jamaica. The scholarships will be for the full 3- or 4-year program); Community Development – support to the Rose Town Foundation as a violence interrupter. The Community center provides training and other interventions for youth in the community who would otherwise possibly be disengaged in the violence prone community; and Community Development – will partner with the MHHC Foundation to provide healthcare interventions to the residents of the Bronx community in which the Morris Heights Health Center currently is located. This is aimed at reducing the high incidences of NCDs which affect many members of our community.

The Consulate said entertainment will form “a key part of the event,” with Leroy Sibbles, Derrick Barnett and the Statement Band, with music by Road International.

Other performers are being confirmed for the event, the Consulate said.

Among guests attending the gala is Actor Nick Creegan from the television series Law and Order.

Patrons are encouraged to get their tickets now at the website www.Jamaica60.org or call 888-817-9050 Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For information, contact Christopher Benjamin, Community Relations Officer, Consulate General of Jamaica, at cro@congenjamaica-ny.org; or call 212-935-9000 ext 123 or 347-421-4224.