In “Order of Jamaica for Grange and Monty Alexander”, Gleaner Jamaica announced the people who would receive the Order of Jamaica (OJ)—Olivia Grange and Monty Alexander; Honorary OJ-Sheryl Lee Ralph; and Commander of the Order of Distinction – Kwame Dawes.
In the year Jamaica celebrates its Diamond Jubilee, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange and jazz great Monty Alexander head the list of people from the entertainment industry who have been officially recognized with National Honors and Awards . In the list released on Independence Day, both have been named members of the Order of Jamaica (OJ). Ranked fifth in order of precedence, the OJ may be awarded to any Jamaican citizen of outstanding distinction or to any distinguished citizen of a country other than Jamaica (honorary member).
For “outstanding contribution to cultural development and political administration in Jamaica”, Grange is promoted from the Order of Distinction (OD) to an OJ.
Alexander, who had already been appointed a Commander of the Order of Distinction in 2000 by the government, is being recognized for his “outstanding contribution to the promotion of Jamaican music and performances of the jazz genre worldwide”.
Also receiving an Honorary Order of Jamaica is Sheryl Lee Ralph. Her new status was given “for her outstanding contribution as an actress, cultural ambassador for Jamaica and contribution to the international film industry”.
Renowned poet and professor, Kwame Dawes, will be awarded the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander. Born in Ghana in 1962, Dawes moved to Jamaica in 1971 and spent most of his childhood and early adult life in Jamaica. He has published many plays, poems and books. In 2009, Dawes won an Emmy for LiveHopeLove.com, an interactive site based on his Pulitzer Center project, HOPE: Living and Loving with AIDS in Jamaica. He also received the Musgrave Silver Medal for his contribution to the Arts in Jamaica in 2004.
Thirty-five people will receive an OD at the rank of officer, including reggae and dancehall artiste Agent Sasco for his “outstanding contribution to music, philanthropy and positive pro-social message to the youth”; renowned orator and storyteller Dr Amina Blackwood-Meeks; jazz luminary Dr Myrna Hague-Bradshaw and veteran artist Lord Creator.
Lord Creator, who was born Kenrick Randolph in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, began his career as a calypso singer before dabbling in ska and rocksteady and making Jamaica his home. For Jamaica’s independence from Britain in 1962, he wrote the song Independent Jamaica with the Jamaican military band. Alongside Cuban-born Roland Alphonso, Barbadian Jackie Opel and fellow Trinidadians Lynn Taitt and Lord Brynner, Lord Creator was an important and positive “outside” influence during the early development of the Jamaican music scene. He has been honored for his “contribution to the development of Jamaican music and community service”.
The founder of the Rastafarian movement, Leonard Howell, will also be awarded an OD.
For the full list of differences, see https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20220806/order-jamaica-grange-and-monty-alexander
