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 rises from an 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 globally”.
HONOR FOR SHERYL LEE RALPH
Also receiving an Honorary Order of Jamaica is Sheryl Lee Ralph. Her new status is given “for 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 Jamaica 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.
LIST OF HONORS – ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE
Order of Jamaica
Monty Alexander
Minister for Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange
Sheryl Lee Ralph (Honorary)
ORDER OF DIFFERENCE IN GRAND COMMANDER
Kwame Dawes
ORDER OF DIFFERENCE IN OFFER GRAND
Dr Amina Blackwood-Meeks
Jeffery ‘Agent Sasco’ Campbell
Dr Myrna Hague-Bradshaw
Mr Leonard Percival Howell (posthumous)
Kenrick ‘Lord Creator’ Patrick
Anthony ‘Chips’ Richards
John Randolph Swaby
HONOR SYSTEM FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE
Derrick Stewart
