Monday, October 20, 2008 – The Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations (UJAA) USA. Inc., has a new president. She is Karlene Largie, the immediate past president (IPP) of the Immaculate Alumni Association-New York Chapter.
A respected community leader, Ms. Largie was voted into the union’s top job on September 24, 2008, replacing Anton Tomlinson, a casualty of term limits.
Since joining the Union thirteen years ago, Ms. Largie has served in a number of capacities, most recently being that of vice president. She served on the board of directors for three and one half (3.5) terms and has chaired the Union’s signature fundraising project, the annual mega –draw and the High School Graduate Awards programme.
In addition to her work with UJAA, Ms. Largie has volunteered with the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) ACT-SO program, serving as secretary and dance coach over the past 12 years.
She takes over an organization that despite a healthy financial portfolio, has seen a steady decline in its membership and growing concerns about its relevance and representation of the over forty member associations.
“I intend to maintain a united organization, to have the members fully engaged and involved and to reposition the union as visible unit of the Diaspora,” Ms. Largie said in a post election statement circulated to the NY area media.
She said that she will work to strengthen the union’s existing programmes and initiatives benefiting a number of basic schools in Jamaica and college students facing financial hardships.
Ms. Largie brings to the post a wealth of experience having worked for 30 years in corporate America, having recently retired as VP of Operations at JP Morgan Chase Bank, among the top three in the USA. And she has no doubt that the experience will serve her well.
–end—
Contact:
Aubrey L. Campbell
JIS/NY
T: 212-935-7506
www.jis.gov.jm
