Friday, December 05, 2008 – Actor and Humanitarian Danny Glover, Bermuda Premier Dr. Ewart Brown and Macy’s Department Store are among the list of honorees for the 12th Annual Fundraising Gala of the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) to be held on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at the Pierre in New York City at 6:30 pm. Harry Belafonte will again serve as Honorary Patron.
The Annual Gala is the AFUWI’s premier fundraising event in the United States at which the prestigious Legacy Awards are conferred on notable individuals who represent high levels of achievement within their respective fields of industry and enterprise. Awards will be presented in three categories; Caribbean Luminary, The Vice Chancellor’s Achievement Award and The University of the West Indies Bob Marley Award.
This year’s recipient of the University of the West Indies Bob Marley Award is UN Ambassador Danny Glover.
“This honor is granted to individuals whose contribution to the advancement of arts and culture transcends boundaries of race, color, creed and geographies, uniting people throughout the world in a spirit that embodies the essence of the music and lyrics of the Hon. Robert Nesta Marley, O.M.,” noted Annmarie Grant, executive director of the AFUWI, housed at the Consulate General of Jamaica in New York City.
Sir Courtney Blackman, founding Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados and vice-chairman of the Stanford International Bank will be presented with the Foundation’s Special Award while Macy’s will receive the Corporate Award. Sir Courtney Blackman is also a former Chairman of the AFUWI and is being honored for his outstanding contribution to the Foundation as well as to the growth and development of the financial industry of the Caribbean region.
The 2009 Luminary Award recipients include; Dr. Ainsworth Allen, Dr. Ewart Brown, Hon. Helen Marshall, Dr. Muriel Petioni and Dr. Lamuel Stanislaus, while the Vice Chancellor’s Achievement Awardees comprise; Joi Gordon, Andrew Gray, Jerome Maxwell, Dr. Bert Petersen and Voza Rivers.
Veronica Campbell-Brown, 2008 double Olympic Gold medalist will also be on hand to receive the Foundation’s tribute, recognizing and saluting the superb performance of Caribbean athletes at the recent Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
Hosts for the black tie gala are; My9 TV Co-Anchor Brenda Blackmon; CNN Anchor Soledad O’Brien and WCBS News Anchor Maurice Dubois, all of whom have generously agreed to donate their talent in support of the Foundation’s effort to secure funds for scholarships and grants for needy students of the University of the West Indies.
A silent auction is included in the evening’s programme and will feature items donated by local businesses and members of the public.
Tickets for the benefit can be purchased at the AFUWI office in New York City by calling 212-759-9345. Corporate packages are also available. For information about donating to the Foundation, please log on to http://www.afuwi.org
Contact:
Aubrey L. Campbell
JIS/NY
T: 212-935-7506