Honorees

The American Friends of Jamaica honors individuals and/or organizations that have distinguished themselves by demonstrating leadership in their service to Jamaica, particularly through exemplary contributions in the fields of economic development, philanthropy and strengthening the bonds of friendship between the US and Jamaica. The AFJ awards the International Humanitarian Award and the AFJ International Achievement Award.

      

2023

South Florida Gala

  • International Humanitarian Award – The Hon. Douglas Orane, CD, JP, BSc, MBA, LLD, Former Chairman GraceKennedy;
  • International Humanitarian Award – The Hon. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, OJ, 8 Time Olympic Medalist & Founder of the Pocket Rocket Foundation

2022

New York Gala

  • Cedella Marley, CEO Bob Marley Group of Companies

South Florida Gala

  • Lifetime Achievement Award – Ambassador Glen Holden (ret)
  • Keith Duncan CD, Group Chief Executive Officer The JMMB Group
  • Donna Duncan-Scott, Executive Director, The JMMB Group

2019

New York Gala

  • Dr. The Hon. Usain Bolt OJ, OD, 8 Times Olympic Gold Medalist & World Record Holder;
  • Dr. The Hon. Glenford Christian OJ, OD, Founder & Chairman of Cari-Med Limited;

South Florida Gala

  • R. Danvers “Danny” Williams OJ, CD, HonLLD, JP, CLU Former Chairman, Sagicor Group Jamaica Ltd;
  • Guy Harvey PhD, Owner & Founder of Guy Harvey Enterprises, Chairman, Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation;
  • Lignum Vitae Awardee 
  • Mayor Hazelle P. Rogers

2018

New York Gala

  • Albert J. Dwoskin, President & CEO of A.J.Dwoskin & Associates, Inc
  • Patricia Chin, Founder of VP Records;

South Florida Gala

  • Diana Stewart, Chairman of Stewart’s Automotive Group
  • Lignum Vitae Awardees
  • Carson “Eddy” Edwards, CEO of Jamaican Jerk Festival USA Inc & Riddims Marketing
  • Felecia Hatcher, Co-Founder Black Tech Week & Code Fever

2017

New York Gala

  • Joseph M. Matalon, Chairman & CEO of ICD Group Ltd
  • Vincent HoSang, President & CEO of Caribbean Food Delights
  • Cecil Sam Wright, President of Quality Auto MallSouth Florida Gala
  • South Florida Gala – William Mahfood, Chairman of Wisynco Group Ltd.
  • Lignum Vitae Awardees 
  •  Dr. Kevin Coy, Miami International Cardiology Consultants
  • Cheryl Wynter, Consulate General of Jamaica

2016

New York Gala

  • Robert W. Pittman, Chairman & CEO of iHeartMedia Inc.
  • Gary “Butch” Hendrickson, Chairman & CEO of Continental Baking Company Ltd.

South Florida Gala

  • Hon. Lascelles Chin OJ, Chairman of Lasco Group of Affiliated Companies
  • Lignum Vitae Awardees
  •  Marlon Hill Esq, Hamilton Miller & Birthisel LLP 
  • Superintendent Robert Runcie, Broward County Public Schools

2015

New York Gala

  • Hon. Dennis Lalor, Chairman ICWI
  • Lowell Hawthorne, President & CEO of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill

South Florida Gala

  • Richard O. Byles, President & CEO of Sagicor Group Jamaica
  • Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon, Founder of Mustard Seed Communities.

2014

New York Gala

  • Hon. Kenneth S. Benjamin, Chairman, Guardsman Group Ltd.

South Florida Gala

  •  Dr. Robert E. Levy, Chairman Jamaica Broilers Group of Companies

2013

New York Gala

  • Miguel Fluxa Rossello, Executive Chairman Grupo Iberostar

South Florida Gala

  • Thalia Lyn, CEO & Managing Director, Island Grill 
  • Glen Mills O. D. , Coach Racers Track Club

2012

New York Gala

  • David “Dave” Barger, President & CEO, JetBlue Airways

South Florida Gala

  • Dr. Maurice William Facey, Chairman, PanJamaican
  • Mrs. Valerie Facey, Publisher

2011

New York Gala

  • Denis O’Brien, Chairman Digicel

South Florida Gala

  • Orville “Shaggy” Burrell, Founder, Shaggy Foundation

2010

New York Gala

  •  Sanya Richards Ross, Track & Field Athlete

South Florida Gala

  • Jamaica National Building Society, Mr. Earl Jarrett, Managing Director

2009

New York Gala

  • Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson

5th Anniversary South Florida Peacock Ball 

  • Mrs. Michele RollinsPhilanthropist & President, Rollins Jamaica, Ltd.

 

2008

New York Gala – Lennox Lewis, Heavyweight Boxing Champion
South Florida Gala, ‘The Peacock Ball’ – Father Richard Ho Lung, Missionaries of the Poor
Phillip Gore, Gore Developments and Tennis Jamaica

2007

New York Gala – Louise and Edgar Cullman, Philanthropists
South Florida Gala, ‘The Peacock Ball’– Tony Hart, Hart Investments
Food for the Poor, International Relief Organization

2006

25th Anniversary Gala – Chris Blackwell, Founder, Island Records, Island Outpost and Palm Pictures

South Florida Gala – Hon. Oliver F. Clarke, O.J., The Gleaner Company
Diageo Corporation

2005

New York Gala – Grace, Kennedy & Co. Western Union International
South Florida Inaugural Gala – Monsignor Richard Albert, Founder, St. Patrick’s Foundation, Royal Caribbean Cruises

2004

Michael Lee-Chin, Chairman, National Commercial Bank, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, AIC Limited

2003

Debra Steigerwaldt Waller, Chairman & CEO, Jockey International Inc.
Christopher Ohrstrom, Proprietor, Adelphi Wallpaper

2002

Ralph Lauren, Life Style Designer
Ricky Lauren, Photographer & Author
Dorothy Carter Bradford, Chair, Project Help Jamaica

2001

**Hon. Robert Nesta Marley, O.M., International Entertainer
“I Three” Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths & Judy Mowott, Reggae Entertainers
** Mrs. Martha (Poppi) Thomas, Humanitarian George deMercado, Marketing Executive, Air Jamaica

2000

Edward C. Emma, President, Jockey International
John D. Lynch, VP Sales World/Wide, Unique Vacations (Sandals)
Guy T. Steuart II, Chair, Half Moon Golf, Tennis & Beach Club

1999

Hon. Charles B. Rangel, US House of Representatives
Maj. Gen. Donald S. Dawson, USAF Ret., Chairman Emeritus AFJ

1998

Harry Belafonte, Entertainer-Humanitarian
Sunny and Sydney Engel, Chair of MoBay Hope Medical Center
Josef Forstmayr, Managing Director Round Hill Hotel & Villas

1997

David Buntzman, Chair, Strategic Development Concepts, AFJ Director
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Levy, Owners, Trident Resort Hotel
Heinz Simonitsch, Managing Director, Half Moon Golf, Tennis & Beach Club

 

1996

Elizabeth J. Coleman, President, Maiden Form
Horace C. Hord Jr., Dir., Atlantic & Caribbean, American Airlines
Noel Mignott, Deputy Director, Jamaica Tourist Board

1995

Amb. & Mrs. Glen A. Holden, US Ambassador, Chair, AFJ
Mr. and Mrs. Karl B. Rodney, Publishers, Carib News
Eli Steinbuch, Pres. Zim Lines. N. A.

1994

Elynor A. Williams, V.P. Public Affairs, Sara Lee Corp.
*Hon. Gloria D. Knight, O.J., C.D. Pres., Jamaica Mutual Life Assurance Co.
Allen Klinger/Michael Berman/Sidney Freedom-Apparel Contractor

1993

Claudio A. Geiger, Pres., International Div., Sherwin Williams Co.
John Joseph Issa, C.D., J.P., Chairman, SuperClubs

1992

William R. Rhodes, Vice Chair, Citicorp
Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Chair & CEO, Sandals Resorts

1991

*Trammell Crow, Chair, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts Inc.
Rafael Hernandez-Colon, Governor, Puerto Rico

1990

Heinz H. Huebner, President, Coca Cola Interamerican
*John W. Rollins, Sr., Chair, Rollins Jamaica

1989

Stanley S. Hubbard, Chair, Hubbard Broadcasting
Americares, Non-Profit Humanitarian Organization/Hurricane Relief
Kraft/General Mills/Hurricane Relief

1988

*Hon. Dr. Carlton Alexander, O.J., C.D., Chair, Grace Kennedy Ltd.
Howard D. Colley, President, Jockey International Inc.
Hon. David Dinkins, President Borough of Manhattan, NY
*Dulcie Ann S. Sherlock, Chair, Caribbean Hospital Relief Fund

1987

Ronald W. Reagan, President of the United States
Dr. William T. Gaynor, M.D., O.D., Cornwall Regional Hospital
Hon. V. Corrine McLarty, O.J., C.D., Chair JAMPRO
*Madge Sinclair, Jamaican/American Actress

1986

Rt. Hon. Edward P.G. Seaga, P.C., M.P., Prime Minister of Jamaica
Dr. Wilfred G. Gooden, O.D., Director AFJ
Peter Strauss, President, Jamaica America Chamber of Commerce

1985

Audrey Zauderer Del Rosario, Social and Civic Leader
*H.E. Amb. Loren E. Lawrence, US Ambassador To Jamaica, Chair, AFJ

1984

Mrs. Mitsy Elizabeth Seaga, Former First Lady of Jamaica-Humanitarian

*Deceased
**Presented posthumously