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 –Â 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 Award – 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 Award – 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 Mall
South Florida Gala
- South Florida Gala – William Mahfood, Chairman of Wisynco Group Ltd.
- Lignum Vitae Award – 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
- Diana Stewart, Chairman of Stewart’s Automotive Group
- Lignum Vitae Award – Carson “Eddy” Edwards, CEO of Jamaican Jerk Festival USA Inc & Riddims MarketingÂ
- Felecia Hatcher, Co-Founder Black Tech Week & Code Fever
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
- Â 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 GrillÂ
- 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
- Â 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 BallÂ
- Mrs. Michele Rollins, Philanthropist & President, Rollins Jamaica, Ltd.
Â
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
Â
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
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