When I sit down to write about our community, I am often looking for more than a sequence of events. I am looking for the pulse of our collective survival. As a journalist, my editorial process involves stripping away the jargon of philanthropy to find the human heartbeat underneath. I choose to tell this story as a map for how we, the Caribbean diaspora, can bridge the gap between our cultural pride and our tangible investment in the future.
On a Wednesday afternoon in mid-January, the Edward Seaga Library and Resource Centre at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts became a sanctuary for potential. The air was filled with the familiar warmth of Owen “Blakka” Ellis, a veteran whose voice has long echoed the joys of Jamaica, as he welcomed a room of people gathered for something quiet and monumental: the inaugural Oliver Samuels Foundation (OSF) Scholarship Award Ceremony.
The details of such moments often get lost in the noise of daily news, but we must look closer. Dante Saunders, a first-year Arts Management student, stood at the center of this story. He represents a generation of young creatives who possess the vision but often lack the structural support to see it through. When Dante received JMD $300,000 toward his tuition, it was a significant milestone in a mission to sustain the creative and cultural industries that define our identity.
As I analyze the importance of this event, I am struck by the transparency of the leadership involved. Dorrett Campbell, the Interim Principal of Edna Manley College, spoke to a hard truth: creative talent requires meaningful support systems to survive the rigors of education. This is where the work of the Foundation moves from a beautiful idea to a necessary intervention. It is a model of how we can translate our love for Caribbean culture into the practical development of its people.
Jeff Browne, Chairman of the Foundation, issued a challenge that resonates deeply with those of us watching from the diaspora. He urged those who profit from Jamaican talent and creativity to partner in building the nation’s future leaders. He reminded us that investing in them is an investment in all of us. This is a call to action for every professional and entrepreneur who has built success on the foundation of our shared heritage.
Oliver Samuels, O.D., our “King of Comedy,” sat among other cultural pillars like Dr. Amina Blackwood Meeks and Ewan Simpson, proving that his legacy is no longer just about the laughter he has given us, but about the doors he is opening. The Foundation is rooted in a legacy of service, leveraging a lifetime of cultural contribution to reduce barriers for the next generation.
This is how we move beyond vision. By supporting the Oliver Samuels Foundation, we are nurturing the talent, resilience, and national development of the Caribbean.
For those of us abroad, the invitation is clear. Our involvement is the bridge that ensures every young artist has the chance to shine. It is time we turned our collective gaze back home with the strategic intent to build.
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