A Black Tie Affair

by Marcia Erskine

Jamaican reggae artiste Jimmy Cliff and American actress and social activist Ruby Dee Davis, will join the prestigious ranks of “honorees” as proclaimed by the American Foundation for The University of the West Indies (AFUWI) at the 10th annual awards dinner at the Waldorf Astoria, New York, on January 22, 2007.

The gala, under the patronage of Dr. the Hon. Harry Belafonte, O.J., is a stellar event on the programme of AFUWI which was established in 1956 to develop an endowment fund in the United States for The University of the West Indies.

The Foundation, which over the past decade has provided many scholarships and grants and funded special projects to foster the development of The UWI, has since 1998, recognized individuals and organizations linked to the Caribbean who have made exceptional contributions to the world around them.

Jimmy Cliff, of “Wonderful World, Beautiful People”, “The Harder They Come” and “I Can See Clearly Now” fame, will be presented with “The University of the West Indies Bob Marley Award” at the event.

Endorsed by Bob’s widow, Mrs. Rita Marley, O.D., and the Marley Foundation, the award is presented to an individual for outstanding achievements in the areas of art and culture.

A special award will be presented to Mrs. Davis, star of Broadway, television, radio and film, and a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, in recognition of her work, which especially benefits minorities.

“Caribbean Luminary Awards” will also be presented at the awards dinner to Jean Augustine, Irving Burgie, Samuel J. Daniel, M.D., Geoffrey Frankson, M.D., Malcolm Gladwell and Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy.

They are being recognized as individuals who have left their indelible mark on the Caribbean region and the world – persons who signify the progress made during the 20th century in particular some of the significant contributions made by the Caribbean diaspora.

Receiving the Vice Chancellor Achievement Awards will be Lloyd W. Brown II, Paul Campbell, Eric Eve, Michael Granger, Elliott Mottley, Dancia Perin and Wayne A. Seaton, deserving individuals of Caribbean heritage who are ‘rising stars’ in theisignificant contributions to, or brought to prominence, issues that affect the Caribbean.

The 2007 honorees join the exalted company of a number of distinguished previous awardees including Dr. Belafonte (1998) who is regarded as a pioneer in popularizing Caribbean music forms overseas, celebrated US poet, Dr. Maya Angelou (1999), former US Secretary of State, Colin Powell (2000) and Caribbean Prime Ministers, Dr. The Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, St. Vincent & The Grenadines; The Rt. Hon. Owen Arthur, Barbados; The Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson, Jamaica; Hon. Keith Mitchell, Grenada; Dr. The Hon. Kenny Anthony, St. Lucia; Dr. The Hon. Denzil Douglas, St. Kitts & Nevis and The Hon. Patrick Manning, Trinidad & Tobago (2002).

Original patrons of AFUWI include former First Lady of the USA, Eleanor Roosevelt and Her Royal Highness, Princess Alice.

Serving as the primary vehicle for The University of the West Indies in its capital campaign and fundraising efforts in the USA, AFUWI is administered by a Board of Directors chaired by Michael Flanigan, VP Citibank, Brooklyn New York.

AFUWI Gala Honorees 1998 - 2007

1998

Individual: Harry Belafonte

Corporations:
Inter-American Development Bank
World Bank
American Express
Wellcome Trust

1999

Individual: Maya Angelou
Corporation: Alcan

2000

Individual: Colin Powell
Corporation: Amoco

2001

Individual: Sidney Poitier
Corporation: Alcoa

2002

Individuals:

Whoopi Goldberg

Dr. the Hon. Kenny Anthony
Prime Minister of St. Lucia

The Rt. Hon. Owen Arthur
Prime Minister of Barbados

Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas
Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis

Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves
Prime Minister of St. Vincent
& the Grenadines

The Hon. Patrick Manning
Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago

Dr. the Hon. Keith Mitchell
Prime Minister of Grenada

The Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson
Prime Minister of Jamaica

Corporation: Cable & Wireless

2003

Individuals:
Johnetta Cole
Mathilde Xiim
Mary Robinson

Corporation:
Chevron Texaco

2004

Individuals:
Cicely Tyson

Charlie Rangel

Corporation:
Rockefeller Foundation

2005

Individuals:
Sheryl Lee Ralph

Gilberto Gil
Caribbean Olympic Medalists 2004

Corporation:
Bank of Nova Scotia

2006

Individual: Al Roker
Corporation: Citibank

2007

Individual: Jimmy Cliff
Corporation: Atlantic LNG