Sir George Alleyne, chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI), is an acknowledged expert on global health, an erudite professional who headed the Pan American Health Organization for almost a decade.
But it was as a student of Harrison College in the days when a classical education was a key part of the learning experience, that Sir George probably heard more than a thing or two about Greek thinkers, one of whom was historian Herodotus, who had the Persian postal system in mind when he wrote in 500 BC: “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”
The image painted by Herodotus probably was on Sir George’s mind recently when he felt compelled to visit when Manhattan was under a blanket of snow; visibility was reduced to less than 100 yards; and when the gloom of night had discouraged millions of New Yorkers from venturing out of doors.
But Sir George wasn’t alone. UWI vice-chancellor Professor Nigel Harris; former New York City Mayor David Dinkins; Irving Burgie, the composer who wrote the words of the Barbados National Anthem in 1966; Marston Gibson, who is tipped to be the next Chief Justice of Barbados; and more than 200 other guests, all attired in formal wear, ignored the perils of treacherous streets in one of the worst snowstorms in recent memory.
Their goal was straightforward: to send a powerful message about their deep interest in and support for the UWI and the American Foundation for the UWI (AFUWI).
Just as important, they wanted to hail the several honorees of the evening – one of whom was Kay Foster-Cheek, a Barbadian and senior vice-president, global human resources for Onyx Pharmaceuticals – for their lifetime of achievement in the corporate world, in medicine, entertainment and cultural development.
Sir George described the 14th Annual AFUWI Gala and the presentation of awards as “an institutional moment of joy”, an “open demonstration of pride that takes place where Caribbean people live
and labour”.
In addition, he alluded to terrible climatic conditions, wondering in jest if the Caribbean diaspora couldn’t arrange better Caribbean-type weather for the occasion.
But the “sunniness of the smiles” and the “warmth of the greetings” at the luxurious Pierre Hotel more than made up for the bad weather, he said.
Professor Harris struck a somewhat similar note.
“We deeply appreciate such demonstration of support, despite the snowstorm,” he said. “It was an excellent gala and I am sure that everyone who braved the elements left overjoyed and more than satisfied.”
Awards
Sir George presented the Caribbean Luminary Awards to Foster-Cheek, a former vice-president of human resources of Johnson & Johnson; Dr Michelle Johnson, associate chief of cardiology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York; and Carlton Masters, who manages the daily operations and long-term direction of GoodWorks International, which provides strategic advice to Caribbean and African governments.
The award also went posthumously to Carlos Lezama, who had dedicated his life to the development of West Indian carnival in the United States.
In replying for all the luminaries, Foster-Cheek praised the UWI for its tremendous contribution to education in the Caribbean.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Award was presented to Michael Escoffery, one of Jamaica’s leading artistes; Jeanine Liburd, executive vice-president, corporate communications and public affairs at BET; and Brenda Blackmon, the co-anchor of My9 News on WOR-Television in New York and the gala’s mistress of ceremonies in prior years who served along with Maurice Dubois, a news anchor at WCBS-Television in New York. Liburd’s parents were from Barbados and Antigua.
The prestigious Bob Marley Award went to Susanne de Passe, an Emmy Award-winning television producer who was nominated for an Academy Award for screenwriting as co-writer of Lady Sings The Blues.
Actually, the evening really belonged to the foundation’s scholarship winners who are studying at the UWI.
Without grants from the foundation, said Kimberley Morris, a Cave Hill student, and Nadine Goss, who is pursuing a degree at the Open Campus, their dreams of a university education would have been unfulfilled.
“It has always been my dream to become a renowned attorney-at-law and had it not been for the AFUWI, pursuing this dream would prove a tremendous challenge for me and my mother who is the sole provider for my family,” Morris said.
The programme moved smoothly along, thanks to the skill of Star Jones, the lawyer, television personality and magazine editor who was the mistress of ceremonies.
