Executive Chairman of GraceKennedy Douglas Orane who is the Honorary Patron of the Advisory Council for Grand Jamaica Homecoming (GJH) has announced the Co-Chairs and Committee Members of the GJH Advisory Council.

“It is my pleasure and honour to welcome some great Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica on board the Advisory Council of Grand Jamaica Homecoming. Our co-chairs are cultural icon and international superstar Jimmy Cliff, O.M., business and community leaders, Minna Israel – President and country head of RBC Royal Bank Jamaica and Thalia Lyn – CEO, Island Grill, Chair of the NCB Foundation and honorary consul general for Thailand in Jamaica,” said Mr. Orane.

He further stated, “We are also lucky to have an amazing lineup of committee members from several sectors.” These include: media, communications and cultural expert – Fae Ellington; hotel mogul Kevin Hendrickson, Sharon Reid – principal, St. Andrew High School and president, Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools; president and CEO, Scotiabank Jamaica – Bruce Bowen; business leader and philanthropist Jason Henzell; community connector and retired business executive Gloria Moodie; President of the Press Association of Jamaica, Jenni Campbell; director, client services – Dunlop Corbin Communications, Joan Robb; VP Investments, Jampro – Dana Morris-Dixon and Elizabeth Buchanan Hind, executive director of advancement UWI.

“These individuals will lead and add insight, perspective and wisdom to the council as we forge ahead to welcome Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica home, and also collaborate with Jamaica Homecoming Canada, on a number of issues including our legacy of education,” said Mr. Orane.

He says the team will hit the ground running in January 2012. The Advisory council will provide advice, feedback and collaboration with Jamaica Homecoming Canada, the not for profit organization that is staging Grand Jamaica Homecoming.

As the word on Grand Jamaica Homecoming spreads many sponsors collaborators and supporters have come on board, to date they are: – National Commercial Bank; GraceKennedy; Walkerwood; COK; The Knutsford Court; Busha Browne; The Gleaner; The Jamaica Observer; Power 106FM & Music 99FM; UWI; The Courtleigh Hotel; The Jamaica Pegasus; Sunset Resorts; Sun Island; Jamaica Cultural Enterprises; Jamaica Tourist Board; Gore Developments Ltd.; NMIA Airports Limited; Dunlop Corbin Communications; DiversiPro; Expo Jamaica; Caribbean Camera; CHRY105.5FM and JAMPRO; The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ); Food for the Poor Canada; The Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA); Black Business and Professional Association; Music composer Asley ‘Grub’ Cooper; Photographer / Publisher Ray Chen and Jamaica Golf Association.

There are a number of specific Grand Jamaica Homecoming events being planned for 2012. Grand Jamaica Homecoming is also co-branding with some of Jamaica’s premier calendar events.

Orane is appealing to all Jamaicans at home to welcome everyone home particularly next year for the grand celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Independence. He further states that “every member of the Jamaican Diaspora is a great sales agent for Jamaica spreading the word that Jamaica is a great place.”