THE American Foundation For the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) 26th annual legacy awards gala will this year raise a toast to six extraordinary professionals who have distinguished themselves in the diverse fields of wealth management, music, political leadership, medicine, and academia. Each year the titans of corporate Jamaica and the diaspora gather in New York for the gala, which recognises excellence among people of Caribbean heritage and raises significant amounts to fund scholarships to the UWI for gifted and deserving students of modest means.

The six who will be honoured at the gala on April 20 include Sandra L Richards, managing director, head of global sports and entertainment and segment sales, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management; Mark AG Brantley, premier of Nevis; Dr Farley R Cleghorn, chief medical officer and global head, Health Practice; Robert “Don Pooh” Cummins, veteran music industry executive and entrepreneur; Dr Hazel Carter, associate professor and programme director of educational leadership, City College of New York; and Beverley Hunter, administrative officer, institutional advancement division, office of the vice chancellor, The University of the West Indies.

“The 2023 awardees illustrate the tremendous depth of talent and accomplishment which exists in the islands of the Caribbean and the diaspora,” said Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, vice chancellor of the UWI.

“We are grateful for their contributions to the betterment of their communities and their support to our beloved UWI, which this year is celebrating 75 years of moulding and developing leaders for the Caribbean and the world. Our honourees are a wonderful inspiration for current and future students who are the beneficiaries of scholarship generated from this stellar event.”

High praise for the honourees also came from Dr Cyrus O McCalla, chairman of the AFUWI, who noted their achievements in their respective fields and “the pride they have brought to their families, colleagues, friends and countrymen and women”.

Reiterating AFUWI’s commitment to and support of the UWI, Dr McCalla said that “all of us in the diaspora have a vested interest in ensuring that we nurture the next generation of leaders and thinkers to be ready to take on the global challenges of the 21st century”.

Ann-Marie Grant, executive director of the AFUWI, noted that this year’s gala is especially significant given the UWI’s celebration of 75 years in higher education.

“Last year, the AFUWI, having hosted 25 legacy award galas, also proudly marked our contribution of US$ 8.3 million in donated items and an average of 50 tuition scholarships annually. We continue our mission towards providing increased access to higher education at the UWI for exceptionally talented, ambitious, yet financially disadvantaged students,” she said.