First…

Sweltering heat aside, there was a natural mystic blowing through the air Thursday last, in the garden of the well-appointed upper Saint Andrew home of Bearings and Seals Ltd Managing Director Steven Hudson where US-based Jamaican actress Sundra Oakley hosted family and friends-cum-family at what could easily be labelled a creative-filled al fresco experience. The guest list was a veritable roll call of the who’s who in the film and creative industry.

Oakley — known most recently for her role as Bob Marley’s attorney Diane Jobson in the musical biopic
Bob Marley: One Love — was on The Rock for the inaugural staging of ‘Inside Hollywood: The Business of Being an Actor’, a two-day conference held in partnership with the US Embassy Kingston that wraps today at the AC Hotel Kingston.

“There are many, many people here who hold a special place in my heart and for whom I hold the utmost respect and gratitude for not just uplifting me throughout my life but for this project in particular. I am a fortunate, blessed woman because I have been buoyed like no other,” shared an emotional Oakley.

“There are a few, however, on whom I must shine a bit of a spotlight. First, my dear, dear friend, Steven Hudson, for his overwhelming generosity in opening his home… and going above and beyond to make the night special for us all.

“I also would like to extend a special warm welcome to our US Ambassador to Jamaica N Nick Perry and his lovely wife Joyce…

“You see this event [Inside Hollywood: The Business of Being an Actor] that I was mad enough to create, let alone this beautiful evening, would not even be a reality were it not for the partnership of the US Embassy Kingston. It was March 27, when I first wrote to them about this crazy idea. I got an enthusiastic response the next day. We had a virtual meeting on April 4, and here we are today.”

In his response, Ambassador Perry said, “I want to thank you, Sundra, for your service to Jamaica, and also extending into the United States. As a Jamerican who cares about Jamaica you have quite eagerly agreed to work with Embassy Kingston in our efforts to help create opportunities for young Jamaicans, especially women.”

After a spiritual blessing by both Oakley and Dr Sonjah Stanley Niaah, senior lecturer at The UWI Mona Institute of Caribbean Studies, guests enjoyed the comforting fare of Chef Denise Bradshaw and her team and heartfelt camaraderie that could easily have continued into the wee hours of the morning.