I can still remember when back in 1962, first formers at KC gathered on a grassy area near the chapel and watched as the head boy of form 1A, Frederick Williams, was given the honor of planting a tree to commemorate Jamaica’s Independence from Great Britain. This year, on the occasion of the 44th anniversary of independence, I was happy to celebrate with Jamaicans in Atlanta at many of the functions held to mark the occasion.
Independence activities in Atlanta are planned and coordinated by a group known as UJOIA, the Union of Jamaican Organizations in Atlanta-the annual independence ball is handled separately by the Atlanta Jamaican Association (AJA). UJOIA is spearheaded by Jamaica’s honorary consul to Atlanta, Vin Martin, and the group is comprised of representatives of the various Jamaican organizations. Its main function is the planning of the annual independence activities and it coordinates other activities on an ad hoc basis. This year I was pleased to serve as KC’s representative to the group.
UJOIA coordinated a set of independence activities that included: a festival dance, a thanksgiving ecumenical service, a health fair, a cultural evening and Jamaica Fun day in a local park.
For the thanksgiving service, the Anglican Bishop of Jamaica & Grand Cayman, the Rt. Rev. Hon. Alfred Charles Reid delivered the main message. Rev. Barry Davies wrote and arranged the music of a special prayer for Jamaica, which was sung by a joint alumni choir to the tune of “Liza.”
KCOBA Atlanta board member and former AJA president, Derrick R. Wright, was the emcee for the independence ball which featured as guest speaker, former prime minister of Jamaica, the Hon. P.J. Patterson. St. Hugh’s Alumna, Hope Bolden, gave a special tribute to our beloved “Miss Lou.”
Photos of Atlanta’s independence celebrations can viewed at:
