NY Community's tribute to Late diplomat Keith M. Johnson, OJ
NEW YORK COMMUNITY OFFERS MASSIVE TRIBUTE TO LATE JAMAICAN DIPLOMAT KEITH MEREDITH JOHNSON, OJ., FIRST JAMAICAN CONSUL-GENERAL APPOINTED TO NEW YORK
By Donovan Gopie & Ian Edwards
Very long will his memory live, because Keith Meredith Johnson, OJ, CD, LLD, was an exceptional Jamaican diplomat, a much respected and admired humanitarian, a devoted father and husband, and an extraordinary Jamaican and Caribbean patriot. Many were the lives he touched and influenced for good.
The community in New York City, and the Empire State in general, holds especially fond memories of him because not only was he the first Consul-General appointed to New York (1962 - 1967), upon Jamaica’s attainment of independence in 1962, but his accomplishments there had set a very high standard, for which he is remembered to this day. In the words of his former colleagues from around the world who have lionized him – Keith Johnson was the quintessential diplomat.
Ambassador Johnson passed away peacefully on October 1, aged 88, at home in Brooklyn, where he had resided with his twin daughters Rev. Hope Johnson and Janice Marie Johnson since his retirement.
Testimony to extent of his influence and to the admiration and respect he commanded among his Jamaican and Caribbean “compatriots,” as well as internationally, was on full display during the official funeral accorded him in Jamaica in October and in the massive outpouring of tributes at memorial services held in his honor in Washington, DC, on November 29th, and in New York City on December 6th.
On Sunday, December 6th at the Community Church of New York Unitarian Universalist, a Service of Thanksgiving in honor of Johnson’s life and legacy was led by Rev. Bruce Southworth, Senior Minister, with a reception and cultural presentation after the service - organized by his daughters and a team of friends. The Washington event was organized by representatives of various Jamaican and Caribbean organizations and under the auspices of the Embassy of Jamaica, at Howard University’s Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel. Leading the Washington event were current Jamaican ambassador Anthony Johnson, community stalwarts such as E. Leopold Edwards, Dr. Basil Buchanan, and other leaders in the community as well as representatives of the Caribbean diplomatic corps.
Everywhere he was memorialized; Ambassador Johnson was remembered and celebrated in many glowing tributes as one of his country’s preeminent diplomats. Jamaica’s Permanent Representive to the United Nations, His Excellency Ambassador Raymond Wolfe, in tributes he delivered at the New York service, remarked that “Ambassador Johnson’s diplomatic service, spanning more than 50 years, has secured his place in the history of the Foreign Service, as one of Jamaica’s most accomplished and successful career diplomats. It is my sincerest hope that all officers in the Jamaican Foreign Service will seek to emulate the very high standard of excellence in diplomacy that Ambassador Johnson had left as his legacy.” Former New York City Council member Hon. Dr. Una .S.T. Clarke was eloquent and upbeat in her recollections of her many years of friendship with Ambassador Johnson, underscoring with fondness the mentoring he provided her, a Jamaican-born educator and politician in New York.
On offering at the Brooklyn tribute service included the singing of the old Negro spiritual If I Can Help Somebody, sung beautifully by Ray Mendez, a KC Old Boy and a member of St. Marks Church choir; emotion-filled remembrances by Rev. Dr. Tracy Robinson Harris, eliciting appreciative nods from the packed church; Drums of MyFather, an African poem set to dance, was magnificently and dramatically interpreted by Valerie Forbes; and Ambassador Johnson’s twin daughters and his beautiful granddaughters, Lehna and Jova, added very personal memories praising father and grandfather, leaving few dry eyes among the appreciative guests gathered in the beautiful Eastside church for the memorial. The Rev. Desmond Green, a pastor from Jamaica, presented the late diplomat with the posthumous Peace Ambassador Award, which his daughters accepted.
A well-orchestrated and wonderfully received cultural presentation followed the formal tributes. Many guests offered personal tributes and anecdotes from their relations with the beloved Ambassador, revealing much of his lighter side as well. Excellent performances of traditional folk songs, Jamaican ballads, poetry and drama highlighted the reception by performers, all volunteering their professional services. The Brawwta Folks Singers sang many popular and spirited Jamaican folk songs – Ambassador Johnson was fond of Jamaican folk songs. He endeavored to promote his country’s culture and music during his long diplomatic services.
The famed Brooklyn-Jamaican balladeer Ed Robinson sang with joy in all his notes that elicited tumultuous applause from the very appreciative guests. Former member of noted WorlAGirl reggae singing group, Charmaine DaCosta sang gospel songs that proved a big hit with the audience. Talented Keisha Martin, a young singer/songwriter and actress, captivated everyone with her a cappella renditions of gospel songs by the late Sam Cooke. The noted Caribbean actress Diane Dixon stole the evening with her stellar performance of selections from the poetry of the prolific “Miss Lou” (Hon. Louise Bennett–Coverley, OJ), the Jamaican cultural icon and late cultural ambassador. A pan- Caribbean group, The Afro CaribA Singers, led by Minna Hamilton LaFortune, capped the enjoyable evening tribute with a medley of Caribbean spirited songs with enthused audience participation. Michelle Thompson, a local radio personality and the mistress of ceremonies, in her humorous style made the tribute performances to the beloved Jamaica ambassador most festive. Ambassador Keith Johnson would have been well pleased!
The Planning Team along with Hope and Marie Johnson included Hon. Una Clarke; Donovan Gopie, Valerie Forbes, Esq.; Rev. Desmond Green, Marlon Hew; Minna Hamilton LaFortune and Raymond Mendez all did a magnificent job.
Ambassador Johnson was a native of Spanish Town and a graduate of Kingston College, Columbia University and Oxford University. Among other career highlights, he served as his country’s United Nations ambassador (1967-1973); ambassador to Germany (1973-1981); and concurrently ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (1981-1991). Among his international credits, he is remembered for advising Hugh Shearer, then Prime Minister of Jamaica, to propose the United Nations resolution declaring 1968 as the International Year of Human Rights.
He was conferred with the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) by the government of Jamaica, and later the Order of Jamaica. The University of the West Indies bestowed on him the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws, on which occasion the citation underscored how “he was an ambassador by aptitude, by his concern for his people, and by his love of service.”
The distinguished ambassador was accorded an official funeral in his homeland on October 15 by the government of Jamaica. The funeral was attended by the Governor General, Sir Patrick Allen, Prime Minister Hon. Bruce Golding, and the leader of The Opposition Hon. Portia Simpson. Ambassador Johnson was buried at Dove Cot Cemetery just outside Spanish Town, Jamaica.
He will be missed and always very fondly remembered ….not only by Jamaicans. #
