The 27th Annual Caribbean American Heritage Awards (CARAH) will be staged virtually this year on Friday, November 20, 2020.
Among the 2020 Caribbean American Heritage Awards honorees is reggae singer Judy Mowatt, a member of Bob Marley’s backup group the iconic I-Threes.
Judy Mowatt, at the height of Marley’s popularity, managed to keep her solo career on track, releasing a solo album, Mellow Mood, in 1975. Mowatt’s five solo albums after Mellow Mood were all released in the United States. As a producer of her own albums, Mowatt was among the first female Jamaican musicians to seize creative control of her own music. Through all the phases of her career, she remained an advocate for women’s ideas in a genre heavily dominated by men. She will receive the Marcus Garvey Lifetime Achievement Award.
The CARAH Awards show celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of outstanding individuals of Caribbean descent who have made extraordinary contributions to their fields of expertise. The show will be held virtually this year due to the coronavirus.
Founder and President of ICS, Dr. Claire Nelson, says the decision to host a virtual event was a tough but necessary one.
“We have lost many noble citizens in our community this year. Many who have come to America in search of the American dream have perished because of their diligent pursuit of honest work to support their families at home and abroad. For them, we have decided to go forward together to face the reality of this ‘Covidemic’ scourge by finding reasons to celebrate life. Even though we cannot celebrate in a physical space, we believe the experience will still be intimate in a new way and joyful.” She said.
The Jamaican-born White House Champion of Change added that it is important that we celebrate and honor the success of Caribbean immigrants.
“Compounded with the racial uprising, we felt it important to let the world know that we who reflect the blood of Africa in our dark skins, we from the Caribbean are very proud of the indelible mark that our people have made and continue to make on the world, even in a world that often tries to negate us. We will not be stifled. We will make a sanctuary. This is a tribute to triumph and transformation. No matter what. We will rise.”
Other persons who will be honored include: inventor, investor and philanthropist Dr. Nicholas Brathwaite (Grenada); biomedical researcher Dr. Swinburne A.J. Augustine (Dominica), British political maven Hon. David Lammy, MP (Guyana); avant garde artist Andrea McKenzie (Trinidad & Tobago); author Anaya Lee Willabus (Guyana); communications entrepreneur Frederick Morton, Jr. (St. Croix, US Virgin Islands); policy influencer Michele Lawrence Jawando (Bermuda); corporate leader Senator Don Wehby, C.D. (Jamaica); and sports icon Ambassador Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce (Jamaica).
The Gala Event will commence with VIP Reception 6:30 pm, followed by Awards Gala and AfterParty all virtually. In recognition of COVID related hardships, discounted tickets are offered first come first serve for as low as $25.00.
To participate register at www.caribbeanamericanheritageawards.com. Part proceeds will go towards Lifeseed Youth Entrepreneurship Initiatives.
