An overflowing Community Baptist Church in Englewood, New Jersey, was filled with tributes on Friday as government officials, diplomats, community leaders, and members of the Caribbean diaspora gathered to honour Jamaica’s late Consul General to New York, Alsion Roach-Wilson, who died on November 8 after battling breast cancer.
Among those reflecting on her life and legacy were Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness; Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith; St. Lucia’s Consul General and Caribbean Community Consular Corps chairman Jeremiah Hyacinth; New York business leaders; and U.S. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.
Roach-Wilson’s family, led by her husband Omar Wilson, was presented with the insignia of the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) during the thanksgiving service. She had been unable to accept the honour at this year’s National Honours and Awards ceremony at King’s House due to her illness. She received the award for her contribution to national development in education, technology, and healthcare capacity building. In 2019, she was awarded the Order of Distinction (Officer Class) for her philanthropic work.
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Prime Minister Holness described Roach-Wilson as a dedicated public servant who set a high standard for Jamaica’s diplomatic service.
“She gave more than she took. She, through her work as consul general, galvanised the community and she bore burden well,” he told the packed congregation.
Holness recalled meeting Roach-Wilson for the first time and mispronouncing her name—something she “did not take kindly to.” He remembered her as assertive, strong, and clear-minded.
“She was not content merely to occupy the office of consul general but to transform it and reimagine the role,” he said. “She became a beloved figure in the diaspora. A dependable servant of the people who excelled in moments of crisis.”
Holness highlighted Roach-Wilson’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she launched the “CG on the Beat” initiative, delivering food and essential supplies to Jamaicans unable to access services during the lockdowns.
“When the travel restrictions to Jamaica were lifted, she ensured that many Jamaicans who were stranded in the United States were able to get back to Jamaica. She used her vast network in the service of her fellow Jamaicans,” he said.
The prime minister noted that her humble beginnings helped shape her dedication to children in Jamaica.
“She provided thousands of laptops and tablets to Jamaican schoolchildren to assist their learning once the pandemic was lifted,” he said, adding that she also offered numerous student scholarships funded through the Jamaican Independence Gala.
Holness emphasised that Roach-Wilson “sacrificed to be in the position that she held,” and used her influence not for herself, but for people in need—including those who were not Jamaican.
He further described her as “a very smart lady” who understood how to build partnerships, negotiate, and deliver results for the diaspora.
Roach-Wilson is survived by her husband, Omar, and her children Brian, Vanessa, and Patrick.
During the service, Prime Minister Holness again underscored the breadth of her impact, saying: “Consul General Wilson was not content merely to occupy an office. She reimagined what a consulate could be. And through her vision, she elevated Jamaica’s presence across New York and throughout the 33 states under her jurisdiction.”
He said her leadership reflected “a rare combination of professional excellence and profound humanity.”
“Her work was defined by a rare combination of professional excellence and profound humanity, a blend that made her not only an outstanding public servant, but a beloved figure in the diaspora community,” Holness said.
He added that she “excelled in moments of crisis when leadership matters,” and described her as “a good steward” and “a dependable servant of the people.”
