Jamaicans abroad recognized among 140 national honours recipients
Donette Chin-Loy Chang
Key Points(5)
- Jamaicans across the United States and Canada have been well represented among the 140 people in this year’s list for national honours and awards list.
- At least 12 diasporans are set to be among those honoured on National Heroes Day in October.
- Heading the list is Donette Chin-Loy, who has been awarded the Order of Jamaica (OJ), the nation’s fourth highest national honour.
- She has been honoured for her contribution to nation building in Jamaica and Canada.
- Toppin, who spent years as a radio broadcaster at Radio Jamaica 94 FM, said that he was surprised by the honour.
Jamaicans living and working in the United States and Canada are well represented among the 140 people selected to receive Jamaica’s national honours and awards this year, with at least 12 members of the diaspora set to be recognized for their contributions to Jamaica and their communities abroad.
The recipients, announced Thursday, will receive their honours at the Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards on National Heroes Day, Monday, Oct. 19.
Among the diaspora recipients is Donette Chin-Loy Chang, who will receive the Order of Jamaica (OJ), the country’s fourth-highest national honour, for her contribution to nation building in Jamaica and Canada.
Several Jamaicans based in the United States and Canada will receive the Order of Distinction.
Among those being awarded the Commander Class (CD) are broadcaster Don Topping, for his contribution to Jamaica’s broadcasting industry; Dr. Evan Dale Abel, chair of the Department of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, for his contribution to medicine in endocrinology; and Dr. Wesley Junior Hall, chancellor of the University of Toronto, for his contribution to nation building in Jamaica and Canada.
The Officer Class (OD) recipients include Gary Williams, founder and chairman of Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO); Claudette Powell, chair of the Jamaica Diaspora Health Task Force; and Elaine Bryan, Jamaica’s honorary consul in Atlanta, Georgia.
Also receiving the OD are Wendy Hart, head of the American Friends of Jamaica; Bevan Hugh “The Duke” Earle, radio host and publisher of the Caribbean Voice newspaper in South Florida; Dr. Karl Hale, tournament director of the National Bank Open and founder of the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation; and dancehall artiste Clifford “Mr. Vegas” Smith, who is being recognized for his contribution to reggae music.
Roy Another Walters, known as DJ Roy, will receive the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service for his contribution to radio broadcasting.
The diaspora recipients span fields including medicine, education, broadcasting, philanthropy, diplomacy, health, sports and entertainment, reflecting the range of Jamaicans contributing to the country’s development from abroad.
The wider 2026 national honours list includes 140 recipients being recognized for contributions across business, public service, culture, education, journalism, science and other fields.
Among those receiving the Order of Jamaica are Bank of Jamaica Governor Richard Byles, Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Daryl Vaz, former Education Minister Maxine Henry-Wilson, former National Security Minister Derrick Smith, Stewart’s Automotive Group Chairman Diana Stewart and Sagicor Group Jamaica President and CEO Christopher Zacca.
Byles is being recognized for exceptional service in business and finance, while Vaz is being honoured for his exceptional contribution to public service and representational politics.
Twenty-five people will receive the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander, including Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security and Peace Ambassador Alison Stone Roofe, Auditor General Pamela Monroe Ellis and Director of Public Prosecutions Claudette Antoinette Thompson.
Other CD recipients include Audrey Tugwell Henry, for service to banking, corporate leadership and the empowerment of women in national development; Professor Densil Williams, for his contribution to academia and international business policy and practice; and Kevin O’Brien Chang, for his contribution to business development and culture.
Forty-one people will receive the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer.
Among them are journalist and broadcaster Kerlyn Brown; Richard Andrew Creary, for service in local government; meteorologist Evan Thompson, for his work in meteorology, climate resilience and public safety; Professor Evan Duggan, for contributions to information technology and tertiary education; and Mr. Vegas.
Ska and rocksteady pioneer Wilburn Theodore “Stranger” Cole will receive the Order of Distinction posthumously for his outstanding contribution to the development of Jamaican music.
Thirty-three people will receive the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service, while 30 will receive the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service. Four people will receive the Badge of Honour for Gallantry.
Several members of the Jamaica Information Service are also among this year’s recipients. Anthony Johnson will receive the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service for his contribution to government communication, while Judith Hunter will be recognized for her contribution to government development through public relations.
Former JIS Human Resource Director Bernita Locke will also receive the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service for her work in human resource management and industrial relations.
The awards will be formally presented during the National Heroes Day ceremony on Oct. 19.
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