“To be recognized as a leading advocate for increased access to higher education for the underserved as the pathway to progress and prosperity in the Caribbean and the USA.”
Like several other non-profits, the AFUWI had to find new ways of delivering on mission-critical objectives in an environment with many social and economic challenges brought on and exacerbated by the global COVID-19 pandemic. New Normal, pivot, virtually became part of our everyday conversations right alongside PPE, vaccine, positivity and hospitalization rate, and quarantine, to name a few. To counter, our discussions became punctuated more frequently with words like optimism, stronger together, contain/control, mitigate.
Fully recognising that the traditional avenues of fundraising via in-person galas, receptions, and cocktails were not possible, the strategic pillar of agility took on even greater meaning for the organisation. The rapid closure of many small businesses, layoffs, and furloughs in the public and private sectors, made it seem unreasonable to engage in direct solicitation with most of our donor base whose disposable incomes were in jeopardy or being eroded. It was necessary to quickly migrate to other activities and formats to meet our fundraising goals. It was determined that the prevailing circumstances dictated that desired outcomes would also focus on the strategic pillar of access.
The first virtual fundraiser was held on August 22, 2020, and was billed as a pre-Labor Day Brunch Fest: “Celebrating the West Indian Spirit – Kitchen Table Talk”. The event featured a pre-recorded interactive audience section with famed UWI alumna and the world’s first female Master Blender, Dr. Joy Spence. She gave a Master Class on making her signature Appleton cocktail, ably supported by Jamaica Tourist Board Director, Mr. Donavon White.
The second segment featured a live stream conversation moderated by Dr. Sonja Niaah, Head of the Institute of Caribbean Studies, on the Mona Campus. UWI alumnus, Reggae artist Jah9, beamed in from Tanzania, Africa, and three-time Grammy-nominated international reggae artist, Maxi Priest, streamed in from the USA. Their fascinating discussion around race and class, their own experiences, and how these factors impacted the local music industry, was riveting, with approx. 500 persons on Facebook and 250 persons watching via our website: www.afuwi.org.
The Foundation acknowledges with profound gratitude the support of our patron, Ms. CCH Pounder, past Bob Marley honouree, who has graciously supported every endeavour as and when asked. AFUWI also joined to support the UWI Global Giving programme and played integral roles in securing significant donations from Prof. Pauline Lawrence and her husband Dr. Carlton Davis, and Dr. Doyle Slifer, totalling US$350,000.
Shortly after and over the following months, the Foundation responded to a request from Mona Campus for a personal protective equipment (PPE) supply for students who were attending in-person classes and for the medical student doctors and nurses who were now involved in triage and other essential services in hospitals and clinics across the island. Generous donors enabled the delivery of a substantial contribution of over 100,000 pieces of PPE (masks, gloves, isolation gowns) along with swabs, sanitizers, and thermometers. Thanks to donors, Dr. Orrett Ogle and Dr. Dwight Williams, dental accessories were also sent to the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the Mona Campus.
In addition, AFUWI responded to a request from UWIAA Jamaica to assist with securing computers for needy students who were now forced to work remotely and had no equipment. Along with UWI Alumni Chapters in New York, Florida, and Washington DC, the fundraising campaign procured 50 state-of-the-art laptops and delivered them to the Mona Campus with the support of Caribbean Airlines.
The 24th Annual Legacy Awards Gala was held on February 21, 2021, and had a slate of notable honourees:
Proceeds raised provided scholarships for 40 needy students from across the region, thereby increasing access opportunities for these young, talented and ambitious students who would otherwise have been denied access to higher education. During the period under review, total funds raised from all activities and in collaboration with other departments to support endowments and scholarships exceeded US$600,000.
On April 14, 2021, in response to mounting misinformation about vaccinations amongst various groups in the Caribbean Diaspora community, collaborating with the UWI Alumni Chapters of Jamaica, Canada, the USA, and the UWI Institutional Advancement Division, AFUWI hosted a virtual symposium titled COVID-19: Vaccination in the Caribbean Diaspora. Special guests included Jamaican Dr. Sandra Lindsay, the first person to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the USA. This event attracted significant attention and participation from across territories. It signalled renewed efforts to leverage all participants’ assets and exploration for new areas of cooperation to benefit The UWI.
The organisation joined the rest of the UWI community to fundraise for restoration and recovery efforts for St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) after the eruption of the volcano. Funds raised in the public domain of US$9,691 were sent to The UWI for allocation to the needs of the SVG education community. Aid was provided to the Seismic Research Centre (SRC) by securing a three-piece set of high-tech precision bore tiltmeters to measure volcanic activity, valued at US$30,000. AFUWI also handled the arrangements for the shipment of the equipment to SVG. Thanks to Haliburton, who made this donation possible, and Dennis Shipping for cargo services. A total of US$7,500 was also raised from our public appeal to support the restoration and reconstruction work after hurricanes Irma and Maria.
The annual Round Table Seminar to celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month was held virtually on June 15, 2021. The illustrious panel featured Dr. Jermaine McCalpin, genocide scholar and assistant professor at New Jersey City University; The Hon. Oral Holder, Consul General of Barbados to New York; L. Joy Williams, President, Brooklyn NAACP; and Prof. Verene Shepherd, Executive Director of the Centre for Reparation Research at The UWI.
Expertly moderated by the renowned Caribbean journalist Felicia Persaud, the panel delivered a scintillating exchange of views about reparatory justice and its relevance to the discourse on equality, justice, and race relations in America. Discussants also highlighted the significant role of the Caribbean and its immigrants in the USA’s economic and social advancement. UWItv provided the media platform to broadcast to an audience of just over 300 persons.
Actioning another element of the strategic plan, alignment, gave rise to the recognition of the fantastic work being done by health care workers in New York City, under the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation hosted a lunch treat for the staff at the Brooklyn Hospital Centre located in the heart of the city and serving a population with a large Caribbean American population. It also helped to embark on the establishment of a valued relationship with local media houses. At this time, much of our work is being done with Groovin’ Radio, WVIP-93.5FM, as a resource for providing our community with information on matters that impact their well-being. Subject matter experts are sourced from the distinguished pool of academic staff at The UWI.
Guests who have appeared on the programme include Pro Vice-Chancellor Clive Landis, Professor Emeritus Rupert Lewis, and Dr. Sandra Jackson-Betty. They all have expertly shared information on topical issues on which they have proven expertise and knowledge. The audience response has been overwhelmingly positive on all occasions. These symbiotic relationships and others from diverse business interests have been nurtured and will likely yield impactful results.
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