Governor-General honours seven Jamaicans at 2026 Diaspora Achievement Awards

Seven Jamaicans living overseas were honoured at the Governor-General’s Diaspora Achievement Awards, a featured event of the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, held under the theme of diaspora partnerships and building a more resilient Jamaica.

Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen attended the ceremony, which recognised Jamaicans from Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, China and France for service to Jamaica and their communities abroad. The programme, expanded to include diaspora awardees in 2008, now reaches Jamaicans in regions beyond the United Kingdom, United States and Canada, including Africa, Asia, mainland Europe, the Caribbean and South America.

Conference chairman Earl Jarrett said the honourees were selected through Jamaican missions overseas, based on recommendations from their communities. He said the awards reflected service often given quietly by Jamaicans who remain committed to national development.

Sir Patrick said the diaspora remained one of Jamaica’s greatest strengths and praised overseas Jamaicans for supporting the country after Hurricane Melissa. He also urged families abroad to keep younger generations connected to Jamaica’s history, culture and identity.

The 2026 recipients were Christina McFersonen and Lisa Rati from Canada; Carl Samuels from the United Kingdom; Asha Richards and Dr Richard M. White from the United States; Dr Nicolene Johnson from China; and Dr Sandra Klay Durand from France.

McFersonen was recognised for mentoring immigrants and supporting Jamaican newcomers in Canada. Rati was cited for diaspora engagement and humanitarian work, including helping to mobilise more than 700,000 Canadian dollars in disaster relief support for Jamaica.

Samuels was honoured for preserving Caribbean heritage through the Heritage Centre Wolverhampton and for helping more than 800 Jamaican families through a Hurricane Melissa relief appeal. Richards was recognised for migration advocacy and support for displaced educators, while White was praised for work in education, mentoring and social services.

Johnson was honoured for strengthening trade, education and cultural links between Jamaica, the Caribbean and China. Durand was recognised for diaspora mentorship, youth development and her work with the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council and the Jamaica Diaspora Mentorship Academy.