Jah Jerry gives 2 scholarships
Jerome (Jah Jerry) Haynes, guitarist for the pioneering Skatalites Jamaican ska music group, died in 2007, but his intense passion for education continues through Jah Jerry Inc., a nonprofit organization that promotes education in Jamaica and the U.S., and provides scholarships for young people.
Last month, the organization — founded by James Haynes, son of Jah Jerry — held its Fifth Anniversary Scholarship Award Reception in Jamaica at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston.
According to James Haynes, organization president and CEO, two students who major in music at Edna Manley College received $1,000 (U.S.) scholarships. Recognizing that education and technology are closely linked today, the organization also got “top-of-the line desktop computers loaded with advanced software,” donated to the Alpha Institute (formerly Alpha Boys School) where many members of the Skatalites graduated from.
Adding an extra special musical air to the Sept. 13 affair was the participation of legendary Jamaican singer/songwriter/percussionist Bunny Wailer, an original member of The Wailers reggae group with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. During his career, Wailer worked “extensively” with the Skatalites, said James Haynes.
Visit the organization’s website at www.jahjerry.org/ or visit their Facebook at http://bit.ly/jahjerryinc.
Poetry beyond his years
Youthful author Kaseem Gordon is soaring — displaying his talents in “Reminiscing on the Future,” a book of poetry.
Gordon, who discussed his book with spectators at the recent Brooklyn Book Festival’s Literary Day, has been expressing his thoughts in poems since the young adult was in his teens.
The Bronx native has skillfully weaved his “thoughts, feelings and personal experiences” into poetry, which has “enough simplicity for everyone to understand, but deep enough for you to get lost in.”
Self-published on Outskirts Press, “Reminiscing on the Future,” is available on Amazon.com and other online outlets.
Hurricane relief continues
Recovery aid and assistance from Hurricanes Irma and Maria is desperately needed. I’ll continue to share initiatives, like these: l NYPD cops for Dominica
The NYPD-RGPF Officers’ Association, a group of Grenadian-American officers in the NYPD, is asking all New Yorkers to pitch in and aid hurricane survivors on Dominica through a relief drive.
Now through Oct. 21, a variety of items — ranging from nonperishable foods to baby formula, soap to clothes and shoes — will be collected at two Brooklyn locations.
The association has established two drop-off locations: Stynkletts Inc., 1084 Nostrand Ave. (between Lincoln Road and Maple St.) and Jeremiah Garage, 8902 Avenue M.
For dropoff times and a complete list of needed donation items, call Karen Nelson at (718) 679-4227, Charles Moses at (917) 496-9175 or Nimrod Ollivierre at (917) 520-6150. l Hurricane relief radiothon
“The Caribbean Day of Giving” — a daylong New York area radiothon on WVIP radio (93.5 FM) and other stations to get hurricane relief to the region, is airing Saturday.
For information visit www.caribbeandayofgiving.com. l ‘Sail for a Cause’ in Manhattan
Saturday’s “Sail for a Cause: Hurricane Relief for Irma” fund-raising initiative by the New York area sailing community used the enticements of a prize-laden raffle and free sailing lessons to encourage participants to contribute to this relief effort by North Cove Sailing in Manhattan at Brookfield Place in Battery Park City on the Hudson River.