Dexter Gordon headlines Old Harbour and Friends Association 26th Annual Spring Ball

Professor Gordon, born and raised in the small fishing town of Old Harbour Bay, Jamaica, will address hundreds of his fellow natives from Old Harbour at the Antun’s of Queens Village, New York on May 25. Showtime is 8:30 pm.

He’s expected to touch on several issues related to his field of work spanning more than four decades.

Last year Prof. Gordon, a St Jago High School alumnus, received the Martin Luther King Jr Lifetime Achievement Award for community service.

As director of the African American Studies Programme, Professor Gordon is driven by the need to “cultivate terms and practices” towards the elimination of racism, while uniting communities and organisations to create a more equitable educational system.

Founded in 1993, the Old Harbour and Friends Association – Diaspora organization based in the United States with a strong – focus on enhancing education and healthcare to its people back in its home town on the Caribbean island, as well as making contributions to other charitable organisations in the New York area.

In 2002 the OHFA was voted best Jamaican Social Club/Association in New York for its wide range of charitable initiatives.

“Although OHFA is based in Elmont, New York, one of its principal committees operates within Jamaica,” said Learoy Thompson, who heads the association’s public relations committee.

“I now refer to our hard-working DeFacto Committee. This dedicated committee oversees the selection process for our grants and scholarships recipients, disburses funds locally and continues to make valuable recommendations to OHFA’s executive board.”

“To date, OHFA’s history and involvement have been rich, exciting and rewarding,” he continued. “Through our social and cultural programmes, total strangers have become good friends and the circle of friendship and fellowship has widened considerable over the years.

“Over the years too, OHFA has seen it fit, through that spirit of community and goodwill, to bestow honours on a number of outstanding citizens of the area. In addition, we have recently instituted the OHFA Memorial Award in memory of those members who have passed away. This is given to a USA and a Jamaican student alternately each year – usually to a scholar who is entering or attending a tertiary institution.

“Perhaps we may reasonably conclude that the glory of the high point in our tenure is the feeling and sense of satisfaction we get as we reflect on the great success our grants and scholarship recipients now boast. Of our 10 scholarship recipients, seven have already completed tertiary level of education and are now gainfully occupied. The others are continuing at high school and tertiary institutions.

“To date, we have offered grants to just over 70 students; and although OHFA has not been able to keep track of them all, we are happy to report that the ones we do hear from are doing extremely well or have already made us proud. This gives OHFA a whole lot to be proud of, and we want to shower our efficient team of selectors – The DeFacto committee – with high praises for continuing to select the deserving best.”

The work of the OHFA has captured the hearts and mind of many young professionals who have now become members of the association.

On the eve of its anniversary last year, the OHFA youth arm was formed with these young professionals who came on board “willingly to offer their services”.