Jason Henzell, chairman of Jakes Hotel, is still over the moon about his upcoming International Humanitarian Award from the American Friends of Jamaica at its already sold-out Hummingbird Gala event scheduled for Friday (October 10) in New York.

Henzell will be awarded alongside Joseph ‘Joe’ Bogdanovich, founder and CEO of DownSound Entertainment Limited, who will receive the International Achievement Award.

During an interview with Our Today on Wednesday (October 8), Henzell briefly said, “I accept this award with tremendous pride and humility. My move to Treasure Beach 30 years ago was one of the best decisions as Jakes has not only earned the reputation of being an award-winning hospitality brand in the Caribbean, but also provided me the opportunity to impact the community of Treasure Beach, now known as the home of community-based tourism.”

The Henzell family has been well-known for their matriarch and late filmmaker Perry Henzell’s 1972 Jamaican crime film ‘The Harder They Come, which was co-written by Trevor Rhone, and starred reggae singer Jimmy Cliff and Carl Bradshaw.

The movie is largely credited with introducing Jamaican pop culture to an international audience.

Jason had added to his father’s legacy by building up the popular Jakes Hotel Treasure Beach in St. Elizabeth, which features an artsy collection of rooms, villas, bungalows and cottages overlooking the Caribbean Sea.