Four Jamaicans will be honoured for their contributions to community development in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States this weekend.

The four individuals are to be toasted at the third annual Jamaican Pioneers in Georgia celebration tomorrow (February 25). The honorees for 2023 are Marie Brown, Dr Paul McCleod, Dr Juan Reid and Marjorie Wilson.

The virtual event was conceptualised and implemented by Jamaica’s Honorary Consul in Atlanta and real estate broker Dr Elaine Grant-Bryan.

According to the 2019 American Community Survey, Georgia was the state with the third largest number of Jamaicans – behind New York and Florida.

Atlanta was also the metropolitan area with the third largest population of Jamaicans, behind New York and Miami.

JAMAICAN DIASPORA IN ATLANTA BUILDING DEEP TIES OVER FOUR DECADES

Senator Leslie Campbell, Jamaica’s state minister for foreign affairs and foreign trade, acknowledged that, over more than four decades, the Jamaican diaspora in Atlanta has established a range of community-based organisations, alumni groups and charitable bodies that have built deep ties in the area while simultaneously contributing to the island’s national development in areas such as education, health, social services, and trade.

Campbell is among the headline guests, which include Courtney Campbell, president and CEO of Victoria Mutual Group; Enthrose Campbell, CEO of the Jamaican Information Service; Georgia State Representative William Mitchell and Rev Dr April Ripley.

The function will be moderated by Grant-Bryan.

The sponsors for the 2023 event include Victoria Mutual Group, Jamaica National Group, the Jamaica Tourist Board, Elaine Bryan Realty, Layne Law Group, Elaine Bryan Foundation, GraceKennedy Money Services, Westside Gastro, Couples Resorts, and Jamaicans & Partners of Georgia.