Press Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Naomi Francis has been recognised at the inaugural Jamaican Women Leading Hollywood Honour Dinner in California, USA, for her outstanding professional accomplishments.

Francis was among 25 Jamaican women similarly recognised at the glitzy event at the Hotel Figueroa in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 28.

The honours dinner serves as the annual event celebrating the accomplishments of Jamaican women in the film/TV/entertainment/media and policy ecosystem who are driving the industry forward.

These women are dynamic thought leaders, actresses, film executives, government officials consultants who are involved in cultural entertainment and diversity. The 2024 honorees have been selected based on their social impact in the industry as authentic voices for Jamaican representation because representation matters.

The initiative will help increase visibility, expand relationship pipelines, expand film tourism and development throughout Jamaica. The initiative reinforces the belief and confidence globally to support females across the diaspora.

The organisation said Francis was chosen to be honoured because of her standard of excellence in the field of media and communication.

It added: “Naomi’s years of experience working with high-level leaders, corporate, media and social industries, and her time in journalism and media from presenting news on television and radio and writing features in print to rising to the Corporate ladder as a manager in telecoms to her current high office as press secretary while conducting her PhD research on Artificial Intelligence makes her a well-rounded honoree who understands the importance of culture and diversity in this evolving field.

“Naomi has also during her time in media been a Woman in Film and television in Jamaica and has served as chairman of school boards and has done dynamic work in helping marginalised communities and children. Not only is she a rockstar in her respective industry, but her commitment to philanthropy and empowering young women by bridging inner-city students with resources make her a fierce leader and female power player.”

In her response, Francis said receiving this recognition is an honour.

“I’ve been so focussed on work and getting things done, making people feel seen and doing the heavy lifting that it was a surprise that someone took time to notice,” she said.

She added: “Work for me is doing the long hours, gruelling tasks, making sacrifices and quietly getting things done. I don’t make a splash about me or what I do. But I guess that it speaks volumes. You never know who is really watching, seeing, being impacted, being motivated by what you do.

“I’ve always worked to ensure others are uplifted by my gifts and talents and that they shine. In fact, I’m quite comfortable being the hidden hand. That Lexi Chow and the Jamaica Women Leading Hollywood team have honoured me and seen what I’ve been doing is flattering.

“I have a body of work across media (in television, print and radio), private and public sector in media and communication, with service sectors, working with children and communities.

“The body of work I’ve done (some known and bits unseen), and the lives I’ve impacted throughout my career (about 25 years from the bright-eyed girl straight out of St Hugh’s High School on the teen show Rappin’ till now) has apparently impacted and meant so much to so many people.

“It means something and it matters to the people and their lives that have been impacted and those looking on. I’m grateful and I feel truly blessed to have been recognized alongside with some real powerhouse women who are doing great work in Jamaica and the diaspora.

“It really goes to show that what we do matters. Impact, connection and legacy are important because we are being seen, and felt.

“So this is motivation to keep doing what we do in the areas we serve so we impact and touch lives through your gifts and talents.”