KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a testament to the power of grassroots leadership, five long-time residents of Kingston’s Rose Gardens neighborhood have received formal recognition from the social transformation initiative Project STAR for their extraordinary dedication, community leadership, and relentless work advancing local programs that are driving tangible, positive change across the area.
The honorees — Tenecia Cole, Kristoff James, Alaya Ferguson, Jason Longmore and Annette Hill — were celebrated during a public town hall gathering hosted recently at Kingston’s Pentab High School, an event that also gave Project STAR organizers an opportunity to share updates on the initiative’s ongoing efforts and cumulative impact in Rose Gardens.
As outlined in an official release from Project STAR, Hill, who serves as president of the neighborhood’s Community Transformation Board, has emerged as a foundational leader for local collective action. From the launch of Project STAR’s work in the community, her strategic coordination and relationship-building have been instrumental in cultivating trust between organizers and residents, creating an environment that encourages broad, consistent participation in local programs.
Beyond her governance work, Hill also leads coaching for Beyond the Hoop, a targeted netball programme designed to support positive behavioral development for girls between the ages of 8 and 18. Through the programme, she provides one-on-one mentorship to young female participants, helping them build self-assurance and develop the leadership skills that will serve them in future endeavors.
Reflecting on her early work building buy-in for community initiatives, Hill emphasized that trust is the bedrock of any successful grassroots effort. “When they saw me being a part of it, they knew it couldn’t have been about politics… It was about the people in this place,” she shared.
Tenecia Cole, the driving force behind the Rose Gardens Parenting Club, has centered her work on strengthening family support across the neighborhood. Under her leadership, the club has grown into one of the community’s most active and relied-upon support platforms, offering free counseling, interactive engagement workshops, and hands-on practical assistance for local parents navigating caregiving and economic challenges. The group completed its full strategic action plan in 2023 and has retained strong momentum, continuing to expand its reach to connect with vulnerable families that need support.
Cole has also played a key role in connecting residents to economic opportunity: she has mobilized hundreds of neighbors to sign up for production worker training programmes, opening pathways to stable employment for dozens of community members who previously faced barriers to work.
Kristoff James has been equally influential in boosting community participation since Project STAR first established a presence in Rose Gardens. He has been a vocal advocate for local involvement in training, job readiness, and skills development programmes, working to break down mistrust and encourage neighbors to take advantage of the opportunities available. James also leads youth engagement through the Kicking Forward Football Programme, where he mentors young men using organized sport as a tool to teach discipline, build life skills, and help young people find a clear sense of purpose. His steady, consistent outreach has helped cultivate a culture of participation across the neighborhood, particularly for young people navigating uncertainty and seeking direction.
For many Rose Gardens residents, Alaya Ferguson embodies the quiet reliability that keeps community initiatives moving forward. As a consistent, dependable volunteer, she contributes to nearly every Project STAR activity across the area, from community outreach campaigns and event coordination to supporting training sessions and initiatives run by Jamaica’s HEART/NSTA Trust job training programme. Her calm, steady presence ensures community events run smoothly, and that every resident who participates feels welcomed and supported, helping reinforce a growing culture of unity across Rose Gardens.
Jason Longmore has become a widely respected role model for young men across the neighborhood. He was an early mobilizer for Project STAR’s Nano Grants Programme, helping connect young entrepreneurs to small seed funding to launch their own local businesses, and continues to provide mentorship rooted in his own personal experience and faith-based values. Each summer, Longmore opens his personal home to host free hands-on carpentry training for local youth, teaching practical trade skills while instilling core values of discipline and mutual trust. Speaking about the visible changes reshaping his community, Longmore shared his optimism for what comes next: “I appreciate what I see… and the transformation that is coming,” he said, adding that Project STAR’s work aligns perfectly with his lifelong mission to lift up the next generation of Rose Gardens leaders.
Saffrey Brown, project director for Project STAR, offered high praise for the five honorees during the town hall, framing their work as the core of the initiative’s success in Rose Gardens. “These individuals represent the very best of community leadership. Their commitment, consistency, and willingness to serve are what make transformation possible. Project STAR can provide the support and structure, but it is champions like these who bring the work to life and ensure it has a lasting impact,” Brown said.