分类： society

In a historic moment, eight-year-old Anorrah Brown has been crowned the inaugural Mini Miss Kingston and St Andrew Heritage Queen. The competition, designed to foster cultural awareness and self-expression among Jamaica’s youth, showcased Anorrah’s remarkable poise, talent, and intellect. Her victory not only marks a personal achievement but also signifies a significant milestone for the event, which continues to grow in influence across the island, celebrating confidence, heritage, and self-worth.

An elated Anorrah expressed her gratitude, stating, ‘It’s an incredible honour and a dream come true. I am filled with so much excitement and gratitude to be given such an opportunity to represent my parish Kingston and St Andrew and showcase my talent and creativity.’

An aspiring lawyer with a passion for justice, Anorrah has set her sights on practicing family law. Deeply concerned about the impact of crime on society, she envisions addressing the issue by teaching conflict resolution, empathy, and emotional intelligence in schools. Additionally, she plans to organize community programs, support groups, and mentorship initiatives. ‘But most importantly, I would address the root causes, which I believe is poverty, and I would work alongside the relevant agencies to reduce poverty and its related spinoffs, such as corruption, bullying, inequality, and social injustice,’ she added.

Behind Anorrah’s success is her mother, who serves as her unwavering pillar of support. Overjoyed and proud, her mother shared, ‘I feel incredibly proud and overjoyed having my daughter win the Mini Miss Kingston and St Andrew Heritage Queen Competition. It’s a big deal! It’s definitely a dream come true, and I’m grateful for the opportunity given to her to showcase her talent, beauty, intelligence, and heritage on such a prestigious platform.’

The Mini Miss Kingston and St Andrew Heritage Queen Competition is the latest addition to a series of cultural pageants founded by Damion Duckett, entrepreneur and CEO of DDPromotions (Double D Promotions). Originating in St Ann over two decades ago with the Mini Miss St Ann Heritage Queen Competition, the initiative celebrates Jamaica’s rich heritage while empowering young girls to embrace their individuality.

Anorrah’s crowning moment underscores the competition’s mission to inspire confidence and self-respect in the next generation, demonstrating that beauty and purpose can coexist. Organizers emphasized that her victory serves as a powerful reminder that with support and encouragement, young people can overcome challenges and become symbols of hope and pride for their communities.

The United Way of Jamaica (UWJ) is set to commemorate its 40th anniversary with a grand gala titled ‘The Ruby Thread’ on November 8, 2025. The event, themed ‘Honouring the Hearts and Hands that Give,’ will be a black-tie affair held at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston. This milestone celebration will honor four decades of resource mobilization and transformative impact across Jamaica, while also celebrating the nation’s culture of service and generosity.

TRELAWNY, Jamaica — Westwood High School has recently become a part of the Afro Day movement, a growing initiative that celebrates natural hair, cultural identity, and self-expression. Spearheaded by Kimberly Todd, a mathematics teacher and the 2022 Miss St Ann Festival Queen, the event saw female students proudly showcasing their natural curls, coils, and textures.

Todd, who has long advocated for this celebration, expressed her pride in finally seeing her vision come to life. ‘As a cultural ambassador, I’ve always wanted this for the girls since 2022. Although it didn’t happen two years ago, I’m thrilled to have succeeded this year. It’s crucial for the girls to embrace their true selves,’ she remarked. She also emphasized the importance of self-expression, even within the confines of the school’s uniform regulations, which traditionally include wearing hats.

The Afro Day movement, which gained momentum in Jamaican schools in 2023, has seen participation from institutions like St Catherine, Excelsior, Green Island, and Meadowbrook high schools. It aims to foster pride in African heritage and challenge outdated stereotypes surrounding natural hair. With Westwood High School now joining the movement, the event underscores Jamaica’s progress in celebrating black beauty and cultural authenticity.

In a tragic incident on Friday evening, a hit-and-run accident in Lyssons, St Thomas, resulted in the death of 60-year-old Sharon Hastings, an employee of the St Thomas Municipal Corporation. According to reports, the incident occurred shortly after 6 pm when Hastings was crossing a roadway and was struck by an unidentified vehicle. The driver fled the scene without stopping, leaving Hastings critically injured. She was immediately transported to a nearby medical facility, where she was pronounced dead. Local authorities have launched a full-scale investigation to identify and apprehend the driver responsible for this fatal collision. The community has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Hastings, who was a respected member of the municipal workforce. This incident has reignited concerns about road safety and the need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws in the area.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, has been awarded the Order of Jamaica (OJ) in recognition of his over four decades of dedicated service to the nation. The prestigious honor will be formally conferred during the National Investiture Ceremony at King’s House on National Heroes Day, October 20. McKenzie, who has served as the Member of Parliament for Kingston Western since 2016, began his public service journey in 1977 as a councillor. He expressed profound gratitude for the recognition, attributing his success to the support of his constituents, family, and the late former Prime Minister Edward Seaga. McKenzie’s career has been marked by significant contributions to improving the lives of Jamaica’s most vulnerable populations. As mayor of Kingston, he initiated feeding programs for the homeless and later established drop-in centers and night shelters through his ministry. His efforts culminated in the creation of the Desmond McKenzie Transitional Centre, a facility designed to help homeless individuals reintegrate into society by providing access to employment and stable housing. McKenzie also highlighted his pride in modernizing the Indigent Housing Programme, which now includes fully furnished homes with essential amenities. Additionally, he emphasized the transformative impact of the entrepreneurial grants program, which has empowered small business owners across Jamaica. Reflecting on his tenure as minister, McKenzie noted the increased respect for local government and its critical role in daily life. He credited his achievements to the unwavering support of his family and the resources provided by the government. McKenzie remains motivated by the trust placed in him by the Jamaican people and his commitment to addressing pressing issues such as waste management, under his leadership, the country has seen a significant increase in garbage trucks, improving sanitation nationwide.