This past weekend at the Hilton Lac Leamy, I was swept up in a remarkable event. This vibrant celebration intertwined cultural homage, Royal grandeur, and a powerful commitment to building a brighter future.
Honouring a Legacy: Chief Dr. Julius Garvey Takes Center Stage
The weekend kicked off with a tribute to Chief Dr. Julius Garvey, son of the legendary Jamaican national hero Marcus Garvey. The title, “Honoring Chief Dr Julius Garvey: The Marcus Garvey Legacy Continues,” set the stage for an evening brimming with cultural pride and impactful messages.
A regal procession kicked things off, followed by a mesmerizing dance performance by “Artists in Motion.” The crowd was then captivated by speeches that delved into Marcus Garvey’s remarkable life. We learned not only about his father’s enduring impact on Pan-Africanism and social justice movements but also Marcus Garvey’s dedication to community development projects across Africa and Haiti. The entire night, he resonated with a spirit of unity and empowerment.
Local reggae artist, Jonathan Mclean’s music, filled the room, weaving through the throngs of dignitaries who had travelled from across the globe to pay their respects. Elaine Robinson, founder of G.H.E.T.T.O. (Getting Higher Education To Teach Others), captivated us with her stories of changing the narrative around the ghetto by focusing on the potential within people, not their circumstances. Her powerful words, “the ghetto is not a place, it is a state of mind,” stayed with me long after the event.
The Royal Jubilee
Saturday saw a shift in focus as the festivities transitioned to a magnificent Royal Jubilee held in honour of Her Majesty Queen Vickylextar. This remarkable event celebrated not only the Queen’s 50th birthday but also the birthday of her son, His Royal Highness Prince Josiah.
The air crackled with opulence as a Royal procession featuring the Queen, her family, and distinguished guests worldwide commenced the festivities. Dignitaries from the United Kingdom, the AIDO network, representatives of African Royal Kingdoms, and African Views all gathered to honour the Queen.
Celebrating Leadership and Community Service
Beyond the Royal fanfare, the evening held a particularly touching moment – two prestigious awards were presented to Moses Abayomi Pratt and Grace Udodong, who have dedicated their lives to supporting and uplifting others in their communities.
Strive Mental Health Wellness & Empowerment presented a special honour to Her Majesty Queen Vickylextar herself in recognition of her incredible contributions to mental health advocacy in her role as CEO of Vertex World. Aligning perfectly with Strive’s holistic healing mission, Vertex World’s work encompasses trauma care, change management, and conflict resolution. The entire weekend was a testament to Queen Vickylextar’s dedication to empowering others and her leadership in fostering well-being.
