Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Governor-General of Jamaica, Prof. Kenneth Hall (right), presents Harry Belafonte with his citation. Belafonte was a distinguished honouree at the St. Ann Homecoming and Heritage Committee annual banquet held at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort and Spa on Saturday.

It was a celebration of all things from the Garden Parish on Saturday at the second annual St. Ann Homecoming and Heritage Committee banquet at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort and Spa.

Proceeds from the evening went to the Marcus Garvey Resource Centre. The centre, which is to be opened in St. Ann's Bay, seeks to preserve the hero's heritage, encourage study and exploration of his contribution, and awake community understanding of his teachings to modern Jamaica. The Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) black, green and red adorned the columns of the spacious hall. To further demonstrate pride in the products of St. Ann, the now famous Walkerswood products were given to guests.

The committee honoured three of its finest citizens, including special guest and Distinguished Honouree Harry Belafonte. The singer/actor/humanitarian/U.N. Goodwill Ambassador lived in the town of Aboukir in the parish in his childhood. His mother was also born there. Patron of the committee, His Excellency Prof. the Most Hon. Kenneth Hall, Governor-General of Jamaica, thought the timing of the event was perfect due to the recent Emancipation and Independence celebrations, as well as commemoration of National Hero Marcus Garvey's birthday.

Great anticipation

Donna McFarlane (left) presents copies of the Marcus Garvey papers to Annette Redway of the St. Ann Homecoming and Heritage Committee. The occasion was the committee's second annual banquet on Saturday. Proceeds from the event will go to funding the Marcus Garvey Resource Centre, a project which seeks to keep the hero's heritage alive. - photos by Roger Robinson/Freelance Photographer

There was much anticipation and a standing ovation as Belafonte rose to speak. With his raspy but still sugary voice, he traced his journey from birth in Harlem to life in St. Ann and his first formal education in Kingston. He remembered his mother's tenacity and spirit and talked of her belief in Garveyism. He found it appropriate that on the verge of the 21st century, Jamaica should lead the charge to remove the stain left on Garvey's name from his conviction.

Among the guests who came to share the evening were: Dr. Derrick McDowell, Lorna Hall and Dr. John McDowell, who were the other award recipients; Custos of neighbouring St. Mary A.A. 'Bobby' Pottinger; Senior Superintendent of Police Ray Palmer and Mrs. Palmer; Merrick and Camille Needham; President of the Senate Syringa Marshall-Burnett; foreign diplomats, including Colombian Ambassador Dr. Kent Francis and wife Cecelia; Deputy British High Commissioner Paul Nicolopulo and wife Kareen; Carl and Fay Rodney from Carinews in New York; entertainer Richie Stephens (who did an impromptu number) and wife Bernadette; and Kia Motors/Worldtron boss Dwight Moore and Sharon Millwood.