Eighteen Jamaican nationals in south Florida are to be honoured for community service and development of that diaspora, at the first annual Community Service Awards ceremony of the Jamaican Consulate General in Miami.

Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall will be the guest speaker at the awards ceremony, to be held at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, on Sunday, March 25.

According to Consul General Ricardo Allicock, the event will provide an opportunity to officially recognise and honour local Jamaicans who have made a significant cultural impact on the community.

"While there is an abundance of persons who have made significant contributions, the intention is to focus this year on 'cultural originators' and persons who have served in a cultural or artistic capacity," he added.

400,000 Jamaican residents

Nearly 400,000 nationals are resident in the south Florida tri-county region of Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. Many Jamaicans are affiliated with nearly 70 charitable and service organisations.

The primary focus of these associations is to see how best Jamaicans can unite and pool resources for the development of their overseas communities, as well as their island home, in the areas of health, education, culture, trade and personal development.

Diaspora Advisory Board member to the Southern United States, Marlon Hill, described the special occasion as "a unique opportunity to educate the present and next generation of those pioneering individuals who built our Jamaican community on a solid foundation with their sacrifices, contributions, and accomplishments".