New York (JIS)- Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - Chairman of the Mavis & Ephraim Hawthorne Golden Krust Foundation, Lowell Hawthorne on Friday last-August 24, 2007-told a group of Jamaican-American scholars that only through education will they be able to take their rightful place in society.
Address an audience of scholars, elected officials and business and community leaders at the second annual M&EHGKF Gala Awards Dinner at the Eastwood Manor Banquet Hall, Bronx, NY, Mr. Hawthorne said that, “education is the key to unlocking many doors of opportunity, especially among minority groups.”
“I am a strong proponent of education, another quality I inherited from my (late) parents. Like them, I believe that everyone should be given the opportunity to pursue the power of education,” according to Mr. Hawthorne who is also the President/CEO of Golden Krust Caribbean bakery & Grill, offering a specialty menu to Caribbean Americans from 115 locations in 8 states.
He challenged the 2007 Class of 10 college-bound scholars to, “reach for the impossible, no matter how humble your beginnings, (as) through faith, determination, persistence and hard work, you can accomplish things you never thought you would”.
13 students at the Oberlin High School, Jamaica will receive scholarships from the Foundation bringing that total to 50 since the first set was awarded in 1999.
While acknowledging that the Foundation is still in its formative years, Mr. Hawthorne said that he was pleased to know that the initiative was already making a difference in the lives of ambitious young people both here in the US and Jamaica.
Mr. Hawthorne said that the Foundation which is the humanitarian arm of the GK corporation will continue to provide tangible assistance to those who are most deserving. He said that the establishment of the Foundation is a demonstration of the kind of partnership that it takes to make a difference in the lives of those who are most vulnerable.
The gala event also recognized seven distinguished individuals who have blazed the trail in such fields as; Education, Justice, Entertainment, Government and Business. They included; Dr. Carolyn Williams, president of the Bronx Community College (CUNY) and the gala’s keynote speaker; Justice Sam D. Walker, the first Jamaican to be elected to the US supreme Court-New York; Noel Hankin, Sr. VP of Multicultural Relations, Moet Hennessey-USA; Hopeton Lewis , entertainer; Dennis Hawthorne, entrepreneur; H.E. Professor Gordon Shirley, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the US/Permanent Representative to the OAS.
Consul General, Dr. Basil K. Bryan who will demit office at year’s end, was recognized for “his selfless commitment to the upliftment of the Jamaican community” and for his dignity and poise in the performance of his duties.
The Foundation honours the memory of Mavis and Ephraim Hawthorne, “parents who carved an indelible imprint on our lives by putting people before profit and taught us to embrace such principles of honesty, benevolence and selflessness,” Mr. Hawthorne said.
The evening’s entertainment package featured the Caribbean In-Sync Band, Hopeton Lewis and Delroy West.
