Social Impact with Emma » volunteerism : A Jamaica Gleaner Blog

We Need More Than a “False Peace”

August 28th, 2017

Today is the 54th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s famous March on Washington and his iconic I Have a Dream speech. His words never fail to move people – even many who have no connection with the U.S. or with the African American experience. Browsing through Twitter this morning, I noted some comments from Dr. […]

National Integrity Action Works With Communities Part 2: Youth Crime Watch of Jamaica

August 7th, 2017

National Integrity Action (NIA) always has a full plate of activities. Its small, young but closely-knit team, working from its New Kingston hub, reaches out to a wide cross-section of communities and age groups across the island – from uptown Kingston to rural St. Elizabeth. NIA believes in partnerships; and one of its current partners […]

“Endo What?” Documentary Film Highlights A Misunderstood Disease

April 12th, 2017

I recently attended the Caribbean premiere of a new documentary film – the first ever – on the often misunderstood and ignored disease of endometriosis. The screening of Endo What? was shown by the B.A.S.E. Foundation. Last month (Endometriosis Awareness Month) was an intensely busy one for B.A.S.E. founder and CEO Shauna Fuller Clarke, herself an “endo” […]

Women Who Inspire Us: An Inter-Generational Discussion

April 3rd, 2017

“Challenge yourself! Be bold. Challenge yourself! But you don’t have to win…” So said Shaquani McKenzie, the moderator of a discussion I participated in on the evening of International Women’s Day. Shaquani, a member of the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN) – has a wide, sunny smile. She welcomed the group of young people – […]

The Times They Are A’Changin’

August 8th, 2016

I have participated in several activities and events recently that have come to roughly the same conclusion: We can’t go on in the same old way. Enough already! Across the globe, and in Jamaica too, I sense a growing impatience with the “same old, same old” and a desire to explore new directions and ideas. […]

Strengthening Social Enterprise in Jamaica: A Tough But Worthwhile Task

July 20th, 2016

Chairman of the JN Foundation Earl Jarrett wants to see Jamaica as “a country agile and ready for growth.” How is this to be achieved? Mr. Jarrett is looking at what they call a “two-pronged approach”: putting the institutional framework in place to make doing business easier (yes, there is still more work to be done in […]

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