DIASPORA USA | UJAA Celebrates 35 Years with Leadership Development Academy Series

Five past presidents to headline historic panel as organization marks milestone anniversary

The Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations (USA) Inc. (UJAA) is marking its 35th anniversary with a special edition of its Leadership Development Academy (LDA) Series, bringing together past and present leaders to celebrate achievements and chart the path forward for Jamaica's diaspora community.

The 4th Annual Leadership Development Academy will unfold across two virtual sessions this summer, with the theme "Celebrating Our Leaders; Advancing the Mission" reflecting both the organization's milestone anniversary and its ongoing commitment to developing nonprofit leaders across its 66 member associations.

Historic Panel Brings Together Past Presidents

The first session, scheduled for Wednesday, July 23 at 7:30 PM ET, promises to be a landmark event featuring all five living past presidents of UJAA.

Barrington Wright, Anton Tomlinson, Barbara Richards, Karlene Largie, and Lesleyann Samuel will come together for what organizers describe as a historic panel discussion.

Irwine Clare, Sr. O.D., will moderate the session, drawing on his extensive familiarity with all the panelists to facilitate what promises to be rich exchanges filled with historical insights and leadership wisdom.

"The past presidents will interface with the leadership of the member associations as they reflect on the undeniable changes and how they adapted over the years, locally and globally," according to the LDA Planning Committee.

The discussion will explore how adapting to change and circumstances has enabled UJAA to maintain its iconic presence as a major Jamaica Diaspora institution while supporting education in Jamaica and the Jamaican Diaspora.

Current Leaders Take Center Stage

The second session, set for Saturday, August 16 at 9:30 AM ET, will shift focus to today's changemakers.

Current presidents from UJAA's member associations will take the spotlight in a discussion facilitated by LDA 2025 Chair and past member president Cherika Wilson.

This session aims to create a sense of celebration and community while exploring strategies for forward momentum.

Participants will celebrate progress while advancing the mission of nonprofit leadership development across the diaspora network.

Empowerment Through Education

The Leadership Development Academy continues to operate under the rallying call "Igniting the leader in you," serving as a catalyst for growth and engagement within the Jamaica diaspora community. The program remains firmly rooted in UJAA's foundational belief that "Education is empowerment. Only the educated are free."

As UJAA commemorates 35 years of service, the LDA Planning Committee is using this anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on the leadership stalwarts who have focused on the mission while adapting to changing times and circumstances. The academy provides a dynamic platform to honor their contributions while empowering current and future generations of leaders.

Both sessions will be conducted virtually via Zoom, reflecting the organization's adaptation to modern communication methods while maintaining its commitment to bringing together Jamaican alumni associations across the United States.

The Leadership Development Academy Series represents UJAA's ongoing commitment to developing strong nonprofit leadership within the Jamaica diaspora, ensuring the organization's mission continues to thrive as it enters its fourth decade of service to the community.

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The Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations (USA) Inc. serves as an umbrella organization for 66 member associations across the United States, supporting education initiatives in Jamaica and the Jamaican Diaspora.

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