JAMAICA DIASPORA TASKFORCE ACTION NETWORK
2021 ANNUAL REVIEW
TABLE OF
CONTENTS 3 CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE
4 PARTNERSHIP APPRECIATION
5 2021 OVERVIEW
7 JDTAN LEADERSHIP TEAM Meet JDTAN's talented & driven team of leaders.
9 CELEBRATING OUR CHAMPIONS
10 TASKFORCE HIGHLIGHTS Celebrate the 2021 accomplishments of JDTAN's Taskforces.
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CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE Pivoting is a dramatic transformational shift or turn in a new direction in at least one aspect of an organization. There are many factors that can prompt such a move. After eight years of learning the business of effective Diaspora engagement, productive interventions developments, partnership /collaborations, leadership growth; the Jamaica Diaspora Taskforce Action Network (JDTAN) has pivoted its operations to take a deeper dive into understanding the landscape of the needs, opportunity shaping, future building, and initiative road mapping. MR. LEO GILLING JDTAN CHAIRMAN JDTAN CORE LEADERSHIP
The JDTAN strategic exercise helps the network define its challenges, identify opportunities, and quickly imagine new possibilities. The network, for example, instead of one education task force with more than three hundred professionals, now boasts four strategically positioned task forces; early childhood, primary & secondary, tertiary, and special education. With this move, the network can focus and align its goals directly to match Diaspora educational resources with the needs in Jamaica.
MICHELLE FANGER
In building the future, JDTAN explored how the network's assets and equities can be leveraged to identify bold moves that our teams can make. Instead of one leader per task force, each task force is now equipped with a core team of a chairperson, two vicechairs, and a Jamaica liaison, who is instrumental in needs assessment and Diaspora resource management. All leaders are recruited based on their expertise, leadership DR. BEVERLY aptitude, and willingness to enhance the goals and core principles of JDTAN. GORDON
TASHAKA WYNTER
KIMONE GOODEN
DR. SHERIKA DACRES
Taskforce developments over the years have been based on Identifying essential needs and employing key initiatives to help our organization pivot and create a plan for implementing change now, soon, and later. The network continues to meet with stakeholders, understand the lay of the land, and chart courses for successful initiatives. Thanks to our seasoned leaders who have steered the JDTAN ship so far, our new leaders have formed bonds, partnerships, and collaborations and developing strategies that will secure the future of JDTAN. Today 45 leaders lead fifteen task forces, and their plans will be implemented in 2022. As we look back on 2021 in this year-in-review newsletter, all the successful projects and programs engaged by Diaspora professionals were directed at capacity building. The exercises included training the trainer exercises, best practice sharing in summits and conferences, high-level discussions, and empowerment of our Jamaican partners and stakeholders.
As we enter Jamaica's Diamond Jubilee year (2022), our new approach to developments is exciting, more enthusiastic, more directed at making an impact on our country's national development. The Jamaican Diaspora is important in making a difference. You can. We encourage you to join us at joinataskforce.jdtan.org and be a part of this CHRISTOPHER Jamaica Diaspora movement. WILLIAMS
On behalf of the JDTAN family, thank you for your contribution to the network's success with our partners, stakeholders, and beneficiaries. Let's make this a joyous and prosperous Diamond Jubilee year. DR. NOEL GORDON
Walk good. One love
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WITH GRATITUDE We express our heartfelt gratitude to our 2021 partners and their support of our mission & Jamaica's Vision 2030.
2021 OVERVIEW BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS JDTAN's commitment to partnering with organizations and government agencies across the diaspora and in Jamaica is one of the core values to the work we are doing. In 2021, we partnered with 20+ organizations and government agencies to move Jamaica forward.
GROWING LEADERS Our Taskforces cover 22 sectors and are volunteer led by some of the brightest, accomplished and driven leaders in the diaspora. We are committed to supporting the growth of our taskforce leaders by offering opportunities that allow them to grow their skills while mentoring new leaders.
TEACHING NEW SKILLS Our Jaminars (online webinars and workshops) offer professional development for teachers, nurses, Nonprofit leaders and leaders in every taskforce sector. In 2021, we offered over 60 Jaminars that reached over 17,000 participants.
REACHING THE DIASPORA Although the work we do is focused on helping Jamaicans on the island, our network consists of over 1,600 active members and 500,000 viewers of JDTAN online content from 39 countries across the globe.
2021 OVERVIEW IN NUMBERS
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JDTAN LEADERSHIP TEAM
Rory Richards
Christopher Williams
Roymane Robinson
Sophia AndersonThompson
Ethlyn Thomas-Afolabi
Melanie Gooden-Baker
Dr. Noel Gordon
Dr. Claudette Peterkin
Paul Lyons
Karlene Tomlinson
Dr. Nadine S. James
Dr. Sherian Demetrius
Lesleyann Samuel
Dr. Dale Britton
Janet Clarke-Green
Dr. Sherika Dacres
JDTAN LEADERSHIP TEAM
Yvette Samuels
Dr. Beverly Fray
Marcia Amarsingh
Juwell Harley
Michelle Fanger
Veroneque Blake-Lopez, Esq.
Nadine Atkinson-Flowers, Esq.
Elroy Douglas
Larkland Morley
Antonette Brown
Rachel Dolcine
Norma Sinclair
Ann Moodie
Norma Whyte
Shanique Brown
Dr. Beverly Gordon
CELEBRATING OUR 2021 CHAMPIONS The Jamaica Diaspora and Friends Champion Awards (JDAFCA) is the first global and virtual Jamaica Diaspora peer award with completely open and online nominations and voting and was created to recognize individuals, organizations, and friends in the Diaspora who make exceptional contributions to the development of Jamaica. JDAFCA was launched in 2017 at the 7th Biennial Diaspora Conference and honors hardworking volunteers, all those unsung heroes, who give freely in service to the growth of Jamaica’s national development, Her culture, economy, people, and communities.
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TASKFORCE HIGHLIGHTS
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AGRICULTURE & CLIMATE
Mission Statement: To provide an opportunity for persons and organizations within the diaspora and Jamaica to pool their resources in an effort to assist the country’s Agricultural Sector and Climatic condition.
Jamaica Diaspora Agriculture Task Force (JDAT) was established after the 6th Biennial Diaspora conference in 2015 with the expressed goals of supporting small scale farmers, mobilizing sustainable and organic farming and creating new markets for Jamaican farmers. JDAT was merged with the Environment Task Force to become the Jamaica Diaspora Agriculture and Climate Task Force (JDACT) in October 2021.
JDACT wishes to add a new proactive dynamic to diaspora engagement by educating, highlighting and bringing awareness to the agricultural sector and climatic factors in Jamaica, and provides support where necessary. Some of the highlights of last year's activities are: . Jamaican Women in Agriculture roles function and the future . Jamaicans in the Diaspora in Agriculture . Youths in Agriculture “the way forward “ 2021 Featured organizations were the Jamaica 4H-Club, NGOs, Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Trees that Feed, Source Farm (Organic), Yard Market, Ole Farmers Association of North America (OFANA), FarmLinkr, Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA),
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BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH Mission Statement: To partner, analyze, create plans, empower, and satisfy needs of Jamaicans related to mental health and wellbeing, increasing mental health awareness and reducing the stigma of mental illness.
The Behavioral & Mental Health Taskforce has been actively engaged in offering support to organizations in Jamaica with the ongoing goals of increasing mental health awareness, decreasing the stigma of mental illness and responding to chronic and emerging mental health needs. The global rise in mental health needs, presented unique challenges and opportunities for the Taskforce to partner with the Ministry of Education and the Jamaica Association of Guidance Counsellors in Education (JAGCE) to address topics relevant to Guidance Counsellors and mental health professionals. The Taskforce continued its partnership with the Lasco-Chin Foundation in providing parenting support sessions throughout 2021. The Behavioral & Mental Health Taskforce partnered with the Jamaica Diaspora Worldwide Organizations Taskforce (JDWOT) to deliver mental health support to pastors and ministry leaders via a six part Faith & Mental Wellness series. The facilitators of the series were mental health professionals from the US and Jamaica who provided knowledge and tools to respond during and after the pandemic; as well as, tools for their own mental wellness.
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Mission Statement: Engage all stakeholders to gain various perspectives to address the socio-economic challenges impacting the achievement of Jamaica’s Vision 2030 goals
In 2021, the Community Development Taskforce, formerly Citizen Security & Safety focused on engaging various stakeholders primarily the Planning Institute of Jamaica, to understand the challenges impacting the realization of Jamaica’s Sustainable Development goals. The taskforce leadership team will lead a dedicated team to delve into the root causes and assist with implementing sustainable solutions to address the socio-economic factors impeding community development and overall national growth. In 2022, the Taskforce will engage and align community stakeholders to promote inclusive and social benefits that will attempt to address the community volatility and vulnerability factors identified through research and community transformation café style interactions. The issues negatively impacting local community development and national goals are numerous and as such we need to solicit input from a wide cross section of stakeholders including the diaspora as we chart a path forward towards attaining Vision 2030 Jamaica.
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HEALTH
Mission Statement: To build capacity within the health sector and create heightened awareness of health as a holistic human experience for all Jamaicans
The year 2021 was a challenging one. Our focus was drawn primarily to the raging Covid-19 pandemic. Our outreach to Jamaican partners involved Covid-related educational presentations and panel discussions. In addition, the Health Taskforce provided talks for parents coping with parenting challenges related to Covid-19. We were active in schools, hospitals, and educational institutions with information, listening ears, and support. We were particularly pleased to be able to make a significant contribution of masks, gloves, and other patient care supplies to Bellevue Hospital. We strengthened our relationship with segments of the Ministry of Health and established collaborative goals for the future. As we enter this new year, the Health Taskforce remains committed to building collaborative relationships with Jamaican partners, filling data-driven identified needs, and building capacity in the health sector to improve the well-being of Jamaicans living at home.
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JDETF- EARLY CHILDHOOD Mission Statement: Collaboratively build capacity throughout the Jamaican Early Childhood Education sector through service and the creation of a heightened awareness of the importance of Early Childhood Education through the following pillars: Educational Empowerment; Stakeholder Engagement; Early Childhood Educators’ Psycho-Social Undergirding and Strengthening.
The newly formed Early Childhood Taskforce seeks to widen the understanding that early childhood education is foundational and is a holistic human experience that is integral to the advancement of every institution in the Jamaica society. Therefore, everyone must become involved so that equity in education is promoted and supported. During this year, the taskforce will develop a better understanding of the Early Childhood Sector in Jamaica, as it relates to the educational spectrum, how it works, who the players are, where the gaps exist, and how we can help to fill those gaps as we work collaboratively with our Jamaican frontline educators. Through our programs, we will collaborate in developing a plethora of multidisciplinary Early Childhood Education learning experiences that impact the Jamaican education system and individual students from all socio-economic backgrounds creating change that will be felt as ripples across the wider Jamaican society. Projects already begun include: Triannual E-Publication ‘RESET Mindsets’ geared for Early Childhood Professionals and Fact Finding Mission to identify hopes, fears and areas of need.
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JDETFPRIMARY/SECONDARY Mission Statement: To provide training and development that will enhance proficiency in educational leadership, pedagogy, student achievement and college and career readiness.
The primary purpose of the Jamaica Diaspora Education Taskforce, Primary and Secondary, is to provide teachers, administrators, and other educational stakeholders in the Jamaican educational system, with professional development that will optimize student achievement. As we assist in building professional capacity among our instructional leaders, and advocate for high-quality teachers in every classroom, we will collectively build systems that focus on standards-based professional learning and student achievement. The Jamaica Diaspora Education Taskforce, Primary and Secondary, in concert with the ideals of Vision 2030 Jamaica initiative, and the goals of local stakeholders in the education sector, is committed to advancing professional learning for student success. This progress will be achieved through our collaborative effort with cohorts of educators who will be trained in various domains such as curriculum development, effective instructional practices, and response to intervention initiatives. Additionally, the taskforce will serve as a platform where educators and other stakeholders will be able to participate in deep and critical conversations about the needs of Jamaica’s education sector. Educators will be encouraged to turnkey their knowledge using a fiscally responsible professional development model.
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JDETF- SPECIAL
Mission Statement: To provide instructional strategies that will enhance teacher effectiveness, improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and their families by developing and disseminating essential skills, knowledge, and values through research, teaching, and service.
Often students with disabilities are stigmatized and, with their teachers, encounter many challenges and barriers. Teaching student in special education (SE) allows teachers to realize that one size does not fit all. Instructions must be broken down into teachable and learnable steps so that all children can learn correctly regardless of their disabilities. For many students with disabilities, school experiences can be harmful. However, the professionals in JDTAN Special Education Taskforce can assist teachers in creating a positive school climate, experiences, and knowledge for the students. Effective teaching is the key to any child’s success. The SE Task Force set out in 2021 to discover new insights about education in Jamaica by speaking to stakeholders and deep-diving into other needs assessment tools. This way, the team can deliver essential best practices techniques and at the same time hone other personal leadership skills. There is so much more to learn and accomplish about education in Jamaica. The Special Education Task Force is new, but timely. Its focus is to support teachers and school leaders to become better agents of change in their classrooms and schools. The special education leadership team is fully equipped and ready to provide educators with the right strategies to overcome evolving challenges and enhance their skills throughout the teaching and learning process. The SE leadership development approach recognizes the function of academics, educators, and teacher supervision over its form. JDTAN ANNUAL REVIEW | 17
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JDETF- TERTIARY Mission Statement: To build capacity within the education sector by providing the highest quality coaching through collaboration and to empower educational leaders to effectively deliver innovative programs that promote pedagogical skills, innovation, employability and entrepreneurial advancement to enhance Jamaican economic autonomy.
Birth out of the Jamaica Diaspora Education Taskforce (JDETF), the newly formed Tertiary Sector of the Education Taskforce was created to provide a more intentional focus on the needs of stakeholders in post secondary organizations. Under the guiding theme, “Developing Growth Mindset to Positively Impact Education” taskforce leaders along with input from stakeholders have committed to several initiatives for the 2022 year. These initiatives include:
● Providing consultants and keynote speakers ● Professional Learning opportunities ● Quarterly JAMINARS ● Mini credentialing/certifications ● Program and curriculum development support The tertiary sector of the education taskforce will engage in ongoing needs analysis with stakeholders to identify current and future needs. Through our partnerships, we will empower educational leaders to effectively deliver innovative programs that promote pedagogical skills, innovation, employability and entrepreneurial advancement to enhance Jamaican economic autonomy.
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LEGAL SECTOR & IMMIGRATION Mission Statement: JDTAN Legal Sector Support and Immigration Task Force primary mission is to provide immigration and legal support to Jamaicans in the United States.
During the year 2021, the Legal Sector & Immigration Taskforce hosted several town halls and panel discussions impacting both the Diaspora members and Jamaicans at home. Town halls and panel discussions covered areas such as personal and business taxes, Immigration, Entertainment, Human Trafficking, Criminal Justice, and Trust & Estate. The taskforce created a unique medium through which individuals within the Diaspora were connected to legal practitioners to help address their various legal issues and give others a chance to ask pertinent questions that are important to them and their loved ones. In 2022 the Legal Sector Task Force will build on previous accomplishments by setting goals, creating a path that will help develop closer interpersonal relationships with Jamaicans globally.
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MENTORING Mission Statement: JDTAN Mentoring Taskforce primary mission is to provide information, training, and support for all who want to give forward via mentoring.
The creation of JDTAN’s Mentorship Taskforce was another outcome of our Strategic Planning process. Mentoring is an important tool for us all in all facets of our lives.The mission, therefore, of the Mentoring Taskforce is to accelerate the personal and professional development of all who want to be gain the value of being mentored, and to provide information, training and support to all who want to give forward via mentoring. As a new taskforce, we welcome all who have an interest in mentoring – to be a mentor, to learn how to establish a mentoring program, or just to learn more about the mentoring process. We have outlined an initial program for the first half on 2022 that includes “Mentoring 101” and Mentoring for Teachers and Students. January is National Mentoring Month. We invite you to join us as we celebrate the month by: 1. Thanking your mentor. Send your own mentor a thank-you note to show your appreciation for their hard work in helping you to achieve your goals. 2. Support education programs – particularly those that include a mentoring component 3. Sign up to mentor and/or join our taskforce.
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TECHNOLOGY & ENTREPRENEURSHIP Mission Statement: Empower entrepreneurs to creatively solve Jamaica's biggest challenges through innovative practices and advanced technologies.
The Technology and Entrepreneurship task force (JDTAET) supports the view that Jamaica can achieve vision 2030 by leveraging appropriate and sustainable technologies with good entrepreneurship practices. To achieve these goals, we believe that partnerships with important stakeholders will play a very important role.. Some of key partnerships in 2021 included JCS Silicon Valley, University of Technology-Jamaica (UTECH), Google, JTDA, Facebook, Stand up for Jamaica (SUFJ) and University of Santa Clara. Utech collaboration included a Summer Boot Camp conducted July-August around Data Analytics. Over 100 students registered with over 50 completing the presentation sessions and course materials. Top experts from Google and other technology companies provided support. The top three projects are now being incubated into startup businesses by the Technology Incubation Center (TIC) at Utech. Additionally, a Google Developer Student club was formed at Utech which supports the development of work ready skills and developing new technology ventures to solve local challenges. Working with the Youth Leadership Task Force, we were able to support the “Connecting to Capital” webinar series which provided the tools for local businesses to leverage online technologies to counter the pandemic and achieve global expansion. We got an agreement to partner with the University of Santa Clara in providing entrepreneurship training to local youths going into 2022, supported a local IEEE technology conference at UTech in December and a host of other supporting activities to achieve our goals. JDTAN ANNUAL REVIEW | 21
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WORLDWIDE ORGANIZATIONS Mission Statement: Provide Nonprofits and CBOs in the Diaspora opportunities to collaborate, make connections with each other, learn new skills and access resources that will help them to better serve Jamaicans at home and abroad.
2021 was a busy & exciting year for one of JDTAN's newest Taskforces- Jamaica Diaspora Worldwide Organization Taskforce. Along with welcoming a new Taskforce Chair, the Worldwide Organization Taskforce -affectionately dubbed JDWOT- launched JamTalk Podcast and hosted its first annual Nonprofit Conference. JamTalks are 30 minute interviews with leaders of Nonprofit and Community Based Organizations across the diaspora who are actively doing work to better the lives on Jamaicans at home and abroad. The full day Conference provided resources, workshops & networking opportunities for Nonprofit leaders throughout the diaspora.
JDWOT also hosted & cohosted Jaminars, workshops and a Women's Month panel discussion and celebration. Members of JDWOT participated in networking sessions and received 30 minute complimentary consultations from a Licensed Nonprofit Consultant. JamTalk and Jaminar replays can be found on JDTAN's Youtube channel (JDTANtv), Jamaicans.com Facebook page and JDWOT's Facebook page.
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