Rochester Jamaican Organization

06/02/2026

Today we spotlight four Jamaican men whose achievements are earning international recognition and showcasing the best of Jamaican talent, resilience and leadership.

📚 Kei Miller of Hope Pastures, Kingston, has been awarded Yale University's prestigious Windham-Campbell Literature Prize, one of the world's most significant literary honours.

🎓 Dr. Lawman Lynch of Woodford Park, Kingston, has been selected to deliver the graduate student commencement address at St. Thomas University, capping a remarkable journey from homelessness to earning a PhD in Ethical Leadership.

🏛️ Dr. Gavin Beckford, a Kingston native and Campion College graduate, has been named to the 2026 Michigan Chronicle Men of Excellence class in recognition of his leadership and service in economic development.

👨🏾‍🍳 Chef Darian Bryan of Bratts Hill, Clarendon, won Season 5 of Gordon Ramsay's Next Level Chef, earning a US$250,000 prize and a year-long mentorship with the show's celebrity chef judges.

Their journeys may be different, but they share a common thread: perseverance, excellence and a commitment to making an impact wherever they are in the world.

👉 Read the full feature and explore each story here

https://jamaicans.com/life/

05/29/2026

PSA:

Tennessee State University and Meharry Medical College have an accelerated 7-year MD/DDS program with full-ride scholarship potential—and currently have zero Black male applicants.

🎓This is where our network can make a real difference. Please share broadly with any qualified high school seniors in your circles.

Details:

Who: Black male high school seniors

Requirements: 3.5 GPA & 28 ACT

Outcome: MD or DDS in 7 years

Benefit: Potential full-ride scholarship

👉🏾Next Important Steps: Send candidate information ASAP to

Ms. Barbara Murrell (Founder & Chair)

Email: mailto:[email protected]

Phone: (615) 804-6125

Ms. Lalita Hodge (Program Coordinator)

Email: mailto:[email protected]

Phone: (615) 963-6949

…If you know any black males graduating from high school this year and are interested in becoming a doctor or dentist please pass this information along to them. These schools don't have any applicants.

05/19/2026

HONORING OUR ROOTS, INSPIRING OUR FUTURE!

In 2006, a small group of community members met with a single goal: to build a bridge for the Jamaican community in Rochester. Two decades later, that bridge is stronger than ever.

We are thrilled to announce that tickets and sponsorship packages for our 20th Anniversary Gala are officially live.

This is more than a dinner; it is a tribute to our founders, a celebration of our scholarship winners and community service leaders, and a launchpad for the next 20 years of RJO.

Secure Your Tickets & Sponsorships Here:
https://rochesterjamaican.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/AnniversaryGala/tabid/1591029/Default.aspx

Note: While we encourage using our online platform for ease of registration, a limited number of paper tickets are available upon request.

Help us make this a night to remember and the promise for the next 20 years and beyond!

05/13/2026

Thank you to WHEC TV for covering our Mother's Day brunch!

On Sunday, around 4:15 p.m., Rochester police said they responded to Bay Street after getting a report of 20 people fighting in the street. Later, police say they spoke with a victim who was stabbed in relation to the fight.

05/13/2026

Thank you to News 8 WROC Rochester for covering our Mother's Day brunch!

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The Rochester Jamaican Organization held a Mother’s Day celebration on Sunday. The Mother’s Day Brunch, held at the Golisano Community Engagement Center, also r…

05/13/2026

https://hpl.libcal.com/event/16289607

Hello there future astronauts! Have you ever looked up at the night sky and imagined yourself among the stars? Or wondered about the planets? Join author Nickesia Gordon who tells...