As General Manager of the JNBS Foundation, I have been given the awesome task of creating a truly innovative and passionate organisation. We believe in the future of Jamaica, and in the potential of the people of Jamaica. At the Foundation, we aim to develop and support initiatives that unleash the great human capital of all Jamaicans, at home and abroad. Our inspiration comes from the communities in which we work, and from thousands of Jamaica’s “Community Champions” as they quietly bring about positive change around them.
JNBS believes that its Foundation should be a tool for national development - an asset for growth for its members who are citizens of this great nation. Led by a passionate advocate for change, Mr. Earl Jarrett, I have been able to move the organization into the realm of development agency, creating partnerships with multi-lateral agencies including the Inter-American Development Bank, the United States Agency for International Development, and the United Nations Population Fund.
The JN Foundation is unlike any other Foundation in this regard as we operate as a grant giving agency as well as an NGO. Our work is valuable, measurable and lasting. We live up to our Mantra - Leading with Act!on.
With a background in community and neighborhood development, I have been involved in exciting and innovative regeneration programmes in London and Jamaica. I am proud to have been a part of the team in East London in the early 2000s which mobilized communities and stakeholders to support the UK's bid to host the London Olympics in 2012.
It was also in London where I was introduced to the term Social Enterprise - a term that would follow me back to Jamaica and back to JNBS where I was asked to set up the same model in August Town, St. Andrew. Of course, that was 5 years ago and 5 centers are now open across Jamaica, and we are about to embark on a $90m social enterprise project called the Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (funded by USAID). Funny how life keeps you moving in a direction where your knowledge and collection of skills play bigger and bigger roles in the type of work you do. Some might say that you are carving out a niche for yourself. I would say that I am following the trends early.
In Jamaica, my work with JN dates back to a time when I worked for Kingston Restoration Company as a Project Manager assigned to set up a new project called Tools for Development - a social enterprise project spearheaded by KRC, the Gleaner, CARE Canada and JNBS. It is during this project that I was introduced to JNBS and 12 years later, this relationship has only strengthened.
2013 should be an exciting year for the JNBS Foundation as we look to implement the Social Enterprise Boost Initiative as well as a Road Safety in Schools Project in partnership with the JAA. We will continue to build on our key projects like Resolution Project, The Source, Act!on Jamaica and the Member Advisory Council; and as always, we seek out the best organizations and causes to support with our grant funding.