The City of Miramar has planned a series of events to celebrate Black History Month and Reggae Month under the theme “Black History Meets Reggae”.
The major event this year is the Reggae Icon Awards, initiated by Miramar Commissioner Alexandra Davis in 2019. The award recognizes the valuable contribution of notable individuals to the genre.
Legendary band Third Word and pioneering businesswoman Patricia Chin, co-founder of VP Records, are the recipients of this year’s Reggae Icon Awards.
Commissioner Davis stated, “Third World and Miss Patricia Chin have made groundbreaking contributions to reggae music and I am happy to be honoring them with the prestigious Reggae Icon Awards this year. February is Black History Month and Reggae Month and it is fitting to also recognize Alexandra Audate for her work as a champion for change in our community.”
Third World is one of the longest-lived Reggae bands of all time with 9 Grammy nominations and a catalogue of charted smash hits (including “Now That We Found Love”, ”96 Degrees in the Shade” and “Try Jah Love” ) spanning over four decades, sold-out tours, a vibrant and loyal fan base and inspirational messages.
Patricia “Miss Pat” Chin, the matriarch of VP Records, helped build a reggae empire in her homeland (the Randy’s Record Mart store and Studio 17); where the careers of artists ranging from Bob Marley & the Wailers to Augustus Pablo and Toots & The Maytals were started and nurtured alongside her late husband, Vincent “Randy” Chin. The couple emigrated to New York in 1978, where she continued her fascinating journey opening VP Records, which has grown to become “the world’s largest reggae label.”
Commissioner Davis also announced the newly instituted Marcus Garvey Award, which recognizes a local champion in the fight for equality and justice among minorities.
The Marcus Garvey Award will be presented to Haitian-American Attorney/Community Activist, Alexandra Audate, a member of the Black Lives Matter Alliance of Broward.
The presentation ceremony will take place on Saturday, February 27, 6:00 pm at the Miramar Amphitheater located at 16801 Miramar Parkway, Miramar, FL 33027.
The ceremony is free to the public and all CDC COVID-19 guidelines will be observed. This will be a ticketed event with sign-up available at bhmriconawards.eventbrite.com.
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