By Kevin Jackson/Observer writer—
Denroy Morgan
The late singer Denroy Morgan, patriarch of the Morgan Heritage clan, will be posthumously honored at the forthcoming staging of the Caribbean Community Awards, scheduled for February 18 in Lithonia, Georgia, USA.
Several other Jamaicans will also be lauded at the event, according to conceptualiser Wesley Graham.
In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, he explained the objectives of hosting the event.
“We decided to do this with the aim of identifying and acknowledging individuals who have made significant contributions within the Caribbean Diaspora within the Atlanta Caribbean Community. We also wanted to show appreciation and in effect encourage more engagement and commitment to the community and more so, the youth, in terms of development and giving back to the community,” said Graham.
This is the second staging of the awards, which was first held in February last year.
In addition to Morgan, who passed away last year, other recipients include Jamaican-born business entrepreneurs Sharon and Gordon Barnwell, and sports personalities Wendell Downswell (football coach) and Carl Brown (former national coach). Haitian philanthropist James Nasser will also receive honors.
The May Pen-born Morgan lived in the United States since the mid-1960s. He rose to superstar status in the 1980s with I’ll Do Anything For You.
In 1984, Morgan became the first reggae artiste signed to RCA Records. That deal led to the release of the reggae album Make My Day, which was also a hit.
His albums include I’ll Do Anything For You/Sweet Tender Love, Muzical Unity, and Salvation.
The father of 30 children, Morgan became a bishop in the Abrahamic Covenant Family Ministry, an arm of the Ethiopian Orthodox Coptic Church of North and South America and the International Gospel Helpers Church. He was also a member of the Twelve Tribes of Israel and the American Clergy Leadership Conference, with a Nyahbinghi Vibration and Bobo Shanti tradition.
He died peacefully on March 3, 2022 at his Atlanta home. He was 76.
Singers Anthony Malvo and Morgan’s son, Gramps Morgan, are among the performers slated for the Caribbean Community Awards.
Graham gave an insight into how the awardees are selected.
“The awardees are nominated based on their level of support within the community. Selections are based on their involvement in sports, humanitarianism, entertainment and lifetime achievement,” said Graham, who plans to make it an annual event.
Graham explained how he has been able to garner the support of the Caribbean Diaspora around the staging of the event.
“We do a lot of networking opportunities as well as seek support and promotional opportunities. We also engage the local Caribbean events that are happening in the community,” he said.
Graham was born in England. However, his parents are from Kingswood in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland. He spent some time living in Savanna-la-Mar where he was involved in football. Since 1988, he has resided in the United States.
Mikey Sparkle, Wayne Smith, Errol Rihie, Owen Henry, Tony Gray, and Sean Young were among the award recipients at the inaugural staging of the Caribbean Community Awards last year.
Anthony Malvo
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