Trio path to Caribbean ‘excellence awards’ in regional first

Three Barbadian icons in their field have been honoured for  exceptional accomplishments and unwavering support of Caribbean development, in an unprecedented domination by a single country in the prestigious Anthony N. Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence.

Visionary musical creative Dr Stefan Walcott, disabilities activist the Most Honourable Kerryann Ifill, and paediatric neurologist Dr Morris Scantlebury, are all this year’s recipients of the awards that are named for the founder of the regional conglomerate, ANSA McCAL Group of Companies.

Dr Walcott, the creator of Handel’s Caribbean Messiah, who was recognised for the reimagining, preservation and elevation of Caribbean music, told Barbados TODAY he was deeply humbled upon hearing the news of being awarded in this year’s cohort, and expressed hope that his achievement will go someway in helping to elevate interest in keeping indigenous Caribbean music flourishing.

“I am very honoured to be even considered, even nominated, I thought it was a big enough honour,” he said.

“I hope it gives people confidence to do indigenous work like I have been doing. I hope that shows that there is validation in working with tuk music, in working with spouge, and [in] working with other Caribbean forms that you might not hear so much, such as Merengue and Compas from Haiti. To show that [we should] explore the Caribbean musically, and see what else is out there and how you can use that to make your own statement that you want to make as an artist.”

Kerryann Ifill also acknowledged that she was pleasantly surprised after receiving the news, saying: “I am humbled; I don’t do what I do for recognition, for awards, I do what I do because I believe in it. I believe that persons with disabilities have a lot to offer any society, and so that is why I get up on mornings; that’s why I work with blind people; that is why I advocate in all of those things.

“When you are forced to pause and realise that there are other people who are out there, who are looking on at what I do, and looking at it from a different angle, it’s humbling. When you realise that just doing what you believe in, can be rewarding, I think it’s definitely something positive and encouraging.”

Dr Angella Alleyne, Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry at the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill, who chairs the awards’ nomination committee in Barbados, said the achievement this year for the nominees was significant, as it is the first time in the awards 18-year history that three nationals from a single country have received the award.

“This year we submitted three out of the four categories, and every single one of those people won. That in my mind is pretty significant.”

She added: “These awards are impressive; all of these persons continue to work in their fields and contribute to Caribbean society. The whole ethos of the award is simply to let people know that within the Caribbean region, we have persons who can contribute, and they don’t always have to leave their territories to do so. We try to showcase the good work of these persons within their fields, within the region.”

The 2024 recipients also include Jamaican customer experience entrepreneur Johann Epstein and marine biologist Dr. Diva Amon from Trinidad and Tobago.

The ANSA McAL Foundation, the ANSA McAL Group’s philanthropy arm, administers the Awards. Established in 2005, 57 Caribbean citizens have been rewarded for their achievements with a combined total of approximately $8.3 million (TT$28 million).

shamarblunt@barbadostoday.bb