June - A Month of Impact, Pride & Purpose
- JACNEWHAVEN
- Jul 12
- 4 min read
Celebrating Heritage. Empowering the Future. Connecting Communities.
We showed up, gave back, and made a real impact. June was a month bursting with purpose and pride—from our Scholarship Golf Tournament and Scholarship Awards Ceremony to the vibrant celebration of culture at the Caribbean Festival. Each moment was a testament to the strength of our mission and the unity of our community.
And guess what? We’re just getting started.
As we look ahead, we’re thrilled to announce what’s next—starting with our Annual Trailblazer & Scholarship Gala and other exciting events we’re proud to lead and support. These upcoming gatherings reflect our unwavering commitment to heritage, education, and community empowerment.
So let’s keep the momentum going. Together, we’re building something bigger—and we’re so glad you’re on this journey with us.
Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament
On June 6th, 2025, we hit the greens at the beautiful Wheeler Family Golf Course in Wallingford, CT for our very first 18-hole tournament—and what an unforgettable day it was! Golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters all came together for a sun-soaked, laughter-filled day of friendly competition. The winning team absolutely crushed it with a jaw-dropping score of 57, finishing 13 under par. Think you’ve got what it takes to top that next year? We can’t wait to see someone try!
But the real win? Every swing, every putt, and every cheer helped power our scholarship fund—making a lasting difference in the lives of future students.
A huge thank you to every golfer, sponsor, and volunteer who made this inaugural event such a smashing success. We’ll see you back on the green June 5th, 2026!
Some of you may or may not know, but our relationship with Shamar Wilson is the very reason we were inspired to start hosting this tournament.
We met Shamar back in December 2022 when he was an international student at Albertus Magnus College. Hailing from Runaway Bay, Jamaica, Shamar was here on a scholarship to play golf. But when his sponsorship unexpectedly fell through, he found himself caught between a rock and a hard place—far from home, with his dreams on the line.
That’s when our paths crossed. With the help of an incredible community, we were able to crowdsource the funds needed to cover Shamar’s tuition for both the Spring and Fall of 2023. Before long, his talent and determination caught the eye of over 20 colleges, and he secured a golf scholarship at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia—a much more affordable option that gave him the chance to continue pursuing his passion.
Believe it or not, Shamar’s journey in golf began purely by chance, and he didn’t even own his first set of clubs until he arrived at Paine College. Those clubs were generously donated by a local group of golfers who believed in him. And now, as he heads into his senior year, we were proud to help take his game to the next level by getting him professionally fitted for a brand new set of clubs at Chris Cote's Golf Shop in Southington, CT.
Shamar’s story is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do: to open doors, create opportunities, and help talented young people chase their dreams—on and off the green.
Read about his journey to PGA WORKS by ESPN Andscape
Conner Murray of Chris Cote's Golf Shop
Scholarship Awards Ceremony
We proudly celebrated the achievements of exceptional Caribbean/West Indian-American students from Greater New Haven, awarding $17,000 in scholarships to help them pursue their dreams of higher education.
This year’s outstanding recipients are headed to prestigious institutions including Brown University, Temple University, the University of Connecticut, Yale University, and Nova Southeastern University. These young leaders inspire us all with their talent, determination, and bright futures.
A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, donors, scholarship committee, and everyone who supports our fundraising efforts. Your generosity is not just a gift—it's an investment in the future of our community.
Together, we are empowering dreams and building tomorrow’s leaders.
Photos of L-R: Scholars, Mom of absent scholar with committee and sponsors, sponsors, committee with scholars
Celebrating Caribbean Heritage in Style!
Because when we come together, we don’t just celebrate culture—we live it.
We were thrilled to team up with Wedehyah Inc. and the International Festival of Arts & Ideas to bring the community together for an unforgettable celebration of Caribbean-American culture—and what a day it was!
From the moment the music started, the energy was electric! The crowd swayed to the sounds of Haitian singer Jo.L Che’lbe, who set the stage on fire before Trinidadian soca sensation Nadia Batson kept everyone dancing from the moment she got the mike.
The festival was bursting with flavor, with 30+ vendors serving up delicious Caribbean cuisine, handmade goods, and island vibes that kept smiles on every face.
A huge thank you to all the performers, vendors, and guests who made this event such a vibrant celebration of heritage, pride, and community. We can’t wait to do it all again next year!
Read about the festival: https://www.arts-paper.org/artspaper/blog-post-one-sgn52
UPCOMING EVENTS!
Be part of an unforgettable evening celebrating excellence and investing in our future leaders. We're now accepting:
✔️ Ticket Purchases✔️ Event Sponsorships✔️ Souvenir Journal Ads – including business promotions, personal tributes, and congratulatory messages
Your support helps us honor trailblazers in our community while raising funds for our scholarship initiatives. Let’s celebrate, uplift, and inspire—together.
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