The colors of black, green, and gold filled the ballroom at the Hilton Hotel City Avenue as the region’s Jamaican diaspora gathered to celebrate the 63rd Jamaican Independence Day at the annual Team Jamaica Bickle Gala. This year’s festivities not only honored a pivotal moment in the island nation’s history but also spotlighted decades of service and cultural pride within the Caribbean-American community.
The evening opened with an invocation, a heartfelt prayer calling for blessings on Jamaica, its global diaspora, and especially the young athletes and community servants supported by Team Jamaica Bickle. “As Jamaicans gathering here tonight, we are reminded of our shared history, culture, and values,” began the First Lady of the New Testament Church of God, Mrs. Genevie Poiser, reflecting the night’s sense of unity and gratitude.
Jamaican Independence Day: Honoring the Pillars of the Community
This year’s honorees represented the best of the Jamaican spirit: fierce commitment, tireless volunteerism, and trailblazing achievement. Among them was Andrea Lawful Sanders, recipient of the Team Jamaica Bickle Community Service Award, whose 20 years of dedicated volunteerism have left an indelible mark on the community.
“Every year I would take on whatever work hat I had—T-shirt, apron, cap—and get there at five in the morning… for 12-hour days, I would serve meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner… but I enjoyed every second of it,” she reflected, crediting the connective power of Team Jamaica Bickle for bringing together people from Jamaica and across the Caribbean to support student athletes. Sanders, now CEO of Lawful Truth Enterprises, is known for her “big social media presence” and her ability to inspire others with passion and honesty.
Jamaican Independence Day: Global Impact, Local Roots
The Ambassador Award went to Dr. Keishia Thorpe, a globally recognized educator and advocate for educational equity. Thorpe’s remarks challenged the audience to consider the legacy they will leave behind. “Legacy isn’t just what you do—it’s what you leave behind… Our duty is not just to wave the flag, but to uphold the values it stands for: strength, unity, and progress,” she said. Her nonprofit, U.S. Elite International, has helped hundreds of students—many from humble beginnings—earn college scholarships and transform their futures.
A Tradition of Service: Team Jamaica Bickle’s Mission
Founded 31 years ago by CEO Irwine Clare Sr., Team Jamaica Bickle has supported thousands of Caribbean athletes, particularly those traveling to Philadelphia for the Penn Relays. The organization’s volunteers provide meals, transportation, physical therapy, mentorship, and even crucial medical equipment such as automated external defibrillators for Jamaican schools. “It’s an enormous honor taken, managed, and executed all by volunteers. We do this for the love of our country and for those athletes,” shared Karen Wilson Robinson, vice chair of the Philadelphia organizing committee.
Other honorees included Jacqueline Farley for outstanding volunteer service, and Carey Dennis, Business Development Officer for the Jamaica Tourist Board, recognized for seven decades of promoting Jamaica as a premier travel destination.
Jamaican Independence Day: An Evening of Pride and Purpose
Throughout the night, guests were reminded that the work of Team Jamaica Bickle goes beyond the annual celebration. “Our athletes are ambassadors, and our services extend to delegations of approximately 700 students and coaches each year from across the Caribbean,” explained organizers. Raffles, music, and vibrant conversation punctuated the evening, but the central focus remained: honoring a heritage built on “struggle, strength, and unstoppable spirit.”
As Dr. Thorpe closed her speech, she urged all in attendance: “Don’t just wave the flag—live the legacy. Don’t just celebrate Independence—invest in someone else’s freedom. Don’t just honor our heritage—become the heritage someone else will honor. Legacy lives here. Legacy lives in you.”
The Team Jamaica Bickle Gala was more than a party—it was a testament to the enduring strength and generosity of Jamaica’s diaspora, and a powerful call to carry the torch for the next generation.
Images: Ron Allen
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