Kingston, 31 March 2025 – The Minister of the Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has this evening issued the following statement on the passing of Wellesley Bolt.

Minister’s Statement

“Nothing beats the unconditional love of a supportive family.

Wellesley and his wife Jennifer were the picture of a loving and supportive family who were always there for their son, Usain.

They were Usain’s chief motivator, chief cheerleader, source of constant support, and stability.

I found Mr Bolt to be an exceptional and passionate father who was invested in the success of his family. He was the strength of his family.

Every success that Usain has achieved can be attributed to the confidence given to him by his ever-supportive mother and father.

I offer my sincerest condolences to Jennifer, Usain and the rest of the Bolt family on the passing of Wellesley, or Gideon as he was so affectionately called by friends and neighbours in Trelawny.

It is going to be a difficult time, but I encourage them to be comforted by the memory of a very good father.”

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Kingston, 12 February 2025 – The Minister of Culture Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has been presented with the Key to the City of Lauderhill in Florida in the United Sates.

Minister Grange was given the honour for what the City of Lauderhill said was her “outstanding leadership, tireless efforts in promoting Jamaican culture and preserving Reggae music globally.”

The citation read that her commitment to showcasing the rich heritage of Jamaica had made a significant impact on Jamaicans living in Lauderhill.

The Minister told her audience at the ceremony at which she was presented with the Key to the City at the Lauderhill Commission on February 10, 2025, that “good music, rich culture, and strong communities unite us, uplift us, do more than just move us and build legacies that transcend time.”

The Minister said she had dedicated her life to promoting Jamaican music, culture, and heritage across the globe and the Key to the City was not just a symbol of recognition, but a reminder that the work is far from over.

Minister Grange said the City had long been a place where the rhythms of Reggae, the spirit of the heritage, and the strength of the Jamaican people came together to create something truly special, and that Lauderhill had grown into a home away from home for many Jamaicans.

The Minister said that to receive the recognition from a city that held a special place in the heart of Jamaicans overseas was a privilege, and she was thankful to the leaders and people of Lauderhill.

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Kingston, 2 February 2025 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, says there’s now “better communication, better understanding [and] more tolerance” following a meeting to discuss the school tour by the Dancehall performer, Spice.

Minister Grange hosted stakeholders, including her colleague Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Honourable Dana Morris Dixon, as well as Spice, members of the church, and members of the entertainment sector.

Minister Morris Dixon said a take away from the discussions is “the need for more defined protocols around how we do school tours generally.” However, Minister Morris Dixon made it clear that the values being espoused by anyone wishing to do a school tour “must be aligned with the values that the Ministry is espousing, and so for any tour [the] school administration must go through that process of ascertaining what it is about before giving permission.”

Some members of the church objected to Spice’s school tour on the basis that her lyrics and costume were not appropriate for children. In the meeting, the artiste explained that her week-long school tour — which she cancelled after two days in light of the objections — did not involve her performing, playing her music or wearing costumes, but was a motivational speaking series which she said was “aimed at restoring societal values.”

The President of the Jamaica Council of Churches, Bishop Christine Gooden-Benguche, who was in the meeting on Friday, said the information about the purpose and what happens on the school tour was important.

“If perhaps we were aware of the kinds of things that she really wanted to share, it would have made a difference. But having listened to her, and where she’s coming from and what she has actually started to share, we recognise that she has the heart [for] the children,” said Bishop Gooden-Benguche.

Bishop Herro-verne Blair, said Spice had received his support “somewhat”.

“When I saw the video [of the school tour] I could see the same message that we’re carrying in different ways. And I just told her, I said I love you, we’re not here to hurt you, we’re not here to destroy you. So let’s work together. Let’s partner for the good of Jamaica.”

However, Tarrant Baptist Church, which has been critical of the tour has not changed its position despite the new information and discussions. According to its representative, Patience Alonge, “the values [are] what we are protecting…what you are promoting to the children. Therefore, our position where we stand — what was shared is what we stand by.”

Andrew Norman, the representative for Errol Rattray Ministries Evangelistic Association, said Spice in schools would still be problematic, but that “she will help some people”.

The broadcaster, Clyde McKenzie, said Spice “might be the most effective kind of messenger because of her reach. She has credibility amongst her base and therefore if she speaks to them in a certain way about certain matters, they will listen.”

Spice said she was happy for the meeting, which she said had brought the matter to “a place of solution”.

“We have to applaud Minister Babsy Grange for stepping in and initiating a meeting… where all of us could come together and communicate and come out with a solution to see how can all of us — which is going to take all of us — work together [for] the betterment of our country,” said Spice.

The artiste said the discussions would lead to an improved school tour in the future.

“When I do it again, it’s [going to be] a bit of a force to be reckoned with because I won’t be alone. I feel like I will have the support of other people and entities coming together so it could be even bigger and more impactful,” said Spice.

Minister Grange said she looked forward to continuous engagement involving the church, education and entertainment.

“I’m very optimistic following these discussions at which we brought together these important stakeholders with diverse views. They were able to speak frankly and respectfully to each other, and then come to a general agreement that we should try to work together for the good of the nation. Numbers were exchanged and arrangements are being made for further discussions and communication. That makes me hopeful,” said Minister Grange.

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STATEMENT TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
RE: MARCUS GARVEY
By the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport
The Honourable Olivia Grange, OJ, CD, MP
Tuesday, 21 January 2025

Watch statement here

Madam Speaker:

On Sunday (January 19, 2024) the President of the United States, Joe Biden, announced that he had used his clemency power to pardon, posthumously, the Jamaican National Hero, the Right Excellent Marcus Garvey.

It is a welcome and celebrated development following decades of advocacy at the highest level to clear the Hero’s name.
The House will recall that Marcus Garvey Garvey was convicted of mail fraud in the racially charged United States of America in 1923.
He was accused of stock solicitation through the mail to support his Black Star Line. Garvey had established the Black Star Line in 1919 to operate a worldwide network of steamships. He planned for the Black Star Line to provide passage for black people who wanted to return to Africa, as well as to provide a financial base to support the UNIA—the Universal Negro Improvement Association, which he founded right here in Jamaica towards his goal of “rehabilitating” the black race.

Garvey offered shares of stock in the Black Star Line at $5.00 per share. In the space of a year the Black Star Line raised more than 610-thousand dollars and owned three ships. However, through a series of problems, including sabotage, the company ran into difficulty. To keep the business afloat, Garvey sold more shares. It was his stock solicitation through the mail that led to his arrest and unjust conviction.

Garvey was indicted on 13 counts of mail fraud, but was convicted on one count. No one else was convicted in the matter.

The conviction was based on ‘evidence’ surrounding Benny Dancy, a port station worker who had bought 50 shares in the Black Star Line. Dancy had given an empty post paid envelope addressed to himself to government agents who visited his home, though he said at the trial that he could not remember what was sent in the envelope or even if he had read the material.

The court concluded that “men regularly sending out circulars in envelopes do not send out empty envelopes; also, one who received an empty envelope would remember the emptiness; and further and finally, that when Dancy identified the envelope and testified to letters and circulars so numerous that he could not remember all of them, the inference was justifiable that some or one of those documents came in the envelope.”

The contention of the authorities and the decision of the court was that the Black Star Line was part of a scheme devised by Garvey to defraud blacks by soliciting subscriptions to worthless stock.

Garvey was sentenced to five years and, after President Calvin Coolidge commuted his sentence, was deported in 1927.

We know — as President Biden referred to in his statement — the ‘injustice underlying [Garvey’s] criminal conviction.

The trial of Garvey took place at a time of the “Garvey must go” campaign led by several prominent black leaders in the United States who were vehemently opposed to Garvey’s programmes as well as many in white America who saw him as too powerful, dangerous, and needed to be put in his place.

By that time, Garvey had founded the UNIA and the Negro World newspaper and was winning the hearts and minds of people who had heard him speak or read his messages.

The contemporary Reggae artiste Chronixx sings “they never told us that Black is beautiful”. It’s interesting that the three words ‘Black is Beautiful’ formed Marcus Garvey’s original campaign. Love your race, love your features, love yourself.

In his mission to uplift and empower the black race, Garvey was inspired by Booker T Washington.
As he put it: “I read Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington, and then my doom - if I may so call it - of being a race leader dawned upon me... I asked: 'Where is the Black man's Government? Where is his King and his Kingdom? Where is his President, his country, and his ambassador, his army, his navy, his men of big affairs?' I could not find them, and then I declared, 'I will help to make them’.”

In 1920, Garvey convened the first ever Congress of Black Peoples of the World in Madison Square Gardens, New York. His was the self-professed destiny of promoting the dignity and integrity of the black race, for which he was willing to die. Well, first he was arrested by those who feared his growing influence and overwhelming charisma and personality. In a society determined to restrict the progress of African descendant people, Garvey became a threat to stability and the perpetuation of white supremacy. With the trial and persecution anchored in white privilege and a desire to restrict the progress of black people, Marcus Garvey became the slaughtered lamb as it was felt that if he was controlled and neutralised, the threat to white supremacy would be destroyed.

Yet, our National Hero was not deterred by these schemes to destroy him.
He became even more vocal in his assertions of black dignity and integrity.

It was through Marcus Garvey’s unwavering commitment to racial pride and dignity of the black race that Rosa Parkes was enabled to hold her seat in the bus, that Malcolm X was able to defend his cause by stating “by any means necessary”, that Martin Luther King was able to dream and Nelson Mandela was able to walk free. Yes, all this and more was made possible by the Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey of whom Martin Luther King declared: “He was the first man, on a mass scale and level, to give millions of Black people a sense of dignity and destiny”.

The trial of Garvey in 1922 at which he represented himself in court without the help of a lawyer heard that Garvey considered himself to be "leader of the coloured race of the world," and referred to himself at times as the "provisional president of Africa” with the purpose of promoting solidarity among the black people of the world.

We know that the case against Garvey was marked by acknowledged questionable investigative practices, records of perjury, and official misconduct.
We also know that the conviction, imprisonment and deportation had the intended consequence of discrediting Garvey and to sink the UNIA. But Marcus Garvey celebratedly asserted: “Look for me in the whirlwind or a storm! Look for me all around you! For with God’s grace, I shall come back with countless millions of black men and women who have died In America, those who have died in the West Indies, ad those who have died in Africa, to aid you in the fight for liberty, freedom and life.”

On January 19, on the eve of Martin Luther King Day, the whirlwind has come and Marcus Garvey’s philosophy and dream have been once more ignited in the very heart of America. All around the world today, everyone is saying the name Marcus Garvey.

The Government of Jamaica welcomes President Biden’s decision to pardon Garvey. It is the right and honourable thing to do; and represents a major victory in the struggle to clear Garvey’s name.

We have been on this mission for a very long time—almost 40 years ago when the former Prime Minister Edward Seaga took up the matter with the former US President Ronald Reagan.
It was through Mr Seaga as a Minister in the Administration of National Hero and Prime Minister Sir Alexander Bustamante that our newly independent nation saw fit to, in 1964, exhume Garvey’s body, and ensure that he was finally and fittingly laid to rest in the National Heroes Park and named our very first National Hero.

Since Mr Seaga’s approach to Mr Reagan, successive Jamaican administrations have continued advocating for the removal of the stain against our Hero’s name.

We have had one aim.

A few years ago, Prime Minister Andrew Holness again made the case for Garvey’s exoneration in a letter to President Biden.

The mission to clear Garvey has also benefitted from the invaluable contribution of the Garvey family led by his son Julius, the UNIA, members of the Jamaican Diaspora and many people in America and across the world who believe, like we do, that this injustice must be set right.
Today we celebrate a victory. But the mission continues. We dare not give up now. This historic pardon is a most significant step in a process which must continue until the National Hero is exonerated—his name must be cleared completely.

We now look to the US Congress to take action to expunge the criminal record from the Hero’s name — similar to the action that was taken in this parliament to clear the criminal records of Jamaican National Heroes and other freedom fighters who were convicted in colonial times for their actions that have enabled our Emancipation and our Independence.

The pardon removes a stain against one of the greatest Jamaicans, a Jamaican National Hero, and a hero for humanity. We welcome it wholeheartedly. But this is not the end. We know that there is still one last critical step to get to our final destination: the exoneration of Marcus Garvey in America.

The Government will continue to work with the Garvey family, and all the stakeholders to push for the clearing of Marcus Garvey’s name.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Kingston, 19 January 2025 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, has said that the US President, Joe Biden, did “the right and honourable thing” when he used his clemency power to pardon, posthumously, the Right Excellent Marcus Garvey.

Minister Grange says President Biden’s “historic pardon is a most significant step in a process which must continue until the National Hero is exonerated—his name must be cleared completely.”

The Minister says the pardon which was announced this morning (Sunday) was the outcome of “many years of advocacy by successive Jamaican governments, the Garvey family led by his son Julius, the UNIA, members of the Jamaican Diaspora and many people in America and across the world who have been fighting against this wrongful conviction.”

Garvey was convicted of mail fraud in the United States in 1923, but Minister Grange says “that trial and conviction were meant to tarnish Garvey’s image and diminish his global movement.”

Minister Grange says:
“Marcus Garvey was a formidable advocate for the rights of black people, and leader of the largest black movement in history. It was no surprise when Garvey caught the attention of federal agencies in the racially-charged United States of America. It was no surprise when Garvey was charged with mail fraud, imprisoned, tried and deported.

I welcome President Biden’s decision which represents a major victory in the struggle to clear Garvey’s name. We must welcome the pardon wholeheartedly. However, we maintain that Garvey’s actions were not criminal actions, but were acts of liberation, with moral justification.

Therefore, what we need is an expungement of Garvey’s record in America, similar to what was done by the Jamaican parliament.
We have been on this journey for a very long time and we must continue the advocacy for the removal of this criminal record against our hero.”

A resolution was brought to the US House Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, as far back as 1987 to clear Garvey, but did not succeed.

In 2018, the Jamaican Houses of Parliament passed The National Heroes and Other Freedom Fighters (Absolution from Criminal Liability in Respect of Specified Acts) Act, which cleared the records of National Heroes, including Garvey.

The law removed the conviction for sedition against Garvey.

Minister Grange says the decision of President Biden “removes a stain against one of the greatest Jamaicans, a Jamaican National Hero, and a hero for humanity.”

The Minister says the “Government of Jamaica will continue to work with the Garvey family, and all the stakeholders to push for the exoneration of Marcus Garvey. Today we celebrate.”

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Kingston, 21 August 2024 – The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and Ministry of Tourism have proposed the twinning of Montego Bay, Jamaica with the Brazilian city of São Luís.

The Minister of Tourism, Edmund Barlett, made the proposal on a visit to the city on Monday where he signed a cooperation agreement with his Brazilian counterpart, Celso Sabino, aimed at strengthening tourism and cultural ties between both countries.

In his address, Minister Bartlett said: “after deliberation with the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, we propose to twin the cities of Montego Bay and São Luís as a show of musical fraternity and solidarity, and in recognition of the strong ties that bind both of our peoples.”

São Luís is one of the principal cities of the state of Maranhão which is known for its embrace of and obsession with Reggae music.

In 2018, Maranhão established the first museum, not located in Jamaica, that is dedicated to showcasing Reggae.

Minister Grange said she anticipated future collaborations with the Maranhão museum and the Jamaica Music Museum in Kingston in the promotion of Reggae music.

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Kingston, 14 June 2023 (JIS) — The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, is reporting that submissions for the redevelopment of the Independence Park Complex have found favour with the Public Investment Management Committee.

She said the Ministry has been directed to proceed to develop detailed designs for the proposed works.

“We have also been directed to coordinate the planning of the National Stadium development with the activities of the National Water Commission and the National Works Agency, among other requirements,” Minister Grange said.

She was speaking during her contribution to the 2023/24 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (June 13).

In addition to upgraded stands, seating, lighting and other renovations, the National Stadium’s redevelopment will include a new Velodrome (outside the main facility) and the National Sports Museum.

“We have set a timeline of 12 months to report back to the Public Investment Management Committee with all that is required to take the project to the next stage of the approval process,” Minister Grange indicated.

“I'm heartened by the support of my colleague, the Minister of Finance and the Public Service, who has undertaken to provide the resources to assist us to prepare the necessary drawings and plans to move the National Stadium development forward,” she added.

Minister Grange also reiterated that much preparatory work still needs to be done, while advising that there is an estimated 36-month timeline to complete the construction.

“We have come a far way, but there’s further to go. We will realise our ambition of a modern, state-of-the-art National Stadium and Sports Museum, monuments to our greatness as we set things right,” the Minister said.

Minister Grange indicated that the redevelopment of the Independence Park Complex, which houses the National Stadium, has been a strategic focus for her.

She noted that it requires a lot of work, but “we have been working diligently to transform it and make it representative of the home of the best sportsmen and sportswomen in the world”.

“During the last few years, we have resurfaced the running tracks in the complex, upgraded the aquatic centre, [and] upgraded the basketball and Leila Robinson Netball courts, among other improvements, including the repurposing of the car park as an entertainment venue,” Minister Grange said.

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Kingston, 6 December 2022 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, opened a debate in the House of Representatives on Monday (today) on a motion for the amendment of the Standing Orders to establish the Bicameral Caucus of Women Parliamentarians.

Minister Grange said the Caucus would “provide a collaborative space for all women parliamentarians, regardless of party affiliation... facilitate dialogue on issues of women’s rights and gender equality and undertake actions to positively impact the inclusiveness of the legislature, legislative process and our country as a whole.”

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Most Honourable Juliet Holness, and the Opposition MP, Dr Angela Brown Burke, spoke in favour of the establishment of the caucus of women parliamentarians at the opening of the debate on the motion.

This follows a weekend training retreat of women Members of Parliament and Senators that discussed several issues including the setting up of the caucus.

The retreat also focused on promoting women's political participation, gender equality concepts in relation to legislative work, ongoing gender equality initiatives in Jamaica as well as opportunities for collaboration among women parliamentarians on priority issues that transcend politics such as gender-based violence, and capacity building on applying a gender perspective in legislative work.

The training retreat on Saturday and Sunday (December 3 and December 4) in Ocho Rios, St Ann was attended by several women MPs and Senators as well as Councillors from both sides of the political divide.

This activity was made possible with the support of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative and the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada. It was organised
by the Bureau of Gender Affairs in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport with the support of ParlAmericas, the UN Women Multi-Country Office for the Caribbean and the Jamaica Houses of Parliament.

The retreat was a response to the request for training by women parliamentarians towards achieving inclusive and effective outcomes for their constituents and the continued implementation of the National Policy for Gender Equality (2011).

The decision-makers in attendance committed to working together to promote gender equality in legislative work. They also reached consensus on the importance of trust and a commitment to honest communication and collaborative advocacy on issues specific to women and children in the legislative process; learning more about and prioritising people-centred approaches in legislative work; and to holding a follow-up meeting by March 2023.

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Kingston, 25 November 2022 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has said that there is no tension between the Government and the Rastafari or Maroon communities in Jamaica.

Minister Grange made the statement as she appeared before the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The Minister’s appearance before the Committee via video link over the last two days (Thursday and Friday) is part of the regular reporting mechanism on the measures implemented by Jamaica in keeping with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Responding to questions regarding the Government’s relationship with Rastafari and the Maroon communities in light of reports of the cutting of the hair of a Rastafari elder at a hospital, as well as reports of tensions in the Accompong Town community, Minister Grange said that “while there may be individual issues, we continue to enjoy excellent relations with these groups. Certainly as the Minister of Culture responsible for those groups, we engage constantly and have had wonderful outcomes. And we recognise their indigenous culture and we recognise them as Jamaicans.”

Minister Grange made a distinction between ‘indigenous culture’ and ‘indigenous people’.

The Minister also referenced financial and other support given by the Government to Maroon communities including Moore Town, Charles Town, Scott’s Hall and Accompong Town to assist with their festivals and development initiatives.

She also spoke of reparations to members of the Rastafari community who were victims of the Coral Gardens Incident of 1963.

Minister Grange said:

“Jamaica, despite its size and limited resources, has made significant strides in implementing the Convention and in rooting out any hint of racial discrimination within the society. We have sought to address past wrongs and to strengthen our legal and institutional frameworks. We will continue to bolster existing mechanisms for the protection and advancement of the rights of every citizen, at all levels of the Jamaican society, no matter race, colour, creed or class.”

The Minister said Jamaica would continue to monitor the human rights situation in the country and make adjustments where necessary.

“We acknowledge that there is room for improvement, and we are resolved to engage and ensure the full respect of the rights of all Jamaicans. Our beloved Jamaica will remain welcoming to all peoples regardless of skin colour. We strive to foster unity. Out of Many One People is who we are and will continue to be.”

Jamaica’s delegation to the Geneva-based meeting of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination faced broad questions touching on the protection of human rights in a range of areas. The meeting reviewed the multi sectoral 2019 Country Report submitted by the Government of Jamaica.

The delegation included Her Excellency Ambassador Cheryl Spencer, the Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations and her team; Miss Sherise Gayle, Senior Assistant Attorney General; Captain Natalie James, Human Rights Specialist in the Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs; and
Mrs Laleta Davis Mattis, Chair of the National Council on Reparation.

They were supported via video link by several government Ministries, Departments and Agencies including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Education and Youth, the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

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