On March 28, the nonprofit group Right Now for Jamaica (RNFJ) held an inaugural gala dinner and concert to raise money for long-term relief in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s October 2025 devastation of the island.
The event, billed as “an elegant evening of culture, purpose and philanthropy,” took place at the Royal Ballroom in Bowie, Maryland. All proceeds from the $500-a-plate dinner went directly toward rebuilding critical sectors including education, healthcare and infrastructure.
Audrey Marks, Jamaica’s ambassador to the United States from 2010 to 2012 and again from 2016 to 2025, received RNFJ’s Inaugural President’s Award. She is now minister of efficiency, innovation and digital transformation. Also attending was current Ambassador Antony Anderson, whom the Washington Diplomat profiled in December.
“Our mission transcends immediate relief; we are dedicated to the sustainable renewal of the communities that form the heart of Jamaica,” said RNFJ’s president, Ronald McKay. “This gala is a call to action for our global community to unite and ensure that our recovery efforts result in a stronger, more self-sufficient future for the island.”
He added that Marks was recognized for her “outstanding service and leadership, particularly her unwavering commitment to Jamaica and her instrumental role in facilitating and mobilizing relief efforts after Hurricane Melissa.”
The Category 5 storm, with sustained winds of 185 mph, left 58 people dead and caused more than $9 billion in damage to the Caribbean island.
McKay said: “The gala reflects a broader movement among diaspora leaders and strategic partners to move beyond short-term response toward sustainable recovery and renewal. By convening public and private sector stakeholders in one space, the event fosters meaningful partnerships that will drive measurable impact across the island.”
The evening’s entertainment featured a lineup headlined by two-time Grammy-nominated reggae powerhouse Shauna Gaye Melissa McKenzie, known as Etana. She’ll be joined by artists Mykal Rose & Ras Mista Fyah, Julian Junior Marvin and the Legendary Wailers.
Dr. Maurice Miles, vice-president of RNFJ, said the gala served as a vital platform to mobilize Jamaican diaspora, noting that “as recovery transitions into long-term rebuilding, the need for sustained partnership and investment remains paramount. This event fosters meaningful partnerships that will drive measurable impact across the island.”
RNFJ has already made a significant impact on the ground, providing assistance in the parish of St. Elizabeth and adopting hurricane-ravaged Percy Junor Hospital. To date, the charity has given the facility over $100,000 in medical supplies, with additional shipments now en route.
