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JWN Foundation Expands Scholarship Programme and Awards Two Hundred Scholarships to Celebrate the Organizations 200th Anniversary

Two hundred secondary and tertiary students have benefited from $23.7 million dollars in scholarships from the J. Wray & Nephew Foundation (JWNF), the philanthropic arm of J. Wray & Nephew Limited in recognition of the organisations 200th year of operations in Jamaica.

J. Wray & Nephew Limited is celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2025, marking two centuries since its founding in 1825 by John Wray. The organisation is Jamaica’s first registered company, which is being described as a remarkable milestone of national and business history.

As a measure of good corporate governance and philanthropy, the corporation founded the JWN Foundation in 2012 and later in 2016 established the scholarship programme as its flagship initiative to safeguard the future of Jamaica’s children.

This scholarship programme underscores the Foundation’s commitment to its slogan ‘Transforming Lives and Communities for a Better Jamaica’ and underscores its commitment to fostering educational advancement and community development.

According to Marsha Haughton, Director at the JWNF, the organisations 200th anniversary is only possible because of the continued support of Jamaicans.

“They have embraced our brands as the fabric of their daily lives and spending their hard-earned money with us. We never take for granted that our consumers have options but they have stuck with us through thick and thin so we must show our gratitude, and the Foundation will mainly be the steward of these initiatives,” Haughton said.

Since the programme’s inception, the JWN Foundation has awarded over 2,000 scholarships, empowering students across Jamaica to reach their full potential. The scholarship recipients are from the very communities where JWN has its operations and this year the organisation saw a remarkable improvement in the types of applications received.

This year was tough and these students, Haughton said, have demonstrated remarkable academic achievements and are poised to make significant contributions to their communities and beyond. “Education continues to be a critical pillar in our CSR initiatives. It is our firm belief that education is the most effective tool in changing the trajectory of a person’s life and by extension a community and a country,” Haughton said.

The JWN Foundation’s scholarships programme not only helps alleviate the financial burden of education but also empowers students to excel academically. By providing these opportunities, the Foundation continues to play a crucial role in shaping the future for Jamaica.

“Our employees come from these communities and this investment in education changes their perspective on what is possible for their families. These scholars will also form the talent pool from which employers including JWN will get new recruits thereby helping with business continuity, productivity and building brand Jamaica. A strong Jamaica naturally benefits all those who plan to live, build families and do business here,” Haughton said.

Jamal Muirhead final year student at the University of the West Indies Mona, credits his success to the unwavering support of the JWN Foundation. “When I first applied, I did not receive the scholarship, but I had put in my application that I needed a pair of glasses. JWN Foundation stepped in and assisted me in getting the glasses and my whole life changed. I was able to see, and study and I have kept soaring to greatness,” Muirhead said.

Muirhead who is completing a double major in International Relations and Political Science, re-applied while he was still a student at Denbigh High School and was successful. “I am so grateful for what they continue to do for me. I don’t think I would be where I am today had it not been for their intervention. They have put me in places that I I never even imagined that I would be,” he said.

J. Wray & Nephew Ltd has transformed from a single tavern in Kingston into one of the Caribbean’s most iconic and enduring producers of rums and spirits.

To honour its bicentenary, the company has been hosting a year-long programme of celebrations honouring its rich heritage, the people who have built and sustained the company and its brand over generations, and the communities it continues to serve.

J. Wray & Nephew Foundation Champions Literacy on Read Across Jamaica Day 2025

As Jamaica celebrated Read Across Jamaica Day, J.Wray & Nephew Foundation (JWNF), a leading Jamaican philanthropy brand with a proud legacy of community involvement. On the heels of the recent posthumous pardon by the US of former US president Joe Biden of Marcus Garvey, Jamaica’s first national hero, the JWNF board decided to celebrate Garvey’s teachings for Read Across Jamaica Day. Daddy Marcus Nursery Rhymes was this year’s choice of Jamaican-authored books by Jamaican professor of Garveyism, and author Steven Golding.

Garfene Grandison, General Manager of the JWN Foundation, said the Foundation selected 12 schools within the company’s operating areas in Kingston, Clarendon, and St. Elizabeth. According to him, “We have always chosen Jamaican authors and with recent pardon and Garvey’s body of work and the importance that it played, we thought that this was the perfect opportunity to start at the primary level to introduce and reinforce his teachings.

“Garvey’s ideas promoted self-reliance and the establishment of an independent black economy, and by reading this book, and through his efforts in the past, we aim to make a significant contribution towards sustainable literacy development among Jamaica’s children. Additionally, it

allows us to foster a love of reading in communities where literacy levels are relatively low,” Grandison said.

Members of J. Wray & Nephew volunteered by visiting primary schools in Kingston, Clarendon and St. Elizabeth, where they read stories to students from Daddy Marcus Nursery Rhymes, donated 8 copies of the book to the school’s library, and engaged young readers in lively discussions about the power of literacy and Jamaican culture.

“Our volunteers look forward to this initiative every year as an opportunity to actively participate in increasing the literacy of the next generation and providing a platform to introduce locally authored books to the children in underserved communities. Our aim was to get students to see that once they put their mind to something and work hard, that they will be able to achieve it,” he said.

Marcus Mosiah Garvey Jr was a Jamaican political activist and the founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA-ACL) and was a prominent advocate for black nationalism and Pan-Africanism, emphasizing unity between Africans and the African diaspora.

“My grandmother used to always remember and recite nursery rhymes up to when she was 90 years old, so it revealed to me the impact that those nursery rhymes had on people especially at the early childhood level. We began to look at nursery rhymes, the impact it has on the psychology of people and then started to do further research to insert our history in these stories.” He continued, “Marcus Garvey’s teachings provided us with a blueprint for true

independence that transcends time, and this book is a celebration of Garvey’s ideas and his contribution to our present moment,” he ended.

This year’s Read Across Jamaica Day, was celebrated under the theme “Safeguarding the Future of Education: Adapting to the Changing Landscape.”

JWN Foundation empowers 199 Students with Scholarships to Shape a Brighter Future

The JWN Foundation (JWNF) proudly announces the awarding of scholarships to 199 exceptional students from the communities surrounding its parent company, J. Wray & Nephew Limited (JWN). This initiative underscores the foundation’s commitment to its slogan, “Transforming Lives and Communities for a Better Jamaica,” and underscores its commitment to fostering educational advancement and community development.

The scholarships, valued at a total of J$22,240,000, represent a notable increase from last year’s disbursement of J$19,280,000, highlighting the foundation’s ongoing dedication to educational advancement. Since the program’s inception in 2016, the JWN Foundation has awarded over 2,000 scholarships with a combined value exceeding J$167,000,000, empowering students across Jamaica to reach their full potential.

This year’s scholarship recipients come from the very communities where JWN has its operations. These students have demonstrated remarkable academic achievements and are poised to make significant contributions to their communities and beyond.

“The JWN Foundation is proud to support these bright young minds as they pursue their educational goals,” said Tanikie McClarthy Allen, CEO of the JWN Foundation. “Investing in education is investing in the future of Jamaica. We are committed to nurturing talent and fostering opportunities that will lead to positive, lasting change in our communities.

The JWN Foundation’s scholarship program not only helps alleviate the financial burden of education but also empowers students to excel academically and personally. By providing these opportunities, the foundation continues to play a crucial role in shaping a prosperous future for Jamaica.

JWN Foundation expands agro-preneurship programme

SOURCE: The Jamaica Observer

The J Wray & Nephew Foundation (JWNF) has this year expanded its “Agro-preneurship” programme, leveraging key partnerships to enhance community development and economic empowerment across Jamaica.

The programme, following a successful launch in St Elizabeth back in 2021, has, for 2024, been extended to Kingston and Clarendon, aiming to provide comprehensive support to aspiring agro-preneurs while offering financial education, skills training and essential resources.

The initiative, which focuses on establishing sustainable poultry farming ventures, has for this year’s staging received additional contributions and noteworthy partnership support from entities such as the JN Bank, HEART/NSTA Trust and Nutramix.

Nutramix has been named the official title sponsor this year.

Following the distribution of chicken starter kits to at-risk groups in St Elizabeth communities, the programme’s expansion, which got underway in the additional parishes last month, sees over 100 agro-preneurs across communities presented with packages consisting of baby chicks, broiler pellet and crumble, feeder pan along with packets of vitamins and stress mix. Additionally, the recipients were also gifted with grocery bags of essential items for their families.

The JWN Foundation has a long history of ‘transforming lives and communities for a better Jamaica’ said it has since inception in 2012 donated to schools, hospitals, and other organisations in need. Beneficiary communities under the 2024 edition of the agro-preneurship programme include: Waterhouse, Seaview Gardens, Riverton, Henley Road in the Corporate Area and Gimme-Me-Bit, Racecourse, Water Lane, Vernamfield, York Town, and Milk River in Clarendon. The expansion of the programme, which comes as a testament to the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to community development, seeks to further increase the capacity of local farmers as it ensures food security while fostering economic resilience in Jamaica.

“This initiative started a vision to empower community members through sustainable agri-business practices and what we are now witnessing is an expansion of the fruits of our labour as more families embark on the path to self-reliance and entrepreneurial success. The expansion to Kingston and Clarendon is not just a milestone for us, but a great signal to the opportunities for aspiring agro-preneurs across Jamaica,” commented CEO of JWN Foundation Tanikie McClarthy Allen.

“Over 40 farming families in Clarendon have already benefited from the programme and many more in Kingston will now have the opportunity to enhance their livelihoods. By empowering our local farmers, we are fostering economic growth, job creation, and improved standards of living as we equip persons with the necessary resources and support to establish sustainable and profitable poultry ventures,” she added.

Touting the success of the programme, Marsha Thompson, a resident and beneficiary from Gimme-Me-Bit, Clarendon, lauded its impact as life-changing.

“This initiative has impacted my life so much because this is what I have been doing for a living for over five years and this contribution from the JWN Foundation is very timely as the last time I bought some chickens, a mongoose came in and ate them all. With this opportunity I’m now able to build back as I also continue to put into my restaurant business in Vernamfield,” she said.

“The donation from the JWN Foundation will go a long way in supporting our community and our need to start a small business so that we can sell and buy more so that our business can expand. Ultimately, it’s bigger and better for us. I even have plans to build a bigger ‘chicken coob’ in my backyard,” shared Anneika Bailey, another resident of Clarendon.

This year’s programme, which seeks to equip individuals with the necessary resources and knowledge on sustainable farming practices, also teaches them how to operate a financially sound and profitable agri-business venture.

Diamond King, youth banking officer for partnerships & engagement at JN Bank, in highlighting the importance of the initiative, said that the financial empowerment of people is crucial to the country’s economic success.

“JN Bank is committed to supporting entrepreneurs across various sectors, including agriculture. We applaud the JWNF for leading this agro-preneurship initiative and are grateful for the opportunity to partner with them to educate entrepreneurs about our financial solutions.

“The information we have shared with the beneficiaries has been well received, and several participants have already expressed an interest in learning more about how we can assist them financially, so we are eager to build on this collaboration in the future,” King noted.

Ronique Rhoden, director of community engagement at HEART/NSTA Trust, in similarly highlighting the alignment between the initiative and her entity’s mission, said it opens the portal for the human development agency to offer training that will improve the social and economic well-being of community members.

“The beneficiaries are excited to be trained by the trust on how to become better micro, small and medium-sized business. Through this programme they are being given the opportunity to develop their skills and to better themselves, their families and communities,” Rhoden stated.

JWN Foundation expands agropreneurship initiative through strategic partnerships

SOURCE: The Jamaica Gleaner

The JWN Foundation recently expanded its agropreneurship initiative, leveraging key partnerships to enhance community development and economic empowerment across Jamaica. Originally launched in St Elizabeth in 2021, the programme has now extended its reach to Kingston and Clarendon, with an additional 100 contributions added to its 2024 staging.

The initiative, which focuses on establishing sustainable poultry farming ventures, has been bolstered by collaborations with JN Bank, HEART/NSTA Trust, and Nutramix. These partnerships aim to provide comprehensive support to aspiring agropreneurs, combining financial education, skills training, and essential resources.

Diamond King, youth banking officer for partnerships & engagement at JN Bank, emphasised the importance of the initiative.

“The financial empowerment of our people is crucial to Jamaica’s economic success. JN Bank is committed to supporting entrepreneurs across various sectors, including agriculture. We applaud the JWN Foundation for leading this Agropreneurship initiative and are grateful for the opportunity to partner with them to educate entrepreneurs about our convenient solutions.”

King added that the partnership has yielded positive results.

“The information was well received, and several participants expressed interest in learning more about how we can assist them so we are eager to build on this collaboration in the future.”

Ronique Rhoden, director of community engagement at HEART/NSTA Trust, highlighted the alignment between the initiative and their mission.

“As a human development agency, we were pleased to assist in bringing training to improve the lives of community members. Agropreneurship is a booming business opportunity ideal for these communities, and we’re committed to showing a trajectory for improved livelihoods.”

Rhoden also noted the enthusiastic response from participants.

“The beneficiaries are excited to be trained by the Trust in micro, small & medium-sized business. They look forward to developing their skills to better themselves, their families, and their communities,” she ended.

The expanded programme continues to provide chicken starter kits in partnership with Nutramix, equipping farmers with the resources needed to establish and grow their poultry businesses. Maurice Williams, Nutramix assistant brand manager, expressed pride in supporting the initiative, stating that it “underscores the importance of empowering our communities through agribusiness”.

JWN Foundation CEO Tanikie McClarthy Allen emphasised the initiative’s impact.

“Over 40 farming families in Clarendon have already t from the programme, and with this expansion, many more in Kingston will now have the opportunity to enhance their livelihoods. By empowering our local farmers, we are fostering economic growth, job creation, and improved standards of living,” she stated.

This collaborative effort between the JWN Foundation and its partners exemplifies a shared commitment to “transforming lives and communities for a better Jamaica” through sustainable agribusiness development.

JWN Foundation expands agro-preneurship programme to Corporate Area

SOURCE: Our Today

JWN Foundation (JWNF), the philanthropic arm of J Wray & Nephew, has expanded its “agro-preneurship” programme to communities within its vicinity on Spanish Town Road in St Andrew.

The foundation kick-started the programme in 2021, launching first in St Elizabeth, before expanding further in Clarendon in 2023, with the aim of bolster local farmers’ supplies, ensuring food security, and fostering economic resilience in Jamaica.

By bringing the initiative to Kingston, it aims to foster economic growth and agricultural development within the communities that are nearest its Spanish Town Road operations.

At the recent instalment of the programme, JWN Foundation distributed chicken starter kits and essential food items to over 100 farming families in both Clarendon and Kingston. This is a significant increase in the number of beneficiaries since the programme starting.

In Kingston, residents of Waterhouse, Seaview Gardens, Riverton City, and Henley Road benefitted from the distribution.

According to, Marsha Thompson, a resident from Gimme-Me-Bit in Clarendon, “This initiative has impacted my life so much because this is what I do for a living forover 5 years now and this contribution from the JWN Foundation is very timely because the last time I bought some chickens a mongoose came in and ate them all, so this is now an opportunity for me to build back. Now I can contiue to put this into my restaurant business at Vernamfield,” she explained.

CEO of the JWN Foundation Tanikie McClarthy Allen outlined that the agro-preneurship initiative started with a vision to empower community members through sustainable agribusiness practices.

“Today, we are witnessing the expansion of the fruits of our labor as more families embark on the path to self-reliance and entrepreneurial success. The expansion to Kingston is not just a milestone for us but a great signal to the opportunities for aspiring agro-preneurs across Jamaica,” she ended.

As the JWN Foundation continues to deepen its support of the Agro-preneurship program, the vision of transforming lives and communities for a better Jamaica remains at the heart of every action.

JWN Foundation enlisted Nutramix, JN Bank and HEART Trust/NSTA for the instalment of the programme.

Jamaal Muirhead ‘eyes’ serving the Jamaican cause as a diplomat

SOURCE: Go Jamaica

IN TWO years, he could become the first diplomat to hail from Crook’s Gate, southwestern Clarendon.

That’s why Jamaal Muirhead is putting everything into ensuring that he emerges top of the class as he reads for a degree in International Relations at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, cour tesy of a J Wray & Nephew (JWN) Foundation scholarship.

He has completed the first task, by making the Dean’s List in his first year of study and does not intend to drop the ball on the race to the fin ish line which climaxes in two years.

Jamaal is no ordinary scholar ship seeker. While in grade 10 at Denbigh High School in Clarendon, he pushed forward to apply for a scholarship through the JWN Foundation. But that initial denial did not daunt him. Although not successful for the scholarship, the JWN Foundation along with Optical Elements donated a pair of glasses to help the young student during his course of study. Following success at Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, he applied again for a scholarship to take him through sixth form. Guess what? He was successful! And that success pushed him even further, as he was embraced by the founda tion, which backed him financially, again, for the latest tertiary schol arship over three years.

“I don’t know what I would have done without these scholarships, because things were tough,”he said. “Students should be persistent and search for those scholarships be cause they are out there, and they are meaningful. By working hard at your academics and getting in volved in extracurricular activities, you will be able to land those schol arships,” he urged others.

With his engine in full revolu tion, Jamaal not only wants to be a member of Jamaica’s diplomatic corps but intends to be involved in something special. “The study of international relations is extremely important. It is more relevant now, based on the conflicts that we have seen with Hamas and Israel, with Russia and Ukraine … and being a part of that process, I would be able to help Jamaica on the foreign Jamaal Muirhead, JWN Foundation Scholarship recipient. CONTRIBUTED front, because Jamaica is heavily dependent on outside investments and outside relation are important to a country,” the now resident of Gimme-Me-Bit in Clarendon remarked.

As for something extra, politics may be another area in which he could serve, if utterances by community folk regarding his suita bility in that area are taken seriously by him. But there are doubts. “I do have the political and leadership acumen, but Jamaican politics … it can be a bit filthy at times, it can be a bit rough, it is not easy. Jamaican politics is a blood sport,” he ended.

JWN Foundation’s reading ‘promise’

SOURCE: The Jamaica Observer

Grade 3 teacher at Gimme-Me-Bit Primary School Debbie Barrett (left) being presented with a copy of the JWN Foundation’s featured book for Read Across Jamaica Day, I am a Promise by Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce by JWN Foundation volunteers Kizzy Lamey (centre) and Yanique Dixon.

The JWN Foundation volunteers went to schools in the parishes of Kingston, Clarendon, and St Elizabeth last Thursday for Read Across Jamaica Day.

JWN Foundation delivers on promise to enhance literary education

SOURCE: Loop News

The JWN Foundation once again threw its support behind Read Across Jamaica Day on May 7, a national initiative dedicated to promoting literacy and fostering a love for reading among children across the island.

The foundation mobilised its staff volunteers to visit 12 schools in Kingston, Clarendon and St Elizabeth. The book chosen for this year’s reading was Olympian Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s inspiring co-authored book, “I Am a Promise”. Fraser-Pryce’s, “I Am a Promise” documents the inspiring story of the young girl from her humble beginnings in Waterhouse to her rise to global fame as one of the world’s most gifted female sprint legends.

The book emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself and working hard to achieve one’s dreams. Through the pages of this motivating book, Fraser-Pryce encourages children to embrace their potential and stay focused on their goals.

By featuring ‘I Am a Promise’ as the focal point of its participation in Read Across Jamaica Day, the JWN Foundation hopes to resonate with young readers and impart the values of resilience, determination, and self-confidence that are at the heart of the book’s narrative. We aim to empower and uplift our Jamaican communities, and there is no better way to do that than by nurturing the minds of our children and doing so through the lens of one of our very own star athletes in an Olympic year,” said Tanikie McClarthy Allen, CEO of the JWN Foundation.

She continued, “JWNF remains very active in our communities through our multiple touch points with the residents, so we have seen firsthand what is needed and are collaborating with the community to come up with ideas and activities to fill these gaps. Today’s activity is the favourite for our volunteers because it is a wonderful opportunity for them [staff volunteers] to give back to their communities. This short but profound book will leave a lasting impression on young readers to motivate them to dream big, and we saw that on Tuesday with the outstanding participation from the children,” she ended.

JWN Foundation staff volunteers participated in various activities throughout Read Across Jamaica Day, including reading sessions, interactive discussions with the students about the story’s themes and how they relate to their own lives.

Each school also received a donation of eight books for the school library. Through this donation, children will have access to this empowering story long beyond Read Across Jamaica Day.

Triple the support as JWN Foundation continues to battle period poverty public health crisis

SOURCE: The Jamaica Observer

JWN Foundation tripled its period poverty donation efforts last week and distributed over 1,800 menstrual kits through their staff volunteer network across three parishes — Clarendon, St Elizabeth, and Kingston — as part of their #endperiodpoverty campaign.

Institutions such as Seaview Gardens Primary in Kingston, Race Course Primary in Clarendon and Bogue All-Age in St Elizabeth are just a few of those that will benefit from the donation. The foundation said it started focusing on the issue in 2020 based on the experience of working in communities where many young girls are unable to afford the cost of sanitary napkins. That year, the foundation donated 650 menstrual care packages to 12 institutions.

Since its inception, the JWN Foundation has donated 9,472 sanitary products, aiding 5,075 women across 20 institutions.

International Women’s Day 2024 was celebrated March 8 under the theme ‘Inspire Inclusion’, emphasising the importance of women being included and feeling a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment. JWN said it chose to dedicate the entire month of March to women. As part of the celebrations, the company hosted its ‘Spirited Women’ luncheon to honour remarkable and resilient women, while simultaneously launching the annual ‘end period poverty’ campaign. From collaboration with the women honored, nearly $300,000 cash and in-kind support was pledged towards the foundation’s expanded efforts.

“I never realised the struggles some women were going through,” said honouree Anna Liao, owner of National Self-Serve Wholesale. “Some of these things we take for granted because it’s just a part of life, but my eyes were opened during the luncheon when I watched the video showcasing the work that the JWN Foundation has been doing over the years, so I had to contribute. I had to play my part. It’s something I think we must do to help the many young girls that are struggling.”

Tanikie McClarthy Allen, CEO of the JWN Foundation, said she was very happy with the increased support by the Spirited Women to expand and extend the reach of the period poverty campaign.

“We are proud of the extra support being extended by the Spirited Women to expand the reach of this campaign to reach even more girls. As little as $1,000 can help one girl with three months’ supply, so imagine the collective support of many and what that will do to these young women whose lives we will be touching,” she said.

“Along with T Geddes Grant as one of our trusted partners, I’m also happy to share that this year we can afford to increase and expand the offering to each girl, so aside from the sanitary napkins, we provided wipes, and a convenient pouch to maintain privacy while at the same time helping the girls to form healthy habits of being prepared for their cycles.”

She said this year’s expansion is part of continued support to ending period poverty, and the JWN Foundation believes that by empowering women and providing them with the necessary resources, they can make a significant difference in their lives.

JWN Foundation operates under three pillars — education, culture and social inclusion — and focuses its attention in areas surrounding its business operations at Spanish Town Road in Kingston, New Yarmouth in Clarendon, and Appleton Estate in St Elizabeth.