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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.”

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.

Football Legend René Simões Inspires Next Generation of Jamaican Athletes During Special Visit to Garvey Maceo High School

The next generation of Jamaican football talent received an unforgettable lesson in perseverance and excellence recently when René Simões, the iconic former coach of Jamaica’s “Reggae Boyz,” visited Dacosta Cup champions Garvey Maceo High School as part of his book launch for “The Impossible Dream.”

The special event, organized by the JWN Foundation, brought the legendary Brazilian tactician face-to-face with members of the school’s boys and girls football teams, who have been making impressive strides in local football competitions this season.
Simões, who famously led Jamaica to its historic first and only World Cup qualification in 1998, shared invaluable insights from his coaching career and the philosophy that helped transform Jamaican football onto the global stage. His visit to Garvey Maceo represents more than just a book promotion – it symbolizes the continuing influence of his revolutionary approach to developing football talent in Jamaica.

“What Coach Simões accomplished with our national team remains one of the greatest achievements in Jamaican sports history,” said Jean-Philippe Beyer, Chairman of, JWN Foundation. “Bringing him to interact with these young athletes at Garvey Maceo creates a powerful connection between generations and reinforces our commitment to youth sports development in our communities, building on the work that our parent company JWN Limited has done through the Sponsorship of the Jamaica Premier League KSAFA and the Jamaica Football Federation,” he shared.

During his motivational session, Simões emphasized the importance of the 5 D’s: Discipline, Dedication, Determination, Desire, and Decision – the same principles that guided his coaching philosophy during Jamaica’s remarkable World Cup qualification campaign. He encouraged the student-athletes to pursue excellence in life both on and off the field.

“I was born in a poor place called a ghetto, or a favela in Brazil. My life was not a rich life because I grew up with 11 other siblings and we didn’t have much. Most of my friends went to prison or died because they decided to move in the wrong way, but I decided to move in the right way. I decided that I wanted to be someone in life, and I don’t know where you were born, but you have the opportunity to do better, Simões told the attentive young players.” He continued, “Talent is just the beginning. But, if you follow the 5 D’s like the Reggae Boyz did leading up to the 2018 World Cup you will be successful.” he ended, after which he demonstrated a short and interactive practical approach to highlight the first two D’s, Desire and decision.

The visit held special significance for the rural football champions Garvey Maceo’s football program, which has been working to build a competitive tradition in school competitions. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams had the opportunity to ask questions about training methods, tactical approaches, and mental preparation for high-stakes matches.

Each student-athlete received a signed copy of “The Impossible Dream,” which chronicles Simões’s journey with the Jamaican national team and the challenges they overcame to reach football’s biggest stage. “The book serves as both a historical account of that achievement and a blueprint for future success,” Simões shared. “It is for the future generation.”

This initiative aligns JWNF with its ongoing commitment to community development through cultural expression and education. By connecting young athletes with iconic sports figures like Simões, the Foundation aims to inspire the next generation of Jamaican sporting talent.

“These students are at a critical age where mentorship can make all the difference,” added JWN Foundation’s Chairman. “Having Coach Simões share his experience and wisdom directly with these young student athletes creates an indelible impression that we hope will fuel their athletic and personal development for years to come,” Beyer ended.

J. Wray And Nephew Donates To 12 Healthcare Facilities

Beverage company J. Wray and Nephew Limited (JWN) has answered a call for assistance from various hospitals in Jamaica and this week announced its donation of $45 million to 12 healthcare institutions, starting with a $5 million gift to the problem-plagued Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) in Montego Bay.

JWN Foundation Brings Christmas Cheer to 1,000 Families

J. Wray & Nephew (JWN) Foundation will bring Christmas cheer to over 1,000 families in Kingston and Clarendon by providing food packages and supermarket vouchers. This as the foundation recognises the challenges faced by families with children at home doing online learning. Good nutrition is an important part of learning and development, and JWN Foundation wants to ensure that families can provide balanced meals.