CARIBBEAT: Team Jamaica Bickle boosts Penn Relays athletes and sponsors
It was 1964 when four Kingston College runners, from the less-than two-year-old independent nation of Jamaica, made the country’s scholastic debut at the historic Penn Relays track and field meet in Philadelphia — by winning the championship 440-yard relay by besting scores of well-prepped American squads.
That lone pioneering quartet made history at Penn Relays but encountered serious challenges off the track when looking for affordable lodgings, customary island cuisine, and other desires that are now addressed by the Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB) hospitality initiative.
So, last year, when Kingston College — one of now-sizable contingent of Jamaican schools each year — won the Boy’s 4x400-meter Championship of America at the Relays, TJB volunteers helped.
They served athletes Caribbean cuisine supplied by Rockland County-based Caribbean Foods Delights, a longtime collaborator, “negotiated subsidized hotel rates” for competitors and coaches, and provided physical therapy, chiropractic care, mentorship and more.
In contrast to the single Jamaican boys’ team in 1964, there will be as many as 15 Jamaican boys’ and girls’ teams — in sprint and distance running contests, and field events — vying for top honors at the Penn Relays, coming April 27 through April 29. For Penn Relays tickets and information, visit pennrelays.com.
To support its assistance efforts in Philadelphia, the 29-year-old not-for-profit TJB will host its benefit “Labor of Love Fundraising Luncheon” on April 16, at the Crest Hollow Country Club, 8325 Jericho Turnpike, in Woodbury, Long Island.
On the affair’s agenda is recognition of VP Records label co-founder Patricia Chin for “her steadfast support of TJB’s initiatives,” and the presentation of the “TJB Exemplary Leader in Athletics Award” to Jamaican Olympian and World Championship sprinter Aleen Bailey.
Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for a luncheon, which features a cocktail hour, an awards program, and dancing. For tickets and information, call (718) 523-2861, (516) 713-8270, or visit teamjamaicabickle.org.
In addition to its primary focus of aiding visiting Jamaican athletes, TJB supports the meet’s inclusion of other Caribbean nations, such as the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Guyana, and other Caribbean locales. And the organization has backed the participation of Jamaican businesses, such as Grace Foods, as valued Penn Relays sponsors.
Bolstered by the increased number of Jamaican teams, and thousands of loyal Caribbean-American fans attending the Penn Relays annually, multinational Grace Foods has become a major Penn Relays sponsor by advertising in the sizable event program and sponsoring several of the meet’s prominent races. And last year, the Jamaican government’s official “Brand Jamaica” highlighted five Jamaican manufacturers at the meet, and the nation’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness was a guest at the event.
After years of hosting athletes in a tent outdoors, TJB will conduct its activities indoors at the Palestra, home of the University of Pennsylvania’s basketball team, said founder and CEO Irwine Clare.
GREAT WOMEN HONORED
Caribbean-focused Street Hype newspaper has determined its 2023 Distinguished Women Award winners, and will honor its eight recipients at an affair on April 14 at the Northeast Bronx YMCA, 1250 E. 229th St., starting at 5:30 p.m.
Selected for the attributes of “dedication, entrepreneurship, and leadership,” the awardees are Chef Sandra Bryan, hairstylist Cynthia Burke, community advocate Shakeria Charlton, banking and financial advisor Jackie Humes, Chef Carolyn Lackwood, CEO, entrepreneur Sabrina HoSang Jordan, philanthropist and entrepreneur Beverly Nicholas, and restaurateur Phillis Pryce, said Street Hype publisher and editor Patrick Maitland.
For tickets and information, call Michelle at (914) 663-4973, or send email to streethypenewspaper@gmail.com.
MORE ‘RIDDIM’ MUSIC
The Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning is winding up its free Riddim music series with performances by Latin percussionist Steven Kroon (April 26), the all-female Cocomama band (May 24), and versatile singer Ty Stephens (June 28).
All shows will be held Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Curated by center artistic director Courtney Ffrench, Riddim Section is monthly music series in the center’s black-box theater. For information, call JCAL at (718) 658-7400 or visit JCAL.org.
