UWI - The University of the West Indies

The guest list for The University of the West Indies’ (UWI) second annual benefit gala gleamed with astonishing figures like The Right Hon. Michaëlle Jean, Olympic gold medalist Donovan Bailey and billionaire-businessman Michael-Lee Chin. These shining stars of the night were recipients of the Luminary Award, which is given to Canadians of Caribbean dissent who have made incredible efforts to highlight their communities and help the UWI’s mission to help finance individuals in the West Indies who cannot afford to attend university.

On March 26th, 2011, Toronto’s Four Seasons Hotel welcomed more than 500 gala guests to the second floor’s beautiful banquet and VIP rooms. Other notable attendees included environmentalist David Suzuki, event patron Raymond Chang, former deputy chief of Toronto police Keith L. Forde, The Hon. Justice Irving André, and many others. “I’m from Jamaica and I have always been focused on education. Education is the greatest equalizer,” says Chang, president of CI Financial Corp. “UWI is a quality institution, but they need help. Just like most of our universities in Toronto and Canada, they need financial help … and that’s what these fundraisers are all about – raising money for scholarships for students in the Caribbean,” he adds.

The University of West Indies’ benefit gala was complemented by traditional Caribbean cuisine and music and raised $300,000 for UWI scholarships, which is $70,000 more than last year’s inaugural event. In the years to come, this sold-out event will continue to the raise the bar in the realm of educational philanthropy. In a room filled with successful individuals, many who have risen above incredible odds and circumstances to get to where they are today, there is hope that The University of the West Indies’ Benefit Gala will prove to proliferate its beneficiaries, and subsequent success stories.

www.uwitorontogala.com