Son of the Soil Brings…
A NEW HOPE FOR CONTENT
As unassuming and
brightly welcoming of all Charles Peart is, you may not immediately know he
founded and built one of the most successful artiste promotion and management
businesses having started International House of Music over 25 years ago in Canada, and taking it worldwide.
Among his long time clients (and close
friend) is Bokeem Woodbine ( Spider-Man: Homecoming, Ray,
Dead Presidents)
But Peart, along with his partner Giselle - a nurse - had a special place in his heart for
the community of Content in St Catherine, from whence hail his mother and her
mother before. A deep rural community (near the border with Clarendon) lacking
infrastructure, residents support themselves almost exclusively through farming
and show great resilience in coping with the challenges.
Using the resources at hand, Peart
and Giselle set about changing the lot
of the community - starting with the children. Through his efforts and funds,
they collaborated with local teachers to establish the Hilltop Early Childhood
Centre, a basic school providing academics and inspiration to children ages 3
to 6.
Now, Charles Peart is seeking
to deepen that philanthropic and community development thrust through his latest
initiative, the Global Student Development Foundation, which had its “initial
presentation “ at a meet and greet at the Jamaica Pegasus recently.
At the function – chaired by Emprezz Golding – the two reiterated
their passion for the community and the people and the need to help ensure a
good start in life for the children through quality education. “I love my
people, and I really want to see everyone get the shot at success which they
deserve, and we believe passionately that education is the key to that” he said.
Those values found an eagerly welcoming ear in the person of newly appointed Minister of State in the Ministry
of foreign affairs, Pearnel Charles Jr, who noted the efforts of the
Jamaican-Canadian couple and pledged his "100% full support" to the
project, as did Member of Parliament for the area, Natalie Neita Headley, who
is well acquainted with the work of the Hilltop principal, chairperson and
staff.
UNIA President, Steven Golding made
the important link between the project and the Garveyite tenets of communal self-reliance
and combating ignorance. Woodbine,
though unable to be physically present, conveyed his own fervent support for
the programme.
At evening's end (at least the
formal part of the programme) guests were treated to a sparkling performance by
"Mr Diamond Socks" himself, Iba Mahr who also has strong ties to the
community and has also both pledged and personally given his support in respect
of committing his time and resources.
That done, it was left to enjoy
the hospitality of the Jamaica Pegasus and to continue the process of
making great connections....all in support of early childhood education and
Jamaica's development.
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