The annual American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) Legacy Awards event was staged at the ritzy Pierre Hotel, NYC on Wednesday January 25, 2012. This black tie event is the primary fund raiser for the Foundation and is an ‘A’ list event on New York city’s social calendar. Part proceeds benefits the scholarship program for needy students at the University of the West Indies (UWI), the premier tertiary institution in the English speaking Caribbean .With some forty-six thousand students on roll, largely from the 16 member countries in the region, there is an urgent need by hundreds of these students for financial aid. In 2011, the Foundation awarded 35 scholarships; in 2012 it is hoping to award 50 such scholarships.

Themed ‘The Legacy Continues”, the Honorable Harry Belafonte, OJ, was joined by several speakers in extolling the importance of the institution which boasts world leaders, prime ministers, doctors, lawyers, agriculturalists, teachers and academicians among its growing list of alumni which stands at approximately 90K.

“All of you who have come here this evening are more than just a testimony to that fact. We are the urgent reality that the University of the West Indies cannot thrive and continue to exist without our constant nurturing for its growth and development” Commented Dr. Belafonte.

Belafonte who serves as honorary patron and is one of the most recognizable faces at the institution’s annual marquee fundraiser, received a standing ovation, following the screening of a trailer  from his  recently released  HBO documentary ‘Sing your Song ’,  featuring his life’s journey and work. From his involvement with the iconic Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in his relentless advocacy for equal rights and justice for all humankind to his current day role activities with defense of the underserved.

This year’s AFUWI Special Award was presented to Byron Lewis, Chairman & CEO, Uniworld Group, Inc, one of the nation’s oldest multicultural advertising agencies with annual net worth in excess of $250,000,000 and based in Brooklyn, NY.

The Vice Chancellor’s Award which recognizes corporate and community leaders who are ‘rising stars ‘ went to Ricardo Bryan (JAM), Regional Business Manager for Grace Kennedy (USA), Inc; Barbara Pyle (USA), Corporate VP of Environmental Policy-TBS; and Terrence Samuel (T&T), Deputy Political Editor, The Washington Post.  Bryan, who is at the forefront of his company’s success in growing the market here in the USA spoke on behalf of the honorees in his category, acknowledged the pivotal role that the education he received from his alma mater, the UWI played in his life and echoed sentiments of support for the institution.

Caribbean Luminary Awards which are bestowed on persons of Caribbean heritage or Caribbean nationals who have achieved excellence and are recognized as being on the cutting edge in their chosen profession, were presented to Dr. Erroll Byer, Jr., (Barbados/American), Brooklyn Hospital Center, NY; Dr. Milton Haynes (Barbados) OB/GYN specialist on NYC and Basil Paterson, Esq. (Jamaican/Grenadian) of the law firm Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, PC.  He is the father of David Patterson, immediate past governor, State of New York. Mr. Paterson was absent due to sudden illness. Dr Milton Haynes accepted the awards on behalf of the Caribbean Luminaries and noted that with recognition comes responsibility and that all awardees were committed to ensuring that the legacy of excellence will prevail.

The Corporate Award was presented to JetBlue Airways, represented by Vice President Brandon Nelson with flights serving seven countries in the Caribbean and seeking to expand its routes in the region.  The company was recognized for their service excellence and contribution to the communities of the Caribbean as well as its Diaspora.

Three of the thirty five students – Tara Stephens (St. Kitts/Nevis), Arshelle English (Grenada), Kenzil King (Jamaica) – who are currently benefiting directly from scholarships from AFUWI, were the toast of the gala as well, stirring the emotions of an attentive audience with their passionate and moving thank you/testimonials.

The star-studded guest list include; David N. Dinkins, former Mayor – City of New York and Honorary Chair; Janet Rollé EVP & Chief Marketing Officer, CNN Worldwide and Gala Chair, Kaye Foster-Cheek, SVP, Onyx Pharmaceuticals and Dinner Chair, Sir George Alleyne, Chancellor-UWI; Professor E. Nigel Harris, Vice Chancellor-UWI; Lowell Hawthorne, President/CEO, Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill and Chairman-AFUWI Partnership Board and Wesley Wainwright, Chairman –AFUWI.

Hosts were; Star Jones (ABC-The View), Brenda Blackmon, WCBS-TV/My 9 News Anchor and Maurice Dubois, WCBS2 News Anchor. Major sponsors included TCW, VERIZON, Onyx Pharmaceuticals ,CNN,NBC Universal ,Answorth Allen ,Johnson and Johnson ,1199,UFT ,Grace Foods USA, UniWorld Group and  JetBlue Airways.

The Legacy Continues | 15th Annual Fundraising Gala Celebration
The Pierre Hotel – NYC

Reception 6:00 pm, Dinner and Program 7:30 pm
Contributions Starts $500

Download full Gala invite here

An evening of Jazz featuring Barbadian saxophonist, Arturo Tappin, and Jamaica’s guitarist and composer, Ernest Ranglin, OD, was held at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland on Friday, September 23.

The event was staged jointly by the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI), and the University of the West Indies Alumni Association of Washington DC (UWIAA-DC).

The concert was held to raise funds for the scholarship programme for needy students at UWI. It was staged under the patronage of the Chancellor of the UWI , Sir George Alleyne. The Caribbean musical duo took the audience on a musical ride rendering hit after hit that had the crowd applauding and shouting loud “Encores!”.

In his brief remarks, Prime Minister Denzil Douglas of St Kitts and Nevis commended the organisers for staging what he described as a Caribbean musical treat. “The UWI is an outstanding institution. It has produced some of our finest scholars, doctors, lawyers, engineers, scientists, along with several prime ministers who now lead some of our Caribbean countries. The university needs your support and I urge you all in whatever way you can to support this outstanding Caribbean institution.”

Primary mission

AFUWI’s chief executive officer, Ann Marie Grant, said the primary mission of the organisation is to aid the development of the UWI. This was the second fund-raiser to be held jointly by the organisations to benefit the growing number of students who are at risk because of challenging economic circumstances. She revealed that five tuition scholarships have been awarded to students from the proceeds of last year’s event. This year, they are hoping to do more.

Among the other guests present were: Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Sir George and his wife Lady Alleyne, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency, Audrey Marks, Ambassador Richard Bernal and his wife Margaret, Ambassador of Barbados, His Excellency John Beale, Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda, Her Excellency Brenda Mae Lovell, Ambassador of St Kitts and Nevis, Her Excellency Jacinth Martin-Henry, Director of Alumni Relations – UWI, Celia Davidson Francis and, from the office of the Mayor of Baltimore, Erica Blake.

Master of ceremonies was Jamaican musicologist, Dermot Hussey.

GraceKennedy Group CEO, Don Webby, will partner with the American Foundation for The University of the West Indies (AFUWI), in its soon to be launched Adopt-A-Student Programme. Wehby will join other like-minded CEOs in this initiative, to create a mentorship programme for students of the University of the West Indies (UWI). “GraceKennedy’s commitment to education has been a passion of every CEO this company has ever had. We recognize its importance as a nation builder. As such, the commitment to education is a GraceKennedy tradition I am fully committed to maintaining”, Mr. Wehby said.

Chairman of the Partnership Board of AFUWI, Lowell Hawthorne OD , who is also the head of New York based Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery and Grill, the leading Caribbean food franchise chain in the US and a mentor and ‘adopter’ himself, extended the invitation to Mr. Wehby to be a part of the Adopt-A-Student initiative . The progamme is the brain-child of Mr. Hawthorne. The primary goal of this program is to provide a brighter future though education for deserving students attending the University of the West Indies who would otherwise be at risk because of the lack of funding to further their education.

The AFUWI Adopt-A-Student programme will be launched on Friday, September 30 at 6pm, at The Golden Castle Golf and Spa, Cinnamon Hill, Montego Bay. At the event launch, students will be paired with business leaders who will not only undertake to subsidize the cost of their annual tuition, but also provide the ‘adoptee’ with internship opportunities within their organization. “This way, the student is getting access to both academic knowledge at the university and practical “hands-on” knowledge within the world of work from some of the best business minds in the Caribbean”, said Hawthorne. Both Mr. Webby and Mr. Hawthorne are appealing to all business leaders to support this very important cause.

About Grace Kennedy:

GraceKennedy currently makes a major contribution to education, through its Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation and its Grace Kennedy Foundation. Between both foundations, the company will spend approximately J$40 million on education this year.

Samantha Smith will be the first homegrown medical doctor in Madras, St Ann, and Andrea Salmon hopes to rewrite history in the inner-city community of Rockfort if she finds money to buy books, lab tools and diabetic medication.

The two, straight-A students, enrolled in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of the West Indies, Mona, are among the country’s poorest who now have access to bettering their lives, but experience incomparable suffering trying to make ends meet.
Highly placed sources say as many as one-third of the 300 students (120 of them Jamaicans) enrolled in this faculty had not paid their school fees at the start of school year last week, “because they can’t afford to”. The fees average J$10 million over five years, with each student having to fork out approximately J$1.6 million annually.

Some 80 Jamaicans get help in the form of scholarships, grants or bursaries from the Government, and the university itself. Others rely on the Students’ Loan Bureau as their primary source of funding. And in every case, families, friends, community groups or church organisations fill a void. Invariably, those without strong financial support from their families are most at risk and many barely survive on the fringes, living each day from, or from less than, hand to mouth.

Dean in the faculty of medicine, Professor Archibald McDonald, denies knowledge of so many students not paying their fees. “I am not aware of that,” he told The Sunday Gleaner with conviction. However, he admitted that many Jamaicans do struggle to pay their fees. “Even the average middle-class Jamaican finds it difficult to pay, and that is why the Faculty of Medical Sciences now has to be giving them loans,” he added, noting that an expansion of the faculty allowed it that mileage.

Hanging on to her dream
Twenty-four-year-old Samantha Smith, whose mother is a domestic helper and who holds a first degree in biochemistry with first-class honours, has had 80 per cent of her tuition sponsored by the Government but is, nonetheless, one of the students unable to pay.

Smith is unable to come up with a balance of J$500,000. Still, notwithstanding the heavy burden she bears, and the uncertainty she endures, she sits in the classes every day and borrows books from other med students, and remains hopeful that she will be able to complete her programme of study, although she has no school fees.

“The moment you give up on your dream is the moment you die,” says Smith, who is from a community where the men farm and the women remain housewives.

She has never met her father and with her mother being a domestic helper, she says the little the woman who fathered her gets is only enough to buy food.

“I want to become a medical doctor and nothing is going to stop me,” she declares. “Even if I leave university now, I will return to the classroom because medicine is my passion.”

The 24-year-old, who is accommodated by a friend who helps to feed her, says: “I just eat to survive right now, but I am not eating healthy,” she admits. Bent on not giving up, Smith says she has written to the bauxite company in St Ann, other companies such as Digicel, GraceKennedy, and a number of offices on the university campus seeking help. She was able to sit CXC subjects at high school because OBF Finance paid for them.

Smith has applied for the IGL and Emancipation scholarships. “If I don’t get any of the scholarships, I will continue to sit in class,” she states. Incidentally, this would be the second time that she wouldn’t be able to pursue her programme of study after having accepted a place in med school.

In the case of 23-year-old Rockfort resident Andrea Salmon, she would be the first medical doctor from this inner-city community where drive-by shootings are the norm and getting low dodging bullets mean nothing. “I have expe-rienced everything,” she declares.

As challenging and traumatic as it is to live in Rockfort, one of Andrea’s biggest challenges is living with Type 1 diabetes, a disease she was diagnosed with at age 10, which is suffered by every member of her family. Her condition and the effects of which she is well aware is one of the reasons she wants to specialise in endocrinology and work with children.

Unlike Smith, Salmon’s school fees have been paid, and she is on her way to becoming a doctor. However, she has no books or tools for the lab and needs money to purchase her insulin syringes, which she uses sometimes for two weeks, even though they should be discarded after the first use.

“Even now, I want to do the testing, but need books as well, and it is so expensive to purchase the needles.”
Andrea should be using her syringes twice per day. However, “Sometimes I use them so long the lines start rubbing off,” she said.

“I have to be calling persons to ask them to buy me a book. If you don’t have the books and tools, you will be at a disadvantage,” she tells The Sunday Gleaner.

Books, lab coats, dissecting kits, and a microscope are about $100,000. The microscope cost about US$300, and the bones (for anatomy) are also very expensive, but can be rented.

The first-year student said she had a problem just coming up with the $35,000 to pay the insurance.

Andrea’s situation is so compelling, the university, she says, is trying to give her a bursary, but in the meantime, the youngster goes through two bottles of strips per month and must find a way to sustain that. The rest of her diabetic medication is made possible by the National Health Fund, which subsidises them.

Salmon, who describes herself as a coward, says the way she will get out of Rockfort is through education, “Because I am a coward, I will not steal or commit a crime to acquire wealth, so it has to be through education. That is why I push myself so hard.” A natural high achiever, Salmon says she will be in the top three in her class and will become a medical doctor.

Up to 40 years ago, access to the Faculty of Medical Sciences was extremely difficult, particularly for poor Jamaicans, with the university taking no more than 100 students annually. Today, with the expansion, the faculty accepts 300 students per year, 100 from Trinidad, a few from places such as Botswana and the USA, and 120 from Jamaica.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com | Original Article. The comments on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. The Gleaner reserves the right not to publish comments that may be deemed libelous, derogatory or indecent. Please keep comments short and precise. A maximum of 8 sentences should be the target. Longer responses/comments should be sent to “Letters of the Editor” using the feedback form provided.
Conditions

Copyright © 2011 Gleaner Company Ltd. All Rights Reserved. A Gleaner Company Website. Designed by GoJamaica.

Watch a short video for those we lost in the past year.

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

UWI Vice Chancellor, Professor E. Nigel Harris has been named the new Chairman of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). The ACU announced Professor Harris’ election following meetings in Hong Kong jointly hosted by leading Chinese universities; the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Open University of Hong Kong on April 5, 2011.

Established in 1913, the ACU is the oldest and one of the most prestigious inter-university networks in the world. Professor Harris who served as the Association’s Vice Chair for the past two years succeeds Dr. Theuns Eloff, Vice-Chancellor of North-West University, South Africa and will serve as Chairman for a two year term. During his tenure the Association will celebrate its centenary and Professor Harris will also take the lead in the implementation of the Association’s strategic plan 2008-2013 ‘Preparing for a Second Century’.

On his appointment, Prof. Harris remarked that “This represents an excellent opportunity to enhance the global visibility of The University of the West Indies and to highlight that despite limited resources, West Indian governments and people have built an institution which is making its mark internationally”.

The ACU’s mission is to contribute to the provision of excellent higher education for the benefit of all people throughout the Commonwealth. In keeping with the Association’s mission Professor Harris also noted that “burgeoning new technologies which are revolutionizing the tertiary education sector make it an opportune time to be at the forefront of discussions. Further, in a global economic climate where governments are providing less funding for universities, we are mandated to develop novel coping strategies while increased demands for accountability are also calling for research to translate more effectively into tangible societal benefits. In the face of these demands, coupled with competition from new types of private universities, the traditional Commonwealth Universities represented by the ACU are strategically working toward improving services and meeting new types of needs”.

In March 2010, Professor Harris was elected President of the Association of Universities and Research Institutions of the Caribbean (UNICA); a voluntary regional organization which like the ACU, fosters cooperation among the higher education institutions in the Caribbean.

About Professor E. Nigel Harris
Professor Harris received his B.S. degree in Chemistry (Phi Beta Kappa honors) from Howard University in 1968, Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) degree in Biochemistry from Yale University (1973) and M.D. (with Honors) from the University of Pennsylvania (1977). After completing his M.D. degree, he moved to The University of the West Indies at Mona in Jamaica, where he completed a residency in internal medicine, receiving a D.M. (Doctor of Medicine) in 1981. Subsequently, he went to the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital in London, England to do a Fellowship in Rheumatology. It was at the Hammersmith Hospital, in collaboration with Dr. Azzudin Gharavi and Dr. Graham Hughes that he devised the anticardiolipin test, which is now used widely in the world today for the diagnosis of an auto immune disorder that they named the “Antiphospholipid Syndrome”

Professor Harris has published over 150 papers. He has received the Centennial Award of the National Medical Association (1996) and shared in the Ciba-Geigy Prize awarded every four years by the International League Against Rheumatism. He was promoted to Professor of Medicine at the University of Louisville in 1992, and appointed as Dean of the Morehouse School of Medicine in 1996. He has served on several boards and committees in the USA, including the Arthritis Advisory Committee of the Food and Drug Association (FDA), the Advisory Committee on Human Research Protection to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the Executive Committee of the Council of Deans (Association of American Medical Colleges – AAMC) and a member the National Advisory Research Resources Council (NARRC) of the National Institute of Health (NIH).
Since becoming Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies in October 2004, he has begun a vigorous advocacy program for more Science and Technology Education and Research in the Caribbean and for improved linkages with other Colleges and Universities in the Region and in the international community.

About ACU
Founded in 1913, the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) is the oldest inter- university network in the world. Today the ACU combines the expertise and reputation of over ninety years’ experience with new and innovative program designed to meet the needs of universities in the 21st century. The ACU has vast experience in fostering collaboration between universities in developed and developing countries and boasts a membership of more than 500 spread across five continents.

The ACU is a voluntary organization, which is registered in England and Wales as a charity (number 314137) and is controlled by its member institutions through an elected Council. Her Majesty the Queen, the Head of the Commonwealth, is the Association’s Patron. For more on the ACU visit http://www.acu.ac.uk/

University of the West Indies(UWI) Vice Chancellor, Prof. E. Nigel Harris, has announced Jamaican-born US restaurant chain owner Lowell Hawthorne, O.D., as the new chairman of the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) Partnership Board.

Mr. Hawthorne is President & CEO of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill Inc., which operates a chain of 120-franchised quick serve restaurants specializing in Jamaican cuisine.

Making the announcement in New York, AFUWI headquarters, this week, Prof. Harris hailed Mr. Hawthorne as “A Caribbean luminary of Jamaican heritage who has accumulated a number of remarkable achievements in the USA and has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to supporting education” including the sponsorship of scholarships to several Jamaican institutions like the UWI, and Oberlin High School as well as to United States institutions, such as the Bronx Community College.

Mr. Hawthorne who was conferred with the Order of Distinction by the Government of Jamaica in 2005, has been honored by several notable US and Caribbean organizations. He was named “Entrepreneur of the Year for the Tri State Area” by accounting firm Ernst & Young in 2001; his chain was listed among “Top franchise opportunities in the nation” by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2003; he was the Gleaner’s North American edition “Man of the Year” in 2008 and one of the AFUWI’s “Caribbean Luminaries” in 2009.

The success of the Golden Krust chain has been chronicled widely in US media including the New York Times, the New York Daily News, Black Enterprise Magazine, CNN and FOX 5 News and it has been continuously acknowledged as “the largest manufacturer, distributor and franchisor of Caribbean baked products in the U.S.A”.

Prof Harris highlighted the significant interdependence between the Caribbean region and the USA, noting the vital role of the UWI in educating the peoples of the region. In his comments, Mr. Hawthorne reiterated his personal commitment to contributing to the development of young people in the Caribbean and the Diaspora. He cited the opportunity to serve on the Foundation’s Board “as providing another vehicle for making positive changes in our community” and affirmed his belief that “investment in education is one of the best ways to impact society”. It is expected that Mr. Hawthorne’s leadership of the Partnership Board will greatly assist the Foundation in its support and contribution to the UWI.

Janet Rollé, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of BET Networks, was named Chair of the Gala Committee of the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) Annual Gala.  The Gala, held in New York in January, is the AFUWI’s premier fundraising event in the U.S. where the prestigious Legacy Awards are conferred on notable  individuals who represent high levels of achievement within their respective fields of industry and enterprise. Rollé succeeds Karl Rodney, CEO of Carib News, the largest circulated publication serving the Caribbean-American community.

“The American Foundation for The University of West Indies (AFUWI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Janet Rollé to Gala Chair,” said Vice  Chancellor for the UWI Prof .E Nigel Harris. “Her exceptional marketing and leadership skills  complement AFUWI’s goal to benefit the bright and deserving students and honor outstanding individuals and organizations in the communities that we serve.

Rollé, a 2010 recipient of the Vice Chancellor’s Award from AFUWI, has had a distinguished career in media marketing and programming.
“Being of Jamaican descent, I am particularly delighted to chair this event for an organization like AFUWI that is a dedicated champion for education in our community,” said Rollé. “We live in a globally competitive society and the American Foundation for the University of West Indies strives to help prepare the next generation of leaders to contribute to the Caribbean region and the rest of the world.”

As Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of BET Networks, Janet Rollé directs brand, marketing and creative strategy for all businesses of BET Networks, including BET, BET digital networks and BET.com. She oversees on-air promotions, off-channel and digital marketing, and affiliate and trade marketing, and reports directly to Debra Lee, Chairman and CEO  of BET Networks.
Prior to joining BET, Rollé served as Vice President and General Manager for AOL Black Voices and AOL Women’s and Lifestyle Programming from 2005 to 2007.  She was also Vice President, Programming, Enterprises and Business Development for VH1 and CMT at MTV Networks from 2000 to 2005.  Rollé held several positions in marketing at HBO, beginning there in 1991 as Special Assistant to the Chairman.  Prior to her business career, Rollé had an extensive performing career as a classical, modern and jazz dancer in London, England.

She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the State University of New York, College at Purchase, and received an MBA with a special dual concentration in Marketing and Film from Columbia University Graduate School of Business. Rollé currently serves on the Nominating Committee for the Board of Directors of the United States Tennis Association after having served for two terms as Chairperson of the Multicultural Participation Committee. Janet also serves on the Board of Directors of the Council of Urban Professionals and was recently appointed as a Director of Carver Bancorp.

Janet Rolle resides in New Rochelle, N.Y., with her husband, Mark Keye and son, Jason.

AFUWI Gala Chair, Janet Rollé named as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for CNN Worldwide Janet Rollé, who has led marketing strategy and execution for leading media brands at BET, MTV Networks and HBO, will join CNN Worldwide as executive vice president and chief marketing officer, it was announced today by Jim Walton, president of CNN Worldwide. Rollé, who will report directly to Walton, will be based in New York.

Rollé is joining CNN from BET Networks, where as executive vice president and chief marketing officer she led brand strategy and marketing efforts, including on-air promotions, off-channel and digital marketing, affiliate and trade marketing. She directed a redesign of the BET network on air, and comprehensive, multi-platform marketing campaigns for the brand’s signature successes, including BET’s history-making scripted series THE GAME, The BET Honors and the BET Awards, for which BET received multiple Promax/BDA Awards.

Advertising Age magazine named her one of “10 Who Made Their Mark” in 2010 for her noteworthy brand development work at BET.

“Janet has a deep understanding of and experience with brands that have profound relevance and resonance for consumers,” said Walton. “She understands the power and potential of branding for multiple platforms, and she brings a fresh perspective to our continuing conversation with our audience. I look forward to her contributions on behalf of CNN.”

“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the stellar CNN team at this important time in the evolution of this venerable and venerated brand,” said Rollé. “I hope that my contributions will lead us to even greater success, as we embrace the challenges and opportunities to serve our vast audiences around the world with news and information relevant to their lives that will meaningfully shape their perceptions of our world.”

Before joining BET Networks, Rollé worked at AOL as Vice President and General Manger of AOL Black Voices and AOL Women’s and Lifestyle Programming from 2005-2007. In this role, she oversaw editorial programming for AOL Black Voices and the 10 websites in the lifestyle category.

From 2000-2005, Rollé worked at MTV Networks as the vice president of programming enterprises and business development for VH1 and CMT. She began her business career at HBO, where she spent nearly 10 years, eventually rising to Director of Marketing and New Media for HBO Home Video.

Rollé earned her MBA from Columbia University Graduate School of Business, where she was the President of the Black Business Students Association. She received her undergraduate degree in Fine Arts from the State University of New York at Purchase. She serves on the Board of Directors of the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies and on the Nominating Committee for the Board of Directors of the United States Tennis Association.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively-syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.