Boyne's Profile of Excellence

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

In an age where the new reality is that the learned encourage the undereducated to look to others, namely 'The Government', for solutions to situations that the individuals create and perpetuate; promote and encourage a sense of entitlement; while expecting their friends, family, relatives and/or neighbours to subsidise their existence; while at the other end of the spectrum, those who have find every creative mechanism to deny those who would work for a honest day's pay in order to keep up with the Joneses or pretend that they are, indeed, the Joneses, as a result, the country is stagnated and suffers from economic maladministration; antisocial explosion and an all-pervasive lack of respect for others and their industry.

Indeed, in the era of the e-generation where the young have come to expect everything, the new reality is that the precious few now put stock in the value of hard work and dedication, opting to believe instead in a culture that promotes and seemingly rewards the notion of instant gratification and/or rewards.

Enter Ian Boyne, the long-standing host of one of the country's most successful television programmes - 'Profile'- a living example of the old-fashioned values and attitudes which are the foundation for most of today's success stories, and the very basis for the continuing prosperity of the Jamaican people and country - hard work and dedication!

Sought excellence

It's been over 25 years since Ian Boyne took the television, with a brand that was once born out of the concept of promoting and/or supporting excellence, in that, for his award-winning show, Boyne would seek out for interview and broadcast individuals and stories that have excelled not only in their specific and/or chosen field, but others who have also succeeded against all odds; as in those who were born 'below the clock' or on the wrong side of the track, but because of their diligence and quest for change resulting in their upward mobility, have distinguished themselves along their path to self-fulfilment, that would allow them to stand head to shoulders with those they once considered their economic and social betters.

In this respect, Ian Boyne's programme - 'Profile' - has been like a lighthouse, providing inspirational guidance by highlighting and promoting those who distinguished themselves by their hard work and diligence.

Now, sadly, over the years, one of the primary complaints of Jamaican anthropologists, historians and commentators is the fact that much of the nation's history is being lost because of the fact that those who have played a pivotal role in the casting of that history were not given to recording their contribution by writing, leaving the history to be recorded by speculators and others who would then fashion their own version to suit their particular social, biological and/or indigenous slant.

Trailblazing initiative

Well, Ian Boyne has once again demonstrated his trailblazing initiative with the introduction of: Profile of Excellence: Strategies for Extraordinary Achievement from 25 Years of Interviewing Remarkable People, a tome he co-authored with motivational speaker and author Glenford Smith.

Published by EHF Group (Pelican Publishers), with its official launch at King's House two Wednesdays ago, the book is more than a timely and welcome intervention at this juncture, as it is living testimonial to the drive and diligence of its primary author, Boyne, and speaks to his own dedication and commitment to the craft, which resulted in the publication of this, his first tome. Indeed, with the publication of this tome, Boyne is now the main character in his own play instead of being cast as the supporting act, interviewing the 'star'. And as such, Profile of Excellence speaks as much about the dedication and character of Boyne as it does to the subjects of the book.

My dears, if there was ever any doubt about the esteem with which Boyne and his show were held, then the turnout two Wednesdays ago for the King's House launch was the proof of how good the pudding has been as this, my dears, was a social fab-fest of the finest order, with those headlining the list of attendees including: Governor General Sir Patrick and Lady Allen; PM Portia Simpson Miller; former prime ministers, Edward Seaga and Bruce Golding; Information Minister Senator Sandrea Falconer; Senator Imani Duncan-Price; Opposition MP 'Babsy' Grange; DPP Paula Llewellyn; wife of the author, Mrs Margaret Boyne; Dr Carlton Davis; Douglas Orane; Professor Errol Morrison and wife, the elegantly charming Dr Fay Morrison; the esteemed Earl Jarrett; Hilary Colton; Billy Heaven; Dr Leachim Semaj; Dwight Moore of KIA Motors and son Dominic Moore; Dr Marcia Forbes; Milton Samuda; the fab Dr Kurdell Espinoza; Capt Othneil Blackwood of the JDF and Mrs Latoya West-Blackwood, of Pelican Publishers; celebrated entertainer Tony Rebel; TVJ's Clair Grant; the charmingly fab Judith Alberga; 'ER' host and presenter Anthony Miller; NCB's Belinda Williams; Mark Chisholm of Sagicor; the lovely Tess-Marie Leon; Delano Seiveright; co-author Glenford Smith; the author's daughter, the fab Kelly-Ann Boyne; CEO of the EFH Group, the stunning Mrs Novlet Green-Deans; and the charmingly fab Fae Ellington, who acted as the evening's compere; plus several others.