Atlanta's DeKalb County honours Dr Marcia Forbes

In celebration of Jamaica's 49th year of Independence, the Union of Jamaican Organisations in Atlanta (UJOA), including the Atlanta Jamaican Association (AJA), honoured Dr Marcia Forbes, media consultant, author, researcher and co-owner of Phase 3 Productions. Forbes was special guest and keynote speaker at the black-tie ball, at Atlanta's prestigious International Convention Centre.

In what she describes as a "total but very pleasant surprise", Forbes was honoured by the DeKalb County. The proclamation, prepared under the signature of Commissioner Stan Watson, was read and presented by Jamaica's Honorary Consul in Atlanta, Vin Martin. It drew attention to Forbes' work in media and recognised her contribution and achievements. The proclamation concluded, "I commend Dr Marcia Forbes for her outstanding ability to unite the world through her gift of mass communications and outstanding citizenship."

Forbes' address brought a message of strengthening the ties that bind Jamaicans in the diaspora with homeland through strategic use of computer-assisted social networks such as Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter. She highlighted the ubiquity of these networks and their value in moving virtual friends to actual friends and how these relationships can be mutually beneficial to Jamaicans at home and abroad.

The UJOA arranged reading and signings of Forbes' recently released book, Music, Media & Adolescent Sexuality in Jamaica. Animated discussions were a feature of the reading, with adults and youths sharing strongly held views and showing great interest in it. The book was recently selected by CXC as required text for CAPE Sociology and is under review by University of the West Indies lecturers for at least two courses. Alumnae Associations in Atlanta purchased copies for their school libraries in Jamaica.