Jason Henzell honoured to receive AFJ International Humanitarian Award

Jason Henzell admits that he was overcome when he learnt that he would be recognised at the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) 2025 Hummingbird Gala.

“I was honestly surprised and overwhelmed with emotion when I received the news about receiving the Humanitarian Award from AFJ. So much so that I kept it completely to myself and told my wife, Laura, three weeks later, when I heard her making plans for the same date,” said Henzell, chairman of Jakes Hotel and co-founder of BREDS, the Treasure Beach Foundation.

The gala, set for October 10 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, celebrates philanthropy and excellence, raising funds to support education, healthcare, and economic development across Jamaica. This year’s honorees include Henzell, who will receive the International Humanitarian Award, and Joseph ‘Joe’ Bogdanovich, chief executive officer of DownSound Entertainment, who will be recognised with the International Achievement Award.

For Henzell, the honour affirms years of grass-roots work in Treasure Beach. “This award validates the work that BREDS has done and encourages the directors to keep challenging ourselves on ways to empower our residents of Treasure Beach to reach their potential,” said Henzell. He hopes that his recognition underscores the importance of non-profits working on the ground.

The award also carries personal meaning rooted in his family’s legacy. Treasure Beach, where his family has a deep history, has earned a reputation as a leader in the Caribbean for community-based tourism and sustainable development. “My grandparents bought land [where Jakes is located] in the 1930s and built Treasure Cot, a modest two-bedroom cottage on Calabash Bay in 1941. I am so grateful that they took this leap of faith and created a place for four generations to enjoy, build memories, and contribute to in a meaningful way,” he said.

Jakes Hotel has long been tied to the rhythm of community life. “Jakes has become synonymous with the community of Treasure Beach. Anyone who receives the Jakes newsletter or follows our social media will see that we keep visitors engaged with events and occasions happening in the community, including the Calabash International Literary Festival, our annual triathlon, or simply a farmer bringing in fresh produce or a fisherman bringing in his catch. This engagement was seen when hundreds of visitors to Jakes and Treasure Beach made significant donations to BREDS following hurricanes Ivan and Beryl,” Henzell shared.

Much to be proud of

As for BREDS, which has expanded its reach through its sport, education, and conservation programmes, there is much to be proud of and much more on the horizon. “EduSport, our game-based programme that was piloted at Sandy Bank and expanded to 225 schools serving 37,000 students stands out, but so does the hundreds of scholarships that youth have received through our partnership with the DESSO Foundation or the 1,200 children who have learned to swim with Likkle Swimmers, our annual PMBL basketball camp for over 1,000 kids, and most recently, our partnership with Seacology to educate students on the importance of mangroves at Galleon [Beach] Fish Sanctuary that has been expanded to 1,100 acres since we founded it in 2011,” he shared.

Henzell has also contributed through policy leadership. “Having the opportunity to chair the St Elizabeth parish development committee gave me access to working with agencies to create the St Elizabeth sustainable development plan, which saw thousands of acres of new lands being protected and securing the low-density designation for Treasure Beach,” he said.

Looking ahead, Henzell is focused on continued investment in community growth. “Future plans include replacing the roof of our community centre, building the Treasure Beach health centre, the expansion of the Lionel Densham Aerodrome and skills training programmes with HEART,” he said.

The Hummingbird Gala will bring together philanthropic leaders, members of the Jamaican diaspora, and global supporters. The evening will feature a cocktail reception, curated silent auction, three-course dinner, and performances by Agent Sasco and the Alpha Music Students, capped with an afterparty hosted by Max Glazer.

lifestyle@gleanerjm.com