Ahead of the start of the 2026/27 academic year, the GraceKennedy Foundation (GKF) has reaffirmed its commitment to education with more than J$32 million in back-to-school support for Jamaican students.
As part of this investment, GKF awarded prestigious bursaries valued at more than J$2.2 million to 20 children of GraceKennedy (GK) team members at the 36th annual Carlton Alexander Memorial Bursary Awards Ceremony.
The Foundation will also provide scholarships valued at more than J$30 million to 90 tertiary students attending the University of the West Indies, Mona (UWI); University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech); Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMC); and Caribbean Maritime University (CMU). Together, these initiatives underscore GKF’s longstanding commitment to expanding educational opportunities for young Jamaicans and supporting them as they pursue their academic and career goals.
Held on August 28 at GraceKennedy’s headquarters in Downtown Kingston under the theme, “Where Potential Blooms,” the Carlton Alexander Memorial Bursary Awards Ceremony celebrated the achievements and potential of this year’s awardees. The event also highlighted the enduring legacy of the bursary programme, which was established in memory of the late Hon. S. Carlton Alexander, OJ, former Chairman and CEO of GraceKennedy Limited.
“At just seventeen years old, Carlton Alexander joined Grace, Kennedy & Co. Ltd. as a Stock Clerk and, over the decades, steadily advanced through the ranks to ultimately lead the company. His journey reminds us that extraordinary achievement often begins with unseen promise. Today, as we award these bursaries in his name, we celebrate not only academic excellence, but also the boundless potential of each recipient,” said Gail Moss-Solomon, General Counsel and Chief Corporate Secretary, GraceKennedy Limited.
Bursary recipients received J$65,000 for secondary students up to Grade 11; J$90,000 for sixth form students; and J$150,000 for tertiary-level recipients. The awards are renewable annually, contingent on continued academic performance. The programme forms part of GKF’s wider investment in education for the 2026/27 academic year.
For bursary recipient Kenisha Ram, a Psychology and Chinese major at UWI, Mona, and daughter of Nalini Ram, Support Services Representative at Allied Insurance Brokers, the award represents support for her studies and an opportunity to pursue her broader ambitions.
“Whenever I think about my dreams for the future, they always involve giving back to my community in some way. With the support of this bursary, I hope to dedicate more time to research that will help me make a meaningful contribution to that goal,” said Kenisha.
Kenisha’s aspirations reflect the broader purpose of the Carlton Alexander Memorial Bursary Programme, which seeks to empower Jamaica’s youth to pursue their ambitions and make meaningful contributions to their communities through education, leadership, and service.
Caroline Mahfood, CEO of GKF, explained “This year’s theme – Where Potential Blooms – reflects what we see in each of our awardees. Through hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence, they have already demonstrated tremendous promise. We are proud to invest in the educational journeys of the children of GraceKennedy team members across the Group and look forward to seeing how their talents, ambitions, and aspirations continue to flourish.”
