I am so Proud to be Jamaican! - Actress Kerry Washington Embraces Her Jamaican Roots
NY: "I am so proud to be Jamaican...I bow down to my lineage, to my heritage, to my history and to my belonging."
Kerry WashingtonSo said Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actress Kerry Washington who was recently honored with an 'Artistic Achievement Award' at Jamaica's 57th Independence Black Tie Gala, held at the Hilton Westchester Hotel in Rye, New York.
In an emotional letter read by her Jamaican born mother, Dr Valerie Washington, the actress who received international recognition for her role as Olivia Pope in the hit ABC TV drama Scandal, expressed regret that she was unable to attend in person to accept the award. She however used the opportunity to reiterate her Jamaican roots to enthusiastic applause.
"We celebrate all the goodness birthed by the island itself. We celebrate you. And we celebrate me. And we celebrate our powerful and beautiful island family! I am so proud to be Jamaican" the letter continued.
Washington, who was also bestowed with a Congressional Proclamation from US House of Representatives member Yvette D. Clarke at the gala, has long been embraced by Jamaicans at home and in the Diaspora. Tourism Minster Ed Bartlett, who was a special guest at the Independence gala, extended an invitation to the actress to visit Jamaica for a family vacation.
DR VALERIE WASHINGTON & EARL WASHINGTON, PARENTS OF KERRY WASHINGTON"In the field of cinematography and the field of movies and drama, Jamaicans have positioned themselves and have provided us with great brand value. Tonight's recognition of Kerry Washington is a signal of that and we want to emphasis that respect for all the parents who have grown their children in the US and elsewhere to remember Jamaica. It is in that context that we are inviting Kerry Washington to visit Jamaica as a special guest of the Ministry of Tourism and the government of Jamaica. I have spoken to her parents and they are very happy to convey the invitation and we look forward to see her in Jamaica" Minster Bartlet noted.
Kerry's career took flight in 2004 when she appeared as Della Bea Robinson, the wife of musician Ray Charles, in the biopic Ray. She won “Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture” for Ray at the NAACP Image Awards in 2005. Over the course of seven seasons, Washington earned two Primetime Emmy nominations, a Golden Globe nomination, a SAG nomination, and two NAACP Image Awards for her leading role in the ABC TV series Scandal. She currently serves as brand ambassador and creative consultant for Neutrogena. In 2013 she was ranked #2 on the 100 Most Beautiful People list by People Magazine.
