Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

The first 100 days have passed and the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JARIA) is standing proud with the achievements made since the inception of the organisation.

In an interview with The Sunday Gleaner, JARIA chairperson of the marketing and communications subcommittee and board member Carlette DeLeon, explained that the 100-day goal was inspired by a similar initiative of the United States President Barack Obama. This, she believed, would keep the association focused on the crucial groundwork needed.

Non-profit organisation

With the aim of establishing an independent, non-aligned, non-governmental, non-profit organisation serving the needs of the Jamaican music industry, JARIA was formed in February and had its first election in May. Veteran singer Frederick 'Freddie' McGregor was elected chairman of the board. Other notable faces include Vice-Chairman Howard McIntosh; Company Secretary Jacqueline Lynch-Stewart, who is also chair of the subcommittee on constitution, advocacy, lobby and membership; producers' representative Stephen Stewart; musicians' representative Michael 'Ibo' Cooper; artistes' representative Ventrice 'Queen Ifrica' Morgan and youth representative Joan Elizabeth Webley.

Other representatives selected were floor member Jerome Hamilton of Headline Entertainment; musician Seretse Small, education and training; reggae month planner Charles Campbell; producer Donovan Germaine, finance, and Carlette DeLeon.

DeLeon said JARIA was put in place "due to the need for a lobby that focused on many areas. There are groups like JACAP (Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers) and the Jamaica Federation of Musicians but they cater to specific interests; they didn't benefit the industry as a whole. Now JARIA ensures that we benefit as a whole and ensure that everyone is covered nicely."

Since its inception, JARIA has held its first staging of the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association Honour Awards, honouring persons such as Lennie Hibbert, Count Ossie and the Mystic Revelations of Rastafari, Leslie Kong, Sonia Pottinger, among others. JARIA also held its first music industry workshop, started work on the official JARIA website and is working on building various documents of legislation.

Doubled membership

An enthused DeLeon said, "The board, directors, everyone has worked really hard and we've achieved some wonderful objectives. We've doubled our membership, we've had some high level meetings with the minister of culture, the European Union ambassador, minister of foreign affairs and trade and we've raised awareness, among other things."

DeLeon also pointed out that during the group's general meeting, Absolute Entertainment's Robert Chantrelle praised the assistance provided by JARIA to the Negril Independence weekend promoters and the local Negril promoters regarding the Night Noise Act.

Looking ahead, DeLeon said some other JARIA objectives include to unite and further the common interest of all individuals, institutions, organisations and firms directly and indirectly involved in music and the music industry in Jamaica; to promote and provide opportunities for the continued development of members by facilitating access to networking, education, training and capacity building; to facilitate access to information about all possible financial support and opportunities available within the public and private sectors locally and overseas for members; to provide a forum for members to discuss industry concerns and opportunities and, where relevant, to lobby the Government and its agencies to protect and preserve the industry and its members; to canvass and lobby international organisations, agencies and foreign governments in collaborative efforts, among other things.

JARIA is currently working on completing its current goals before moving on to bigger and better improvements in entertainment.