Western Union and GraceKennedy Expand Educational Programs
for Caribbean Diaspora Youth
Kingston, Jamaica: May 7, 2015 – The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), a leader in global payment
services, announced the expansion of its educational programme for Caribbean-born or second generation of
Caribbean Americans* residing in the United States by pledging of US$50,000 in educational scholarships and
extending the programme from nine to 19 Caribbean countries.
The commitment was announced on Monday as Western Union and GraceKennedy Limited kicked off their third
annual town hall meeting series at the Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York. Staged under the theme
“Caribbean Diaspora - Borderless Possibilities,” and featuring as keynote speaker, former Prime Minister of
Jamaica, the Most Honourable P.J. Patterson, the New York town hall was the first in a series of three town hall
stops. The meeting series is intended to connect the Caribbean Diasporas in the United States and Canada with their
home countries, while providing them with an opportunity to actively discuss issues relating to the Diaspora and its
advancement. Two other events are part of the series, one held at the CBC Atrium in Toronto on May 6 and the
other at the Miramar Cultural Centre in Miramar, Florida on May 8.
During the event ― which brought together hundreds of members of the Caribbean community― Western Union
and GraceKennedy explained the details of their educational programmes for Diaspora youth: the ‘Pride of the
Caribbean’ and the ‘GraceKennedy Birthright’ Programmes.
“As Caribbean families pursue the ‛American dream’, the sheer cost of education continues to be a barrier,
especially for those who are unable to meet the criteria for federal loans. As an expression of gratitude for the
continued support of our Caribbean customers, a number of Western Union Agents throughout the Caribbean, as
well as Walgreens and Pay-O-Matic here in the U.S., have donated to The Western Union Foundation Gift Match
Program in support of the Pride of the Caribbean Programme. Our goal is to elevate our outstanding future leaders
as members of the Caribbean community,” said Sean Mason, Regional Vice President & General Manager,
Western Union Caribbean.
In announcing an additional and very important element, Mason said, “We want to support the academic endeavours
of Caribbean youth no matter where they choose to seek a higher education. We are pleased to announce that this year
we’ll also award scholarships to Caribbean students who attend the University of the West Indies.”
“If you or someone you know qualifies for the 2015 Pride of the Caribbean Scholarship Programme, we encourage
them to visit www.PrideoftheCaribbean.com to review eligibility requirements and apply directly until June 3,”
Mason said.
Don Wehby, Group Chief Executive Officer of GraceKennedy Limited, announced that the GraceKennedy
Birthright Programme was being reinstated. The programme offers professional and cultural internships to second
and third generation Diaspora students. “The programme was a huge success for us, and as we continue to grow
globally, we want to keep our focus on the development of young people, not only those who live in Jamaica, but
those around the world who are of Jamaican heritage,” he said.
Michelle Allen, Chief Executive Officer of GraceKennedy Money Services, expressed satisfaction with the event
which attracted hundreds of attendees. “We wanted to engage a wide cross section of persons in this very important
and timely dialogue. The turnout and level of engagement this evening is indicative of the interest that the Diaspora
has in the development of their home countries and we are happy and proud that we were able to facilitate this
exchange. We look forward to having this discussion with the Diaspora in Toronto, Canada and Miramar, Florida.”
In speaking to the entire town hall series, Mr. Wehby said, “We are pleased with the overall success of the events,
as they give us a chance to connect directly with members of the Caribbean Diaspora. They are critical to GK’s
growth and we value them and their input very dearly.”
The Western Union Company and GraceKennedy Town Hall forum, which has been initiated in 2012, provides a
platform for vital dialogue on topics relevant to the Caribbean Diaspora such as Youth, Education and the
Economy. The series also focuses on the importance of education, urging parents to expose their children to careers
in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), as well as emphasizing the importance of mastering the
English language as a key factor to success.
* Applicant or Applicant’s parents’ country of origin must be one of the following nineteen countries: Anguilla, Antigua &
Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti,
Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad and Turks & Caicos Islands
About Western Union
The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta,
Pago Facil and Western Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers and
businesses with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to
purchase money orders. As of March 31, 2015, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered
through a combined network of over 500,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories and over 100,000 ATMs and
kiosks. In 2014, The Western Union Company completed 255 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving
$85 billion of principal between consumers, and 484 million business payments. For more information, visit
www.westernunion.com.
About the Western Union Foundation
The Western Union Foundation is dedicated to creating a better world, where the ability to realize dreams through economic
opportunity is not just a privilege for the few but a right for all. Through its signature program, Education for Better, and with
the support of The Western Union Company, its employees, Agents, and business partners, The Western Union Foundation
works to realize this vision by supporting education and disaster relief efforts as pathways toward a better future. Our
combined social ventures efforts make life better for individuals, families and communities around the world. Since its
inception, The Western Union Foundation has paid more than $101.1million in grants and other giving. These funds have been
pledged to more than 2,739 nongovernmental organizations in more than 135 countries and territories. The Western Union
Foundation is a separate §501(c)(3) recognized United States charity. To learn more, visit www.westernunionfoundation.org,
or Follow us on Twitter @TheWUFoundation.
About GraceKennedy Money Services
GraceKennedy Money Services (GKMS) is the umbrella entity which encompasses FX Trader - The Foreign Exchange Place
from GraceKennedy Money Services, Bill Express - The Bill Payment Place from GraceKennedy Money Services and
Western Union - Moving Money for Better. Some or all of these services may be found in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago,
Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, The BVI and Montserrat.
About GraceKennedy
GraceKennedy is one of the Caribbean's largest and most dynamic corporate entities. The company started in Jamaica in 1922
as a small trading establishment and wharf operators. It has expanded and diversified over the years, changing from a
privately-owned enterprise to a public company with Food and Finance Divisions, listed on the stock exchanges of Jamaica,
and Trinidad & Tobago. Today, the Group comprises a varied network of some 50 subsidiaries and associated companies
located across the Caribbean, North and Central America the United Kingdom and Europe and Africa. GraceKennedy’s
operations span the areas of food processing and distribution, banking and finance, insurance and remittance services, together
with an investment in building materials retailing.
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Media Contacts:
Western Union
US and Canada: Sarah Meske, +1 720 332 2796,
[email protected]
Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean: Paula
Barifouse, +1 954 378 4175,
[email protected]
GraceKennedy Limited
GraceKennedy Group: Simone Clarke-Cooper,
+1 876 932 -3174, [email protected]
GraceKennedy Money Services: Kayon Wallace
+1 876 936 9878, [email protected]