Hurricane Melissa, a catastrophic Category 5 storm, struck Jamaica with sustained winds exceeding 160 mph, unleashing torrential rains, widespread flooding, and devastating winds across the island. Making landfall on the southern coast of St. Elizabeth, it became one of the most destructive storms in Jamaica’s modern history.
The parish of St. Elizabeth suffered the most devastation, with entire communities submerged, farmlands destroyed, and homes flattened. Other parishes that suffered significant damage include Manchester, Clarendon, Westmoreland, St. James, St. Ann, St. Mary, and Trelawny. The storm’s fury disrupted power, destroyed communication networks, and blocked critical roads, isolating rural and coastal towns and leaving thousands in dire need of help.
In response, the ZBE Foundation Emergency Response Task Force (ERTF) has activated a coordinated disaster relief initiative—mobilizing resources from Jamaica’s Diaspora, local partners, and global supporters to provide life-saving aid and long-term recovery assistance.
Our mission is simple: to deliver immediate relief, enable rapid recovery, and rebuild stronger, more resilient communities.
The following parishes and sectors have been identified as the most severely affected and urgently in need of support:
All donated items must be new or gently used, labelled, and securely packaged. Receipts for purchased donations are desirable but not mandatory and will be appreciated for transparency.
ZBE FOUNDATION
C/O Dennis Shipping
3695-99 NW 15th St
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ATT: Paul Edwards
4733 Church Ave
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Contact: 347-262-5308
4651 Roswell Rd ste b-101, Sandy Springs, GA 30342
3400 Centerville Hwy Snellville, Ga 30039 Ste A
3400 Centerville Hwy # D, Snellville, GA 30039
2213 Commerce Dr, Loganville, GA 30052
Cube Root Corporation
1100 H Street NW, Suite 805
Washington DC 20005
Contact: Kasief Ragland
Telephone: +1 (202) 758-6109
44 W Flagler St STE 400, Miami, FL 33130
2400 Civic Center Pl, Miramar, FL 33025
Ative S. Ennis is a pioneering entrepreneur and digital strategist with over 25 years of experience leading innovation and transformation across multiple sectors globally. As Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Global Impact Institute, Ative is spearheading initiatives to bridge healthcare equity gaps in developing countries through groundbreaking solutions in health informatics, artificial intelligence, and workforce development.
A visionary leader, Ative is the driving force behind the Community Healthcare Practitioners’ Initiative, which mobilizes and trains young talent in Jamaica and Mauritius to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This initiative empowers communities by equipping healthcare practitioners with the skills to track and manage NCDs, fostering grassroots healthcare solutions in underserved regions. Ative envisions this program as the cornerstone for developing a Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) ecosystem, creating a new industry that delivers high-quality healthcare services while generating economic opportunities in developing nations.
Leveraging his expertise in artificial intelligence, Ative is championing the integration of AI tools with health informatics systems to deliver better health outcomes. By empowering clinicians to make more informed decisions with real-time data and predictive analytics, Ative is redefining the role of technology in healthcare. His work focuses on creating scalable, AI-driven ecosystems that improve diagnostics, enhance patient care, and build resilience within healthcare systems.
Ative also serves as the President and CEO of the MTE Group, where he oversees a diverse portfolio of companies spanning residential and commercial development, health informatics, financial services, and sports management. Under his leadership, MTE Group has pioneered innovative healthcare solutions, including Pharma Vigilance platforms and telemedicine frameworks, tailored for developing economies.
Throughout his career, Ative has demonstrated his ability to drive transformative impact:
Ative’s leadership extends to his role as Senior Research Fellow and Head of Business at the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), where he supports tourism-dependent economies in building resilience. His dedication to sustainable development is reflected in his work with organizations such as the Sustainable Development Leadership Committee at SUNY Buffalo and the Zayn B. Ennis Foundation.
An alumnus of Florida International University and Columbia University, Ative is a sought-after keynote speaker, regularly addressing global audiences on topics such as healthcare equity, AI-driven innovation, and the socioeconomic impact of digital transformation.
His commitment to leveraging technology and talent to solve pressing global challenges defines his work at the Global Impact Institute and beyond.
Ative remains unwavering in his mission to create lasting change, inspiring a new generation of healthcare practitioners and innovators to shape a more equitable future for all.
Omar Stephenson has over two decades of engineering design, program, construction, and project management experience. As President and CEO of Cube Root Corporation, he has a strong commitment to provide only the highest quality service to clients, to maintain strict quality assurance, and to complete assignments to each client’s satisfaction. Mr. Stephenson takes pride in leading a team equally committed to providing excellence to each client.
Omar founded Cube Root in 2010 in Maryland with a dream to bring high-quality engineering services to market. As a Jamaican immigrant to the United States and the son of a Jamaican merchant, he embodies the entrepreneurial spirit. Under his leadership, Cube Root has grown from a one-person operation to a team of over 60. He has formed relationships with government agencies, contractors, architects, and other corporations to provide his expertise on water, wastewater, transportation, and infrastructure projects. He has successfully procured and led projects with DC Water, DC District Department of Transportation (DDOT), DC Department of General Services (DGS), DC Public Libraries, Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO), the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE), and the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), Jamaica.
He holds a master’s degree in engineering and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Howard University, with a major in Transportation and a minor in Structures, and Transportation Asset Management. Mr. Stephenson earned a diploma in Land Surveying from the University of Technology (UTECH), Jamaica, and has worked as a licensed professional engineer in Jamaica. He provided construction supervision and engineering land surveying on the Ocho Rios Sewage project in Jamaica. Similar services were rendered for the South Coast Sewer project in Barbados. The scope of the project included gravity-fed, open-cut sewer pipe construction along with the installation of pumping mains along a new alignment through a major tourist district to feed the treatment plant with a marine outfall at the northern and southern coasts. Barbados generates over 70% of its annual revenue as a tourist destination. That fact, coupled with a changing and challenging geotechnical substrata, challenged designers and construction personnel alike. The infrastructure construction activities could not negatively impact the local resort districts during construction. To achieve this requirement, designers specified the installation of over 3 miles of infrastructure construction to be completed using Micro Tunneling.
Omar has grown his company from one person to over 60 people in the past 14 years. He has formed relationships with government agencies, contractors, architects, and other corporations to provide his expertise on water, wastewater, transportation, and infrastructure projects. He has successfully procured and led large projects with DC Water, DC District Department of Transportation, DC Department of General Services, DC Public Libraries, Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO), and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). With the recent international contract award from the U.S. Department of State, Omar now holds a Top-Secret Personnel Security Clearance.
The Rev. Dr. Sheila McKeithen is the spiritual leader of the Universal Centre of Truth for Better Living in Kingston, Jamaica (uctjamaica.org) and is the first elected President of the Universal Foundation for Better Living (ufbl.org). She follows in the footsteps of her spiritual mothers, the Rev. Dr. Johnnie Colemon and the late Rev. Dr. Mary A. Tumpkin, as a proponent of the empowerment message of New Thought Christianity. A clear “mouthpiece” of universal spiritual principles, Rev. Sheila defied the odds in 1986 when her doctors predicted that she had less than six days to live. Nearly 30 years later, Rev. Sheila is alive, alert, enthusiastic, and committed to her mission of serving as a vehicle for hope and healing.
A native of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Rev. Sheila was a practicing attorney at the height of her legal career when she received the call to ministry. She relinquished her position as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Florida in order to minister in Kingston, Jamaica for what was to be a 6-month assignment. The rest is history! In addition to serving as the spiritual leader of the UFBL ministry in Jamaica, Rev. Sheila also serves as Regional Director for Missions in the Caribbean, the Bahamas and in South America; and as a faculty member for two seminaries: the Johnnie Colemon Theological Seminary in Miami Gardens, FL, and the University of Transformational Studies and Leadership in Culver City, CA. She is the immediate past Southwest Regional Chaplain of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Rev. Sheila is making her mark within and outside of the New Thought community as a spiritual activist, sought-after speaker, and author: in 2014, she was a featured presenter at Michael Beckwith’s Revelation Conference and Jacqueline Atkins’ GOLD Rush Women’s Conference. She appears in Bishop Vashti McKenzie’s book Those Sisters Can Preach: 22 Pearls of Wisdom, Virtue, and Hope (2013); and Shajen Joy Aziz and Demian Lichtenstein’s documentary book and film Discover the Gift (2010). She is also a nine-time author of the monthly UFBL publication, The Daily Inspiration, and the producer of a motivational CD titled Daily Dose of Motivation. In 2001, Rev. Sheila was inducted into Morehouse College’s.
Dr. Lloyd G. Geddes, Jr. is an Advisory Board Member and Consultant for InveniasPartners. Dr. Geddes is a versatile healthcare professional, holding diverse roles as a Physician Executive, board-certified Medical Oncologist, Healthcare Consultant, published author, serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, loving husband, and devoted father. His impressive credentials are complemented by a unique perspective on patient care, as he is also a cancer survivor.
In his recent appointment as the Executive Director of the Cancer Network W. Michigan at the University of Michigan, Dr. Geddes shoulders the responsibility of providing clinical and administrative oversight for Michigan Medicine’s statewide cancer network. Prior to this role, he served as the Medical Director at the Methodist Cancer Institute within the Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare System.
With over twenty-five years of clinical and administrative expertise, Dr. Geddes emerges as a true Renaissance Healer, fueled by a profound passion for healthcare and an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of his patients and the community at large. Furthermore, his diverse background uniquely positions him as an effective Healthcare Consultant.
As a child of Jamaican immigrant parents seeking a better life in the United States, Dr. Geddes grew up in Miami, Florida, as one of six siblings. After graduating from high school, he pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology at the University of Florida, earning Honors. Dr. Geddes continued his education at the University of Florida College of Medicine, and upon completion, he relocated to Washington, DC, where he completed an Internal Medicine Residency and subsequently a Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at MedStar-WHC/Georgetown University Hospital.
Jacqueline Payne-Borden is a leader who has served our nation and cared for countless lives. Her dedication is unparallel. She most recently served as Chief Executive Officer/Chief Nurse Officer at the United Medical Center, Washington, DC. Before her executive roles, she dedicated 29 years to the service of our country, retiring as a Colonel from the United States Air Force Nurse Corps. This career of service is truly the foundation of her leadership. Her expertise is rooted in compassion with a special focus on psychiatric mental health nursing – a specialty where she is passionate and has helped so many find healing and hope.
Dr. Payne-Borden is an alumni Minority Fellow of the American Nurses Association (ANA) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. She serves on the ANA’s Minority Fellow Program National Advisory Committee. Her primary research interest includes: decreasing the stigma of mental illness, cultural sensitivity within the classroom and health care arena, competency of middle managers and veterans’ transition from battlefield to home. Her publications include: Caribbean immigrants and mental health, integration of nursing within the service line model and evolution of counseling in Jamaica. She was the court appointed Patios interpreter for the high-profile Washington Beltway sniper hearings in Chesapeake Virginia. Jacquie has been a Field Surveyor for the Joint Commission – the largest US healthcare evaluator and accreditor of healthcare organizations and programs. In addition, she has been fulltime and adjunct faculty at various local colleges throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area. Dr. Payne-Borden maintains a local private practice counseling service. .
Tamiann Johnson is a visionary leader with over 20 years of extensive experience spanning telecommunications, non-profit, media, and entertainment industries. She is the CEO of Kingsway Communications and Executive Director of the Global Impact Project,. She brings her exceptional expertise in public relations, marketing communications, and outreach initiatives to create transformative programs that empower at-risk women and youth worldwide.
Tamiann’s outstanding work in outreach and community development is best exemplified by her impactful roles with the Starkey Hearing Foundation and the Digicel Foundation.
At the Starkey Hearing Foundation, Tamiann served as Regional Coordinator-Caribbean and Country Coordinator-Jamaica, where she played a pivotal role in launching and implementing sustainable, community-based hearing care programs across nine Caribbean nations. Collaborating with local governments and NGOs, she orchestrated large-scale public health events that served 1,500 to 2,500 patients annually, providing hearing devices and vital aftercare services. Tamiann led the training of in-country teams, managed inventory, and coordinated logistics, ensuring a seamless delivery of life-changing services to underserved communities.
During her tenure with the Digicel Foundation, Tamiann demonstrated her commitment to uplifting vulnerable populations by designing and executing outreach programs that impacted grassroots communities. She also excelled as Diaspora Community Relations Manager, connecting global audiences to critical initiatives that addressed the needs of at-risk groups, including women and youth. Her creative and strategic campaigns contributed to a lasting legacy of positive social change in both local and diaspora markets.
Tamiann’s passion for outreach extends beyond her professional roles. She is the founder of the Young Mummy Diaries-Muminar Seminar Series, an initiative dedicated to supporting mothers on their parenting journey and addressing maternal health outcomes in marginalized communities. Her work as a guest columnist for the Jamaica Observer’s Young Mummy Diaries further showcased her commitment to raising awareness about maternal challenges and solutions.
In addition to her non-profit and community outreach accomplishments, Tamiann has excelled in roles such as Head of Marketing for a start-up fintech firm, Morning TV Anchor at CVM TV, and Marketing Public Relations Executive at Digicel. These experiences have equipped her with a unique ability to craft purpose-driven narratives, create authentic connections, and foster inclusive growth.
Tamiann’s leadership is driven by a profound dedication to improving lives and empowering communities. As a mother of two teenage daughters, she brings a personal understanding of the importance of nurturing opportunities for youth and women. Her work continues to inspire and uplift, making her a true champion for equitable and sustainable transformation.
Kerene Stephens is a dedicated and results-oriented financial leader with a passion for driving sustainable impact through innovative financial management and operational excellence. As the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Global Impact Project, a mission-driven NGO focused on addressing healthcare equity gaps, Kerene combines her extensive experience in financial strategy, nonprofit leadership, and business development to ensure the organization delivers meaningful outcomes to underserved communities worldwide.
Kerene’s career spans nearly two decades across diverse sectors, including healthcare, tourism, and financial services, where she has demonstrated an exceptional ability to align financial planning with strategic goals. Her role as CFO centers on implementing effective resource allocation strategies, maintaining financial transparency, and securing long-term funding to maximize the Global Impact Project’s reach and sustainability.
Key Achievements and Experience:
Focus as CFO for the Global Impact Project:
Education and Certifications:
Kerene’s commitment to community-centered solutions and her expertise in navigating the financial complexities of nonprofit operations position her as a vital leader for the Global Impact Project. Her work ensures that resources are deployed effectively, enabling the organization to transform healthcare outcomes for vulnerable populations and create lasting change.
Basil Waite is a former Senator in Jamaica’s Parliament and formerly Opposition Spokesperson on Education. He is also Executive Chairman of Tastebuds Condiments – a local condiments producing company. Prior to being a Senator, Basil worked as an Associate in McKinsey & Company’s Washington D.C. Office, where he has worked primarily in the areas of strategy development, change management, supply chain management, and risk management for major Fortune 100 companies in the energy and electric power sectors.
Basil also worked as a staff research assistant focusing on policy development at the World Bank, and also in the Jamaican Government. Basil, a Jamaican Issa Scholar, was President of the People’s National Party Youth Organization (PNPYO) – the youth arm of Jamaica’s governing party between 1989 and 2007.. In addition, Basil was appointed as a member of the Prime Ministerial Advisory Council, and also served on the boards of the Jamaica Racing Commission, the Micro Investment Development Agency, among others. During his undergraduate years, he served as President of the student body, Chairman of Chancellor Hall, represented the University in Track & Field and Hockey, and was a representative to various international fora.
At Harvard, Basil served as Co-Chair of the Black Student Caucus. In addition, Basil completed a one year stint at the World Bank where he co-authored on a paper that conducted an econometric analysis on alternative development in the Andean countries. A past student of Elderslie All Age and Munro College in St. Elizabeth, Basil has a B.Sc. in Mathematics from the University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica and a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Dahlia Irons is a dynamic leader, visionary entrepreneur, and seasoned strategist whose career spans over a decade in the U.S. Army and an equally impactful tenure in the private sector. As Program Director for the Global Impact Project, Dahlia brings unparalleled expertise in technology, operations, and organizational leadership to spearhead transformative initiatives aimed at addressing critical societal challenges.
Dahlia’s career began in the U.S. Army as a Fire Control Repairer, where she was instrumental in maintaining and repairing advanced weapons systems, ensuring operational readiness under high-pressure combat conditions. Her ability to lead and innovate quickly propelled her to the role of Information Technology Supervisor, where she managed mission-critical IT systems with a team of 20 personnel. She implemented advanced maintenance protocols, enhanced cybersecurity measures, and fortified sensitive data systems, earning recognition for operational excellence.
Her leadership extended beyond technical expertise as a Certified Equal Opportunity Leader. Dahlia championed diversity and inclusion initiatives, conducting climate assessments and training leadership teams to foster inclusive environments. Her efforts not only enhanced team cohesion but also elevated organizational performance, setting a standard for cultural excellence.
In the private sector, Dahlia transitioned into entrepreneurship and strategic investments, founding and supporting ventures in cybersecurity, health technology, and veteran services. Her innovative approach to high-growth opportunities combines financial acumen with a commitment to addressing societal needs. As a passionate advocate for veterans, she has developed initiatives that mentor and train military personnel transitioning to civilian careers, focusing on leadership, technology, and entrepreneurship. Her work in this area has empowered countless veterans to succeed in post-military life.
As the Program Director for the Global Impact Project, Dahlia is responsible for driving its mission to bridge healthcare equity gaps in underserved communities. Her leadership focuses on leveraging technology to improve health outcomes, empowering healthcare practitioners, and fostering partnerships that ensure sustainability and scalability. Dahlia’s expertise in health tech and cybersecurity uniquely positions her to integrate advanced solutions into healthcare systems while safeguarding data integrity and operational resilience.
Education and Certifications:
Dahlia holds an MBA, a Master of Science in Information Technology Management, and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics. She is certified in Information Assurance and Equal Opportunity Leadership, demonstrating her commitment to professional excellence and lifelong learning.
Dahlia’s leadership style is defined by empathy, resilience, and strategic foresight. Her ability to foster collaboration, drive innovation, and achieve transformative results makes her an invaluable asset to the Global Impact Project and its mission to create sustainable, equitable solutions for communities worldwide.
