By Carib News Staff
The Jamaican Diaspora has reacted with shock and disbelief at news that Jamaica’s Consul General to New York Mrs. Alsion Roach-Wilson has died following her battle with breast cancer.
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Mrs. Roach-Wilson died at home in New Jersey in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness said that he was profoundly saddened by the passing of Consul General Wilson.
“Alsion was a devote Jamaican whose love for her country was as deep as it was enduring. She dedicated her heart and soul to service to others, to strengthen the bonds between Jamaica and its Diaspora and to ensuring that our nation’s voice was heard with pride and purpose on the world stage,” he said.
The prime minister said that Consul General Wilson was a bridge between Jamaica and the United States, using her warmth, grace and influence to advance Jamaica’s interests with quiet power and steadfast commitment.
“Beyond her official duties, Alsion was generous of spirit, supporting numerous charitable causes and giving selfishlessly to those in need,” the prime minister said.
Senator Kamina Johnson-Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade under whose portfolio Mrs. Roach-Wilson served, announced her death in a Facebook post.
In her post, the minister said that she was saddened to announce the passing of Consul General Wilson.
“Consul General Wilson served Jamaica at the highest level of excellence during her tenure from July 2019 to present. Her accomplishments defy the time during which she served with deep commitment to country, the Foreign Service and indeed to Jamaicans at home and abroad. Everyone who has worked with her or simply met her also knew unequivocally that she was also a warm and generous human being who exemplified professionalism, loyalty to country and friendship to the world,” said Minister Johnson-Smith
Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Major General (Retired) Anthony Anderson said that he wished to express profound sorrow at the passing of Consul General Wilson.
He said that she was a woman of remarkable vision and strength.
“She led with compassion, intellect and an unshakable belief in Jamaica. I had the honour of working with her on matters of critical areas of national interest and she was a true patriot and a unifying force in the Diaspora,” she said.
Jamaica’s honourary consul in Philadelphia, Christopher Chaplin expressed sadness and grief at her passing.
“We were appointed in the same year – 2029 and we formed a deep respect for each other and a strong friendship over the years. She was a consummate professional. Her focus on relationships became clearly evident during the pandemic when she delivered laptops, tablets and many more resources to our country. She provided strong leadership and sage advice to us and I always looked forward to our interaction,” he said.
Michelle Tulloch-Neil, the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council Member for the US Northeast said she is saddened by the passing of Consul General Wilson.
“Her leadership, compassion and unwavering dedication to the entire community will never be forgotten,” she said.
Tulloch-Neil said that Consul General Wilson influence will continue to inspire “us all.”
Former Jamaica Diaspora Board member Akeila Lawrence termed her death sad news and a major loss to the community.
“I am deepened saddened by her passing. Consul General Wilson served Jamaica at the highest level of excellence,” she said.
Dr. Karren Dunkley, who served as the Global Jamaican Diaspora Council Member said it is with a heavy heart that she extends her deepest condolences on the passing of Consul General Wilson.
“Her departure is a profound loss to Jamaica and to those of us in the Diaspora. During our working together I witnessed firsthand her steadfast courage, deep empathy and unwavering commitment to the Jamaican people. She stood firm mobilizing aid, advocating for Jamaicans abroad and deepening the bridge between Jamaica and the Diaspora,” said Dr. Dunkley.
She said that Consul General Wilson believed in the power of service, the dignity of connection and the truth that Jamaica’s diaspora is not peripheral but absolutely central to Jamaica’s development and global identity
Dr. Robert Clarke, head of Help Jamaica Medical Mission and who served as her unofficial medical advisor said that Consul General Wilson was instrumental in organizing countless medical missions to underserved areas of Jamaica.
Dr Clarke said that Consul General Wilson garnered medical support that was needed in both the diaspora and Jamaica.
“She facilitated and rallied medical support for so many individuals at home and abroad. She was instrumental in securing medication of many Jamaicans who found themselves stranded in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic and had run out of medication,” he recalled.
Dr. Clarke said that her passion for Jamaica was second to none.
Consul General Roach-Wilson is the second Jamaican Consul General to New York to die in office after battling cancer.
Educator Lawman Lynch described her as a true patriot whose leadership transformed the Jamaican diaspora.
“As Consul General she brought energy, unity and purpose to our communities, inspiring many at home and abroad,” he said.
Lynch said that the late Consul General worked tirelessly for brand Jamaica and served with exceptional dedication.
Born in the parish of St. Catherine, Jamaica, she attended Redwood Primary and Guy’s Hill High School before embarking on a life-changing journey to the United States. Throughout her life, Consul General Wilson has been propelled by the unwavering support of her family and mentors, instilling in her a strong sense of determination and an unwavering drive to succeed.
In July 2019, Mrs. Wilson became Jamaica’s eleventh Consul General to New York, where she was entrusted with representing Jamaica’s interests and supporting its nationals across thirty-three states in the U.S., as well as in Bermuda and Puerto Rico. Her appointment marked the culmination of a successful career and was a testament to her leadership and dedication to her country.
Prior to assuming this prominent role, Mrs. Wilson gained extensive experience in the financial sector. She held high-level positions at leading financial services institutions, including serving as Vice President and Associate Director at Bear Stearns. She also served as President and CEO of The Alsion Roach Group, LLC (ARG) and was Director of Finance at Greylock Capital Management LLC, overseeing a portfolio worth over one billion U.S. dollars. Furthermore, she founded Cyberlock Solutions, LLC, a cybersecurity firm dedicated to protecting digital infrastructure.
Consul General Wilson was a tireless advocate for charitable and philanthropic causes during her tenure. One of her most notable achievements was spearheading a successful laptop and tablet drive to support Jamaican students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, raising over $700,000 to help ensure that students could continue their education remotely. Additionally, she launched initiatives to provide relief to Jamaicans in the New York Tri-State area, addressing their critical needs during the pandemic.
Her tenure has also been marked by a steadfast commitment to improving health and education outcomes for Jamaicans both at home and abroad. She played a pivotal role in organizing the Jamaica Independence Gala, which raised funds for scholarships supporting tertiary education students. Consul General Wilson has also led efforts to establish partnerships between U.S. medical facilities and healthcare providers in Jamaica, contributing to the advancement of healthcare on the island.
Over the years, Mrs. Wilson has earned numerous accolades for her leadership and contributions, including the prestigious Bear Stearns Award of Excellence, the Woman Celebrating Woman Award, and the Jamaican Honours Society Order of Distinction (O.D.), among others.
In February 2021, she joined the Board of the Rose Town Foundation in Jamaica and recently became a member of the Board of the Borough of Manhattan Community College’s (BMCC) Office of Diplomatic Engagement and Training, Advisor Board. Additionally, on July 19, 2023, Consul General Wilson assumed the role of Chair of the CARICOM Consular Corps in New York. In this capacity, she has spearheaded initiatives to advance the Caribbean region’s interests, focusing on investment promotion, Caribbean Diaspora engagement, and fostering sustainable partnerships. She also works closely with municipal authorities in New York to strengthen diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the Caribbean.
In the six short years that she has served as presided over the Consulate General of Jamaica New York, Mrs. Wilson has tackled and tamed numerous large initiatives, benefitting Jamaicans at home and in the Diaspora, including:
· Fed and cared for Jamaicans within and without her jurisdiction during the COVID pandemic.
· Launched an iPad and laptop donation initiative, successfully acquiring and distributing numerous devices to high school students in Jamaica, thereby enhancing their access to digital learning tools and educational opportunities
· Hosted the Investing in Jamaica and Housing Forum, which encouraged individuals and businesses to do business and invest via the Jamaica Stock Exchange and other national financial bodies.
