Kingston, Jamaica: The preservation of Jamaica’s cultural heritage has been viciously undertaken by a cadre of committed Jamaican culture warriors. One such visionary came in the form of former executive director at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Dr. Cecile Walden.
Her passing on Sunday, March 22, marked the end of a life committed to culture, education and nation building.
While Dr. Walden will be widely remembered for her long and distinguished career as the Principal of the Sam Sharpe Teachers' College in St James, it would be remiss if the history, even for a moment, glossed over her dedicated stewardship of the country’s cultural bastion, serving as executive director of the JCDC between 1992 and 1996.
Her stewardship at the JCDC was marked by exciting innovations in the delivery of the Commission's programmes and activities.
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, OJ, CD, MP, recalled Dr. Walden as that colossal figure who always had Jamaica's preservation and showcasing of Jamaica’s cultural heritage at heart.
"Jamaica has lost a true giant with the passing of Dr. Cecile Walden. Her passion for and commitment to Jamaica and its people were undeniable. This showed in her years of service to several entities, including the JCDC. The steady foundation on which the national treasure that is our culture now sits is due in part to the work of Jamaicans such as Dr. Walden. To those who mourn her passing, may you be comforted by her years of dedicated service to her fellow Jamaicans. Rest assured that she did it from the heart, and touched the lives of many who are richer having been blessed by her presence and indomitable spirit," said Minister Grange.
Current executive director, JCDC, Lenford Salmon, also weighed in on Walden's passing, noting that her stint at the JCDC left a blueprint for those who have followed.
" The JCDC continues to benefit from the plans laid and the programmes and policies implemented during her tenure. She will long be remembered for her lifelong contribution to nation-building in education and the arts. It is because of Jamaicans like Dr. Cecile Walden that Jamaican culture holds such a pride of place on the world stage," said Salmon.
Former members of staff who served at the JCDC during the Walden years recall her perceptiveness and remember her as a transformational leader who led the organisation with vision, purpose, passion and utmost commitment to human capital development. This, they said, earned her the love, respect and admiration of the staff.
According to Michael “Stringbean” Nicholson, former events coordinator at the JCDC, she created a number of firsts for the Commission. The one that immediately comes to mind is her role in creating the Independence Day Parade at King’s House. She believed that our young people should be able to come to King's House on the eve of our Independence to see all the symbols of our sovereignty on display.
Mr. Nicholson also highlighted that she created Evenings of Excellence across the country, to showcase the best talent coming out of the Festival of the Performing Arts Competition. This allowed parents and other stakeholders to see the outstanding competitors from their locale.
For Althea Tyndale, who served as hospitality coordinator, her legacy is one of inspiration, growth, and a genuine care for her staff. She leaves behind a standard of leadership that continues to guide and motivate all who came in contact with her at the JCDC.
Glendon Watson, former events coordinator, remembers Dr. Walden for her impact on both staff and the organisation. “She was remarkable. She was, above all, a people person; someone who valued relationships and fostered a warm, supportive environment where every staff member felt seen, heard and appreciated. Her leadership style was deeply personal and nurturing. She often referred to the staff as “her children, and reflection of her genuine care and concern she had for each individual’s well-being and growth.”
Vanessa Patterson, the JCDC’s parish manager for St. Catherine, also cited Dr. Walden’s commitment to the development of human capital. “Beyond her compassion, she was also a visionary leader who consistently encouraged professional development. She was intentional about organising training sessions and development programmes designed to enhance staff capacity. Through carefully planned projects and initiatives, she challenged staff to step outside of their comfort zones, refine their skills, and strive for excellence. She endeavoured at all times to ensure that the Commission was fulfilling its critical functions and mandate for national cultural development.”
