1st Jamaican-born U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica sworn in

The first Jamaican-born U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica has been sworn in.

Former New York State Assembly Member N. Nick Perry was sworn in on Monday by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, the daughter of a Jamaican father.

Harris administered the oath in her ceremonial office, flanked by Perry’s wife, Joyce, their children Nickolas and Novalie, Perry’s sister, Pauline Perry and Senate Majority Leader Charles “Chuck” Schumer.

Schumer, who had pushed President Joe Biden to appoint Perry to the position, says the new Ambassador has fostered many deep and lasting cultural, economic and political connections between the United States and Jamaica.

He says “the bottom line is that there is no one better prepared to go ‘Down Yard’ (Jamaica) and represent the United States of America than Nick Perry, and I am very happy to have supported his nomination”.

Perry migrated to the US in 1971, serving in the U.S. Army for two years of active duty and four years on reserve status.

After military service, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Master of Arts in public policy and administration – both at the Brooklyn College, City University of New York (CUNY).

He was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 1992 to represent the 58th Assembly District and was re-elected to serve his 15th consecutive term in November 2020.

Perry says he’s proud to support Monique Chandler-Waterman, the daughter of Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants, as his successor in the 58th Assembly District.

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