Martin’s International founder and president, Dr. Ephraim Martin, who is the producer of the historic annual IRAWMA (International Reggae and World Music Awards); Chicago Music Awards, the African/Caribbean International Festival of Life (IFOL) and the JSVFest, on this Tuesday, January 2nd, will celebrate a Golden 50th Anniversary in the Media and Entertainment world.
THE EARLY YEARS
The former roving international Photojournalist started his career on January 2nd, 1974 at the Jamaica Daily Gleaner and Star Newspapers. In August 1980 while covering the Democratic National Convention in New York, he was invited to a Seminar in Chicago by the Black Media Inc, where he received an Award, there he met the Chicago Daily Defender Publisher, Mr. John Sengstacke and was asked to join the newspaper as a Photojournalist. In 1981, while at the Defender, and still working with the Daily Gleaner and Star newspapers, he was bothered by the Apartheid System in South Africa and Nelson Mandela behind bars, and wanted to do something to help. He remembered the late Bob Marley and Jacob Miller on March 21st, 1980 at the Norman Manley Airport in Jamaica asking him to travel with them and to do more for the music and the struggle.
PETER TOSH
In late 1981 while performing at the Park West in Chicago, the late Peter Tosh, requested Ephraim, who had never been on stage before to introduce him, which Martin bravely did to a loud and noisy crowd who were waiting for the Bush Doctor. Following the show, after outlining Martin’s plans for a Reggae Awards and its objectives, Peter Tosh, said I am in and we will get others to support your objectives. Months later he received the support from the R&B/Gospel legend, Pops Staples and the Staples singers, along with Dennis Brown, Yellowman, Freddie McGregor, Mutabaruka, G.T. Taylor, Judy Mowatt, and others. On May 1, 1982 (May Day) the International Reggae and World Music Awards ( IRAWMA) and the Chicago Music Awards were born.
FESTIVALS
Eleven years later,Martin established the African/Caribbean International Festival of Life, and much later on, he started the Jerk, Seafood and Vegan Festival. In 2015 at his 35th IRAWMA Anniversary, he made history and set records, as the only known person alive to have consecutively produced more than one hundred annual Awards and Festivals in thirty-five years. He was the recipient of six Special Awards from various African and American organizations at the 35th IRAWMA.
Among, Ephraim’s main objectives when he started the two Awards events, were to honor reggae and world music entertainers, but mainly to use reggae as an art form and as a vehicle of expression for the voiceless peoples of the world; also, for an end to Apartheid, the Freedom of Nelson Mandela,and for freedom and democracy through out the world. After the freedom of Nelson Mandela, Ephraim established the African/Caribbean International Festival of Life (IFOL) with the main objective of “Bringing Nations Together Through Music and Culture”
BLACK HEROES MATTER
Following the death of George Floyd, he formed and led the Black Heroes Matter Coalition under his Martin’s International umbrella, along with his wife, Illinois Appellate Court Justice, Hon. Shelvin L.M. Hall, ret., and some 80 other organizations with Chicago City Council Alderpersons, who sponsored the ordinance, Alderman David Moore and Alderman Sophia King, with the support of 33 other alderpersons to rename one of the most iconic driveways in America, Lake Shore Drive, in honor of the Black man from the Caribbean country of Haiti, Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive, who founded Chicago with his trading post.
It was a great and major historic victory for Blacks in America and the world. His bravery and courage landed him several major Awards for giving the well deserved honor to DuSable who was over looked for more than 240 years. Among the Awards he received, was the major Jamaica National Badge of Honor (BH{m}) in August/October 2022, recommended by the Prime Minister of Jamaica, presented by the Governor General under the auspices of British Queen Elizabeth.
2024 – MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Dr. Martin intends to celebrate his Golden Anniversary at all of his 2024 events, starting with his 41st IRAWMA on March 22, 2024 at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC), in Fort Lauderdale, South Florida, @ IRAWMA.COM. Then at the 31st African/Caribbean International Festival of Life, July 4th – 7th, Independence weekend at Washington Park, Chicago, Illinois @ internationalfestivaloflife.com, where the 42nd Chicago Music Awards, will be combined on July 5th with the Festival of Life, @ Chicagomusicawards.org. The final Golden Anniversary celebration will be at the 8th Annual Jerk, Seafood and Vegan Fest (JSVFest), September 7th and 8th, 2024, @ JSVFest.com. To become a sponsor or branding partner, email martinsinternational1982@gmail.com.
ONLINE STORE
For the fortification of the Martin’s International Foundation objectives, Ephraim is inviting all his supporters, fans and friends and others to shop at his online store and receive special discounts on more than 300 items, Clothing, Ladies, Men’s, Children, Household items, accessories and more at www.shopmartinsinternational.com. To make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.martinsinternational.com.
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Ephraim Martin launched and spoke at the Martin’s International – Black Heroes Matter Coalition, he established to give justice to Chicago’s founding father, Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable his full recognition https://youtu.be/fcobTsxPtn4
SAVE THE DATE!
41st Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), Friday, March 22, 2024, Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC), Fort Lauderdale, FL..Get early tix or info now at www.irawma.com and www.LPACFL.Com
It’s made for TV broadcast and live on www.YouTube.com/IRAWMA,
Phone 877/9-REGGAE (877/973-4423), Visit: www.IRAWMA.com., Facebook @irawma. Instagram & Twitter @irawmaawards, Youtube.com/IRAWMA
Become a Reggae and World Music Awards sponsor and reach an untapped market to brand your product.
Email irawma@gmail.com
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Ephraim M. Martin, BH{M}, D.B.A.
President, Martin’s International
