Carlton (CB) Brown: Harmony Hall is a small village outside the town of Highgate in the parish of St Mary. It was and still is a community made up of mostly poor residents. Carlton grew up in that village. Although people were poor, there was no homelessness, hunger or malnutrition. They survived because there was an abundance of fresh fruits, organic vegetables and other ground provisions that were readily available. Today things are very different, homelessness and hunger is now a reality. Underemployment and the use of drugs have wreaked havoc on the youth of Highgate. Something has to be done.
“It is this reality that has resulted in the creation of the United Friends of Highgate”, Carlton explained. “I migrated to the USA but I never left Highgate. I saw the men and women of my youth grow old and die. I watched, as many who gave their lives to the welfare of Highgate grew poorer and poorer. I watched as poverty changed from poor to hunger and homelessness. The small farms abandoned by the youth, no more abundance of fruit and fresh vegetables. Something had to be done! I had to find a way to give back to Highgate.”
The opportunity came when a number of friends from Highgate met and planned a reunion party. Carlton explained, “Lorrimer Burford and I saw this as the opportune time to introduce to the group the idea of starting a charity. The party started, and over one hundred friends came from near and far. The idea was introduced, the acceptance was unanimous, and that was the birth of UFOH”.
Carlton has since worked relentlessly for the welfare of the people of his home town. As a graduate of St. Georges College Extension and a past teacher at St. Andrew Technical High School his training and humbleness has helped him become a successful sales person. Ever vigilant to recognize opportunities to help UFOH Carlton has grasped many valuable opportunities in the course of his work.