September 2019 Volume 15

Atlanta Jamaicans Mourn Glen Simmonds

Dr. Glen Laman
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Beloved Atlanta resident Glen Simmonds passed unexpectedly on August 12, 2019. He was a pillar of the community and was beloved by all. His death was a huge shock to the community which was getting ready for the Annual Jerk festival which he founded. He will be sorely missed.

The KC Old Boys of Georgia are thankful for the support he provided them over the years. In the early years of the chapter we would often visit the WCLK radio station at his invitation to promote our events.

Dr. Noel Erskine remarked, “Glen lived a life of service to the community and modeled for us his vocation to place others and community before self. His altruism endeared him to us all. He was always brave, not for self, but to empower others, especially those in need of help. His leadership as an entrepreneur and Radio Personality will long be remembered by us. We offer gratitude to God and his family for sharing Glen with us.”

Jannice O’Shea met him in the early 90 and remembered him as “one of those persons you encounter and immediately it's a quiet, gentle, warm presence with a passion for what he does and a soothing voice.”

Glen was the CEO of Glen Simmonds Media, an Atlanta-based media company which specializes in broadcasting, audio production, public relations, marketing and event planning.

Glen was the co-founder and Executive Director of the annual Atlanta Caribbean Jerk Festival, one of Georgia's signature Caribbean calendar events. The festival, which is now in its 12th year, is the largest event of its type in the state of Georgia and one of the top Caribbean food festivals in the USA.

Glen Simmonds is the Production Manager of NPR affiliated radio station WCLK-FM in Atlanta, Georgia. He was also employed by Georgia Public Broadcasting Television where he was the Audio Director for that statewide network’s local television productions.

Glen Simmonds aka “The Reggae Ambassador” hosted "Natural Mystic", WCLK 91.9 FM's award winning, top rated Caribbean radio program for almost 20 years. During that time, the program became one of the most popular and most influential Caribbean radio programs in the USA. He has also voiced and produced commercial spots for radio and television stations throughout North America and the Caribbean. Glen could be heard every Saturday evening on the Authentic Caribbean radio program on Atlanta's Majic 107.5 / 97.5 FM. He also hosted a weekly afternoon drive radio program on 89.3 FM WRFG Atlanta.

Glen is a product of York Castle High and Knox College in Jamaica and Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Due to his trailblazing efforts in the community, Glen Simmonds was named among the 100 most influential Caribbean nationals in the State of Georgia. He was also recognized by the Atlanta Caribbean Association as its Citizen of the Year in 2002.

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