The University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) will confer the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, on Dame Beverly Isadore Lindsay, DBE, OD, DL, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to entrepreneurship, civic leadership, philanthropy, public health advocacy, diaspora engagement and community development.

The honorary degree will be presented at UCC’s 2026 Commencement Ceremony on July 19 at the National Arena in Kingston, where graduands, faculty, staff, families, dignitaries, special guests and thousands online will gather to celebrate academic achievement and distinguished service.

Born in St Thomas, Dame Lindsay migrated to Birmingham, England, as a teenager, carrying with her the values of honesty, service, resilience and community upliftment instilled by her mother and grandmother. She began her professional journey in nursing and midwifery before moving into community relations, voluntary service and financial services. In 1987, she founded Diamond Travel, which grew into one of Birmingham’s leading independent travel agencies and became a trusted link for Caribbean travellers and members of the Jamaican diaspora.