Dr. Kevin Brown, President, UTech, Jamaica Hosts Courtesy Call with U.S. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and Former Councilwoman Dr. Una Clarke

 Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica), hosted a special courtesy call with U.S. Congresswoman Dr. Yvette Clarke and former New York City Councilwoman Dr. Una S. Clarke on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the university’s Papine Campus. Dr. Brown was joined by members of the university’s management teams in welcoming the distinguished guests.

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, who has represented New York’s 9th Congressional District since 2013 and currently serves as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, was accompanied by her parents, Mr. Leslie Clarke and Dr. Una Clarke, who is recognized as the first Caribbean-born woman elected to the New York City Council, where she served from 1992 to 2001.

Both Dr. Una Clarke and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke are recipients of honorary doctorates from UTech, Jamaica, awarded in 2005 and 2019 respectively.

The visit was facilitated by Professor Carol Archer, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning in the Faculty of The Built Environment, UTech, Jamaica. Professor Archer holds a PhD and MPhil in Political Science from the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center, where she specialized in urban politics, public policy, housing, and community development. Her doctoral thesis explored the political impact of Caribbean immigrants in New York City, with a focus on their influence at the community level.

Inspired by the pioneering leadership of Dr. Una Clarke who was the first elected official from the Caribbean at the time, Professor Archer’s research examined how Clarke’s legacy was shaped through the establishment of critical community institutions. These included daycare centres, political clubs, and schools such as Medgar Evers College, a member of the CUNY system named in honour of civil rights activist Medgar Wiley Evers.

During the dialogue, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke emphasized the role of education in fostering international cooperation and development. She noted, “Education is the sweet spot where we can engage diplomatically, where grants and support can be given. We are not there yet, but it will be coming.” She added, “I will be talking with my colleague from New York, Gregory Meeks, who represents Queens, a district with a large Caribbean population and who understands the region well. He has jurisdiction over foreign affairs and recognizes that there needs to be a reset of the Caribbean around its growth needs. Education is at the heart of that reset.”

Congresswoman Clarke acknowledged the ongoing contributions of Jamaican educational institutions to the United States, particularly in training professionals such as nurses and educators who have helped fill critical labour gaps. “We have benefited tremendously from your institutions. The question is: what can we do now to help support your growth and development in a way that is mutually beneficial to both institutions, students, and countries?” she added.

She further highlighted gaps in medical research involving people of African descent. “Much of the health research in the U.S. is still centered on white populations, with the assumption that outcomes will translate to Black communities, and that doesn’t always align,” stated Congresswoman Clarke. She emphasized the need for more clinical trials involving people of African descent and noted the potential for building partnerships in healthcare and pharmaceuticals.

“I serve on a committee in the House of Representatives that oversees everything from clinical trials to pharmaceuticals and healthcare; I’m open to starting conversations in Washington, D.C., to strengthen these relationships,” Congresswoman Clarke stated.

Dr. Kevin Brown welcomed the idea of deeper partnerships and support, especially in areas critical to national development. He noted for example, “infrastructural deficits, particularly in our nursing school,” adding that “If opportunities can be created to support those needs, it would be transformative.” Dr. Brown further stated that “We are also very interested in student exchanges. There may be students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the U.S. who would want to immerse themselves in study at UTech, Jamaica.”

The meeting concluded with Congresswoman Yvette Clarke affirming that “the conversation will continue.” Dr. Kevin Brown expressed the university’s commitment to building on this engagement to strengthen mutually beneficial academic and collaborative empowerment opportunities through ongoing dialogue and partnership.



Dr. Photo courtesy of UTech
Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica presents a delighted U.S. Congresswoman, Dr. Yvette Clarke, with a branded gift bag of university memorabilia during a courtesy call held at the President’s Conference Room, UTech, Jamaica Papine Campus on Thursday, April 17, 2025. The Congresswoman engaged in a rich dialogue with university leaders on strengthening U.S.-Caribbean ties through education, healthcare collaboration, and student exchange. The meeting also explored opportunities for clinical research partnerships and support for critical infrastructure needs, especially in nursing education.