Selwyn Carlton Alexander was born in Montego Bay on May 9, 1916 to Selwyn Augustus and Rosina Alexander. He was the first of nine children. He attended Orange Hill Preparatory School in Montego Bay, St. John’s College in Kingston and Jamaica College. Other formal education included night classes at Kingston College where he learnt shorthand, typing and book-keeping. Selwyn Alexander, at age 16, started working with Grace Kennedy & Co. in 1933 as a Stock Clerk and rose to the position of Chairman, of the company. Mr. Alexander over many years has played a leading role in the field of Commerce, Industry and Export. He was one of the mastermind behind the co-ordination of the various segments of the business sector in a way which enables that sector to make a more positive contribution to the national development. Dr. Hon. Carlton Alexander, was said to be among the few Jamaicans whose work has been instrumental in achieving aspects of sustainable development. Selwyn Alexander was involved in many areas business sector. He was the:

• Board member of several companies and Chairman and Chief Executive of Grace Kennedy & Company Ltd.
• President & Life Member of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ)
• President of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce.
• Chairman Jamaica National Export Corporation.
• Chairman Jamaica National Investment Promotion Ltd.
• Chairman Kingston Wharves Ltd.
• Chairman Kingston Terminal Operators Ltd.
• Chairman Diary Industries Jamaica Ltd.
• Director Bata Shoe Company.
• Director Coconut Control Authority
• Director Jamaica Export Credit Insurance Company.
• Director Caribbean Atlantic Life Insurance Company Limited.
• Director of Pilkington Glass Jamaica Ltd.
• Director of Domestic Sales Ltd.
• Chairman of the Jamaica College School Board etc.
• He was the recipient of a Humanitarian Award at the American Friends of Jamaica’s Seventh Annual Jamaica Charity Ball on November 23, 1988. The award was received by Hon. Keith Johnson as he was ill. He also received the Order of Jamaica and Commander of the Order of Distinction.

Selwyn Carlton Alexander died at age 73 on May 23, 1989. The Grace Kennedy Foundation was established in his memory with $4.5 million fund to help education in Jamaica. The beneficiary of the fund are institutions with which Mr. Alexander was affiliated. He is acknowledged as a “rare patriot” to Jamaica.

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