About/Acerca
THE GENERAL OBJECTIVE of THE MARCIA L. HENRY FOUNDATION as a private interest Foundation is to promote, develop, organize, and manage projects and activities for charitable purposes in the Republic of Panamá and other countries of the world.
EL OBJETIVO GENERAL de LA FUNDACIÓN MARCIA L. HENRY como Fundación de interés privado es promover, desarrollar, organizar y administrar proyectos y actividades con fines benéficos en la República de Panamá y otros países del mundo.
Why do we do it?
At the heart of this tradition is a deeper purpose—to empower, educate, and uplift the next generation of leaders. Through this initiative, we not only celebrate the participants’ achievements but also equip them with the skills, confidence, and cultural awareness needed to excel in their personal and professional lives. By offering leadership development, etiquette training, and mentorship, we are shaping individuals who will contribute meaningfully to their communities and beyond. This program is more than a ceremony - it is an investment in the future, ensuring that these young people are prepared to step into the world with grace, purpose, and excellence.
Por qué lo hacemos? En el corazón de esta tradición hay un propósito más profundo: empoderar, educar y elevar a la próxima generación de líderes. A través de esta iniciativa, no solo celebramos los logros de los participantes, sino que también los equipamos con las habilidades, la confianza y la conciencia cultural necesarias para sobresalir en sus vidas personales y profesionales. Al ofrecer desarrollo de liderazgo, capacitación en etiqueta y tutoría, estamos formando a personas que contribuirán significativamente a sus comunidades y más allá. Este programa es más que una ceremonia - es una inversión en el futuro, asegurando que estos jóvenes estén preparados para entrar en el mundo con gracia, propósito y excelencia.
What is a Cotillion & Beautillion?
A Cotillion & Beautillion is a time-honored tradition that celebrates the personal growth, leadership, and achievements of young women (debutantes) and young men (beaux) as they make their formal introduction into society. Rooted in elegance and purpose, this event is more than just a night of glamour; it is a journey of mentorship, community, and character development.
Through weeks of preparation, participants engage in leadership training, etiquette lessons, cultural enrichment, and community involvement, equipping them with the skills and confidence to excel in their futures. The culminating event is a grand evening where family, friends, and community supporters gather to recognize their dedication and celebrate their bright paths ahead.
Your support ensures that these young men and women receive valuable experiences that empower them to lead with grace, purpose, and excellence.
Qué es un Cotillón y un Botillón?
Un Cotillón y Botillón son una tradición consagrada por el tiempo que celebra el crecimiento personal, el liderazgo y los logros de las mujeres jóvenes (debutantes) y los hombres jóvenes (debutants) cuando hacen su presentación formal en la sociedad. Arraigado en la elegancia y el propósito, este evento es más que una noche de glamour: es un viaje de tutoría, comunidad y desarrollo del carácter.
A lo largo de semanas de preparación, los participantes participan en capacitación en liderazgo, lecciones de etiqueta, enriquecimiento cultural y participación comunitaria, equipándolos con las habilidades y la confianza para sobresalir en su futuro. El evento culminante es una gran velada en la que familiares, amigos y partidarios de la comunidad se reúnen para reconocer su dedicación y celebrar sus brillantes caminos por delante. Su apoyo garantiza que estos hombres y mujeres jóvenes reciban experiencias valiosas que los empoderen para liderar con gracia, propósito y excelencia.
Our Mission/Nuestra Misión
* Establish relationships with other similar foundations for the benefit of the young ladies/men.
* We organize cultural activities to generate funds for the development of the programs of the FOUNDATION.
* Establecer relaciones con otras fundaciones similares en beneficio de las/los jóvenes.
* Organizamos actividades culturales para generar fondos para el desarrollo de los programas de la FUNDACIÓN.
We believe all women/men can embrace who they are,
can define their future, and can change the world.
Our Vision/Nuestra Visión
*Contribute to the development and social, and cultural exchange of the selected young ladies/men with programs developed by THE MARCIA L. HENRY FOUNDATION.
*Contribuir al desarrollo e intercambio social y cultural de las/los jóvenes seleccionadas con programas desarrollados por LA FUNDACIÓN MARCIA L. HENRY.
Meet the Team/El Equipo
The backbone of our organization are the sponsors/donors, without whom, we would not have the ability to furnish the young ladies and men with their necessities which also includes school supplies, aid with trips, and the like.
Founder and President
Marcia L. Henry-Lokay
She was born in Calidonia, Panama City, and attended Santa Familia, an all-girls Catholic elementary school in Casco Viejo.
After graduating, they moved to Colon, and she had the great opportunity to participate in the first Debutante Ball by the St. Joseph’s Church.
She graduated Abel Bravo High School as a Bachelor in Letters, then a 2-semester stint at the University of Panama in the French Program, as she had a fascination with that language, as her paternal side was from Dominica, a French Colony. She switched to Mendez Pereira Institute and graduated as Specialized Commerce (Perito Commercial), earning the honor at graduation as ‘Best Student in Accounting’. She pursued and earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, then a Master of Arts in Management.
Her professional career led her to several positions of increased responsibilities as Manager, Recruiter, Translator/Interpreter, and Adjunct Professor. Marcia is an avid learner and reader. She has and continues to give countless hours as a volunteer and has received several awards and recognitions for such.
She has one daughter, Denisse; and 1 granddaughter, Nielah. She lives in Panamá City, Panamá.
(507) 6672-1718
(Panamá)
Secretary
Denisse L. Gaines
She was born in Colón, Panamá and at 2 years of age migrated to the United States with her mother, Marcia, and her father, Percival A. Samuels, Jr. (“Sammy”). They lived in Des Plaines, Illinois, then with her mother, moved to Aurora, Colorado where she resided, until moving to Atlanta, Georgia to attend college. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Master of Arts in Education at Clark Atlanta University in Georgia, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
She has taught 4-10th grades, and Adult Education in Mathematics, Pre-Algebra, Algebra and GED Prep.
She is currently an Internationally Certified Yoga Instructor, owner of Yoga Infinitum, a virtual yoga studio and an adjunct professor of Yoga and Meditation at Spelman College. She teaches yoga to her personal clients, as well as in different health/senior centers and corporations throughout the Atlanta Metropolitan area, and leads international yoga retreats.
She has worked with groups and companies such as: Delta Sigma Theta and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sororities; lululemon; The High Museum of Art of Atlanta; Toastmasters International; Dirty South Yoga Festival; and acted as an English/Spanish Parent/Teacher Liaison to name a few.
She resides in Atlanta with her husband Jerome and children Nielah and Jerell.
(404) 521-8401
(USA)
Treasurer
Glenroy James
He was born on June 6, in the province of Colon, Republic of Panama, with professions such as psychologist, social researcher, Professor, sports leader, and now retired, and apt to volunteer, giving lectures, seminars and fostering teamwork in all social, cultural, and educational circles.
His professional career extends to several charges: Bank Manager; Operations Analyst Instructor; Human Resources Management Advisor; General Manager of the Credit Union in the former Canal Zone (Air Defense Center Federal Credit Union); Assistant Manager of Collections and Mortgage Loans; Manager of Operations and Personnel; Insurance Sales; Consultant Psychologist and National Coordinator of the Godfather Entrepreneur Program (Ministry of Social Development).
Mr. James has received numerous awards for his commendable work in benefit of the community on the part of: The Foundation of the Rescue of National Youth; Preservation of the Culture of Afro-descendants (Ministry of Education-Panama), among others.
In the areas of volunteering, Mr. James collaborated on the programs of Addicts in Recovery, and Gangs; Member of the Club of Lions, Parque LeFevre; Former President, and current BOD member of The Society of Friends of the Afro Antillean Museum of Panama (SAMAAP); The Society of Psychologists of Panama; The Isthmus # 1 Flower Lodge; The Committee of Culture and Tourism in the Mayor's Office of Panama, amongts others.
Father of Amaly, and Glenroy James, Jr.; 2 granddaughters. He currently resides in Panamá City, Panamá.
(507) 6624-2177
(Panamá)
Sponsors/
Patrocinadores
Supporters/Partidarios
Alan Nottingham & Sean Hammerle, Alonso & Carmela Gobern, Anita Cumberbatch, Audrey & Antonio Caesar, Bradle & Zenaida Bingham, Carlos Morgan, Carlos Alleyne, Celinda & Hari Singh, Dilcia Hemmings, Dr. Leticia Thomas & Dwight Baines, Eunice Greaves, Jorge Estemac (R.I.P.), Jorge Brathwaite, Mamie Mallory, Patricia Lynton, Roberto De Costa, Roberto Meade, William Lokay (R.I.P.),
Posse: Annette Sobers, Eva Dean, Romelia Tania Reid.
Courtney Leaks; Deborah Hope; Deborah Porter; Digna Racero; Dilcia & Vernona Hemmings; Edward & Doris Prout; Felipe Motta/Marbella; Judith Edwards, Honorary Consul of Jamaica; Idania Dowman, Panama's First Lady of Jazz; Intercontinental Miramar Hotel; Jorge Brathwaite; Lidia Mongerie Brown; Panama Bay Jewelers (Vernon & Francis Wilson); Dr. Santiago Wood; Marriott Hotel-Albrook Mall; Zenaida Bingham; Zuleika Zuñiga;
Anonymous
Prof. Jessica Jonás, Personal Assistant
Actors/Actresses that participanted in the play/Actores y Actrices que participarfon en la obra: .
"Threads of Silver & Gold".
Marcia L. Henry-Lokay, Producer
Deborah Dickey, Writer, Director