The Co-Founders of Uplifting Ubuntu Project
Gard Jameson
Gard Jameson received his PhD from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Religion in 2005. He is a professor of Asian Philosophy at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is the author of five books, The Beatitudes, The Peace Pilgrim Pictures, and Phaethon, Monkey, and Ramayana: Our Mythic Moment. During the pandemic he wrote a children’s book, Love is the Magic Key, about the exploration of a father and daughter into the meaning of love.
He and his wife, Florence, cofounded Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada, along with community benefactors, a charitable clinic that has provided free medical, dental, and mental healthcare to thousands without access for over 15 years.
He serves on the board of the Charter for Compassion, CharterForCompassion.org, with over 400 global communities adopting Compassion as their premier value, including Compassionate Las Vegas, CompassionateLV.org.
He has two precious daughters, MJ and Julia… and has been married to his best friend, Dr. Florence Jameson, for 43 years… they met when he was 15 and she 14 years old!
"In unselfish service, we discover our true Being of Boundless JOY and Unconditional LOVE. Ubuntu is, in reality, the way forward."
Pato Banton
Pato Banton is a Reggae Legend, who’s four-decade career has also earned him a Grammy Nomination, a place in the British Music Hall of Fame and the prestigious BBC Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his tireless community work and successful efforts to help reduce gun crime across his hometown of Birmingham England after two of his sons were shot in a drive by shooting. After being inspired by the teachings of The Urantia Book, Pato’s journey has increasingly transcended the music industry and more into Spiritual Ministry and Music Outreach for “at risk” young people in disadvantaged communities via schools, colleges and prisons, plus writing educational curriculum for children with learning disabilities.
Since producing the award winning documentary entitled “The Spirit Of Ubuntu” Pato and his wife Antoinette Rootsdawtah have focussed most of their time spreading the Ubuntu Philosophy globally and to improving the developments of many communities across the continent of Africa with the support of Gard Jameson of Compassionate Las Vegas.
Now based in Southern California, Pato and Antoinette continue to record and tour the world extensively, promoting peace and spirituality, while simultaneously serving as Teachers, Counselors, Mentors and “Ministers of the Verb”.
Antoinette Rootsdawtah
Antoinette “Rootsdawtah” Hall is an award-winning, world-renowned keyboardist in the reggae industry, and spiritual advocate devoted to the living philosophy of Ubuntu — I Am Because We Are. Her life and work bridge music, spirituality, wellness, and social justice in service to collective healing.
Antoinette’s spiritual path deepened through her long-standing collaboration with Grammy-nominated reggae artist Pato Banton and their shared global mission of unity and compassion. In 2018, they received the Unity Earth Keepers of the Flame Award, and were later appointed International Goodwill Ambassadors of the Golden Rule through the United Religions Initiative Africa and were invited into the Evolutionary Leaders Circle.
Antoinette is co-founder of Ubuntu International, Stand UP For Justice, Edentia Wellness, and Divine Mother’s Love, uplifting women, children, and grassroots leaders worldwide. As co-creator of the award-winning documentary The Spirit of Ubuntu, she amplifies unheard voices across Africa and the world.
Through her music, teachings, and humanitarian leadership, Antoinette cultivates dignity, belonging, and remembrance— weaving creativity with action to inspire sustainable change rooted in shared humanity.
How The Journey Began
In 1999, the Parliament of the World’s Religions convened in Cape Town, bringing together global spiritual leaders, elders, and change makers.It was at this event that Gard Jameson met Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela and learned about the amazing philosophy of Ubuntu “I Am because We Are. We Are because I AM. This encounter touched Gard so deeply that years later, when observing the many problems in the world, he felt called to share this African Wisdom about the interconnectedness of humanity, globally through film, with the hopes of inspiring generations to come.
To bring this vision to life, Gard reached out to grammy nominated reggae legend Pato Banton, award winning film director Kudzai Tinago, (along with his assistant Answer Sofa) and world renowned keyboard player Antoinette Rootsdawtah, to embark on an amazing journey across the continent of Africa to explore and document the ancient philosophy of Ubuntu and talk to some the most dynamic and visionary leaders who practice the teachings of Ubuntu in their daily work to improve the lives of the people in their local and surrounding communities.
The result was the award-winning documentary titled “The Spirit of Ubuntu” which has since received over 25 awards at International Film Festivals and touched audiences around the world. The film revealed something profound: Ubuntu is not obscure ~ it is alive and can be found in many different languages and cultures, with clear evidence that Ubuntu thrives wherever people choose cooperation over competition, dignity over despair, and community over isolation.
But the story did not end with the film…..
Out of these ongoing relationships, experiences, and shared commitments, Ubuntu International and the Uplifting Ubuntu Project were born with the intention of transforming inspiration into action.
Today, the Uplifting Ubuntu Project supports projects across Africa aligned with the Seven Pillars of Ubuntu ~ which include Education, Fun/Exercise, Healthcare, Women’s Empowerment, Agriculture , The Arts, Economic Justice, and Spiritual Practice. What began as a few “Hubs” has evolved into a living network of increasing local initiatives and grassroots leaders, each responding to the real needs in their communities while staying connected through shared values.
Ubuntu to the World!
Our Mission
"Ubuntu Uplifting Project is an initiative that is dedicated to cultivating a global sense of community and social responsibility. Our aim is to promote a culture based on The Spirit of Ubuntu - a philosophy that recognizes the humanity in everyone and encourages us to work together for the betterment of all. Through our initiatives, we aim to empower people to become agents of change, fostering empathy, understanding, and connection. We strive to create opportunities for people to connect, share, and support one another, and to build a more compassionate world."
I Am
Because
We Are
The 7 Pillars Of Ubuntu!
Ubuntu is a philosophy that highlights our shared humanity and interconnectedness, emphasizing that a person is a person because of other people. It promotes values like compassion, empathy, and community, recognizing that our individual well-being is tied to the well-being of those around us. The Seven Pillars Of Ubuntu offer a holistic approach to community and personal development. Education fosters growth, healthcare nurtures well-being, music and the arts inspire creativity, environmental stewardship promotes self sustainability and the sustainability of our planet, play promotes joy and wellness, justice seeks equity and fairness, while spirituality and wisdom guides our paths closer to an era of Light & Life.
Our Partners
"Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved."
Compassionate Las Vegas
Ubuntu International
United Religions Initiative
Edentia Ministries
Charter For Compassion
Stand Up For Justice
Join Us in Making a Difference.
Together, We Can Create Change.
"Every contribution counts and every act of kindness matters. Your donation will help us reach more people and make a tangible difference in their lives."