The Barbados Gala 2021 Magazine and NY Consulate General Year in Review

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N E W YO R K C O N S U L AT E G E N E R A L

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Inside

AWARDS

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Let’s Celebrate Ourselves and Our Country

Pinnacle Award

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Consulate in Action

28 Adrian Clarke

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Transitioning: A Fresh Start

29 Leroy Hutchinson

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Tourism Growth around People and Products

31 Adrian Mapp

Consul General Special Award

32 Consulate in Action

48 Maureen Haynes

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Out of Adversity Comes Opportunity

27 Selwin Hart

30 Eddie Alleyne

Inspiration Award

46 Carolann Gilkes/ Lorna Austin 47 Michelle Brathwaite/ Norman Harper

33 Dr. Cicely Wilkinson

Barbados Nurses Association of America, (BNAA)

34 Rev. David Barrow

Northwell Health

11 A Simple Beautiful Idea

35 Dr. O’Neall Parris

12 A Possible Revolutionary Partnership

36 Sandra Taitt-Eaddy

Day of Independence Committee of Panamanians in NY, Inc.

REPORTS

13 For Love of Country 14 The Ties that Bind

15 New Organisation, Fresh Impetus 16 Pressing On

17 Persevering through the Pandemic 18 Batting 35 Years and Still Not Out 19 Still Minding the Store

20 Engaging the Diaspora in Global Push

21 Consulate in Action

Change Award Achievement Award 37 Spider/Lebanon Brathwaite 38 Adrian Myles/ Pauline Stoute 39 Elan Trotman 40 Arnold Rice/Dennis Yarde 41 Andy Hewitt/ Andrew Sobers

Association Award 42 Rupert Reid/Julia Hollingsworth 43 Beverley Callender/ Miguel Edghill

23 So Here we Go

Youth Award

THE TEAM

44 Ayisha Mapp/ Nathaniel Sobers

24 Trevon Stoute/ Wesley Morris 25 The General

26 Adrian Clarke/Likkle D & Sean

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Friend of the Consulate

COMMENTARY

Community Award 45 Tyrone Jordan/ Hattan Callender

MEMORABLE 50 Leadership Matters, At Home & Abroad 51 How Many More, How Much More 53 Breaking the Mould 58 When Will Leaders Lead?

60 Consulate in Action 61 You See Barbados Though?

63 Happenings 65 Ken Farnum, Barbados’ First Olympian 67 So Many Questions 70 Keeping it Together 72 Barbados Associations in NY Jurisdiction 74 What You Should Know

THE BARBADOS GALA NY Let’s Celebrate Ourselves and Our Country

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here was no question about it – as long as the pandemic numbers were down, there would be a Barbados Gala NY. In person. In all its glory.

The rapturous response from the 2019 event in Staten Island, and the longing to gather again all dressed up and around a celebration of Barbados, were pluses in the mix. There was a void as associations pulled back from their cocktail sips, tea parties and dinners.

There was also a list of persons who were to receive awards in 2020. Actions and progress by associations and individuals in 2021, all outstanding but, even so, some extraordinarily special, also weighted the decision in favour of having the Gala.

Partnering was easy. The newlyformed Barbados Support Group, (BSG), stepped forward, with the Barbadian Ex-Police right behind.

More difficult was finding the appropriate venue. It was not just matching the beauty of the Vanderbilt but working with a venue that would accommodate our desire to have authentic Barbadian cuisine. One Saturday, we were in Freeport and everything lined

up and the Bayview fit the bill.

In this keepsake we salute those deserving individuals and organisations that created history in the last two years, made a difference, impressed by their dedication or whose body of work is noteworthy. There are young and experienced ones, organisation heads and members, community workers and small business persons, first, second and third generation Barbadians.

In a year of wonderful giving to Barbados, we are also happy to include a few special awards acknowledging those who went above and beyond.

Northwell Health, our nurses and the Consulate’s own Maureen Haynes are more than worthy.

But we also felt we should take the opportunity to highlight some of the successes of the Consulate General of Barbados at New York and Associations in its jurisdiction. Another year of Covid-19, while it shuttered events, did not stop Associations from utilizing the technology to engage, educate, entertain and raise money.

With Prime Minister Mia Mottley taking the world spotlight, we thought, for the record, you would love to read two of the speeches which resonated, at UNGA and COP 26. Additionally, it

Mackie Holder, Consul General of Barbados, New York

has been some time since the needed energy was brought to Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Minister Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott’s exposition on how Barbados is repositioning is important for everyone in the Diaspora to acquaint themselves with.

We gather as Barbados take a new step as a Republic. Sometimes, we are too hard on ourselves in our desire to have Barbados always represent excellence – forgetting that we are still a very young nation and have achieved an astonishing amount as a small state with extremely limited resources; mainly ourselves. Hopefully, you will be reminded of some of those strides as we note the transition.

But tonight, and this document, is mostly about us. Barbadians who take pride in our country and work to exude its values and raise its image, as we develop ourselves. It’s about the work of the Consulate and Associations.

I hope you enjoy tonight – and the publication.

Let’s celebrate Barbados �

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Transitioning

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e are back on the horse, if not exactly in the saddle.

It is sure good to be able to mingle, if still with caution, again; and to a large extent do all the things we enjoy. But mask wearing and the frenetic drive worldwide to vaccinate remind us that we must not be deluded into believing everything and everywhere is normal again.

Vaccines, the proven solution to so many of the world’s diseases, have again provided a way out, literally out of our caves. It is possibly the world’s greatest absurdity that as science – in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic – is taking average persons to space and exploring even Mars, the same science that has saved us is being ignored and muddled by impossible conspiracies.

The last few years have indicated the need for fresh approaches. But this does not mean forsaking those developments, tried and true, that have been essential in the foundation of world progress. Let us take the vaccines.

As we evolve from the pandemic, we should also take forward the uncountable instances of sacrifice and support for fellowman that together point to the seminal importance of a values driven approach to all endeavours.

In another year of pain and uncertainty for Barbados, the acts of love by individuals and Associations under the jurisdiction of the Consulate General at New York – spontaneous, fulsome and unending – have been inspiring.

Amidst all the turmoil, these acts of kindness encourage a sense that all will be well.

The medical missions by nurses from New York, organized by Dr. Cicely Wilkinson and Northwell Health, both in concert with the NY Consulate, stand

A Fresh Start

out amidst an abundance of support that belied the challenges people and organizations are still facing in their respective spheres.

Beyond the medical support, the resulting connections, camaraderie and mutual appreciation that characterized the missions, mirroring the organic nature of the missions themselves, promise a new approach that could contribute massively to an improved health service for Barbados. Some things cannot be imagined to turn out as well as these partnerships, even if they go no further. As Barbadians say, “God is good”.

That Barbados has stood up, better than most, to the onslaught of the pandemic is, if it is needed after almost a century of resilience, another indicator of the collective greatness of our country based on outstanding political leadership, strong economic management, democracy, common sense approaches and the body of Barbadians, at home and abroad, who daily exude industriousness, commitment to excellence, respect, service and country.

From the continued dedication of our health workers to the global leadership of Prime Minister Mia Mottley, the rallying of the Diaspora to support every call to the world level success of individuals such as author Cherie Jones or young racing driver Zane Maloney and the monumental and ongoing rise of Rihanna, even during the pandemic Barbados demonstrates that we are craftsmen of our fate.

Our journey to modernism, beginning in the 1930s and orchestrated by the Rt. Excellent Grantley Adams, has taken us from servitude to the right to vote, formation of the first political and workers’ union organizations, Cabinet government, the development of our

foundation of education and health care, Independence and establishment of national heroes, among other changes.

This year, Barbados takes another seminal step, moving to a Republic on 30 November, Independence Day. After more than 380 years, there will be a Barbadian Head of State. Next year, after wide discussion, there will be some changes to the Constitution that line up with our point in history.

A fresh start as a Republic and post pandemic will see Barbados strengthening its fundamentals as it navigates a world giving no special favors. Aspects of this are seen in increasing dialogue with the Diaspora, the moves by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade to establish new missions in Panama, Ghana, Nigeria and the UAE and the steps being taken to, finally and fully, deal with infrastructure, better exploit what Barbados offers and explore new growth areas, from becoming a global education hub to pivoting to solar and other alternative energies.

In short, Barbados will still be Barbados. Stable, progressive, multicultural.

We will remain friends of all and satellites of none. Success will continue with renewal and with the approach of taking the basics forward.

That certainly will be the guiding principle of the NY Consulate. It has been a marvelous year, with activities throughout in person and online, unfailing support of the Consulate and Barbados, and exciting new developments, including the formation of a new organization, the Barbados Support Group.

Independence inspired Barbadians to new levels of achievement.

Our move to a Republic should be no less galvanizing. Let us go forward in strength and unity. Our history has shown that once we move together, we can achieve anything.

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TOURISM GROWTH Eusi Skeete

Around People and Products

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ellow Barbadians and members of the diaspora, I’m delighted to extend warm greetings as we commemorate fifty-five years of Independence and Barbados’ transition to a Republic.

This truly is a momentous occasion for the island and is testimony to our resilience and strength as a people.

Our love and pride for the island is undeniable and remains the common thread that drives us to see Barbados succeed.

Tourism continues to play an integral role in the development of our country and its impact extends beyond those who work directly within the sector.

The Covid-19 pandemic illuminated the critical role of the tourism industry to global economies and why it is imperative that we continue to develop an industry that is sustainable, inclusive, and beneficial to both locals and visitors alike.

Over the past two years, we have leveraged every opportunity to ensure that Barbados is well positioned to be the preferred destination for the most discerning traveler and, more importantly, that the Barbados brand remains a true reflection of what is still today our best asset - our people.

We remain confident about the future of our industry and are committed to showcasing the unique attributes of our home while ensuring that we differentiate ourselves from our competitors.

Over the years, you have been central to our many successes and with

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Eusi Skeete, BTMI Director USA

your continued support we know that we will emerge from this pandemic stronger than before.

We are delighted to share that Barbados is easily accessible from across major US gateways including JFK, EWR and Boston in the North East, Charlotte and Miami in the South and, effective December, we will welcome seasonal weekly nonstop service from Dulles Washington and Newark NJ on United Airlines.

We are also delighted to share both new and proposed enhancements to our tourism product with the official opening of O2 Beach Club and Spa, planned upgrades to Harrisons Cave that will include ziplines, suspended walkways, a dry slide, challenge course and a bird aviary. Our distinction as the dining capital of the Caribbean is established and will be further enhanced

by Michelin Star Chef Antonio Mellino’s Quattro Passi at the Cliff.

As the holidays approach, we are very excited to welcome you back

home and invite you to join us in ensuring that your family, friends, and colleagues choose Barbados for their next holiday or their home away from home to work remotely through the Barbados Welcome Stamp program.

As ambassadors for Barbados, you can enjoy the benefits of our Barbados Family and Friends (BFF) program, which is designed to ensure that you are equipped with the knowledge of all the great things to see and do in Barbados and, of course, be rewarded for your efforts. If you’re not a member of the BFF program, please visit the website today to learn more about the incredible benefits.

Once again, thank you for your continued commitment to Barbados’ success and we look forward to all the great things that we will accomplish together in the future. On behalf of the entire team at Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc, we wish you and your family a Blessed Independence and best wishes for the year ahead.

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he world continues to grapple with the first severe global pandemic seen in over 100 years, claiming millions of lives and devastating economies and livelihoods everywhere.

Declared a pandemic officially by the World Health Organization in March 2020, the novel coronavirus outbreak (Covid -19) has upended the world’s citizens and has called for quick and decisive actions by all governments.

Barbados, as is its tendency, has responded admirably and has distinguish itself as one of the nations that has managed these grim circumstances with some degree of stability.

Barbados is no stranger to adversity indeed the small and open nature of our economy and society means that we are highly sensitive to external shocks. It is incumbent on us to unswervingly mange our affairs to maintain our stability and to drive our country forward towards our goals.

When Barbados set out to manage its own affairs some 55 years ago, it was with the full knowledge that the path would not be easy; that in order to succeed, we would have to harness as much of the output of our number one resource, our people; and that adversity would have to be met with not only pride and industry but adaptability.

These tenets have accounted for a large part of our success over the years, as we have invested in education and healthcare for our people and transitioned from an agrarian economy to a services driven economy utilizing the talents of as many Barbadians as possible. These attributes are also evident in the management of this global health crisis thus far.

In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “out of adversity comes opportunity.” In the face of the worst healthcare crisis in our lifetime Barbados has managed to not only cope well but to seize opportunities presented.

Leslie Gittens, Senior Business Development Officer, USA, Invest Barbados (NY)

The very nature of Barbados, coupled with the government’s astute management of the crisis, provided the perfect platform for the Introduction a new and innovative offering, The Barbados Welcome Stamp Visa.

Introduced in the summer of 2020, this instrument essentially allows qualified persons to legally reside in Barbados for 12 months before necessary renewal, thus giving persons the opportunity to live and work remotely from Barbados.

The initiative not only attracted worldwide attention but has been a resounding success, with thousands of applicants to date and many extensions of stays as well as investments. This is another example of stellar leadership and necessary adaptability in recognition of the importance of tourism and investment to our economy.

Similarly, Invest Barbados and the Consulate at New York continue to secure investment for Barbados in 2021 through targeted promotions primarily in the areas of financial services and technology services.

It is also notable that the pipeline for these investments has grown considerably in 2020 and 2021 as investors see Barbados as a viable location to diversify their risks and as an attractive location for the family, giving even more meaning to our claim as the best place in the world to live, work and enjoy.

Meanwhile, there are some additional exciting projects planned for tourism infrastructure. While these have been slowed due to logistical challenges with the ongoing pandemic, the team at New York will continue to remain positive and steadfast in securing tourism and other investments for Barbados.

November 30th, 2021 marks five decades and five years since Barbados lowered the Union Jack and raised the ultramarine, gold and black of the Broken Trident. The journey thus far has been equally as challenging as it has been rewarding. By the time you are reading this article, Barbados would have raised the broken Trident for the fifty-sixth time.

This time, however, as the world’s latest Republic. The Republic of Barbados! The island’s first female Prime Minister, the Honorable Mia Amor Mottley, would have taken us to the next phase of self- governance as an independent State, meaning we will no longer have Her Majesty the Queen as the Head of our island State but President Sandra Mason.

In the eventual wake of the global pandemic, even greater opportunity abounds for our island nation. They are there in tourism, alternative energy, the blue economy, the globalization of numerous Barbadian products, sports development, entertainment and culture, agriculture and cannabis, housing and others.

The name Barbados is synonymous with sunshine and good living. Barbadians have long known how special this land is. Now that more and more of the world is discovering this special place called Barbados, I encourage all Barbadians and particularly those of the diaspora to take advantage of your birthright and be at the forefront of developing our nation. Continue to visit, to enjoy and to invest!

As we celebrate another Independence Day and indeed a historic one, let us say cheers to our accomplishments, let us then gather ourselves and prepare to continue the journey even more inspired, exalting, free.

Happy Independence! Cheers to the Republic. May God continue to bless us.

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Care Buddies A Simple Beautiful Idea

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ixteen years later, her niece, now 28, still treasuring a cuddly toy given when she collapsed and was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, inspired Treva Holder, when she was contemplating a give-back to Barbados, to launch the Care Buddy Project.

Over the last two plus years, with the support of Barbadian Associations under the New York Consulate’s jurisdiction and individuals from all over, some 700 toys have been donated to patients of the Pediatric Ward of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, (QEH).

This year was a special one for donations. In response to a request to extend care buddies to children who contracted Covid19, more than 300 approved stuffed toys were donated in just two weeks.

Approved by Head of the Pediatric Department, Dr. Angela Jennings and coordinated

by Nurse Melissa Worrell, following on from Nurse Vi rgi n i a Broome, t h e

Care Buddy Project has led to other support for the department and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, (NICU).

As a result of a request from NICU, in concert with staff of the Barbados Consulate and Barbados Mission and friends, a range of supplies were donated.

Both departments also benefitted from a toy drive supported by Associations.

Along with patients, toys were donated to their siblings, with the Barbados American Cancer Association, (BACA), and Harrison College Queens College Alumni Association, (HCQCAA), meeting specific wish lists requests from three teenage cancer patients who were in care at the time.

According to Mrs. Holder, the project fills an important need as kids are not usually associated with hospitalisation but, in fact, some children spend long, lonely periods in hospital, some with very serious illnesses.

One child spent 436 days, from the time he was born, in care.

Care buddies not only bring comfort to children who are in hospital for long hours without parents but are also scientifically proven to help with pain management.

It is expected that along with the care buddies, the Project will spearhead other assistance to the Pediatric Department including developing a teaching assistance program and the donation of equipment such as chairs to accommodate parents staying with their children.

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Northwell Health N a Possible Revolutionary Partnership

o one believed what they were hearing. Just so, Northwell Health had committed to send a medical team to Barbados.

It was but one example of New York’s biggest health provider’s responsiveness and determination to assist Barbados, underlined by sheer professionalism, an unusual understanding of the challenges of a small nation and warmth in delivering support.

It was Friday, 24 September, the last official working day for Prime Minister Mia Mottley at the UN General Assembly and the second surprising outcome to a meet-

ing structured by Consul General at New York Mackie Holder and readily agreed to by the Prime Minister.

The Northwell declaration came at the end of a spontaneous visit, resulting from the meeting with Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott, to Northwell’s emergency facility in the Village, Manhattan, the only such standalone facility in NY State.

A better ending to the meeting could not have been scripted than the Northwell commitment to send a team to Barbados to assist with the Covid-19 fight and look at a number of areas of the Barbados health care system, first communicated to Holder.

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But actually there was. In just three days, Northwell put together its team and the following Friday, 30 September, six health care workers headed to Barbados.

Apart from Covid-19 assistance, the group of five clinicians and one administrator also looked at the A&E at QEH, the records system and visited polyclinics. It was led by Eric Cioe Peña MD, MPH Director of Global Health, Office of Academic Affairs, Center for Global Health But there has been more. On Monday, 18 October, yet another Northwell team headed to Barbados, spending a week doing assessments, including examining platforms for telemedicine, a rapidly expanding area ripe with possibilities for a Barbados-Northwell partnership.

This team, with Dr. Cioe Pena returning, was led by Dr. Yves Duroseau, MD, MPH, Chairman, Emergency Medicine, VP EMSL and included Joe Leggio – Associate Executive Director, Patient and Customer Experience; and Asha Samuels, who received a promotion to Project Manager while in Barbados.

The second Northwell team also met in person with leaders at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus, as part of a relationship, again bridged by CG Holder and developed over Zoom. The UWI team included Prof Winston Moore – Deputy Principal; Dr. Peter Adams – Dean Faculty of Medical Sciences; Dr. Kenneth Connell – Deputy Dean, Internationalisation and Recruitment, and Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacology; Dr. Madhuvanti Murphy – Deputy Dean, Research & Postgraduate Studies, and Senior Lecturer in Qualitative Research Methods; Dr. Damian Cohall - Deputy Dean, Pre-clinical, and Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology; Dr. Azim Majumder – Director of

Medical Education, Faculty of Medical Sciences; and Mrs. Patricia Atherley – Senior Assistant Registrar, Student Enrolment and Retention.

The Northwell relationship with Barbados, which could be transformative, evolved out of a random innocuous encounter. It began with an introduction by a member of the Barbadian community to then Admin Associate Samuels and an enquiry about Northwell partnering on a vaccine drive. The drive did not materialize but a wider conversation was started with Northwell on health matters and, from the outset, Northwell demonstrated a high level of seriousness with the numbers and level of team members involved in discussions since April this year.

It is possible that the relationships could see the establishment of a telemedicine platform in Barbados, improvements to the EU and ICU departments of QEH and further enhancements to polyclinics as well as new avenues for training and collaboration as well as partnering on the development of the former St. Joseph Hospital site in St. Peter.

For sure, the commitment of Northwell Health is very clear.

NY Nurses Mission For Love of Country

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n attendee, Nurse Forde, declared she would work for conkies, to much laughter. Others chimed in about coconut water and, of course, pudding and souse. More laughter.

But the Prime Minister did not mince words. It was critical in Bim. After an enviable battle with Covid-19, the pandemic was showing who was boss. In the last week of September, when she met with health workers in person and the Diaspora

by Zoom and on Youtube, daily infections were around 300 daily and every few days a few Barbadians were succumbing to the virus. A year before, a death was a rarity.

And then Prime Minister Mia Mottley made the call. Any health worker who could, please volunteer to assist. It went out to the just over 40 health workers in attendance at the meeting arranged by Consul General Mackie Holder, the 100 on the limited Zoom platform, 715 on Youtube and those who later picked up the broadcast.

Online registration links were set up immediately. But how would it actually work?

And who would coordinate? More importantly, who would or could actually go?

After all, health facilities in New York and elsewhere were still dealing with Covid-19 cases and many in battles with staff over vaccine mandates, with workers resigning and being terminated on not meeting vaccine deadlines.

The group aligned to the Barbados Nurses Association of America, (BNAA), was ready to leave the meeting. Very pre-

cise, particularly about time, the session, as much as it was enjoyable and informative, went slightly over time, what with persons wanting selfies and a word with the PM – and nurses had to go to work, some on the meeting night of Wednesday, 22 September.

Amidst the excitement, the CG whispered to President of BNAA, Cicely Wilkinson….you have to lead this. One of the most dynamic Association heads, the Organization Developer in Maimonides Human Resources Department, was in the midst of flux at the hospital, including physically moving office.

But the discussion picked up later in the night, and Cicely got to work. First came a 20-ft container of PPE, worth US$50 000 from Maimonides. Next, US$10 000 in medical supplies through Americares. And then – an answer to the call.

On Saturday, 30 October, the first seven of a nine-man mission arrived in Barbados ready to work. Having sacrificed their vacation. Paid for their own flights. Brought their own PPE. And travelled with supplies, including spirometers and inhalers.

The group led by Cicely included Sharon Bedford, Lestra Cox, Sonia Forde, Shirley

Holder, Keith Porter and Angela Trotman.

Others in the mission were Lynette Bedford and Ursula Porter.

The story of Ms. Lestra Cox highlighted the commitment of the nurses. Unable to get travel documents in New York City, she drove to Buffalo, NY – and back - to get her passport sorted. That’s 373 miles and a six hour trip - each way. By the way, she is Trinidadian.

Detailed planning by the nurses was evident, from pre-meetings on Zoom to the yellow T-shirts created. It all said team.

And the exuberance of the group to get to work immediately had to be tempered to allow them a rest day and treat them to a reception, hosted by Acting Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw at Ilaro Court, the official residence, before work began at Harrison’s Point, the purpose built Covid-19 isolation facility, on Monday.

Apart from the care provided, the nurses undertook training, helped tweak processes and delivered a report on their experience.

Beyond the benefits of the skills, knowledge and experience of the nurses, the firsthand look and the interaction with health officials have engendered a better appreciation of each other and a new relationship that will see much strengthened dialogue and support to Barbados.

In fact, more supplies have been sent to Barbados since the nurses returned to New York. Some of the same team are expected to return to Barbados shortly, along with others determined to make their contributions and build stronger ties.

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PANAMA The Ties that Bind

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t seems an obvious thing, Barbadians and Panamanians building a relationship in New York, where the biggest concentrations of both live outside their respective countries.

But despite the long history, formulated in the construction of the Panama canal... nothing. Not until this year.

Following on the rapport with the Christian Mission Church of Panama, led by Barbadian Rev. Dr. David Barrow, this year the Consulate established what quickly developed into a bond with the Panama Day Parade Organizing Committee.

If there was any doubt of the connection between Barbadians and Panamanians, the relaxed and seamless interface from the first meeting reinforced the familiar history of the two peoples.

What resulted was a quick mapping of a way forward that includes possible tours to Panama and Barbados and strong support of each other’s activities.

Importantly, for the first time the Barbados Consulate hosted two events highlighting Panama, a reception

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at the Consulate and the showing of The Diggers at St. Gabriel’s Church, Brooklyn, and also took part in the 26th Panamanian Parade in October.

The Diggers is a documentary film about the “diggers,” black West Indians - primarily from Barbados and Jamaica -who worked on the construction of the Panama Canal from 1881 to 1914, literally digging. It was produced

by Roman J Foster, who attended the showing, and narrated by Brock Peters.

Consul General of Barbados at New York, Mackie Holder, was a special guest at the parade and in a short speech reinforced the connections between the countries and the need to deepen them.

While small, the Barbadian contingent at the Parade was very well received, with numerous persons along the parade route, which snaked through Crown Heights, Brooklyn, saluting the Barbados participants and attesting to their Barbadian roots.

The Barbados-Panama New York alliance will be extended to a year-round cooperation, and with individuals of both nationalities indicating interest in a range of activities and events from town hall meetings to historical tours, what has started in 2021 should see a flourishing of ties between peoples of the two nations in New York.

BARBADOS SUPPORT GROUP New Organization, Fresh Impetus

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traight out of the gate, the newly formed Barbados Support Group, (BSG), created a stir.

Formed in August, with the main aim of supporting causes in Barbados, the group held a brunch, a fresh event among Barbadian associations, at a new venue, Wyckoff House.

Wyckoff House is the oldest preserved house in New York.

The September Sunday Brunch with Barbados, on the one and a half acres of Wykoff House grounds, was sold out. Barbadians and friends were treated to a cornucopia of Bajan foods and takeaway boxes of traditional items including sugar cakes, glassies and nut cake, plus entertainment from pannist Adrian Clarke and popular DJ Andy “Technic” Hewitt.

The event also served as the platform for the donation of backpacks and school supplies for Barbados. Sixty-two backpacks were donated and 32 different supplies ranging from 130 notebooks, 119 pencils, 54 folders, 49 rulers and 38 packs of pens to highlighters, reading books, pencil cases and scotch tape.

The BSG was started by four members of other Barbadian groups and one other supporter – Leroy Hutchinson, Earl Phillips, Sonia Clarke, Alicia Connell and Michelle Brathwaite – an influential group known for their influence, involvement within and outside the Barbadian community, organizational skills and production of events.

Interim President Sonia Clarke said the group was formed after listening to discussions with the Consul General of Barbados at New York, Mackie

Holder, in which he often spoke of the challenges of mounting events, the value of pooling skills and resources and focusing on specific calls for assistance from Barbados.

She explained the difference between the BSG and most of the other associations is that most groups are directly affiliated with a Barbadian entity or has one focus. The BSG will also be working on different kinds of events and seeking to form close ties with local community organizations.

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HCQCAA Pressing On

Mary Symmonds - Chair of HCQCAA

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espite the challenges this year, the Harrison College/Queens College Alumni Association, USA (HCQCAA, USA), made some ex-

citing strides.

The Association is committed to excellence in education, partnering, giving back and intergenerational collaboration. The median age of its 2021 board is now 59 and there is an ongoing focus to recruit young members to promote interaction between generations and institutional sustainability.

Undaunted by the physical limitations Covid imposes, HCQCAA, USA excelled in partnering to continue connecting. A success was the Men’s Health seminar produced with the Caribbean American & Scientific Associa-

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tion, Inc., (CAMSA) and the Barbados Cancer Association, USA, Inc. (BACA).

Along with other chapters of HC&QC globally, the Association produced: ❖ A virtual Grand Reunion attracting over 700 alumni and friends and recognizing 10 outstanding alumni. We were supported by United Barbados Association, (UBA) and the Barbados Consulate at NY. ❖ A Commemorative Publication ❖ A joint virtual quarterly newsletter, the College Bell, which, among other things, keeps alumni engaged globally ❖ A Joint website: https://www.hcqc alumninetwork.org ❖ An improvement campaign so far raising Bds$51,000 in pledges, preorders of their commemorative publication and donations.

While a Conference on Education for the Future, now to be held in 2022, was postponed, thanks to friends and alumni contributions, and partnership with IT Tools for Schools, HCQCAA USA donated 50 computers and two printers to their schools. The Consulate received thanks for facilitating customs clearance.

The Association is in the process of rebuilding its mentoring programme and is producing its second uplifting virtual year-end fundraising concert, to be held on 23 December, 2021.

It contributed to several fundraising efforts locally, including those by BACA, CAMSA the Barbados Nurses Association of America, (BNAA), Caribbean Medical Mission, Foundation School Alumni and Springer Memorial.

Externally, HCQCAA, USA supported the St Vincent volcano relief fund and,

through members, the Hurricane Elsa relief fund and Haiti Relief.

In memory of their departed board member, Ali Holder, HCQCAA, USA contributed to BACA’s Barbados Home Hospice Fund and has established scholarship funds in the names of late Board member Junior Moore (HC) and late member Angela Forde (QC) .

Enchanced communication to members has been via periodic online updates, virtual general meetings and a virtual Book Club. The group has read Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste, Barbadian new author Rodney Lewis’s Divided by Design, Prince Goodwill D. Fomusoh’s Surviving the Sahara, and Cherie Jones, QC Alum’s How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House. Speakers at 2021 general meetings included Alums David Gittens on Cyber Security and Kim Ramsey on her new book Sex, Crime and Drugs in Barbados.

HCQCAA, USA remains committed to seeing how the diaspora can contribute to the goals of Barbados and collaborates in briefings held by the Barbados Consulate at New York and the Embassy of Barbados in Washington, DC to this end.

The Board of Directors HCQCAA, USA

BACA

Persevering through the Pandemic Heather Marsh - President, BACA

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nyone connected in any way with the cancer fight knows that grit against setbacks is a constant. This has been the story of the Barbados Cancer Association USA (BACA), Inc., in the second year of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The community-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to minimizing the impact of cancer on Barbadian and Caribbean communities in the USA, weathered another challenging year thanks to the dedication of its members and the enduring support of patrons.

BACA started the year with the installation of the Executive Committee, in a virtual service held on Sunday, 14 March featuring Rev. Garvey Ince as the guest speaker. The installation was officiated by Civil Court Judge – New York State, the Hon. D. Bernadette Neckles.

As it entered the second year of the pandemic, BACA decided something inspiring was needed to help lighten the mood. Therefore, in May, Stories My Grandmother Told Me, was presented, featuring Sandra Taitt Eaddy, Adrian Myles, Glendon Arthur, Ed Alleyne and Fran Greaves. The program honored grandmothers and shared memories, laughter and lessons learned through stories and poems.

On 6 June, life was celebrated during the Cancer Survivors’ Day service featuring inspirational stories of survival from Betty Forde-Bovell, Inell Jemmott,

Esther Leacock and Trevor Thornhill.

The event, held at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Brooklyn and attended

by Consul General of Barbados, Mackie Holder, was streamed on YouTube with 811 views.

A timely step was taken in June with the launch of a newsletter focusing on information about cancer.

BACA also took an important departure from its cancer focus when it hosted a forum to discuss Ranked Choice Voting with Nicole Yearwood, a consultant and organizer at Rank the Vote NYC. The BACA Executive believed helping citizens to navigate Ranked Choice Voting, used in New York for the first time this year, was a necessary contribution to the community.

In July, the organization hosted its first virtual Bingo Fundraiser. It was an evening of fun and prizes in support of BACA’s scholarship fund.

The group continued to raise cancer awareness with its signature event, the Dr. Deborah Brathwaite Annual Cancer Symposium, a collaboration with the Barbados Nurses’ Association of America, Inc., (BNAA), and the Caribbean American Medical and Scientific Association, Inc., (CAMSA).

The theme was Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: Past, Present and Future.

The speakers were medical oncologist Dr. Harold Harvey and surgical oncologist Dr. Simone Mays. Panelists were cancer survivors Sandra Alleyne and Betty Forde-Bovell. The program was moderated by Dr. Diane Callender, a clinical hematologist.

Among its support of many causes, three students from Barbados qualified for a US $500.00 book award each, as part of BACA’s Scholarship Awards program. US $500.00 was donated to

the Barbados Association of Palliative Care, an entity located in Barbados, and members personally contributed to the St. Vincent and Grenadines Volcano Relief Fund, the Barbados Backpack Drive and the Care Buddy Project.

They also donated five tablets to the Ministry of Education for the Barbados tablet program.

BACA also continued its strong support of the many meetings and events hosted by the Consulate and various associations throughout the year. The association was most happy to participate in activities hosted by the Consulate to celebrate Barbados Independence Day and the transition to becoming a Republic.

Looking forward to 2022, BACA hopes to resume events in person, including the popular Summer White Party in June and a fundraising gala and cancer symposium in September.

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CAMBRIDGE SPORTS CLUB, INC.

games and friendship. It also serves as a thank you to those who participate in the walk.

Twenty twenty-two will be a year of celebration for Cambridge Sports Club, fully acknowledging its supporters who are integral to the club. A special gala is expected to be the highlight of the activities.

Batting 55 Years and Still Not Out

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ports evaporated with the Covid-19 pandemic, and for most of the last two years, Cambridge Sports Club was on a hiatus. However, with an ease in circumstances, the club was back at its main sport in familiar territory – Canarsie Park on the Seaview Avenue strip.

Picking back up from 2019 when it was runners-up in the T-20 Competition, Cambridge made it to the finals of the seven team tournament played from May to October.

The season ended untidily, but Cambridge has moved on and is looking forward to celebrating its 55th anniversary in style in 2022 with a range of activities.

Established in 1967, Cambridge Sports Club, Inc. is not only one of the oldest functioning Barbadian organisations in New York, but one of the few remaining of a once vibrant cricket fraternity that is still very active, still with a very large membership.

Interestingly, the club is led by its first female President, Alicia Connell, who is, by far, the youngest head of any Barbadian Association operating in the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Barbados at New York.

Outside of cricket, the organisation travels and services the community in 18

New York, Barbados and neighboring Caribbean countries.

While cricket was on hold, Cambridge still kept relevant. Throughout the pandemic, the club assisted the elders in the community, particularly in Brooklyn, with pantry items and Bajan goodies by doing “Drop & GO” consistently, on a weekly and bi-weekly basis. With elders able to venture out now, the programme is not as intense but is still undertaken at intervals to especially help shut-ins.

Cambridge also contributed to the Adopt a Family Barbados charity and donated school supplies to Barbados including tablets to children who were in need.

This year, on 4 July, the Club was able to restart its annual Memorial Sponsor Walk & Picnic. Funds from the walk, held in memory of members lost over the years, support community projects and especially young Cambridge members, helping to keep them busy during the summer months while continuing to play cricket.

The picnic is the more community aspect of the day. Families are invited to gather to share in food, music,

Barbados Ex-Police Association, Inc., Still Minding USA the Store

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hen it was needed most, the Barbadian Ex-Police Association, USA, Inc.’s rallying of New York demonstrated its leadership position as, arguably, the preeminent Barbados association, by its resolve to serve and bring some spirit to the community.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ex-Police did not retreat, but kept going with a series of activities around Barbadian food and offering a safe space for those who need a few hours out from home lock-up.

The example of the Ex-Police was even more salutary considering that it was hit hard, frontally, by the pandemic. It lost long-standing member and Secretary for 28 years, and stalwart of the Barbadian community, Anthony Hall due to Covid-19 in April 2020.

A few weeks later, another long serving member, Rev. Selwyn Gittens, also died. And altogether, the last two years have been tough on members, others of whom lost immediate family members and dealt, and continue to deal, with, in cases, serious health issues.

But – no retreat, no surrender. Able to execute its Black History event in 2020, apart from a few months after New York became the epicenter of the pandemic in America, the Ex-Police persevered with a seemingly never-ending

series of Grab and Go food events, regardless of response, and lent its space to other organisations to do the same. As Covid-19 became somewhat manageable, the Association opened up to controlled gatherings.

As one of the oldest, still fully functioning Barbadian associations in America, and only one of two to own its own headquarters, it is unsurprising that the Ex-Police took charge. Founded in 1963, it has held fast to its mission of improving the community and supporting Barbados, with its mentorship programmes, in particular, coming in for high praise.

Despite covid, which halted the ExPolice’s usual programmes and dampened sales from its grab and goes, the organization still managed to respond to some critical needs: • Some $4000.00 in fo o d s t u f f s and essential items to St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Anthony Hall

• $2000 in tablets to the Ministry of Education • One scholarship • Support to relatives of Barbadian cops killed tragically • A contribution to the Care Buddy Project benefitting 20 sick kids The Ex-Police also managed to continue executing its mentorship programme for kids eight to 18 in partnership with the 67th Precinct and PS 149 as well as its support to Mercy First of Brooklyn, which caters to the physical and emotional needs of children.

The Ex-Police concentrates on assisting teenage mothers.

Covid-19 also did not prevent the ExPolice from undertaking its usual role of providing guard of honour duties at public services marking Heroes Day and Independence held by the Consulate General of New York.

Moreover, the Ex-Police provided critical support to other events with which the Consulate General was associated including logistics and security.

From its base at 703 Crown Street, which it also managed to upgrade in the last year, the Barbados Ex-Police Association is determined to maintain its legacy and pre-eminence in the Barbadian community.

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or the first time in its history, the UWI, specifically the Cave Hill Barbados campus, this year held a public conversation with the Diaspora.

And a dialogue has begun with Northwell Health, the largest health delivery system in New York, that could lead to collaboration on several areas to benefit Cave Hill and the UWI system fully plunging into global education as the second and likely main wheel – the first being continuing serving the Caribbean – in positioning the region’s premier institution for future survival.

These developments were orchestrated

by Consul General of Barbados at New York, Mackie Holder, who has been concentrating on contributing to education and health needs and assisting various entities in both areas to advance improvements through connections with individuals and institutions in the New York jurisdiction.

Working, somehow, with UWI, Cave Hill was being mulled over for some time.

In the background was the presentation some years ago by former Prime Minister, the late Professor the Rt. Hon. Owen Arthur.

He expounded a vision for the build out and globalization of the UWI, Cave Hill, fully monetizing the institution as a global study centre, with Barbados benefitting exponentially from the influx of students and researchers and fully establishing a new economic artery for the country.

Despite Arthur’s long ago dissertation, the regional UWI’s own global push, the obvious benefits of expanding its awareness, and Barbados’ own attraction of international medical schools that fuel the economy, education as an economic tool has been nowhere near the forefront of investment activities pushed in overseas markets.

Indeed, a fortuitous encounter kickstarted action. Dr. Kay Thompson, Senior Programme Officer, Quality Assurance Unit – Regional (head of Cave Hill Campus) sent a congratulatory note after attending the Consulate’s Black History Month presentation, Lasting Impact The Immeasurable contributions of

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UWI CAVE HILL Engaging the Diaspora in Global Push

Barbadians – at the end of February. She indicated it would be revelatory to share with the head of the History Faculty. That was agreed to, with the counter – why not start a discussion with UWI to aid its stated objective of attracting international students and partners?

That agreed to, too, there was an introduction to then Principal, Pro ViceChancellor Professor Eudine V. Barriteau, along with Deputy Principal Professor Winston Moore, and Head of the Department of History and Philosophy, Dr. Henderson Carter. Conversations led to the groundbreaking Community Conversation on Sunday, 7 June.

UWI presented a programme, chaired

by CG Holder, involving more than 15 staff members, led by Deputy Principal Professor Winston Moore. Included were Campus Registrar Mr. Rommel Carter; Deputy Deans, Dr. Kenneth Connell, Internationalization and Recruitment,

Faculty of Medical Sciences and Dr. Tara Inniss, Outreach, Faculty of Humanities and Education; Mr. Andrew Millington, Senior Lecturer in Motion Picture Arts and Deputy Dean; and others covering Sports, Student Services and Enrolment.

The one and a half hour session opened with a BTMI video on Barbados and featured, for the first hour, video presentations including Journey to the Top, narrated

by Pro Vice Chancellor, UWI, Sir Hilary Beckles; remarks by Deputy Principal Cave Hill and a video on the Cave Hill Campus featuring presentations by students, staff and Barbadian cultural icons and recipients of Cave Hill Honorary Doctorates, Anthony Carter - Gabby, and Stedson Wiltshire - RPB. Live overviews of the Faculty of Culture, Creative and Performing Arts and Faculty of Sport were also presented.

Simultaneously with the plan for the Community Conversation, the Medical Faculty was identified as the main area for attracting international students and partnerships and a conversation was started between faculty members and Northwell Health, the largest health care system in New York.

That ultimately led to an in-person meeting at Cave Hill in October on the areas of student training and faculty exchanges and possible collaboration on the establishment of the proposed Cave Hill campus teaching hospital at the former St. Joseph Hospital site in St. Peter.

Cave Hill, UWI underlined its commitment to the process with its high powered team led by Prof. Winston Moore and including Dr. Peter Adams – Dean Faculty of Medical Sciences; Dr. Kenneth Connell – Deputy Dean, Internationalization and Recruitment, and Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacology; Dr. Madhuvanti Murphy – Deputy Dean, Research & Postgraduate Studies, and Senior Lecturer in Qualitative Research Methods; Dr. Damian Cohall - Deputy Dean, Pre-clinical, and Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology; Dr. Azim Majumder – Director of Medical Education, Faculty of Medical Sciences and Mrs. Patricia Atherley – Senior Assistant Registrar, Student Enrolment and Retention.

EVENTS 2020 - 2021

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celebrates Barbados'

55 th year of Independence

and salutes the Government and people of Barbados as the country becomes a Republic on November 30th 2021

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SO HERE T WE GO ... Again

onight is special. Not only are we marking our country’s 55th Anniversary of Independence but its historic transition to a Republic.

We have also been waiting to gather like this again for…..two years. You know, dress up to the nines, enjoy some great fare with family and friends, salute some of our own and dance away the night.

On a night like this, as many Barbadian touches as possible should be the order of the day. You should, therefore, enjoy the package put together just for you.

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Let’s make it memorable!

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• 2019 Gala Remembered •

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The TEAM – The Talent Trevon Stoute

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little bit nutty, artistic, unforgettably different, but always delicious - that’s the delectable menu promised and served by Chef Trevon

Stoute.

There is a certain flair to Trevon, from the presentation of his CV to the way he dresses and, unforgettably, the twists he brings to standard fare, delivering unbelievable flavor.

And this young Barbadian culinary magician’s ability to match his considerable kitchen skills with a Zen-like calm and quiet resolve to deliver un-

Master of the Delectable

forgettable food regardless of the circumstances, sets him apart.

Trevon’s exciting journey has seen him progress from a young boy experimenting in his mother’s kitchen to, by 21, serving as the Sous-Chef at The Cliff Beach Club (for a long time one of Barbados’ top fine-dining restaurants), to now at 27 managing his own luxury culinary services company – T.Stoute - catering to villas and private jet charters.

He is also busy being a culinary ambassador utilised often by the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., (BTMI),

Wesley Morris Jazz Violinist

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love affair at seven with the violin, this strange instrument that caused his parents to raise their eyebrows, has led Wesley Morris to a four-year scholarship at Berklee School of Music in Boston and rave reviews as an exciting talent.

He won that scholarship during a summer internship at Berklee in July of 2018, competing against 1000 students for one of a few openings, and is on his way to building a career as a performer with an eye to the business opportunities in music.

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Early on, Wesley won over his skeptical parents with a distinction in his very first exam. After 11, his interest waned but was rekindled at the Lodge School three years later, when he linked up with one of his best friends, Romario Welch, a keyboardist and drummer.

Entering sixth form, he committed to music as a career, and passed the Royal School of Music (located in Canada) exams in Grade 1 to 8 before entering the Barbados Community College, (BCC), where he learnt how to read and

cooking for diverse audiences in numerous countries, an award winning competitor and owner of Quintessential, a classic collection of Food and Beverage apparel.

The graduate of the Alexandra School and Barbados Community College, (BCC), where he studied Culinary Arts, has also worked at Sandy Lane Hotel and Pavao at Sweetfield Manor.

The youngest winner of Barbados Chef of the Year award, Trevon’s other achievements include the Gold Award winner at Taste of the Caribbean and Hans Schenk Commemorative Awardee, 2015 and Centre Holidays (Canada) Chef Tasting Challenge Winner, 2018.

write music as a classical student. He switched to jazz in his second year.

At BCC, as part of the group Ever Jammin’, Wesley landed a six-month contract with Sandals, the international hotel chain, leading to more paid gigs.

He then toured for about four years with internationally known Barbadian saxophonist Arturo Tappin. A favorite memory from that time was performing for Prince Harry the Duke of Sussex in Antigua at the Governor’s House.

Among others, Wesley, 23, has performed at Jazz on The Water, Pan Fusion, the Swearing-In Ceremony of Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Nikki Jazz Festival, with Nicholas Brancker and bands Sugar Cane Jazz Blue and Graffiti.

Wesley, who aims to be a producer with his own studio, is currently exposing his repertoire on YouTube, including an original piece which he created with Akeem Burke and Brad Griffith.

The General, EDWIN YEARWOOD

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The Magnet in the Music

he General leads, others follow. That, in short, is the story of soca superstar Edwin Yearwood.

It is hard to believe he has been thrilling audiences all over the world for 30 years, as a member of Kroysfyah and a solo performer.

Don’t believe, though, that soca is the only genre he masters. His rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Water during the pandemic, as a peon to frontline workers, reminded everyone of his dexterity as it brought many to tears.

❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖

Oba A Voice In My Head Pump Me Up All Board Handle ya Bizniz Nah Missing Me Chrissening Good Time Cova de Road

❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖

Home Sweet Home Trail Winners Circle Tax-He Beggars Sak Pase In de middle ah de Road Not that Innocent

❖ ❖ ❖

From winning the Barbados Teen Talent Contest as a shy 14-year old in 1983, the General has been a dominant force. His 1995 history making entry into the Crop Over festival competitions is still to be matched – he won all three crowns, Party Monarch, Tune of the Crop and Pic-O-De-Crop.

One of the most consistent hit makers, with a string of classics, and a dynamic performer, beloved for his modesty, to this day the General can melt a crowd, simply with, “Oh Gwash!”

How ah Like It P.O.L.E UnArrest Me

(The Anthem for Abused Women) ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖

Party ah de Year Somebody goin get It De World Ain’t See Bore ah Hole

❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖

Winners Circle Feting is me Drug Peace Sign Agony Fiah Fiah Invasion Highway Robbery

BY THE NUMBERS

1Calypso Crown 2People Monarchs 2Sweet Socas 5Party Monarchs of 6Tune the Crops 25

The TEAM – The Talent Adrian Clarke Pannist for Any Occasion

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anoccasions is the suitably named website for Adrian Clarke, the steel pan player.

It says that the instrument of Trinidad and Tobago is fit for any occasion but also that Adrian can play a full range of music on the steel drum.

Yes, pan is the other passion of

Adrian, who is a tennis trainer and administrator and made history as the first black to be appointed Director of Prospect Park Tennis Center, Brooklyn, NY. Just as with tennis, an esoteric sport in Barbados when he was young, Clarke chose steel pan at a time when music studies were around the piano, violin, recorder and such.

He first tinkled with pan in college but picked it up in earnest later. For the last few decades his dexterity on steel-

Likkle D and Sean Get the Party Started

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mong the Barbadian community in Brooklyn, the team of Likkle D and Sean is at the top of the DJs guaranteed not just to get partygoers on the dance floor

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and moving, but get them through the door.

The mix-masters’ popularity has as much to do with their song selection as their professionalism – they are just very easy to work with.

David Brathwaite, aka Likkle D – has been Djing from 10 years old. A resident of New York for 40 years, he and Sean Daisley, who has been a DJ for

pan has made Adrian a popular instrumentalist throughout the Tri-State area, where he performs at events as small as a birthday party for a few to shows of up to 500.

Along the way, he has met such celebrities as Billy Ocean, after playing for a member of the legendary singer’s family, and the late composer Irving Burgie, whose contributions propelled Harry Belafonte’s Calypso to history as the first million selling album. Burgie also wrote the lyrics of Barbados’ national anthem.

Adrian, who usually plays solo but performs with bands, too, has produced two CDs of his interpretations of popular songs – Expressions In Steel, the Many Moods of Pan and Sweeter This Time. More of his recordings and performances can be found on Soundcloud.

But the best indications of the sweet sounds of Adrian Clarke, pannist, are found in the long list of rave reviews by clients. It’s all about the Panoccasions.

more than 25 years, became a team in 2018, hosting karaoke and playing at functions such as wedding and community events.

Likkle D and Sean have progressed to providing music for signature occasions and shows with Barbadian artistes such as Mole, Lil Rick, Marzville and Sugarhe.

The duo is expanding into producing other of their own events and exploring other enterprises that promote Barbadian products and culture.

Pinnacle Award

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Selwin Hart

Climate Change Specialist

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t is well known, and currently evident, that Barbadians rise to the pinnacle in every sphere, some world dominant, a remarkable thing for such a small country.

Still, very few find themselves at the very center of an issue consuming the world, the resolution of which, or not, will be life-changing.

Well, a Barbadian is at the center of probably the most critical world predicament of these times, certainly the most talked about – outside of the Covid-19 pandemic – climate change.

On the smaller side, quiet and unassuming, Selwin Hart is a colossus in the space, leading negotiations, guiding global forums and monitoring the myriad issues around climate change, particularly implementation of pledges to ameliorate what is increasingly accepted as the world’s most disruptive and ongoing crisis.

Hart’s expertise was confirmed when on 4 February, last year, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced his appointment as Spe-

cial Adviser to the Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary-General of the Climate Action Team.

With this appointment, the popular Hart became the highest ranking Barbadian official at the UN, a huge step in a distinguished diplomatic career for the former St. Phillip resident.

In this major post, he played a critical role in the just concluded 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, United Kingdom, on climate change.

Overall, he is tasked with ensuring delivery of the Secretary-General’s priorities on climate change, from enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions, (NDCs), fossil fuel and coal phase-out, ensuring public and private finance shifts and the transitions necessary to shift the world’s energy, transportation, land and natural systems in alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, (SDGs).

His elevation to the UN post is the latest progression in a stellar career for Hart. His several climate change

leadership positions include Climate Adviser for the Caribbean Development Bank, CDB); Chief Climate Change Negotiator for Barbados as well as the Coordinator and Lead Negotiator on Finance for the Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS), a coalition of 43 Islands and low-lying coastal states in the Caribbean, Pacific, Africa, Indian Ocean and South China Sea. Hart was also a member of the Kyoto Protocol Adaptation Fund Board from 2009 to 2010 and was elected by the United Nations General Assembly, (UNGA), to serve as Vice-Chairman of the 2nd Committee of the United Nations General Assembly (Economic and Financial) during its 60th Session.

The climate change specialist was previously the Executive Director for the Caribbean region at the InterAmerican Development Bank (IADB), Washington, for four years. He was also Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States for Barbados and Director of the Secretary-General’s Climate Change Support Team, leading the team’s delivery of the 2014 Climate Summit and the Secretary-General’s engagement in the process leading to the signing of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

A Senior Foreign Service Officer for 17 years, Hart holds a BSc, Economics and Accounting, UWI, Cave Hill; a PostGraduate Certificate in Trade Planning and Strategic Management from Georgetown University and a Masters in International Political Economy and Development from Fordham University School of Arts and Sciences.

The climate change arena is a slough. Progress has often been slow and in inches, despite the evidence of the devastation being wrought everywhere. The consensus is, the negotiating skills required, the competence, the detail, the sheer determination – Selwin Hart is the right man in the right place at this time.

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Pinnacle Award

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Adrian Clarke

Director, Prospect Park Tennis Center

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hen he was appointed Director of the Prospect Tennis Center in February this year, Adrian Clarke made history by becoming the first black person to hold the position.

He was appointed to the post after years as a beloved pro at the center.

Clarke started playing tennis at 12, excelling in a sport which was peripheral in Barbados and playing his first tournament at 15. Moving to Brooklyn with his family at 17, he continued playing tennis at the Parade Ground in Prospect Park.

Eventually, he started playing in tournaments in New York. While playing in a tournament at the Port Washington Tennis Academy in Long Island 28

that he was offered a chance to train there. This gave him exposure to a very high level of tennis for a year and a half – at the time John McEnroe was the top player there - before going to college and playing at Hampton University.

On graduation, he joined the professional tour for a little while, but was stymied by the expense and elitism. In 1983, Clarke played in the U.S. Open, satisfying a dream. However, after losing the match, the next day he signed up for his Master’s degree.

The former Harrisonian holds a BA in English/Language Arts Teacher Education from Hampton, a Master’s of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and a Master’s in English Language and Literature, both from City University of New York – Brooklyn College.

After leaving the pro circuit, Clarke got the opportunity to coach kids in

Barbados on scholarship. Importantly, he established the international junior tournament, which is still being operated 25 years later.

While teaching Junior High School English, Clarke enrolled his daughter in tennis at Prospect Park. After being asked to help with the Junior Development Program, he was invited to be a full time instructor. That was some 11 years ago and today he heads the center.

A writer with published short stories in literary journals and a popular professional pan player as well, Adrian Clarke is hopeful that his tenure as the Director of the Prospect Park Tennis Center will bring more black and underprivileged children into the sport which has taken him from being an unknown to being a history maker.

Pinnacle Award

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Leroy Hutchinson Retired NYPD Detective

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t is arguable that “Hutchie”, as he is affectionately called, is the most highly respected Barbadian in Brooklyn, where he worked and still lives. He certainly is a legend among the police fraternity and Barbadian community.

Popular among all, Leroy Hutchinson has had an indelible career, particularly in law enforcement, and has married that to community service over decades on his own and as a member of the Barbadian Ex-Police Association.

Still a very active member of the ExPolice which he led for a number of years, conducting mentoring sessions with youth at the Ex-Police headquarters and the Family Renaissance Center as part of a partnership with the 67th Precinct, Hutchie is also a founding member of the newest Barbadian organisation, the Barbados Support Group, (BSG).

His quiet work behind the scenes has smoothen out many an issue for many individuals and organisations.

He has also been central to the New York Consulate’s relationships with the 67th Precinct and facilitation of some major events.

Dedicated service is nothing new to

Hutchie. He was a member of the Royal Barbados Police Force for six years before immigrating to the United States in 1977. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served for eight years. After leaving in 1986 as a Staff Sergeant, Hutchie became a Police Officer with the NYPD. He worked closely and tirelessly with the various segments of the East Flatbush community, Block Associations, Community Boards, School Boards and elected officials.

He has received many commendations for his hard work. Some of these include the New York City Police Hammerdinger Award for Excellence in Policing; Kings County Policing Award; the Beacon of Hope Award; the Distinguished Public Service Award; and the Community Service Award. He is also a member of the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame.

Hutchinson attended St. Josephs College where he majored in Organizational Management, and the United States Air Force College, where he studied Logistics Management.

After retiring from the NYPD as

a Detective, Hutchie, who is also a member of the Guyana Ex-Police Association and Caribbean Law Enforcement Association, worked for Assemblyman Nick Perry, undertaking community projects.

His on-going work with the Barbadian Ex-Police and the BSG signals that he has no intention of stopping the work that he loves – assisting in ameliorating communities in Brooklyn, building the Barbadian Ex-Police Association and supporting Barbados.

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Pinnacle Award

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Father Eddie Alleyne

Sub-Dean, Cathedral of the Incarnate

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very popular figure in the Barbadian community in New York and a beloved priest, Father Eddie Alleyne was this year appointed Sub-Dean, Cathedral of the Incarnate, Garden City. He became the first black to hold this position.

In this role, he works directly with Diocesan Bishop Lawrence Provenzano and other executive church leaders to achieve the church’s social and religious goals.

The more administrative, sacramental, liturgical and pastoral role will see Canon Eddie being a sort of ambassador for the church and his work should add to the embrace of black and Latino communities as well as build bridges with the church in the West Indies Province. It is expected that he will advance a closer relationship between Codrington College in Barbados and the Mercer School of Theology, Long Island.

Before becoming Sub Dean, assisting the administration of 130 churches in Brooklyn, Queens and Nassau and Suffolk counties, Eddie Alleyne was the fifth Rector of the Church of the Advent, Westbury, another position which saw him breaking barriers as the first black priest in the church’s history,

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following a popular 12 year stint as Rector of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Brooklyn.

He entered Codrington College, Barbados, the oldest Anglican seminary in the western hemisphere, in 1985, after completing studies at the University of the West Indies and Erdiston Teachers’ Training College. In 1991, Father Alleyne was appointed rector of St. Alban’s and St. Silas churches. Four years later, he became

rector of St. Cyprian’s, Bridgetown.

He immigrated to the United States in 1998 and studied at the Blanton Peale Institute, General Theological Seminary, majoring in Pastoral Care and Counseling.

In the community, Father Alleyne has served as a clergy liaison for the 71st Precinct and honorary chaplain for the Auxiliary Police Section in the NYPD’s South Borough. Through membership of the Rotary and Lion’s clubs, and work with community groups, he has supported the humanitarian needs of the homeless, immigrants, youth and seniors, and continues to address the plight of the underprivileged through what the church refers to as “missional vitality.”

Father Alleyne and his wife Kay have three children, Nathan, Lauren Kristina and John. An avid chess player, he also enjoys tennis, cricket and volleyball.

No one doubts that he will, as his record attests, make a difference in his new role as Sub-Dean. The question is, how long will he remain in the post, because Father Alleyne is clearly on an accelerated track expected to take him even further.

Pinnacle Award

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Adrian Mapp

Mayor of Plainfield

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railblazing – that’s St. Georgeborn Adrian O. Mapp. In June this year, he became the first Mayor of Plainfield to win three consecutive terms.

This adds to the history making feat of becoming the first black mayor of the New Jersey city, the first Barbadian to be elected to such a position and the Barbadian holding the highest elected office outside of the country in which he was born.

Since being elected to his first four year term in January 2018, Mayor Mapp has rebuilt the city’s economy, marked by a billion dollars in new redevelopment projects; implemented progressive legislation focused on fairness and equity, including new laws requiring paid sick leave for workers; and started projects benefitting every district, including housing – single and multi-family buildings, mixed-use and commercial developments.

A major breakthrough was the 2017 start of a 44,000 square foot, state-ofthe-art facility for ABC Supply Company. The $30 million project revitalized a brownfield site that was vacant for 30 years and is the largest mixed-use redevelopment project in the Fourth Ward in over 50 years.

Along with paving fifty percent of Plainfield’s streets to date and investing several million dollars to improve recreational spaces across the city, Mayor Mapp has initiated several social policies. Most notably, Plainfield Promise seeks to provide every child

in kindergarten, whose parent(s) or guardian(s) reside in Plainfield, with a bank account for college savings as well as financial literacy training; create a scholarship fund for economically disadvantaged high school graduates who live in Plainfield to attend Union County College and create targeted vocational and job training initiatives.

Since 2018, the city has also offered free Cisco classes and certification to Plainfield residents, creating new careers, and improving lifestyles in the community.

As a result of his leadership, Plainfield has received numerous awards.

In 2014, the New Jersey Department of Transportation awarded Plainfield a Transit Oriented Designation, which was an important catalyst for its economic resurgence. The city was also granted New Jersey Future’s 2015 Smart Growth Award for its transformative “Netherwood Transit-Oriented Development Plan,” which is ushering in new high-quality retail, housing and employment opportunities.

Unsurprisingly, Mayor Mapp’s success has been recognized many times. He has been honored by the Plainfield Fire Officer’s Association; the Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce; NJ Center for Science, Technology &

Mathematics; the National Forum of Black Public Administrators, (NFBPA); Genesis Seventh-day Adventist Church; the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of ELKS of the World; the Rotary Club of Plainfield/North Plainfield and the Consulate General of Ecuador in NJ. Prior to his election, Mapp served the City of Plainfield for 16 years as a Councilman and was a Union County Freeholder from 2005 to 2007. A certified public accountant and municipal finance specialist, he is currently the Director of Finance and the Qualified Purchasing Agent for the city of Orange Township.

He currently serves on the Local Finance Board for the State of New Jersey and is the Chairman of the NJ Black Mayors Alliance. He is also the Vice President of the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association.

He holds an M.B.A. in International Business from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a B.S. in Accounting from Rutgers University, and an A.A. in Public Administration from Union County College. He is a Certified Public Accountant, (CPA), a Certified Municipal Finance Officer, (CMFO), and a Qualified Purchasing Agent, (QPA).

Mayor Mapp migrated from Barbados in 1977. He has resided in Plainfield for over 40 years and is married to his childhood sweetheart, Amelia Mapp, née Morris; they are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, Shermona and Ayisha, and grandparents of two.

The Mapp family are active members of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church in Plainfield, where he and Amelia were married.

It will be no surprise if being Mayor of Plainfield is not the zenith of Mapp’s political career. Very active in New Jersey politics and a tireless networker supporting many campaigns, along with his success in Plainfield, stay tuned for the next political step for Adrian Mapp.

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Inspiration Award

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Cicely Wilkinson DNP, R.N, B.C Hospital Administrator, Association Head

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eticulous.

Focused.

Stickler for time. Compassionate. Committed. These are some of the words that are constantly in use in any discussion about Dr. Cicely Wilkinson.

As everyone who knows her will attest, Cicely lives the Maya Angelou creed, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Once you meet Cicely, it is hard to forget her.

The Organization Developer with the Strategic Alliance Human Resources at Maimonides Medical Center, (MMC), Brooklyn, New York, she is one of the most dynamic leaders in the Barbadian community, leaving a mark in every area in which she is involved through an unmatched drive, ability to inspire others by example and enviable organizing skills.

Her work as President of the Barbados Nurses Association of America, (BNAA), is outstanding, a combination of community projects, including cancer screening pop ups, to non-stop support for causes in Barbados, particularly their adoption of a retirement home for nurses in Barbados known as “BORN Haven”.

Less known, but equally admirable, is her own support of anyone in need.

This can range from gifting a wedding dress to annual support to the Belmont Primary School, St. Michael, Barbados,

to assisting special cases of Barbadians in New York in need.

All of Cicely’s skills, personality and benevolence were fully evident when she organized and led a nurses’ mission to Barbados in October to assist with the Covid-19 fight. From taking their own PPE, additional supplies to the special T-shirts for travel and bonding with the Barbados team, her work was truly inspiring.

Cicely Wilkinson (Barrow) was born in Barbados. She attended the Carrington’s Village Primary School, Alexandra Secondary School and started her nursing career at the Tercentenary School of Nursing, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, (QEH), in 1976. After graduating in 1979, she worked at the QEH until 1992 when she emigrated to the United States of America, (USA).

In 1993, she joined the staff of Maimonides Medical Center, (MMC), as a Registered Nurse. Her devotion and passion for improving family quality life led Cicely to community service and knowledge improvement to constantly upgrade her skills.

She earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing with honors from Medgar Evers College in 2000, a Master’s Degree in Nursing Administration with honors from New York University in May 2007, obtained her coaching certification from the Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara in 2012 and completed a Doctorate of Nursing Practice, with honors, from the Chamberlain College of Nursing in October 2016.

Cicely is much more than her qualifications. She emulates the mantra of service, mostly through the (BNAA) but also her church and mentorship of many. She has received several awards and recognition for her demonstrated leadership, professional skills and dedication to service: Employee of the month March 2007, NYU Graduate Student Sigma Award 2007, the 2001 Barbados National Union of PublicWorkers Nursing Division Appreciation Award, the BNAA Inc. Certificate of Merit Award 2003, and the 2019 Devoted Healthcare Leadership Award from the Queens Sickle Cell Advocacy Network, (QSCAN).

What’s next for Cicely? Likely more promotion at Maimonides, where her role also includes organizing outreach programs and events around celebrations like Black History Month.

And she is looking at a structure for telemedicine for the nursing community in Barbados and how she will pass on her knowledge when she retires in a few years. Something no one really believes will happen or wishes to contemplate.

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Inspiration Award

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Rev. Dr. David Barrow

A Bridge to Our Legacy

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ust before the onset of Covid19, there was a movement of the largest group of Panamanians to Barbados, the vast majority for the first time seeing the country with which they felt some affinity – in fact, have some lineage.

And for the first time in 100 years, through the gathering, there was reunification of the Christian Mission of

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Panama Inc. with the Christian Mission Church in Barbados.

Most of the work for that historic occasion was undertaken by Rev. Dr. David M. Barrow, Senior Pastor, Mt. Zion Tabernacle Christian Mission of Panama, Inc., in Brooklyn, New York.

While the focus was religious, the cementing of ties between the more than 300 delegates from churches in the United States, Panama, Cuba and Colombia with Barbadians, and the exposure to aspects of Barbados, were huge steps in meshing and reinvigorating the shared heritage of Panamanians and Barbadians.

Similarly, while Rev. Barrow is devoted to his Ministry, through it, whether in his church or on the streets of New York, he finds ways to highlight his grounding in Barbados and its intersection with Panama while inspiring worship and togetherness.

Born in Bowmanston, St. John, Barbados, he attended Sunday School with his grandmother at the New Testament Church of God and committed himself to

the ministry at 14.

During those early years, he became active in the church as a Sunday School teacher, Young People Leader and District Youth President. He completed several Bible Courses, and at 18 enrolled in the New Testament Church of God Bible College in Barbados where he earned a certificate in Biblical Studies and a Diploma in Theology.

Upon graduating, Rev. Barrow was ordained a Minister and installed as the Pastor of New Testament Church of God, in the district where he grew up.

He managed the somewhat difficult task of pastoring the church where he lived as a young man before emigrating to the United States to join his fiancée Yvette Grant, who was and still is a member of Mt. Zion Tabernacle C.M.O.P. Within a year, they were married; the couple has a son, Chad David.

Rev. Barrow became a member of Mt. Zion Tabernacle C.M.O.P., Inc. and has served in numerous capacities: Associate Minister, Sunday School Teacher, Men’s Fellowship President, Trustees’ President, Assistant Pastor, Interim Pastor, Member of the Board of Directors, Chairman of the Executive Board, District Superintendent, and now as Senior Pastor and Assistant to the General Superintendent of the Christian Mission of Panama.

He has carried the word to San Andres Colombia, Panama, and Barbados.

Many lives have been changed and many won to the Lord. In January of 2006, he graduated as a member of the United Chaplin International and in September of 2010 received the Honorary Doctorate Degree in Divinity from the International Theological Seminary of California.

Whether behind the pulpit or on the street corner during the summer months, Rev. Dr. David M. Barrow has held fast to his promise to God to serve him wherever. His work in exposing shared Barbadian and Panamanian links is equally motivating.

Inspiration Award

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Dr. O’Neall Parris

Fighting to Realize Hospice Dream

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ot many are relentless in the pursuit of a single goal. One such person is Dr. O’Neall E. Parris, who has spent the past seven years and counting trying to get a very much needed, freestanding hospice built in Barbados.

A pediatrician at Long Island Jewish Medical Center (New Hyde Park, N.Y) and North Shore University Hospital (Manhasset N.Y), both of the Northwell Health system, despite various setbacks and shifts, he has not deviated from the mission to strengthen hospice and palliative care through a stand alone facility.

With some US$300 000 raised to date for what is a multimillion dollar project, Dr. Parris has used the last two years of pandemic pause to regroup, relook plans and prepare a relaunch.

Through the Barbados Association for Cancer Advocacy, (BACA Barbados), the Barbados entity leading the project, which he chairs, there are ongoing discussions with Government to advance the project.

A very involved member of the Barbados community in New York, Dr. Parris has been on the hospice journey since 2014. He is Founder and current Chairman of the Barbados Diaspora Collaborative USA (BDC USA), Inc. a

501 (c) 3 organization established in 2012 to generate diaspora support for initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Barbadians in the areas of health, culture and the arts. This leads the fundraising for the hospice outside of Barbados. He was also a founding member in 2005 and first President of the Caribbean American Medical & Scientific Association (CAMSA) Inc., a 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to fostering improvements in the health of the Caribbean people, and has been President of the Barbados Cancer Association USA (BACA), Inc. a 501 (c) 3 New York-based cancer advocacy organization geared towards minimizing the impact of cancer on Barbados. (BACA USA and BACA Barbados are independent organizations, although they collaborate).

Dr. Parris was educated at Boys Foundation School and Harrison College in Barbados, and in the USA at Yale University, (B.S.); Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, (M.D.); and the Columbia Univer-

sity School of Public Health where he earned his Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree in Population and Family Health.

Along with clinical practice and medical group management, he has, among others, held academic appointments at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, N.Y. and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Bronx, N.Y. (Assistant Professor); undertaken consultancies in Population and Family Health for various agencies, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region (IPPF/WHR), and been a member of medical missions to Caribbean countries.

With redrawn plans and new approaches, it is hoped that the needed hospice will finally take shape. It would be a fitting legacy of a life of service by Dr. Parris to community and country.

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Change Award

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Sandra Taitt-Eaddy

Connecting Families, Reinforcing Heritage

I

n Barbados, there is a saying: “Family khan hide”. Sandra TaittEaddy embodies this concept in her work as a sought after genealogist, family historian and educator.

She takes every opportunity to showcase Barbadian connections. In the last year alone, she partnered with the New England Historic and Genealogical Society in Boston (35K members) to introduce its membership to Anglican record collections in Barbados and beyond. She also joined with the Connecticut Historical Society to view Lisa Harewood’s ground breaking film “Auntie” and engaged the audience in a discussion of the immigration experience.

In addition to workshops and seminars about Barbados and the Caribbean, Sandra is a contributor to The Dictionary of Barbadian Biography, a book Sir Woodville Marshall is currently writing to highlight the contributions of Barbadians around the globe. Sandra was also a key researcher for the book Of Halls, Hills and Holes, Placenames in Barbados published in 2016 and has facilitated screenings of Alison Saunder’s film “Panama Dreams” in Barbados, New York and Washington DC. For more than 20 years Sandra has helped countless Barbadians and their descendants discover their roots. So skilled is Sandra in this arena that she has drawn the attention of the producers of the popular television series Finding Your Roots, hosted by renowned, African American professor

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Henry Louis Gates. (The next season will feature celebrities who have their roots in Barbados). NBC TV has also worked with Sandra for their program Who Do You Think You Are. In addition to her annual Emancipation Genealogy Event, this year she pitched and participated in a panel discussion about Emancipation in the Caribbean on WNPR radio.

Sandra, who sees family history as a path for healing, especially for generations of Barbadian families impacted by the legacies of slavery, migration and other factors, received her Bachelors in Communications and Masters in Public History from Central Connecticut State University.

Founder of the non-profit corporation, Baobab Genealogical Society 2016, the Connecticut resident is married to Max, a retiree. The couple has two sons.

With Barbados placing more emphasis on links with the Diaspora and genealogy becoming increasingly popular, academically and personally, Sandra Taitt-Eaddy is looking forward to connecting many more at all levels.

Achievement Award

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DJ Spider Tunnin’ Up Soca from Brooklyn

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or a long minute there, DJ Spider/GW Music was on a roll.

In 2016, he became the first Producer to win the Bashment Soca Competition in Barbados with artist Stiffy’s Tek Off Something.

On the same riddim, One O’Clock artist Marzville’s record Bang Bim became an international sensation with over 10 million hits on YouTube and counting.

Spider also teamed up with artist/writer Problem Child, winning yet another competition with King Bubba singing She Always Bend Ova in 2019.

From his humble Brooklyn, New York beginnings, Spider has advanced to the forefront of the New York City party and club scene, as well as being a major producer in the soca world – and

he is just beginning.

Spider – real name Haskell Greenidge – is busy building a wide music business base, exploring other avenues beyond record production, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic put most soca artistes on pause. He has involved himself in the streaming, radio & curated playlist community with corporations like Music Choice, Sirius XM & Pandora. He is currently a DJ & personality with the online radio show TeamSoca.com on Wednesday nights, 7 – 9; guest DJ for Sirius XM Shade 45 station for DaUnion Hour with host DJ Superstar Jay on Saturdays from 8 -12 midnight and the current College Club King/DaUnion DJ. He continues to put out numerous beats, working with new and established singers across the Caribbean, and has added writing and a clothing line to this ventures. What Spider comes with post-Covid will be one of the most eagerly anticipated in the soca world.

Lebanon Brathwaite

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Branding Barbados Everywhere

e lives in Connecticut, but Lebanon Brathwaite is usually found wherever there is a Barbadian event, from Florida to New York to New Jersey. And even when he is not at events in States like Texas, his merchandise is still there.

Lebanon is the Barbadian known for his branded paraphernalia, seen at carnivals all across the USA, major gatherings like Barbados Day and smaller community and association events.

His ASAP Global Services company, which has been operating for 20 years, was started after he saw Chinese produced T-shirts with Barbadian images,

but without the cultural flair. According to Lebanon, his creations, especially the Bajan Born and Raised and Bajan Nation T-shirts, outsell all others.

He usually introduces two new products a year. Along with his screenprinted T-shirts, bandanas and flags are best sellers, but Lebanon will brand anything, from belts to keyrings to caps.

The paraphernalia business is not the first one that Lebanon ran successfully.

For ten years, the former Grazettes, St. Michael resident operated a cleaning company. He is now employed by a correction facility to teach skills training in both commercial cleaning and

screen printing.

The son of well-known New York radio personality Neville Bushell, Lebanon is also an artist, and separate from his branding business, is one of the strongest ambassadors for Barbados in the diaspora.

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Achievement Award

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Adrian Myles Food and Nutrition. He migrated to the United States at age 17, and while living in Midtown, Manhattan, attended the highly rated Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.

This and his previous experience led to work with major corporations including Hilton Corporation’s Hotel, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the then financial giant Bear Stearns, Ernst & Young LLP, the Bushnell Theater of Performing Arts Center and

Jorden Caterers, rising to the position of Executive chef.

He also cooked for a number of celebrities such as Martha Stewart, the day her company went public, and the first black billionaire, then owner of BET, Robert L. Johnson.

After some 30 years in Food and Beverage, Adrian made a drastic career change. He concentrated on a range of interests from carpentry, to social media content creation to farming and developed Miles Residential Realty LLC. His work assisting people of color to repair their credit and get into home ownership has been recognized in his community and featured in the media, most recently by NBC news.

Adrian is also very active in For His Glory Church Ministries, Inc. a Biblebased, Sabbath-keeping church located in Connecticut. Whether in church, his real estate business or cooking up treats, his Barbadian heritage is always on show.

of Barbadian causes in New York and Barbados.

P’s Baking & Catering is actually the second career for Pauline Stoute. From the Pine, St. Michael, after attending Parkinson School she emigrated to the USA at 16. She became a secretary, working for the Health Department, Addiction Services Agency, Mayor’s Office of Operations and spent 18 years as the Executive Secretary at the Department of Corrections.

At 39, Ms. P followed her heart and attended New York City College of Technology, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts. She specialises in American and Caribbean cuisine, and is as adept at savoury fare as she is at sweet treats. Her chicken with artichokes, pasta salad, sweet bread, black cake and pudding and souse are favourities.

P’s, which also conducts cooking classes, is the go-to caterer in the Barbadian community, accommodating from small dinner parties to weddings.

One of her biggest contracts was a signature event for 200 for Judge Valerie Nelson, a New York State Supreme Court judge.

One other thing sets P’s apart.

Unusually, her two daughters, and husband too, are more often than not involved in her catering jobs, an excellent example in the Diaspora of building a family business and meshing second generation Barbadians with their heritage.

Bridging the Gaps

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ans of Morning Barbados CBC TV show would be familiar with the man known as Chef Adrian who is often featured from Connecticut displaying his culinary skills to audiences. Pushing the culinary culture of his homeland is one of Chef Adrian’s passions.

Born in Barbados in 1972, by 13 Adrian Myles had made up his mind to major in Culinary Arts with a focus on

Pauline Stoute

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Completely Invested in Barbados

verything about Barbados consumes Pauline Stoute.

Not only is she likely to know the news in Barbados before Barbadians at home, but she has built a thriving business around Barbadian culinary fare and, with husband Douglas, is always seeking out opportunities to invest in their homeland, to which they hope to retire sooner rather than later.

And quietly behind the scenes, Ms. P, as she is known, is a strong supporter 38

Achievement Award

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Elan Trotman Jazzing it up

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axophonist Elan Trotman, based in Boston, where he attended the Berklee College of Music, is one of Barbados’ sought after instrumentalists.

A composer, performer, teacher and recording artist, he has been hailed for his Caribbean stylings and been named Jazz Artist of the Year numerous times by the New England Urban Music Awards.

Trotman is also the Executive Producer and host of the Barbados Jazz Excursion, a jazz and golf weekend getaway which takes over 300 music lovers to the island every Columbus Day Weekend. Past performers include Jeff Lorber, Gerald Veasley, Marcus Anderson, Peter White and Jeffrey Osborne.

Elan is also the founder of the Never Lose Your Drive Foundation – a nonprofit which directly funds the Headstart Music program. Headstart Music provides free weekly instrument instruction to students ages 7-11 on saxophone, trumpet, flute, clarinet and percussion. All proceeds go towards tutor salaries, instrument maintenance and supplies for the program.

Trotman has recorded and performed with a number of world-class musicians, including Michael McDonald, Roberta Flack, Jonathan Butler, Keiko Matsui, Johnny Gill, Jeffrey Osborne, Sheila E, Marcus Miller, Will Downing, Earl Klugh, Jeff Lorber, Peter White, Peabo Bryson and Brian Simpson.

A huge sports fan, Trotman has performed the USA National Anthem on numerous occasions for teams such as the Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers.

He has also provided entertainment for numerous celebrity events including The Bronson Arroyo Band, Cold Pizza on ESPN with Woody Page, Jeffrey Osborne Celebrity Golf Classic, Chris Tucker Charity Golf Tournament, Ray Allen Golf Tournament and Hot Stove Cool Music with Peter Gammons and Theo Epstein.

As a recording artist, Elan has topped the Billboard Radio Charts over 10 times with songs such as Heaven In Your Eyes feat. Brian Simpson, Tradewinds feat Peter White, Master Blaster, As feat. Lin Rountree, Thoughts of Summer feat. Will Downing, and Smooth N Saxy. Collaborations that have topped the charts include Magic Men (Marion Meadows), Groove Me (Greg Manning), Just What You Need (Brian Simpson), Smooth (Cal Harris) and Ride Along (Julian Vaughn).

DISCOGRAPHY 2009 – This Time Around with special guests Ahmir 2011 – Let’s Have a Good Old Time with special guest Kirk Whalum 2013 – Love and Sax with special guests Cindy Bradley, Brian Simpson and Tony Terry 2014 – Tropicality with special guests Peter White, Jeff Lorber, Paul Brown, Terri Lyne Carrington 2015 – Live and Uncut 2016 – Double Take with special guest Will Downing

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Achievement Award

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Arnold Rice

Service Excellence Embodied

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rnold Rice was made for customer service. He is effortlessly excellent at it.

Daily, for the last 19 years, he has been helping people and solving problems as a Customer Service Supervisor at JetBlue Airways. Without a doubt, Tony, as he is called, is one of Jetblue’s best employees system-wide.

His long stint in the post is due to the fact that he enjoys assisting people, and his jobs have all involved directly interacting with others.

Arnold began his career at JetBlue in 2002 as a Crewmember after which he was promoted to a Lead and then to his current position.

From Christ Church, Barbados he came to the United States in 1985. Prior to JetBlue, Arnold held supervisory positions at Roy Rogers and was a Crewmember at British Airways.

Known as “Mr. Barbados” at Jetblue, it is often said that Tony, as he is popularly known, is an unpaid ambassador of Barbados and employee of the Consulate General. He never refuses to help sort any travel related issue and his networking skills have benefitted the Consulate General immensely.

Married to Dawn, with two daughters and a grandson, naturally, he loves to entertain and one day hopes to own his own bar. For sure, he will deliver an experience like no other.

Dennis Yarde

Minding the store

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substantial amount of the recent stability of the Barbadian Ex-Police Association, (BEPA), Inc. USA is due to the contributions of Dennis Yarde, its former President for a number of years and current Treasurer.

One outstanding achievement was the renewing of the relationship with the Ex-Police of Toronto, which, preCovid, saw cross border exchanges and support of each other’s activities.

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Yarde joined the BEPA in 1993 at his very first meeting. Since then, he has represented the Ex-Police in every role and area available to members, in New York and abroad.

He emigrated to the USA in 1975 after six years in the Royal Barbados Police

Force, following his then girlfriend Wendy. The two were married in 1977 and have three children.

In New York, Yarde attended the Fashion Institute of Technology to study fashion design but switched after year one to marketing and pattern making. Trained mainly in women’s wear, he worked in many areas of the industry, from quality control to making wedding gowns.

He spent the last 15 years of his career working with a major art handling company, which allowed him to visit museums, private collectors, galleries and art shows throughout the USA. Since retiring in 2014, Yarde, who is very close to his grandson, spends even more time assisting the Ex-Police, including mentoring youth as part of a partnership and being involved in every undertaking, as he lives the motto of the Association, Let Us Be Judged by Our Deeds.

Achievement Award

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Andy “Technic” Hewitt

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egardless of whoever else is delivering entertainment at most Barbadian events in Brooklyn, New York, Andy Hewitt – Technic – is still most often there.

Arguably, the most popular DJ in the Barbadian community, Hewitt has built a successful business out of a love for music, developed listening to his

late father playing records.

Today, Technic Music Mix is synonymous with professional musical services in the New York area. From 1992 he has steadily built his reputation for keeping events lit, from birthday parties and association fundraisers to corporate and large scale events, serving both the Caribbean and American diaspora.

Q in the Community and, for seven years consecutively, Barbados Day in Canarsie are two of the bigger events Andy and his sidekick Shanece Wallace have played at. Both of these attract thousands of supporters from all over the USA and Canada.

He is also the leader, bass player and singer with the Technic Band, which has also been thrilling audiences for two decades, and is also big on the karaoke circuit.

Andy is also big on giving back. His commitment to the community was evident in the central role he has played in the last two years of the Covid-19 pandemic managing, for free, dozens of Zoom events produced by the Barbados Consulate.

His own online shows have helped Barbadians and others everywhere lighten the load of Covid-19. Of course, Andy can’t wait to do what he does best, get back to delivering dance music live.

and he uses his considerable skills and contacts to benefit some of the most vulnerable in the Boston area and elsewhere.

Dr. Andrew Sobers is now a Vice President/Branch Manager with Homebridge Financial, responsible for the Boston office and growing relationships with industry partners. Prior to Homebridge, he worked at GMH Mortgage as a Vice President/Sales Manager with special focus on CRA lending, which assists minorities.

Awards for his success includes top

producer of Mass Housing loans statewide 2014-2015, and Mass housing top minority lender in 2016. Andrew, who also received the 2015 award for the Bankers and Tradesmen Community Banking Hero, is a member of the board of directors for Urban Edge, a non-profit organisation in Boston devoted to affordable housing, and Chairman of the Board for Freedom House Inc., a charity devoted to education excellence for underprivileged youth. He is also a national trainer for National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), travelling around the country conducting workshops for nonprofit organisations.

Andrew holds a doctorate in Business Administration from Walden University, a Master of Business Administration, M.B.A., from the University of Surrey, Master of Finance, M.S.F., from New England College of Business and Finance, and the Associate Chartered Secretary, (A.C.I.S.), from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators.

The Man for the Moves on the Dance Floor

Andrew Sobers

Winning in Mortgage Financing and Community Service

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very year, Andrew Sobers hosts a summer party. It is huge, part networking, relationship giveback and a base for future support for some of the community projects with which he is associated.

It gives insight to Sobers. It is restrained but fun, well organized, caters to all tastes and is attended by a wide range of persons.

This sort of approach has made him very successful in the world of mortgages and real estate development,

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Association Award

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Rupert Reid

New Rochelle Cricket Club

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upert Reid is determined to keep New Rochelle going, especially ensuring that the club keeps and maintains its clubhouse. It is one of only two Barbadian organisations in the USA that own their own buildings – Barbadian Ex-Police Association being

the other.

Now in his second term as President, Reid was born in St. James, Barbados.

He attended St. James Boys Primary School and Metropolitan High School, before starting work at Treasure Beach Hotel.

An avid sea and sailing lover, Rupert

migrated to the USA in 1987. His ability to fix things kept him employed until he formed Hydro Wash Inc. in 1997.

The cleaning company has built up a large clientele.

A sports enthusiast, particularly of football and Tom Brady, who is at ease discussing any sport, Rupert has two children, DeVante and Trinity, with his wife of 19 years, Beverly.

He has been a member of New Rochelle Cricket Club since 1988.

Cricket is no longer played but the club is a social hub and continues its support of needy causes in Westchester and Barbados.

Reid is looking forward to the 100th anniversary of the now 97-year old club, which, if he has anything to do with it, will be celebrated in grand style.

Julia Hollingsworth

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o one beats Julia Hollingsworth to a response to any call for help, whether it comes from Boston, another State or Barbados.

She is a quiet force who comes up with different ways to generate interest for numerous causes.

Much of her community work is executed through the Barbadian Cultural Committee of Boston, (BCCB), which she has led since 2017. Her efforts over the years include the Ideals Meal Charity to raise funds for the most recent 42

skills, producing traditional treats such as sugar cakes, sweetbread and designer cupcakes which she uses to promote her charitable fundraisers but also ships to various States as a business.

Born in Barbados in 1979, she has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Massachusetts College of Art and is currently enrolled in the MBA program at Cambridge College, Boston.

After more than 20 years, Julia’s commitment to social volunteerism and Barbadian organisations has not waned. Along with BCCB, she is active in United Barbadians in Massachusetts, (UBIM), and a participant in the several activities of other Barbadian associations and the Consulate General of Barbados at New York.

President, Barbadian Cultural Committee of Boston, (BCCB) Haiti disaster, the provision of care packages for the homeless at the Hope Found Shelter, volunteering at the Boston Living Center for adults with HIV/ AIDS and the establishment of the Barbados Hospice Fund.

Currently an Administrative Assistant, Headquarters of Materials and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, (MIT), supporting three professors, Julia is also very invested in promoting Barbadian culture as a graphic designer for the last 13 years and, more so, through her cooking

Association Award

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Beverley Callender Health Walk during the last two years, Foundation has still found ways to support its causes, including college scholarships to three students annually and donations to a myriad of health concerns - Breast, Pancreatic, Prostate and Children’s Cancer research.

In the pandemic as well, Foundation delivered support to Barbados for the Adopt a Family charity, the tablet

drive, Care Buddy Project and toy drive, among others.

As a travel industry professional for some 42 years, first with American Express for 15 years and with RTT Services since then, the pandemic has been particularly tough on Beverley.

Her own Socabev travel business, launched just before the pandemic, has yet to take-off. But Beverley has pushed through, maintaining her positivity, resilience and support.

This is nothing new for Beverley. For years she supported husband, Hattan, while be played cricket throughout New York as a member and captain of Cambridge, often taking on scorer duties. She also nursed her husband through his kidney disease, and gifting him a kidney.

An immigrant from Barbados in 1978, Beverley enjoys cooking, singing karaoke and dancing. Yes, serious about business and Barbados, she is often the life of the party.

civic institutions. It is an understatement to say he has made a massive difference.

Today, he remains a member of the Barbados American Charitable Organization of New Jersey, (BACONJ), which he led for an incredible 30 years. Much of the respect given to BACONJ and its outstanding contributions to students and others in New Jersey, along with its donations to Barbados, is due to Miguel’s stewardship.

Before BACONJ, he was President of

the Empire Cricket Club for five years and President of the Council of Barbadian Organizations of New York Inc., (CBONY), for two years.

Moving from New York to New Jersey in the mid-1980s, the Plainfield resident is Treasurer of the Board of Commissioners of the Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority and holds a number of positions in his church: President of the Board of Trustees, a certified Lay Speaker and Secretary of the United Methodist Men’s Group and is also active in the Free Meals programme.

An Accounting Analyst at East Orange Housing Authority, Miguel was Chairman of the Black Business Professional Network, receiving the Diversity and Inclusion Award for his work, and has also been recognised as one of New Jersey’s 100 Most Influential for his community service and leadership.

With the support of his wife Jeanette, he intends to continue his work with organizations and in community groups.

President, Foundation School Alumni Association

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woman of her word. Decisive. No nonsense. Compassionate.

These words and phrases sum up Beverley Callender, who is now in her second term as head of Foundation School Alumni Association, NY. Despite the challenges, with her organisation only able to complete the

Miguel Edghill

Member, Barbados American Charitable Organization of New Jersey, (BACONJ).

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any Barbadians have devoted a great deal of time to building Barbadian organizations in the jurisdiction of the New York Consulate. Any of them would be hard pressed to match the record of membership and leadership of Miguel Edghill. And he is still going.

Miguel has spent all of his four-plus decades living in the USA building organisations and contributing to community work through religious and

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Youth Award

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Ayisha I. Mapp

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few years ago, Ayisha Mapp took a trip to Barbados, alone, to explore the land of her parents. It was indicative of her intention to carve her own path, rooted in her heritage as a second generation Barbadian born in America.

Along with making enviable strides on various employment and community activism fronts, she has demonstrated a commitment to being involved in Barbadian activities and spreading the word about the country.

The proud lifelong resident of

Nathaniel Sobers

Honour Student & Vocalist 44

Plainfield, New Jersey, Ayisha is the Executive Director of Plainfield NOW, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization devoted to addressing social, economic, and educational inequalities in Plainfield and the surrounding areas.

The daughter of Barbadians Mayor Adrian and Amelia Mapp, she attended Howard University, studying Political Science and African American Studies and completed the Public Purchasing program at Rutgers University.

Before assuming her current role as a Special Projects Coordinator for the

Office of the President at Kean University in Union, New Jersey, where she handles conference and special event planning, Ayisha worked for the County of Union as a Purchasing Assistant.

She also ran the County COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites, concentrating on communities of color, the disadvantaged and those who had the least amount of access to healthcare.

Ayisha also serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff to New Jersey Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter, is Secretary of the National Organization of Women, NJ (NOW-NJ) and has served as an Executive Member of the Barbados American Charitable Organization of New Jersey (BACONJ).

Most recently Ayisha was appointed to The Wardlaw+Hartridge School Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee where she will work to assist the prep school in becoming a more diverse and inclusive environment.

It seems like there will be another politician in the Mapp family.

ne of Nathaniel’s dreams is to become a worldwide recording artist and he does not miss any opportunity to develop and showcase his talent.

Now 16 and an honour student at Brooklyn School of Music, he has won numerous awards and competitions, and has performed at a variety of events, from birthday parties to galas.

Affectionately known as Nate, Sobers was born in 2005 in New York to a Barbadian-American father and Trinidadian-American mother. Growing up with his father and grandmother, Nathaniel found himself falling in love with all different types of music, especially R&B. However, his singing abilities are not limited to one style; his range includes soca, reggae, pop, jazz and classic and contemporary gospel.

Nathaniel was discovered at nine singing at a talent show in the Caribbean community. He quickly gained exposure and attracted the attention of promoters, talent scouts, Barbadian

and other Caribbean organisations, Consulates, local and State politicians and radio personalities.

At 10, he was the crowned the winner of the Double R Children’s talent Show in Brooklyn. In 2015, he was the Barbadian Singing Competition Q in the Community winner, wowing the audience with a fantastic rendition of Michael Jackson’s Ben. He won the 2016 Brooklyn Kid’s Festival award and the 2017 West Indian Day Parade Kid’s Talent Show in the R&B category.

Nathaniel has received several citations, appeared on stages with some internationally known performers and lists an appearance at a gala for New York State Assemblyman Nick Perry, recently named Ambassador to Jamaica, as one of his treasured accomplishments.

Along with his music studies, and a passion for art and drawing, Nathaniel excels in academics. With his talent and hard work, it is expected he will realise his goal of working in the music industry at some level.

Community Organiser

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Community Award

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Tyrone Jordan

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yrone “Tidy” Jordan, originally from Moore Hill, St. Peter, is well known in the sporting and entertainment arenas among the Barbadian communities in New York.

He has been involved in cricket for almost all of his 39 years in New York, first with Cameroon, where he spent two years, and the remainder, to this day, with Cambridge, which was once

the largest Barbadian Association in the State.

He has served Cambridge in almost every capacity, including a long stint as President, and today is a trustee of the

organisation.

Additionally, Jordan, a close friend of Cultural Ambassador Red Plastic Bag, is known for helping entertainers who come to New York to perform, accommodating them at his home.

For seven years to 2019, he also operated TJs, an entertainment space popular for Barbadian limes and events.

An exceptional ballroom dancer, Jordan is a fixture at Barbadian events and is always willing to support causes.

A move to Florida has not stopped Jordan, who works in home security, from undertaking his commitment to Cambridge or supporting activities by individual Barbadians and associations.

after kidney failure and dialysis and one that encourages organ donation.

Hattan grew up in Barbados, in a large family of ten, including eight children. After Pine Primary School, he attended Harrison College, where his love for sports took hold, representing the school in football, hockey, athletics and cricket.

Immediately on leaving school in 1976, he was offered a job teaching geography at Boys’ Foundation for one year. In 1977, he joined the Barbados National Oil Company at Woodbourne, St. Philip and remained there until 1979 when he immigrated to the United States.

In New York, Hattan followed in his brother’s footsteps entering the veterinary field and interned at the ASPCA Manhattan. He became a full time veterinary assistant at The Manhattan Veterinary Group in April 1982, training in all aspects of veterinary practice. He also pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management at

Baruch College, studying full time in the day and working evenings at the animal hospital, which opened until 1 am.

In May 1986, he became Manager of The Manhattan Veterinary Group, which opened 365 days a year, remaining there until December 1997, when the company was sold. In February 1998, he became Practice Manager at Gramercy Park Animal Hospital. He is still there 23 years later.

Throughout the years, cricket remained Hattan’s passion, leading him to Empire Cricket Club Inc. NY, which he joined in 1987. He has served the club in many capacities, including cricket captain four times, Vice President three times, Treasurer three times and President from 2004 to 2008.

He remains immensely proud of his membership of Empire Cricket Club, which has been involved in cricket in Brooklyn since 1948. It not only allowed him to connect with many fellow Barbadians he did not know but also enabled him to help support, encourage and promote advancement in the Barbadian community and amongst Caribbean families.

A karaoke fan and host of a popular Super Bowl party with his wife Beverley and their children Nikko and Richele, Hattan can still excite on the cricket field.

Hattan Callender

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ricket, at which he excelled and was most passionate about, made Hattan Callender a popular figure in New York, and he remains supportive of the Barbadian community on his own and as a member of Foundation School Alumni Inc., NY. Popularity turned to inspiration after he was diagnosed with kidney failure.

This dilemma only heightened Hattan’s winning personality and gave him a greater appreciation for life and second chances after he received a kidney transplant from his wife Beverley on 22 October, 2003. It been 18 years of daily medication but, in typical fashion, he looks to the positive, hopeful that his journey can be an inspiration for others suffering kidney issues that there is life

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Friend of the Consulate Award

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Carolann Gilkes

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arolann has been deemed the “Care Buddy Genie” for the energy she has brought to the project, delivering considerable donations of stuffed toys for the children at the Paediatric Ward, Queen Elizabeth Hospital,

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York City Public Schools.

She works closely with the Executive Director overseeing the day to day operation of the PSAL. She also facilitates major championship events at all professional arenas including Yankee Stadium, Barclays Center, Madison Square Garden, City universities, and CUNY colleges.

Additionally, Lorna oversees all pristine functions such as the PSAL Wingate Awards dinner for the outstanding student-athlete in each sport, NY Yankee/New Era Pinstripe/PSAL Scholar Athlete dinner, and the National Girls and Woman in Sport Day.

Keeping in line with the PSAL tradition of introducing sports and educating students about them, Lorna was instrumental in establishing the First Interscholastic Cricket Program in the United States in 2007.

Lorna has had the privilege of leading PSAL student groups to Ghana, Africa (2006), Brazil (2008) and Spain (2016).

As testimony to her success, she is the recipient of numerous service awards from prominent organizations: Board 42 Basketball Association, Board 37 Basketball Association, International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IABOA), NYC Coaches Association, Nassau Cricket Association, United States of America Cricket Umpires Association and a City of New York Proclamation from Council Member Ruben Wills. In 2016, she was inducted in the NY Cricket Hall of Fame and was honored by The Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy for introducing cricket to the New York City public schools.

A strong administrator, Lorna is hoping to lend her skills to building other Barbadian organizations.

Lorna Austin

orna Austin - Class of ‘82, has been a member of the Daryll Jordan Secondary School Alumni, New York, (DJSSANY), from its genesis in 2019.

After leaving Barbados in 1985, she joined Community District Sports in the NYC Department of Education, responsible for coordinating all intramural sports in the Junior High Schools and overseeing the summer Big Apple games program in the five boroughs.

In 1996, Lorna accepted a fulltime position with the NYC Department of Education, Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) as the Executive Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director of the PSAL. Founded in 1903, the PSAL provides and governs all interscholastic competition in the New

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(QEH), Barbados.

No one escapes her when she is fundraising for the Care Buddy Project, started three years ago by Treva Holder. If you do not wish to donate, do not let her see you. Or answer the phone – she sources from all over the country.

An extremely proud Barbadian from St. John and St. Philip, Carolann migrated to the US in 1983 when she was 15.

She attended George W Wingate HS in New York and joined the work force at

18 after having her only child, Tiffany.

After several secretarial and administrative assistant positions for different firms on Wall Street, Carolann changed course and began working for Delta airlines in 2005. Whilst at Delta, she got the call for New York City Transit Authority in 2006, and there she has remained.

A Bus Operator, Carol loves to ‘Move NYC’, connecting with patrons being the favourite part of the work. She worked unrelentingly on the frontlines of the MTA throughout the pandemic.

Carol, who recently became a proud grandmother, or GlamMa as she prefers, to Zylo, has been married to Aiden – Inches – since 1992.

Now, to get her into other campaigns!

Friend of the Consulate Award

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Michelle Brathwaite

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er detailed-oriented job and love for event planning make Michelle an asset in executing productions.

The former Bush Hall, St. Michael resident, who attended Lawrence T Gay Primary and St. Leonard’s Secondary, immigrated to the USA in March 1985, completing High School and attending Borough of Manhattan Community College.

Michelle has been working for the City of New York for the past 31 years, and with the NYC Department

of Transportation for more than 25 of those years. She has worked in several departments, including the Alternative Fuels Program and Transportation and Planning, and is now an Office Manager in the Roadway Repair and Maintenance Department.

She attends The Church of St. Mark, Brooklyn, NY, where she is a member of the Ushers Board and Mothers’ Union and was the PTA Co-President for the Church Parochial School for four years.

The mother of two, who brings dedication and energy with her organizational skills, has been a force in the

Norman Harper

food. His work during the pandemic with the Ex-Police and others has kept alive some sense of community.

Passionate about family, Norman, the father of three, who has been married to Laverne for 33 years, would love nothing more than see associations, in particular, act as one big, Barbadian unit, and, as always, he continues to put action and, money too, where his mouth is.

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member of the Barbadian Ex-Police Association and A Better Life for our People, Norman Harper pushes unity among the diaspora in New York, and Barbadian and Caribbean culture through food.

He joined the Royal Barbados Police Band after attending St. Leonard’s Secondary, before migrating to Canada.

Homesickness did not allow him to settle and while on a trip back home, he enrolled at the Barbados Hotel School, setting the stage for a life-long career.

He honed his culinary skills at some of the major hotels on the island including the Hilton, Sandy Lane, Divi Southwinds, Grand Barbados and Sandy Beach Hotel, where he was the Executive Chef.

In a bid to further improve himself and his circumstances Norman im-

recently formed Barbados Support Group, (BSG). Up to her, all Barbadian events would be signature occasions.

migrated to New York and joined the Grand Hyatt Hotel. As a Sous Chef, he has been supervising food preparation, food quality and presentation there for the past 32 years.

Outside of the hotel, Norman often cooks for or supervises food for Barbadian associations’ events, where his experience in serving large crowds shines while delivering consistently tasteful 47

Consul General Special Award

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Maureen Haynes

Passport Officer, Consulate General of Barbados at New York

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ll through the pandemic, Barbadians still needed services, mostly to do with emergency travel. While the Consulate General at New York was accommodating, the person who was on the front line was Maureen Haynes.

The Passport Officer at the Consul-

ate, she was the person who met with persons desperate for assistance – protocols in place but meet nevertheless.

Maureen never once flinched.

By far, the longest serving staffer at the Consulate, and by the nature of her job often the busiest – certainly over sustained periods – Maureen, as required, is diligent about the details,

dedicated to serving the Barbadian community with grace and is a darling with her colleagues.

From St. James, Barbados, Maureen worked at home with two law firms before moving to New York in July 1987.

Four months later, she landed a job at the Consulate as a Receptionist. She then moved to Admin and took over as Passport Officer fully in 2010.

While she still covers at Reception and is the stand-in for the Secretary to the Consul General, Maureen hardly has time for anything except travel matters. With increased queries on travelling and requests for passports and citizenship, strange enough during the last two years of the pandemic, she has been busier than ever.

Now a month into her 35th year, Maureen cherishes the opportunity she has had to serve her fellow Barbadians, and would not want it any other way. Whenever she calls it a day, she will be missed.

Nurses Mission - A Sterling Example Of Service

Cicely Wilkinson

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Lestra Cox

Sonia Forde

othing in 2021 resonated in the Consulate’s community more than the Nurses Mission to Barbados out of New York.

The eight women and one man boosted spirits all around as they provided needed help to Barbados in its Covid-19 fight.

That they paid for their own flights, sacrificed vacation time and secured and paid for a range of supplies made their support all the more remarkable.

Barbados is expected to continue to 48

Angela Trotman

Keith Porter

Lynette Bedford

benefit from the combined 250 years’ experience of the team.

The group of friends, all of whom except two are members of the Barbados Nurses Association of America are: Dr. Cicely Wilkinson, a nurse for 32 years, who works at Maimonides Medical Center; Lestra Cox (T&T), a nurse for 33 1/2 years, who works at Maimonides Medical Center; Sonia Forde a nurse for 35 years, who works at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center; Angela Trotman, a nurse for 38 years, now retired, who last worked in Home

Shirley Holder

Ursula Porter

Sharon Bedford

Care at Northwell Health; Keith Porter, a nurse for 18 years who works at Kings County Hospital; Lynette Bedford, a nurse for 30 years, who works at Amerita Specialty Infusion Pharmacy; Shirley Holder, a nurse for 31 years, who works at Mt. Sinai Beth Israel; Ursula Porter, a nurse for 12 years and neonatal intensive care specialist since 2012 who is a travel nurse and Sharon Bedford, a nurse for 21 years, who works at Interfaith Medical Center.

Northwell Health Answering the Call without Fail

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orthwell Health demonstrated commitment to Barbados from the start of conversations in April this year.

It was evident in the highlevel teams that engaged in discussions, the care taken to understand the peculiarities of Barbados’ health system but, particularly, in Northwell’s response to calls to assist in the Covid-19 pandemic fight.

Numerous personnel, led by Dr. Yves Duroseau, MD, MPH, Chairman, Emergency Medicine, VP EMSL, met with Consul General of Barbados at New York Mackie Holder, QEH and UWI staff, and had two sessions with Prime Minister Mia Mottley and government officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Jerome Walcott.

Eric Cioe Peña MD, MPH Director of Global Health, Office of Academic Affairs, Center for Global Health; Joe Leggio – Associate Executive Director, Patient and Customer Experience; and Asha Samuels, Project Manager were the other members of the Northwell core group.

Two teams from Northwell went to Barbados to assist with the pandemic fight and look at the health systems. Northwell also sent two respiratory therapists. The institution paid for all flights.

Northwell Health is New York State’s largest health care provider and private employer, with 23 hospitals, more than 830 ambulatory facilities and more than 18,500 affiliated physicians. It looks after more than two million people annually in the New York metro area and beyond, and has 77,000 employees – 16,000-plus nurses and 4,000 employed doctors, including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners.

It offers 100 specialties, has five tertiary and three specialty care facilities in its network and treats more than 300,000 inpatients each year.

Northwell Health is very involved in initiatives outside health directly that improve communities. A feature of its Covid-19 fight was the formation of an 18-member nurses’ choir. The group came to prominence with a run to the finals of America’s Got Talent 2021.

Day of Independence Committee A Family of Panamanians in New York Inc. Affair

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t was how, more than that it was done, that made the building of a relationship by the Day of Independence Committee of Panamanians in New York Inc. with the Barbados Consulate General and Barbadian community worthy of honouring.

The Committee placed the Barbados connection at the centre of all its activi-

ties – and there were a lot of them – and strongly supported every Consulate and community function to which its members were invited.

Led by President Enrique Small, the team is Veronica Wharton Thorpe, Tamara Bell, Angélica Thomas, Dorothy Small, Federico Beaumont, Maria McKenzie, Maria Willlis, Maritza Boyce-Duncan, Oliver Prince Jr.,

Rosa Rodriguez De Perez, Víctor Marshal and Norayka Castillo.

The Committee, which has been existing for 26 years, runs the largest Panamanian parade in the world outside of the Republic of Panama. This year was the first time there was formalised relationships between Panamanians and Barbadians in New York.

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Leadership Matters, at Home and Abroad

50

HOW MANY MORE...

HOW MUCH MORE Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley’s address to the UNGA 76, Friday, 24 September, 2021

Madam Vice President, Permit me at the outset to congratulate His Excellency Abdulla Shahid for his election as President of the 76th session of the General Assembly as well as Secretary-General, António Guterres, and the Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, on their reappointments to their posts and to assure them all of Barbados’ support.

If I used the speech prepared for me to deliver today, it would be a repetition. A repetition of what you have heard from others and also from me. How many more times will we then have a situation where we say the same thing over and over and over to come to naught?

My friends, we cannot do that anymore.

Three years ago, when I made my maiden speech, I indicated from this very podium and told the international community that the world appeared perilously similar to how it looked like 100 years ago. Barbados made that position clear.

We have not come to say we told you so, but, regrettably, we have come to say that the needle has not moved and that we have not seen sufficient action on behalf of the people of this world.

I am not here, therefore, to keep you long today. I shall be very, very brief.

How many more variants of COVID-19 must arrive, how many more, before a worldwide action plan for vaccinations will be implemented? How many more deaths must it take before excess vaccines in the possession of the advanced countries of the world will be shared with those who have simply no access to the

vaccine?

And I ask, how much more fake news will we be allowed to be spread without states defending the public digital space?

We have come together with alacrity to defend the right of states to tax across the digital space, but we are not prepared to come together with the same alacrity to defend the rights of our citizens not to be duped by fake news in the same digital space.

How many more surges must there be before the world takes action? None are safe until all are safe. How many more times, will we hear that? And how much more must we do, Madam Vice President, before we get the global moral strategic leadership that our world needs?

How much more global temperature rise must there be before we end the burning of fossil fuels? And how much more must sea levels climb, imperiling Small Islands Developing States like mine, before those who profited from the emission of greenhouse gases contribute to the loss and damage that they occasioned, rather than asking us to crowd out the fiscal space that we have for development to cure the damage caused by the greed of others?

How many more hurricanes must destroy, locust devour and islands be submerged before we recognize that 100 billion dollars in climate finance are simply not enough? The answer, Madam Vice President, is that we are waiting for urgent global moral strategic leadership.

How many more crises must hit before we see an international system that stops dividing us and starts to lift us up? How 51

many more times must we come to this podium and speak about the plight of the people of Cuba and Haiti and see very little being done to lift the floor of social development to give them the right to pursue their legitimate aspirations? How many more, how many more crises and natural disasters before we see that assistance does not reach those who need it most and those who are most vulnerable.

How much wealthier must tech firms get? The top 5 tech firms have a market capitalization of 9.3 trillion dollars. I did not say “billion”, I said “trillion”. How much wealthier must they get before we worry about the fact that so few of us have access to data and knowledge and that our children are being deprived of the tools that they need to participate in online education?

The answer, Madam Vice President, is that we have the means to give every child on this planet a tablet and we have the means to give every adult a vaccine and we have the means to invest in protecting the most vulnerable on our planet from a changing climate, but we chose not to. It is not because we do not have enough; it is because we do not have the will to distribute that which we have. It is also because, regrettably, the faceless few do not fear the consequences sufficiently.

How many more leaders must come to this podium and not be heard before they stop coming? How many times must we address an empty hall of officials in an institution that was intended to be made for leaders to discuss with other leaders the advancements necessary to prevent another great war or any of the other great challenges of humanity?

How many more times must we stand idly by and see women of color and men of color and women (period) be attacked disproportionately when at the leadership of international organizations? Yes, how many more times must great needs be met simply by nice words and not the goodwill that is necessary to prevent nationalism and militarism? The answer, Madam Vice President, is that this age dangerously resembles that of a century ago.

That was a time when we were on the eve of the Great Depression and a time when we fought a similar pandemic; a time when fascism, populism and nationalism led to the decimation of populations through actions that are too horrendous for us to even contemplate. Our world knows not what it is gambling with, and if we don’t control this fire, it will burn 52

us all down.

As I said two years ago, this is not science fiction. We heard the Secretary-General make the same comment on Tuesday, 21st September. This is our reality. It is not science fiction; and if the truth be told, the Secretary-General’s speech said it all.

But who will stand here and support him? Who will give him the mandate to pursue his vision in our institutions, be it the WHO, the IMF, the World Bank, the regional development banks or the development institutions? Who will give them the mandate to go forward if we continue to refuse to summon the political will to confront what we know we must confront?

I ask, who in here would sign the new charter? A new charter for the 21st century that is appropriate not for the next 75 years - because the world in which we live moves too quickly - but for the next 25 years. So that we can meet the needs of the 21st century, not the needs of the middle of the 20th century and the aftermath of a world war that few of us can really relate to today.

In the words of Robert Nesta Marley “who will get up and stand up” for the rights of our people? Who will stand up in the name of all those millions who have died during this awful pandemic? Who will stand up in the name of all those millions who have died because of the climate crises? Who will stand up for the small island developing states who need 1.5 degrees to survive as we go to COP 26? Who will stand up? Not with a little token but with real progress?

Who will stand up for all in our countries who suffer the indignity of unemployment and underemployment and whose access to food is now compromised by increased food prices and increased transportation prices? It is not beyond us to solve this problem. If we can find a way to send people to the moon and solve male baldness, as I have said over and over, we can solve simple problems like letting our people eat at affordable prices and making sure that we have adequate transport.

We have been told that democracy is what matters in our countries and democracy is fundamentally an issue of the majority in numbers. But why don’t we count who stands up in here and why don’t we take a reckoning for the numbers in here?

My friends, it is against that background that I say to you this is not 1945 with 50 countries, this is 2021 with many countries that did not exist in 1945 who must

face their people and answer the needs of their people. Our people want to know, what is the relevance of an international community that only comes to talk and not to listen?

This is why I say that our voices must be heard and our voices must matter.

And today, at this dangerous fork in the road, Barbados calls on the nation states of this assembly and the people of this world to indicate what direction we want our world to go in and not leave it to the faceless few who have worked so hard to prevent the prosperity from being shared.

A prosperity that is sufficient to be shared with all of our people.

I ask you today to support us because we will bring a resolution in plenary to endorse the approach of Secretary-General Guterres. When I met with him two days ago, I told him that we shared the same philosophy, we want the same destination. The only issue is what road we take and what potholes are in the road ahead and what obstacles we must overcome.

My friends, I fear we leave this session of the UN General Assembly in need of another General Assembly: one with real engagement and one to secure real progress. That is what the Secretary-General called for on Tuesday. Token initiatives will not close the gap.

On Monday morning I said to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom that when I was a student in his country, as we got off the train there would be a prerecorded message each time that simply said: “Mind the Gap”. Let us, my friends, not only “Mind the Gap”, but determine as a global community of nations that numbers matter. We have the population and the member states to send the signal of the direction that we want our world to go in at this dangerous moment. Let us do so with the calm assurance that those who labour in great causes never ultimately failed. But we must summon the courage to do it.

I ask us, in the name of our people, to find the global moral strategic leadership that can take us forward.

Global:

because our problems are global

Moral:

because we must do the right thing.

Strategic: because we cannot solve every problem of the world, but we must solve those within our purview immediately.

Thank you.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND FOREIGN

TRADE

Breaking the Mould Senator Dr. the Hon. Jerome Walcott, J.P, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, outlined new approaches on 13 March, 2021

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t is with great pleasure that I make this presentation to you today on some of the work and plans of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

There is nothing esoteric about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Our work is directly determined and informed by Barbados’ national priorities and domestic interests. Indeed, the work of the Ministry underpins and supports all that we are and all that we do in Barbados.

Hence, with the onset of the Covid 19 Pandemic and over the past year, my Ministry has had to respond to myriad matters including those related to the crisis in global supply chains, as it related to obtaining PPE, ventilators, ICU beds, naso-pharyngeal swabs, PCR and RT kits, as well as engaging with the Cuban Government to secure the assistance of doctors and nurses from the Cuban Medical Brigade and, more recently, being involved in reaching out to various countries and several entities in an effort to procure Covid 19 vaccines for our people.

Here, I must highlight the importance of our regional partners and graciously thank The Commonwealth of Dominica and the Cayman Islands for assisting us with swabs in the early months of the pandemic. Later, Dominica and Grenada helped us with rapid test kits and. more recently. Guyana assisted us with PCR kits and subse-

quently the much needed binding solution. Covid 19 showed us the importance of regionalism.

In our mission, to promote and secure, in the international community, Barbados’ political, social and economic interests, you would appreciate that an immediate priority for this Ministry is now to support the economic recovery and transformation of Barbados in a post-COVID environment.

Mindful of this, the Ministry’s contribution to the achievement of Barbados’ goals of enhanced economic growth and revenue generation will be delivered in the coming Financial Year through a series of diversified external engagements in the following areas: 1) Strengthening traditional bilateral relations and pursuing new nontraditional partnerships;

2) Reaffirming multilateralism and deepening engagement with likeminded alliances; 3) Increasing Barbados’ trade levels by enhancing commercial diplomacy; 4) Ramping up our outreach to the Barbados diaspora and Friends of Barbados community.

Strengthening traditional bilateral relations and pursuing new nontraditional partnerships The Ministry and its overseas Missions will continue to focus on the deepening and strengthening of existing relationships with traditional partners in the Caribbean, Latin America, North America and Europe, as well as the development of relationships with new, non-traditional partners in Africa,

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Asia, Eastern Europe, the Gulf States, Central and South America. The opening of new Missions and the extension of non-resident accreditations into new regions and countries will assist tremendously in this undertaking.

New diplomatic offices will be opened in Ghana, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates, (UAE), with the intention of expanding Barbados’ SouthSouth cooperation, strengthening our global people-to-people contact, and also contributing to the national effort toward economic reconstruction; business and revenue generation; increased investment; and expanded trade in Barbados’ goods and services, including tourism.

These new Missions will be at the forefront of efforts to identify new and emerging sectors that can propel and expand the Barbadian economy, and also to strengthen, advance and diversify bilateral and multilateral action to promote Barbados’ interests globally.

Since Independence, our mantra has been “friends of all, satellites of none”; it is now time for us to widen our network of friends, especially in the face of Covid 19.

In Ghana, the High Commission in Accra will be used to further consolidate Barbados’ relationship with Ghana, which is the ancestral homeland of a large proportion of the population of Barbados. The High Commission will work to advance multiple ongoing initiatives intended to foster a deep and mutually beneficial relationship between Barbados and Ghana, and will also pursue new platforms to advance the pursuit by Barbados of economic growth opportunities both in Ghana and in other countries in western Africa - hence, claiming our continental destiny with Africa.

In Kenya, the office will serve as Barbados’ Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office in Nairobi, which is the third largest 54

United Nations Office in the world, and which is the headquarters for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).

The Mission in Nairobi will therefore be able to ensure a heightened and sustained level of participation by Barbados in the work and deliberations of both of these organizations which play an important role with respect to programmes and initiatives being undertaken in the island.

On a bilateral level, the High Commission in Nairobi will also be used to further consolidate Barbados’ relationship with Kenya, and also to facilitate the pursuit by Barbados of economic growth opportunities in other countries in eastern and southern Africa.

It is to be noted that Barbados’ diplomatic presence in Kenya will be part of a shared CARICOM office space, and as such will be a working example of strengthened regional cooperation.

In the United Arab Emirates, the establishment of an Embassy in Abu Dhabi will serve to significantly advance the growth of a stronger bilateral partnership with the United Arab Emirates, which is one of the most developed countries in the Middle East and wields considerable power in the region. The diplomatic presence in Abu Dhabi will also facilitate the pursuit by Barbados of economic growth opportunities in the region, and will be a platform for the formation and strengthening of strategic alliances with other Gulf States.

The Ministry is also moving to further

diversify the ways in which Barbados represents and promotes its interests overseas. Consequently, a Commercial and Cultural Officer will be stationed in the Barbados High Commission in Accra, Ghana; while a Diaspora Relations Officer will be incorporated into the staff complement at the Barbados High Commission to the United Kingdom in London.

In keeping with our focus on strengthening our traditional bilateral relations and pursuing new ones, it has been agreed that the following new Heads of Missions will be appointed: • Mr. Gline Clarke as High Commissioner to Canada; • Mr. Alexander McDonald as High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Nairobi; • Mr. Hallam Henry as Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China; • Mr. Gabriel Abed as Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates; and • Mr. Francois Jackman as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at New York.

I believe that the qualities, experience and competencies of Messers Clarke, McDonald, Henry, Abed and Jackman render each of them an ideal choice for their respective diplomatic appointments as Head of Mission at this critical juncture in Barbados’ socioeconomic transformation and development.

Mr. Gline Clarke has had a long and distinguished career as a Member of Parliament from 1994 to 2020. Mr. Clarke’s service to Barbados also included appointments as Minister of Public Works and Transport and Minister of Housing and Lands; as a teacher; and as Vice-Consul in the Consulate

General at Toronto working in the Barbados Liaison Service.

Mr. Alexander McDonald has had a successful career as a businessman in a wide range of industries. His extensive private sector experience encompasses his period of employment as the Chief Executive Officer of Cable and Wireless Barbados, as well as leadership of other corporate entities in Barbados, including the Barbados Private Sector Association.

Mr. Hallam Henry is a multilingual professional, fluent in Mandarin with hands-on experience in the Chinese business sector, and keen insights into Chinese politics, having lived and studied there for several years. Mr. Henry also has experience in business development and investment facilitation, as well as in the promotion of Barbados as a premier centre for global business and economic development.

Mr. Gabriel Abed is an experienced businessman who is widely recognized as a leading international authority on digital currencies and blockchain technology. Mr. Abed was the first entrepreneur to set up a blockchain company in the Caribbean, and has also played a leadership role in the establishment of companies engaged in digital currency offerings. In addition to his pri-

Barbados Government, Mr. Jackman has worked as a journalist, also served as the Chief of Staff to the Secretary General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States group, and as Co-Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of the West Indies.

Of course, Barbados enjoys longstanding friendly relations and mature, multi-dimensional partnerships with both Canada and the People’s Republic of China. Mr. Gline Clarke and Mr. Hallam Henry will therefore be assuming the leadership of diplomatic Missions which have been in existence for several years. Similarly, Barbados’ Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office in New York, to which Mr. Francois

in Barbados’ exports of its goods and services. Enhanced commercial diplomacy will lead to an expanded network to support trade, especially South-South trade. It is the Ministry’s intention, over time, to place additional commercial attachés in the overseas diplomatic Missions, and to better utilize the Honorary Consul network in this endeavour to build on opportunities for trade and business.

The Ministry will also be advancing the country’s economic interests abroad through enhanced engagement with the Barbadian diaspora and Friends of Barbados community. The diaspora community is an under-used asset with regard to its networks, skills and resources. The Ministry intends to more purposefully leverage the power of the diaspora and Friends of Barbados groupings in order to systematically facilitate and enhance their contribution to Barbadian society and economy, especially through innovation and entrepreneurship, partnerships in various sectors, sustainable philanthropic initiatives, and attractive investment opportunities.

In this regard, Ms. Everil Lewis will be appointed as Diaspora Relations Officer in the High Commission to the United Kingdom; and

vate sector experience, Mr. Abed has worked with Governments as a consultant, been active in the NGO sector and more recently has been living in the UAE. Mr. Francois Jackman is a career Foreign Service Officer with extensive experience in promoting and advancing Barbados’ interests internationally.

In addition to his multiple posts in the

Jackman will be deployed, is a well-established diplomatic office which promotes and protects Barbados’ interests in the international arena.

We now propose to engage in an enhanced platform of commercial diplomacy, working with both the private sector and public sector, in order to deepen trade relations with other countries and bring about an increase

Mr. Phil Phillips as Commercial and Cultural Attaché in the High Commission to the Republic of Ghana.

The aforementioned, will take place within the framework of a renewed Country Team mechanism and concomitantly with the development of an efficient coordinating mechanism for External Engagement; which the Cabinet approved last Thursday.

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Turning now to Barbados’ bilateral relations across rest of the globe, in North America, the Ministry will actively engage with the new administration in the United States of America, through its overseas Missions in the US and primarily its Embassy in Washington D.C. Barbados will continue to adopt a proactive posture in lobbying US lawmakers and engaging with the Federal Government. Key priorities include the return of US leadership to the climate negotiation process as an opportunity to secure a new climate financing architecture that meets the scale of the climate crisis in small island states; support for the initiatives launched by Prime Minister Mottley with regard to debt restructuring, debt deferrals and/or other instruments and the issue of the vulnerability index which relate directly to SIDS like Barbados.

In our hemisphere, having established a new Mission in Panama last year, the Ministry will be developing a new Latin American strategy. Latin America offers a great deal of potential for trade, investment, education, health care, disaster management, hemispheric security and cultural diplomacy. Our Missions in Brazil, Panama, and Venezuela will be involved closely in this exercise, both from their place of residence as well as their nonresident accreditations.

Within the Caribbean Community, the Ministry will continue to pursue Barbados’ priority of increased regional engagement and strengthened integration; particularly as it relates to our joint cooperation agreements with Guyana and Suriname.

Within the wider Caribbean region, I must mention the importance to Barbados of the progressive strengthening of its partnership with Cuba, inter alia through the presence here of the Medical Brigade from Havana. I ex56

press our sincere appreciation to the Government and people of Cuba.

I wish to draw your attention now to Asia, in general, and the People’s Republic of China in particular.

You will be aware that, even in the midst of the global pandemic, China has continued to provide support to Barbados in our fight against the novel corona virus through the donation of considerable quantities of PPE and other items. Remarkably, China is the one major global economy that has continued on its growth path throughout 2020 and 2021 and is expected to continue on this accelerated growth path. More broadly speaking, Asia as a

whole has shown great resilience and leadership during this pandemic.

For these reasons, it remains the policy of this Government to continue the strengthening and deepening of our diplomatic relations with the countries of this region.

For example, in 2019 I signed an agreement with China regarding cooperation in the implementation of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a global infrastructure development programme which will enable us to upgrade and build out our physical infrastructure.

We are also looking towards deepening our cooperation in the area of public health with the support of medical teams coming from China. These are just two examples of how this valuable relationship with China continues to grow from strength to strength.

I also wish to draw your attention to the expansion of Barbados’ diplomatic network in Asia. For the first time in decades, Barbados in 2020 appointed an Honorary Consul in Tokyo and approval has been granted for our Ambassador in Beijing to be accredited on a nonresident basis to Japan, which is a very important bilateral partner. Barbados is also working to accredit our Embas-

sy in Beijing to Singapore, South Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand so as to develop relationships with these dynamic countries and to provide more opportunities for Barbadian goods and services in those markets.

Barbados’ gratitude for the generosity and solidarity of India in the ongoing provision of technical cooperation, and most recently 100,000 units of the Covishield vaccine as well as PPE for our fight against COVID is a matter of public record, and I take this opportunity to reaffirm our deepest appreciation to India.

Turning to the continent of Africa, I have already reflected on Barbados’ current priorities for Africa in speaking earlier about the benefits that will accrue from the opening of diplomatic Missions in Nairobi, Kenya and Accra, Ghana. I will at this point just emphasize Barbados’ appreciation for the team of nurses who have come from Ghana to assist us in areas of critical health care.

With respect to the Gulf States, I also previously highlighted the importance to Barbados of developing and strengthening its bilateral relationships in this region, and the fact that our new Embassy in Abu Dhabi will be used as a portal for us to this part of the world.

I take this opportunity to recall the significant donation of PPE and supplies to fight COVID which was generously made by the Government and people of the UAE last year to Barbados and other CARICOM member states.

The United Kingdom remains a key partner for Barbados. Our historical relationship has modern day benefits for both countries, and I look forward to participating actively in the 10th UK-Caribbean Ministerial Forum which will be convened virtually on March 18 to discuss issues of significant relevance to Barbados including economic resilience, the vulnerability of SIDS, the climate crisis and COP26, disaster preparedness, trade for development and multi-dimensional security.

Turning to the continent of Europe, the Ministry and its Embassies accredited to the European Union and its Member States will increase the coordination of their efforts to deepen Barbados’ bilateral relationships with partners in Europe, with the aim of strengthening our cooperation with European institutions and Barbados’ relations with traditional partners.

In addition, the Ministry and its Embassies will work towards forging new relationships and partnerships with those European countries with which we are not yet fully familiar, and that are not familiar with us.

The new Partnership Agreement recently concluded between the Organisation of African Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union (EU) and expected to be signed later this year, presents a very important comprehensive opportunity for Barbados to obtain support for its priorities. This new Agreement, which is anticipated to last approximately 20 years, establishes a strengthened political partnership between the OACPS and the EU to generate mutually beneficial outcomes on common and intersected interests and in accordance with shared values.

In bringing to a close this part of my statement on Barbados’ bilateral relationships, I wish to note that the Ministry will continue to work with the relevant Government agencies to engage donors - both countries and organizations – on the matter of attracting and securing financial and technical assistance for priority projects to bolster the development of Barbados’ key productive sectors.

I wish to now turn to the issue of: Reaffirming multilateralism and deepening engagement with likeminded alliances Multilateralism has always been one of the cornerstones of Barbados’ foreign policy and, due to its rules-based systems, multilateralism has remained an essential tool for advancing Barbados’ development, economic, political, security and environmental agendas.

lenges facing the region through the proliferation of small arms and light weapons; and recognising the multidimensional nature of security which also includes food security.

Barbados is unequivocally committed to a diplomacy of peace and prosperity through international dialogue, and we recognise the unique role the United Nations plays in guaranteeing the sovereign equality and independence of small states in the international community.

Barbados’ belief in the United Nations is why we have taken the step of establishing a third Permanent Mission to the UN in Nairobi. This Permanent Mission will join Barbados’ Permanent Missions to the UN Headquarters in New York and the UN Office in Geneva, which serve as important portals for our work in the international community.

The priority issues and strategic interests that Barbados will continue to pursue with like-minded allies in these three UN locales include: • The implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) laid out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development • The establishment of a multidimensional vulnerability index for SIDS and Middle Income Countries (MICs) given that vulnerability is a significant factor affecting trade and development assistance and adequate means are needed to tackle high debt levels and the continued decline of correspondent banking.

• The creation of an inclusive, intergovernmental body on tax matters under the UN to counter the imbalance that exists between OECD countries and developing countries within the context of setting international tax norms.

• Emphasizing the nexus between development and international peace and security; taking action to address the security chal-

• Strengthening the international frameworks dealing with the climate crisis; financing for development; SIDS issues; and NCDs. It is for this reason that Ambassador Elizabeth Thompson will now be based in Bridgetown with special responsibility for matters of climate change, SIDS issues and the Law of the Sea. Conclusion As I close, I wish to note that the MFAFT is in the process of modernizing and restructuring its human resource complement, organisational structure and operational processes.

These steps, which are so very critical to the existence of a fully capable and fit-for-purpose team, will underpin the success of the Ministry’s future endeavours.

In addition, the Ministry is pursuing the upgrading of its IT infrastructural capacity, both at Headquarters and in the overseas Missions – with the end result of having an enhanced platform of digital diplomacy and the use of innovative technologies in the delivery of Barbados’ foreign policy and international trade policy objectives. Using technology, we hope to revolutionise the way in which Barbados will conduct its diplomatic activities.

Like many other Ministries, we have had to reduce our budget for the upcoming Financial Year, and like the rest of Government, we will work tirelessly to promote and protect the interests of Barbados and Barbadians while utilising our foreign policy initiatives to give us elbow room domestically to create opportunities for our people.

We don’t need large embassies to expand our Global footprints, but this Government will always be committed to creating global citizens with Bajan roots.

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WHEN WILL LEADERS LEAD?

Prime Minister MIA MOTTLEY Address to COP 26, Glasgow, Scotland, 1 November, 2021

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our Royal Highness, E x c e l l e n c i e s , distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

The pandemic has taught us that national solutions to global problems do not work.

We come to Glasgow with global ambition to save our people and to save our planet. But we now find three gaps - on mitigation, climate pledges or NDCs. Without more, we will leave the world on a pathway to 2.7 degrees, and with more, we are still likely to get to 2 degrees.

These commitments made by some are based on technologies yet to be developed, and this is, at best, reckless and, at worst, dangerous.

On finance, we are $20 billion short of the $100 billion. And this commitment, even then, might only be met in 2023.

On adaptation, adaptation finance remains only at 25%; not the 50-50 split that was promised, nor needed, given the warming that is already taking place on this earth.

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Climate finance to frontline small island developing states declined by 25% in 2019. Failure to provide the critical finance and that of loss and damage is measured, my friends, in lives and livelihoods in our communities.

This is immoral and it is unjust.

If Glasgow is to deliver on the promises of Paris, it must close these three gaps.

So, I ask you, what must we say to our people living on the frontline in the Caribbean, in Africa, Latin America, in the Pacific, when both ambition and, regrettably, some of the needed faces at Glasgow are not present?

What excuse should we give for the failure? In the words of that Caribbean icon Eddie Grant, “will they mourn us on the frontline?”

When will we, as world leaders across the world, address the pressing issues that are truly causing our people angst and worry, whether it is climate or whether it is vaccines?

Simply put, when will leaders lead?

Our people are watching and our people are taking note. And are we really going to leave Scotland without

the resolve and the ambition that is sorely needed to save lives and save our planet?

How many more voices and how many more pictures of people must we see on these screens without being able to move? Or are we so blinded and hardened that we can no longer appreciate the cries of humanity?

I have been saying to Barbadians for many years that many hands make light work. Today, we need the correct mix of voices, ambition and action.

Do some leaders in this world believe that they can survive and thrive on their own? Have they not learned from the pandemic? Can there be peace and prosperity if one third of the world literally prospers and the other two thirds of the world live under siege and face calamitous threats to our wellbeing?

What the world needs now, my friends, is that which is within the ambit of less than 200 persons who are willing and prepared to lead. Leaders must not fail those who elected them to lead.

And I say to you, there is a sword that

can cut down this Gordian knot, and it has been wielded before. The central banks of the wealthiest countries engaged in $25 trillion of quantitative easing in the last 13 years. $25 trillion!

Of that, $9 trillion was in the last 18 months to fight the pandemic.

Had we used that $25 trillion to purchase bonds to finance the energy transition or the transition of how we eat or how we move ourselves in transport, we would now today be reaching that 1.5 degrees limit that is so vital to us.

I say to you today in Glasgow that an annual increase in the SDRs of $500 billion a year for 20 years, put in a trust to finance the transition, is the real gap, Secretary-General, that we need to close, not the $50 billion being proposed for adaptation. And if $500 billion sounds big to you, guess what? It is just 2% of the $25 trillion. This is the sort of sword we need to wield.

Our excitement one hour into this event is far less than it was six months

ago leading up to this event.

Can we with those voices and these speeches from Sir David and others, find it within ourselves to get the resolve to bring Glasgow back on track?

Or do we leave today believing that it was a failure before it starts?

Our world, my friends, stands at a fork in the road; one no less significant than when the United Nations was formed in 1945. But then, the majority of our countries here did not exist. We exist now. The difference is we want to exist 100 years from now. And if our existence is to mean anything, then we must act in the interests of all of our people who are depending on us. And if we don’t, we will allow the path of greed and selfishness to sow the seeds of our common destruction.

The leaders of today, not 2030, not 2050, must make this choice.

It is in our hands and our people and our planet need it more than ever.

We can work with who is ready to go, because the train is ready to leave

and those who are not yet ready, we need to continue to ring-circle and to remind them that their people, not our people, but their citizens need them to get on board as soon as possible.

Code Red. Code Red to the G7 countries, code red, code red to the G20.

Earth to COP. That’s what it said. Earth to COP. For those who have eyes to see, for those who have ears to listen and for those who have a heart to feel, 1.5 is what we need to survive. Two degrees, yes S-G, is a death sentence for the people of Antigua and Barbuda, for the people of the Maldives, for the people of Dominica and Fiji, for the people of Kenya and Mozambique, and yes, for the people of Samoa and Barbados.

We do not want that dreaded death sentence and we have come here today to say, “try harder, try harder,” because our people, the climate army, the world, the planet needs our actions now, not next year, not in the next decade.

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60

You See Barbados Though!

A Mackie Holder Idea

You see Barbados though?

The more you look the more you know.

Little less than a century ago Look how we were – oppressed and dirt poor But in the 30s, the masses took a stand And their Moses, Sir Grantley, shook up the land Started the journey to the Promised Land From day one the principled structure of Barbados was set And, thank God, it aint change yet Quick so The first political party, workers union were started Disease controlled before Barrow parted All kinds of laws for workers passed Sir Hugh and Sir Frank set an institution to last The Deep Water Harbour, Government headquarters, QEH Foundations set to build a great state All that, housing, and much more was done For eons we have been much more than sea and sun!!

And under the BLP Universal adult suffrage for we And that was the real start of our democracy.

You see Barbados though?

The more you look the more you know.

A new political party was formed The DLP created a storm Expanded education put us in another class The masses moved out from agriculture at last Light industry, businesses and tourism charted And something called the middle class was started Into the Civil Service, banking and teaching they went And began building the economy saving every cent Barrow wanted a better mirror image for we And that meant a move from the monarchy On 30 November 1966 Barbados became captain of its own ship And we began our Independence trip.

You see Barbados though?

The more you look the more you know.

Great progress in all areas in the 55 years since The world all over was convinced None more so than under Tom the son Our international business, network of roads done He brought in The Plantation

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Tenantries Act Giving thousands ownership on plantations and that’s a fact Commission on Status gave women a modern foundation That, fellow Barbadians, is how you build a nation The National Drug Service, credit union movement and the NCF These things and so much more made Barbados the best Most of what he did in nine years still has Barbados set I wanna know why he aint a National Hero yet?

You see Barbados though?

The more you look the more you know People want to know how Barbados get so It’s hard work, excellence and being in the know We were never in any way poor rakey Known as the “recalcitrant colony” that was we From the jewel in the crown we have been world class If you blink you will not see The greatness we have come to be You ever hear of the great Sir Garth?

Greatest cricketer on earth or Mars!

Looka, you aint know we start the Internet Archie by Emptage the first to get set We have IDB banking rules named after ThoringtonPowlett And Velma, the first female black transplant surgeon, don’t ever forget Juliet Daniel who isolated the Calypso cancer gene And Rihanna gives a whole new definition of what superstar means

You really see Barbados though?

The more you look the more you know.

Look, now at this stage in our history It’s time to write a new story On to a Republic Barbados will go On 30 November, 2021 it will be so A head of State under the Queen no more President Sandra Mason will open a new door The people of Barbados will carry on the show At home, in the Diaspora, from newborns to old Joes We’ve built a nation, all o we 62

The best in the world, our country You and I will carry on the legacy Of Owen, Tom, Barrow and Grantley Freundel, David, Sandi and Bree The more you look the more you will see That our first female Prime Minister Mia Mottley Is taking the step that should have long been done Ever since Independence was won

You really see Barbados though?

The more you look the more you know.

Yes we have had doubts and fears Things become clear through the tears Friends of all, satellites of none we know who we be People of pride, achievement and incredible industry Even in turbulent times we are still on the rise Our people with eyes firmly fixed on the prize Of building our nation and a better life for all As citizens continue to scale new walls Zane in car racing, Cherie Jones with her writing Alison Julien with domestic workers giving new lighting To the legacy of rum we making Katspraddle vodka In Barbados culture and innovation blooming – stand up and holla We have more than demonstrated we are a country that strives We will continue to succeed with drivers that can drive If you don’t know check out your history Don’t get confused by no sophistry As a colony and Independent nation we have set world trends There is nothing to fear that those trends will end We achieved so much before You think you know Barbados though?

The more you look the more you will know Open up your eyes and see On with the Republic democracy!

@copyright mackieH, Saturday, 27 November, 2021

Happenings

DR. VELMA SCANTLEBURY Makes History ...Again

In October, Barbados medical rock star Dr. Velma Scantlebury-White made history yet again when she became the first black female to receive the Delaware History Makers Award.

Dr. Scantlebury-White, the first black female transplant surgeon, joined an illustrious group that includes President Joe Biden and filmmaker Ken Burns.

She is the 13th awardee since the Delaware Historical Society instituted the award in 2007.

The Society presented the award at its headquarters at a packed-out fundraiser that included Dr. Scantlebury-White’s family. It featured a street reception and indoor dinner. She was hailed for her extraordinary skills, breaking barriers, mentorship and ongoing championing of living donor programmes.

The Delaware History Makers Award recognizes individuals and/or organizations that have made extraordinary and lasting contributions to the quality of life in Delaware, America, or the world.

From Westbury, St. Michael, Dr. Scantlebury-White, regarded as one of the top doctors in America, performed over 2000 surgeries in her career. Her memoir, Beyond Every Wall: Becoming the First Black Female Transplant Surgeon, captures her story.

LeGALL Realises Dream

R Steven LeGall is the first call when people have to deal with the end of a loved one’s life. His funeral services are dominant in the Barbadian co m m u n i t y, and popular among other Caribbean groups and others.

Well-established in Brooklyn, he realised a long dream in July when he opened a new facility in Mt. Vernon, New York, after years of various challenges. The large facility includes two chapels and a huge lounge.

LeGall was brought to tears as he recounted the struggle of his family, wife Averille and daughter, Daria, also a licensed funeral director, who fought to turn a rundown building into a worthy facility for last rites. A host of persons, including the city’s Mayor Shawyn Patterson and Barbados Consul General Mackie Holder, praised him for his determination and the quality of the funeral home.

A licensed mortician for more than 40 years, Steven LeGall is also a wellknown music director and church organist in Brooklyn. He was the organist at St Peter’s Anglican Parish Church, Speightstown, before moving to New York.

BARBADIAN TALENT at Macy’s In June, Sherry Grimes-Jenkins was accorded a breakthrough opportunity when, as part of a Covid-19 spirit uplifting exercise, she was invited to exhibit in the Macy’s Flower Show at the flagship store in Manhattan.

As part of A Floral Celebration of Fortitude show, Grimes-Jenkins created

a floral tribute reflective of her Barbadian roots featuring blooms such as Bird of Paradise.

Born in Grazettes, St. Michael, the St. Leonard’s alumnae loved plants and flowers from childhood and after moving to the US, took her love a step further by learning how to design flowers and plants professionally at the New York Botanical Garden. She also gained hands-on experience from many flower shops and floral designers before venturing out on her own, opening EMY Custom Flowers LLC in 1999.

Characteristic determination got Grimes-Jenkins into the Macy’s exhibition, but her design gained plaudits.

Exuding tropical flair, the display also gave a nod to immigrants by incorporating statues of a black boy and girl.

The display expanded the audience for the resident of Putnam County and added a new area of interest about Barbados.

CHERIE JONES Causing Waves

Hands down, Prime Minister Mia Mottley ruled the international media during the now two years of the Covid19 pandemic, especially with the Welcome Stamp initiative. Not far behind was first-time novelist Cherie Jones, who became a media sensation with How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House.

The book is a sweeping novel; at its core the story of the struggle of a teenage mother that unfolds in 63

Baxter’s Beach, set in 1984 in Barbados.

It includes love, violence, the have and the have-nots and touches on many aspects of social and cultural life in Barbados.

That the media storm was generated about a Barbadian writer was itself exceptional. But the enormity of Cherrie Jones’ achievement is only truly understood against the fact that, in history, very few debut novelists have created such a frenzy and received such widespread acclaim.

ABC’s top TV show, Good Morning America started the tsunami of love in February and it seemed as if every top news house paid homage to Jones’writing skills. You know you have reached when you get columns in publications like the New York Times, Washington Post and British Guardian.

The superlatives were never-ending: A devastating — and devastatingly good — novel; a dazzling debut novel; intensely compelling; Cherie Jones’ lavish, cinematic debut, “How the OneArmed Sister Sweeps Her House,” rises to that high bar, its beguiling title a steppingstone into a Barbados that’s both Caribbean paradise and a crimeriddled underworld. Which is to say: The novel’s a stunner.

The New York Times book reviewer said about Cherie Jones, an attorney, what seems inevitable: Here’s the launch of a stellar literary career.

GARY in Hall of Fame In an interesting development, the greatest cricketer ever, the Rt. Excellent Garfield Sobers, Barbados National Hero, was, again, inducted into the Connecticut-based Cricket Hall of Fame in August 2021, this time honoured with a Lifetime Award. He was first inducted in 1984.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Development, Dwight Sutherland, presented Sir Gary, or the great Sir Garth, as he is affectionately referred to, with his ring and blazer in a ceremony at the Garry Sobers Gymna64

sium in Barbados.

In one of those twists, Sutherland, who was in New York on holiday, was able to give a speech and covey Sir Gary’s thanks at the Hall of Fame’s ceremony in August.

If there is still anyone who doesn’t know, Sir Gary set records in every aspect of cricket, in an international career that began at 17. Moreover, he brought the kind of style, excitement and sheer wonder to the game that are the preserve of only a few other sporting legends.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented for his sterling contributions to cricket, the promotion of the sport, and the development of friendships across ethnicities, nations, and religions.

Sir Gary, in accepting his ring and blazer stated: “…all of my doings, all of my whole life as a cricketer, whatever I was, was always for my country not for me, … and that’s what was always important to me, not what I did for me, but for the country I love.”

A TRULY Wonderful Discovery

The Covid-19 pandemic threw up the most inspirational individuals and occurrences. One of the fantastic gems discovered was Allison Julien, who has been a centrifugal force for the past decade plus in securing legal protection and advocating for nannies and all other care providers.

Julien came to light for most people outside her sphere when in a national broadcast she was honoured by Robin Hood, New York’s largest povertyfighting organisation, as one of the “Heroes of New York”.

She arrived in New York from Barbados in the early 1990s as a teenager and worked as an undocumented baby sitter. This propelled her to be an organiser for changes to how domestic workers were to be treated - and she found her true calling.

A founding member of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, (NDWA), in 2007, Allison Julien was a key mover in the six-year campaign for the NY

Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, which passed in 2010, and the inaugural recipient of the Dorothy Bolden Fellowship in 2016. Bolden was considered the mother of the domestic workers movement.

Co-director of the New York Chapter of We Dream in Black, under the NDWA, which focuses on black domestic workers, Julien helped secure some $3.5 million for cash disbursements to more than 7 000 domestic workers during the pandemic.

Her fight goes on. But if you ever hear her speak, you will understand why Allison Julien is such a successful champion for domestic workers and a hero of New York.

YOUNG BUSINESSMAN Forges Ahead

As businesses were closing, Richard Walton took the bold step to open an entertainment and event space in Canarsie, Brooklyn.

Taking over an operation from his uncle who moved to Florida, Walton’s boldness in opening Phaze 2, after major renovations, is proving to be a smart move.

The two-level space caters to everything from pop up sales and exhibitions to seminars and fetes.

One of the younger Barbadians in business in New York, he is also one of the most popular, due to his long involvement in entertainment and community activities.

Known as Double R, the former St. Peter resident is a DJ, successful fete promoter and host of various community events. He also produces a radio show on Sundays and is a content creator.

His videos on Barbadian activities and business persons, uploaded to his Double R Entertainment Facebook page, often generates thousands of views and shares.

Ken Farnum

BARBADOS’ FIRST OLYMPIAN Cycling Champion Known and Unknown

K

enneth Aubrey Farnum died in the midst of the pandemic. The frenzied emotions and chatter of the pandemic on every Barbadian who died, from Covid-19 or not, notwithstanding, the question was, Who? Who is Ken Farnum? Which was met by the terse response: You kidding? You don’t know who Ken Farnum is?

Every Barbadian of a certain age still speaks with reverence about Ken Farnum.

The mention of his name evokes the kind of emotion and spontaneous praise reserved for idols.

Which is unsurprising, because he was exactly that – the idol of a generation of Barbadians who followed his every success at home and abroad.

And successes, there were many of them.

Somehow, the name and exploits of Farnum faded with time. But his passing has led to renewed interest in his sporting success and a desire to give him his due place in Barbados’ history.

Before the heyday of cricket, and the exploits of the now Rt. Excellent Gary Sobers and his band of warriors, there

was Kenneth Aubrey “Ken” Farnum and cycling.

Farnum dominated the sport. But more than that, he brought something special, different. It was not just the physique; he had that panache that turns a sport from something a segment of the population likes into a national fascination with a countrywide cheering squad.

He was the game changer. The difference? Farnum remained quiet and modest. And since cycling, outside the Tour de France, and sprint cycling, has not come anywhere to matching the popularity of other sports, despite being one of five disciplines at the Olympics since inception; and certainly not made inroads against cricket and other disciplines in Barbados, too many generations are unaware of Farnum’s singular achievements in the sport.

Born on 18 January 1931, he began racing at age 10. While still in his teens at school, he became the “A” class champion, developing his skill in pack races on circuits laid out on cricket fields.

A sprint cyclist, he grew to a little over six feet tall and a trim 180 pounds.

Tactical savvy and a capacity for powering big gears earned him victories in Barbados and in venues around the Caribbean, including Jamaica, Trinidad and Guyana.

Virtually unbeaten in sprint events, he collected eight West Indies sprint titles, dominating the local and regional cycling scene.

The newspaper headlines captured the sporting hero of the day: Farnum Wins International Championship at Two-day Meet Farnum Rides Unbeaten – that was the report for a Whit Monday event in which he won the half mile, 2 mile and 9 mile events, setting two records before “a mammoth” crowd.

Farnum Wins Only Open Event – Overcomes Heavy Tract to Outstay Belille – that about a six-mile event in Guyana.

Ken Farnum Rides Unbeaten In Annual Inter-Club Sports In 1952, the Barbados cycling community wanted Farnum to compete at the Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland, but Barbados had no Olympic organisation and was not a member of the International Olympic Committee, (IOC).

Supporters discovered an avenue that allowed him to compete as a member of the Jamaica team. The public-driven Farnum to Finland Fund and Government support made the trip possible, so at 21, young Ken Farnum found himself in Helsinki at the 1956 Olympic Games.

He vividly recalled that he was awed

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seeing a cycling velodrome for the very first time. With his bicycle damaged while training during a stopover in Britain, he was lucky to borrow a pair of pedals from the British cycling team, but the banked velodrome proved a challenge as he was accustomed to riding on a flat surface.

Farnum competed in the 1000m time trial, an Olympic event that, at that time, had not yet been introduced to the Caribbean. He placed 20th out of 38 riders. He also competed in his pet event, a match sprint, placing 21st out of 33 riders. But the fact that he had never ridden in that environment before won him praise from the international Olympic cycling fraternity.

After the Olympics, the former Combermerian, who worked at the communications company, Cable and Wireless, moved to New York City where he continued to work in communications – and continued riding and racing.

It was a different country, but same Farnum dominance.

A headline in a New York newspaper, written by one Henry Isola, announced the arrival of the conquering cyclist thus: Seubert Dethroned at Flushing Meadows – Farnum Captures State Bike Title Isola, calling Farnum “the Negro Ace”, said that he “covered himself in glory in an upset win” in the New York State Bicycle Racing Championships.

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At the time, Farnum who arrived in New York in May 1955, had only been in the country two months – and rode on a borrowed bike.

In all, Farnum won three consecutive New York state cycling championships, from 1955-57. He was the first cyclist of color to win major events in the United States since Major Taylor at the turn of the 20th century. It was also reported that competing against Herbie Francis inspired Francis to become the first African-American to make a US Olympic cycling team.

At the time, cycling was one of the biggest sports in the USA, with thousands, including all kinds of celebrities, attending six-day bicycle races.

Because of the sport’s popularity, Farnum’s exploits, in a sport with few black participants, generated pandemonium and pride, especially among the black community in New York. As in Barbados, the community followed his every race, celebrating his victories with quiet pride.

“He definitely was a folk hero,” said Butch Martin, a two-time Olympian and a Hall of Famer. “If you think of the sport in the 1950s, kicking some white guy’s ass was a big deal. Farnum could do that. He had a big following.”

Farnum was on course to go to the 1960 Olympics. But while competing in the US National Championships, he took a nasty spill in the very first race in what was characterized as “criminal intent” by a competitor.

Thereafter, he retired from the sport and focused his energies on his family, raising two children, Ken Junior and Judy, with his wife, Judith. They were married on October 20, 1954 – Mrs. Farnum is still alive.

In 2012, Farnum was a featured guest at the Barbados Olympic Association’s 50th anniversary celebration and donated a collection of paraphernalia to the organisation.

He is featured in The Hearts of Lions: The history of American Bicycle Racing, by Peter Nye, a writer and board member of the US Cycling Hall of Fame.

Ken Farnum, Barbados’ first Olympian, died from complications brought on by COVID-19, on April 4, 2020 at age 89.

A Celebration of Life Mass of Remembrance was held on January 18 at Our Lady of Assumption-St. Mary Star of the Sea in the Bronx.

Farnum’s passing has ignited interest in who he was and his sporting prowess. He was featured in the New York Consulate General’s Black History Month and the Old Scholars of his alma mater, Combermere, are planning to install a memorial plaque at the school.

Hopefully more will be done to spread the story of Ken Farnum, the cycling icon and folk hero of the 1940s, 50s and early 60s and the man, from Peterkin, Bank Hall, St. Michael, all agree was “the very best of his time”.

So many questions A compilation of interviews

by Mary Yearwood

It is said you are different. Are you?

It is? Isn’t everyone? I kind of question everything and try not to be part of any herd. A lot of conventional wisdom is not wisdom and some things repeated constantly are just nonsense. I think it’s good to try to look from different angles. Regarding the post, I would just say I have, maybe, a different take on the job. I am less about the pomp and ceremonial side and much more about connecting with as many people where there are, the various sectors and levels including but also outside of the traditional, and trying some new things. Not sure if all of that sort of thing is different, but if it is, I think it’s a good thing.

Did you have a ‘regular’ childhood?

Well, I am not sure what you mean by “regular”, but it was normal for that time and was pretty good. I was raised by my grandparents in Mile & Quarter, St. Peter.

I had a great upbringing. Ma was special. Back then, it was an agricultural community and full of characters.

There was not a lot to do, except your typical going to school, church and interacting with the community, so it was pretty much like most districts. I got into books early and I am still very tight with many people I grew up with in the Mile & Quarter area. I also cherish the fact that my childhood home is still there and in the family.

How was your time at school?

Ah I was rather quiet, still am. I went to the “College on the Hill”, All Saints’ Boys. We walked to school, of course.

There were really excellent teachers, and headmaster, Mr. Vaughan, was tops. Students received a good grounding at All Saints’ and I will always remember teachers like Mr. Hinkson.

All Saints’ was cool. Harrison College a different experience. Learnt a lot about the real world there – classism, privilege, favouritism, haves and have-nots. It was an interesting place through which to see the then social dynamics of Barbados. Much of what I observed and the times – late 60s/70s – fueled my activist side.

A great memory was bonding with Latin teacher, Mr. Wiltshire – Chilly Willy. I wasn’t particularly interested in Latin but we chatted about life and he gave me some great advice about people with prepared pathways and making the most of education.

I don’t think I enjoyed HC until 5th form, but I made some firm friendships there with people like Erskine Sobers, Judge Chandler, Wayne Forde and Hattan Callender, who is well known in the Barbadian community in Brooklyn.

Where else did you study?

I was at Wales – Cardiff, another interesting experience. I encountered many Africans and it was interesting to watch the dynamics between people from different African countries, different areas in the

same country and different tribes in the same country, the clash of the modern with the traditional. Cardiff is a beautiful place.

You have been involved in cultural events in Barbados. Tell me about that.

That started from a liking for music and writing. Then I started going to cultural stuff – plays, dances, calypso tents when they only had ten people in the audience.

Then I was involved in some things, judging and so on, and became a music critic. I had this huge threepage column – then on broad sheets - on Entertainment every Saturday as a journalist and another on the Arts on Sunday. I was really immersed in all that.

I also developed an interest in heritage matters. St. Peter is a very historic place and I am still very much invested in heritage stuff. You know, the Barbados influence in America is long and deep and needs to be told much more. And, of course, we produced a Crop Over band for 25 years. I pretty much follow all things cultural and one of my favourite treats is taking in Broadway shows. There is gargantuan talent in those few blocks and the technology is mind-blowing.

When did you decide on your career?

I wanted to be a doctor but gave up on that after my mother died. I then decided on writing, which was a natural fit. But now I am really a marketer and producer – and still the best writer, though!

If you mean politics, that just emerged from agitating for some changes starting when I was attending Harrison College – a playing area, better bus service – and then my brother introduced me to the Barbados Labour Party, (BLP). I was lucky to be exposed to the mainstays of the day and especially fortunate to get the opportunity to interact with the great Tom Adams. So a number of people, like Sir Louis Tull and Sir Henry Forde, Lionel Craig, Nigel Barrow and others of that “Great Combination” period, some still alive, gave me some opportunities to be involved in and observe various aspects of politics and it just developed from there. I have been doing politics for a long time now; it is one of the things people think I am very good at. It has been a good 67

experience to manage campaigns in other countries.

That’s my favourite thing – the campaign.

Is this your first installation/post in government?

No, I guess that would be becoming Personal Aide to former Prime Minister Arthur.

How is the Consulate coping with the Covid-19 crisis? What advice do you have for Barbadians in the US? We have managed well. In fact, except for a few months last year, we have been at work; and even during the height of the pandemic, we did what was required to help persons who had emergencies.

It has been two years in incredulous suspension but life in New York and surrounding States is, thankfully, becoming energised and it is good to have some inperson interactions.

My advice to Barbadians in the USA and Barbados is simple – take a vaccine and remain mindful. I do not know how, apparently, too much of the world has, suddenly, lost common sense and there is such nonsense around the pandemic and vaccines. Vaccines help, they always have; in fact, they have helped eradicate many diseases. Barbadians are accustomed to vaccines and take a common sense view, above all else, to things. Let’s take a vaccine!

How can Bajans in New York help other Barbadians here and in Barbados?

Let me say I am incredibly proud of especially the Barbadian Associations in the jurisdiction of the NY Consulate General – New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Philadelphia – and individual Barbadians for their tremendous support of our country during the pandemic. The support has always been there, but the way associations and individuals have stepped up has been amazing and a clear indication of love of country and fellow Barbadians – and it is continuing.

Recently, the first mission to Barbados of nurses, led by head of the Nurses Association Cecily Wilkinson – nurses taking their holiday time, buying their own tickets – has made a fundamental difference – not just in patient care, but in connecting with health officials and making strong bonds with professionals. This can only serve Barbados well.

The PPE and other supplies sent by Associations and nurses have been salutary. Together with Cicely, we were recently able to get a 20ft container of materials from Maimonides and another US$10,000 worth from Americares.

And there have been many other donations by Associations and individuals over the past nearly two years, responding to specific calls for help – direct financial contributions, tablets, even toys. There is no underestimating the support.

There is room to widen the areas of support and those who support. Barbados has to find a way to tap into the experience, education and connections of Barbadians, and really embrace those who are 68

exceptional in their fields. I find it amusing that someone like Velma Scantlebury, somehow, is yet to be incorporated in our health sector. I want to help make that happen.

I would simply urge all Barbadians to continue to support each other and our country. Ignore the naysayers and agendas of some – we are all Barbadians and it is Barbados first. Associations need to work in tandem for mass, and we know unity is strength. I would hope that the move made to form an umbrella group, and the bonding as a result of Zoom meetings, would not be allowed to fall in abeyance or worse. Less talk, more action.

It would also be good to see Barbadians showing our strength – building on the high regard in which we are held – to get involved in more areas in the various communities, using out voices to highlight areas that continue to impact Barbadians and Caribbean people in New York and elsewhere and our countries, whether immigration issues or climate change.

Let us also form alliances with people of shared backgrounds and interests, Africans, Panamanians, to carve out space among other nationalities in the jigsaw that is the politically correct process now.

What advice would you give to young people who would like to get involved with cultural things?

In famous words – just do it! Some young people need the group-type setting; others are more individual. But whatever the interest, we should encourage them to just go for it. It’s sometimes difficult to speak or perform in front of others, or to share thoughts, and we should give encouragement. Young people have different avenues now, many online platforms, and these should be utilised. Put up some dance moves, some poetry, your thoughts – build an audience where your peers are … and monetise it. It is always good to have mentors, so do not be dismissive of those who have experience, advice and money to contribute. Find that one person who really believes in you and your vision. Remember, too, platforms might be different but the fundamentals remain the same – discipline, training and those things gave an edge. And for those seeking to make their particular area of interest a profession, there are really few overnight sensations – and from the get-go own it, copyright it.

What is a typical day like for you?

One of the good things about the job is that new things come up every day. In a day, I can have an impromptu with the BTMI or Invest heads – we get along very well – or attend a birthday function or, unfortunately a funeral, or have to give a speech or meet some government official, get involved in solving an issue, so there is variety.

But usually I am in office by 9.30, respond to emails throughout the day – I like to respond to queries quickly – speak to Association members and members of the Barbadian community, speak

to persons who wish to have an audience, deal with queries about Barbados. I usually leave work about six. Traffic is a nightmare.

What are your hobbies and interests?

My hobbies and interests have not really changed.

Books and reading old style, listening to music, attending cultural events, writing, travelling – not so much getting there but being there.

What are your favourite things?

Family. Catching up with friends. Enlightened conversation. Cooking. Watching movies and home shows. Broadway.

Where are you most comfortable?

Lying in my bed at home in Barbados with no one around and the doors wide open enjoying the sea and gully views and …the silence.

How did you meet your wife, Treva?

We actually met through work. I was marketing manager at what is now Starcom and Treva was an ad executive at a large company. We did not hit it off at all – first impressions at the first meeting were not good at all. We became best buds after I left Starcom and got together many years later. Life is strange isn’t it?

What is a little known fact about you?

I wrote a few plays, one of which, Country Comfort, was performed and won some NIFCA awards; produced one book of poetry – Tears of the Heart; instigated Celebrate St. Peter in 1995 which morphed into Community Independence Celebrations; and I have written a few songs here and there. I have given you a few.

What are your most marked traits?

Confidence. Determination. Organisation. Stillness.

What do you consider your greatest achievements?

Isn’t the best to come? I don’t keep score on life.

But I would say having my grandmother live with me and creating HYPE – Hot Young People’s Edition – and being able to help mentor that fantastic group of young people I met, particularly the starting crew.

That included current Ministers Kirk Humphrey, Lisa Cummins and Santia Bradshaw and others who have all done very well. We are still good to this day. The HYPE experience was one in which everything lined up properly. I have guided young people into elective politics and worked well with many other young people interested in politics and it is good to see them progressing. Of course, nothing trumps family.

How would you assess your time in New York?

Overwhelmingly positive. I think a lot has been achieved despite the pandemic of almost two years now.

We got out of the gates quickly on a number of things – unity, the summits, young people’s Conversations and

Connections, different approaches in some areas – and that has served us well. Some new groups have been formed or been re-energized and, particularly during last year, the performance of Associations has been stellar, with many of them forming bonds – a lot of new friendships have developed. I think we have executed what we have produced very well and we are connecting in other areas with some new partners outside of the Barbados community that are working well and have potential to enhance our image and, importantly, deliver assistance to and investment in Barbados. So we – staff, BTMI, Invest Barbados, Associations, individuals – have made some inroads and impact. There are some exciting plans that we have had to park and, hopefully, we will have time to realise some, if not all of them. I want to address the business side more. We have also spoken about a signature Barbados event for New York – a week that highlights as much of Barbados as possible – I would like that to happen.

What is your big wish for Barbados?

Well, it would be great if we could reset and be a nation of meritocracy. Beyond that, a country of opportunity. It cannot be that a few people get spectacularly rich every cycle and the shake my head moments increase at unfathomable developments.

I think some of the thinking and communicating needs to change to reinforce, as has been the case, that we are and can be world achievers. This “Third World” characterization, for instance, I find amusing.

Let’s stop with we are this small, poor, helpless place as some like to put out, when it should be, see how much we have achieved, how X or Y has reached a new level and inspire our people with our words.

But Barbados has done extremely well and young people are doing amazing things so I am sure Barbados will be Barbados – strong, steady and successful. I think the great challenges for Barbados are managing expectations and how to maintain balance in a world in which everyone has an opinion, without the responsibility to truth or commonsense, or anything, in which the trivial is somehow raised to high importance and in which politics is about pandering to fringes rather than the solid and silent middle. It’s an exciting time with Prime Minister Mottley – she and her team have demonstrated their capabilities and some great plans have been put forward - and once we can execute, Barbados will continue to be a marvel of the world.

What is your current state of mind?

Positive, always positive. I am optimistic – that somewhere, somehow, there will be someone calling a spade a spade and telling the Emperor he has no clothes – that people will eventually say enough is enough to whatever it is there needs to be a wall against. I am eternally optimistic.

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NY Consulate General Staff Keeping It Together

T

he story may be in the numbers.

During the pandemic, the Consulate General of Barbados at New York hardly missed a beat, and comparatively very few days, as it continued to serve fellow citizens of Barbados and persons interested in the country.

In 2020, there was an overall difference of just 31 - 538 to 2019’s 569 - in the number of Consular services – passports, Emergency Travel Documents, marriage applications and so on.

And 2021 has long surpassed both 2019 and 2020, with as of now, the ending of November, overall numbers over 700. Passport applications have soared and, significantly, the uptick in Citizen by Descent applications that almost doubled in 2020 from 2019 – 46 to 24 – has continued this year. Those seeking to return home permanently under the Networkers programme mirrored the trend.

But, of course, there is much more to the story than the numbers. Whatever can be said about the team at the Consulate, it must be said that staff deliver what is required, when required, no more so than in pandemic times.

In fact, the US Post Office creed - nei-

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ther snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds – could, with cause, have been appropriated by the Consulate team.

Even when New York did not know whether it was going or coming, Consulate staffers bravely, unwaveringly,

and vaccines, the calls kept coming…..and the staff kept responding.

Of course, the pandemic and ensuing shutdowns only increased the usual queries about matters such as tax payments, banking issues and investments.

Because the Consulate was back in

left their homes when required to service the community. Always the busiest foreign office as it serves the largest concentration of Barbadians outside of Barbados, the increase in Consular work was matched by myriad questions in the ever-changing confusion of the pandemic.

Whether it was enquiries about getting a flight and getting on the two repatriation flights out of JFK, Covid19 protocols in Barbados, New York and elsewhere, the Barbados Welcome Stamp or where and how to get tests

office from August 2020, team members participated in in-person events such as the 2020 Independence service in Freeport, the 2021 Heroes Day service and workshop on immigration matters in Connecticut, and enforced protocols at events hosted by the Consulate. These included meet and greets with two Ministers and a community session with Prime Minister Mia Mottley.

Barbadian organisations and individuals were not the only ones contributing to causes in Barbados throughout

the pandemic. Staffers supported the Care Buddy Project and were the main responders to the call by NICU, QEH for supplies.

All work and no play? Oh no. The pandemic scuttled the popular staff/ community cricket match and picnic this and last year, but the Consulate managed one of its intermittent lunches in recognition of their efforts last year and staffers were able to indulge in the popular Ugly Sweater Competition, gift exchange and some Christmas revelry.

Hopefully, 2022 will see everyone easing out of the pandemic and the

Consulate will be able to pick up the pace that it set in 2019. However, it

goes, the staff will keep the Consulate going.

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BARBADIAN ORGANIZATIONS A Better Life For Our People P. O. Box 096 James E. Davis Post Office Empire Blvd, Brooklyn, NY, 11225 Chairman: Mr. Gregory Stevenson Tel: 917 971 1753 Email: vains@msn.com

Association Aid For Physically Challenged Children of Barbados P. O. Box 120883 Brooklyn, NY, 11212 President: Mr. Von Karl Barker Tel: 718-314-0491 Email: barketvk@gmail.com

Barbados American Charitable Organization of New Jersey (BACONJ) 824 Central Ave Plainfield, NJ, 07070 President: Mrs. Jacqui Workman Tel: 908-217-7993 Email: baconjinc@gmail.com | jacquiworkman@gmail.com

Barbados Cancer Association, USA (BACA) Inc P. O. Box 3094 Grand Central Station New York, NY, 10163-3094 President: Ms. Heather Marsh Tel: 866-729-1011 Email: president@barbadoscancerusa.org

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Barbadian Cultural Committee of Boston (BCCB) Inc P. O. Box 260120 Mattapan, MA, 02126 President: Ms. Julia Hollingsworth Tel: 617-581-9376 Email: Julia.hollingsworth.brown31@ gmail.com

Barbados Diaspora Collaborative USA (BDC USA) Inc 455 Tarrytown Road, Suite 1510 White Plains, NY, 10607 Chairman: O’Neall E. Parris, MD, MPH, FAAP Tel: 866-519-2226 Email: chairman@bdcusa.org

Caribbean American Medical & Scientific Association (CAMSA), Inc P. O. Box 3094 Grand Central Station, NY 10163 President: Mr. Edward Alleyne Tel: 718-308-6317 Email: info@CAMSA.org

Caribbean Heritage Association Inc P. O. Box 26235 Boston, MA, 02126 President: Ms. Pamela Clinton Tel: 617-519-9253 (cell) | 781-341-4320 (h) Email: pamclint@comcast.net

Combermere Alumni Association P. O. Box 021183 Brooklyn, NY, 11202 President: Mr. Ian Watson Tel: 347-735-2506 (cell) | 212-951-8523 (w) Email: ian.watson1@usbank.com | ianwat78@verizon.net | imwats78@ gmail.com www.combermerealumniusa.org

Daryll Jordan Secondary School New York Chapter Alumni (DJSSNYCA) 155-61 115th Road, Jamaica, NY, 11434 President: Ms. Julie Greaves Tel: 718-490-0921 Email: juliemgmango@gmail.com Treasurer: Lorna Austin Tel: 917-885-6728 Email: laustin712verizon.net Email: djssnyc1971@gmail.com

Friends of Barbados DLP Association P. O. Box 160522 Brooklyn, NY, 11216 President: Ms. Marlene Taitt-Meade Tel: 347 673 6221/917 755 1275 Email: taittmeade@msn.com

HCQC Alumni Association USA 257 Macon Street Brooklyn, NY, 11216 Co-Chairs: Ms. Mary Symmonds & Mr. Michael Ashby Tel: 646-470-0179 Email: hcqcalumns@gmail.com

BARBADIAN ORGANIZATIONS The Barbadian Ex-Police Association

The Foundation School Alumni Association

St. Patrick’s Heritage & Community Association

703 Crown Street Brooklyn, NY, 11213 President: Mr. Wesley Hope Tel: 917-687-5431 Email: apmotwbh511@optonline.net

P. O. Box 528 Church Street Station Brooklyn, NY, 10008 President: Mrs. Beverly Callender Tel: 516-378-3792 Email: socabev@aol.com

47 Kings Road, Rockaway, New Jersey, 07866 President: Mr. Garvey Ince Tel: 201-572-1985 Email: gince@yahoo.com

The Barbados Nurses Association of America P. O. Box 231 Rugby Station Brooklyn, NY, 11203 President: Ms. Cicely Wilkinson Tel: 917-873-5820 Email: bnaa1967@gmail.com

The Barbados Support Group, Inc 371 East 58th Street Brooklyn, NY, 11203 President: Mrs. Sonia Clarke Tel: 917-612-7434 Email: bsgbarbados@gmail.com

Springer Memorial Alumnae Association 114-131 229th Street Cambria Heights, New York 11411 President: Ms. Patricia Belle Treasurer: Ms. Janice Smith Tel: 718-827-6016 Email: pbelle7370@aol.com

United Barbadians In Massachusetts (UBIM) P. O. Box 260951 Mattapan MA 02126 President: Ms. Maureen Prescod Tel: maureenprescod@aol.com Email: 508 631 2681

St. George Secondary Old Scholars International P. O. Box 120987 9402 Church Ave Brooklyn, NY, 11212 President: Ms. Sylvia Sealy Tel: 718 208 8086 Email: shondaisy61@outlook.com

Sports Clubs: The American Cricket League

Cambridge Cricket Club, Inc

Bajan Caribbean Domino League of NY

1162 East 43rd Street Brooklyn, NY 11210 President: Mr. John Wesley King Tel: 917-345-8849 Email: americancricketleagueinc@ gmail.com

P. O. Box 30080 Ruby Station, Brooklyn, NY, 11203 President: Ms. Alicia Connell Tel: 347 524 8275 Email: connellalicia@gmail.com

659 Winthrop Street Brooklyn, NY, 11203 President: Ms. Gail Jones Tel: 718-909-6350 Email: bedlny80@gmail.com | gailjones926@gmail.com

New Rochelle Cricket Club

P. O. Box 1643 New Rochelle, NY. 10801 President: Mr. Rupert Reid Tel: 914-582-0246 Email: nrcricketclub@optonline.net

Somerset Cricket Club 5 St. Paul’s Place Apt 3C Brooklyn, NY, 11226 President: Mr. Alvin Howard Tel: 347-607-1952 | 347-863-9998 Vice President: Mr. Brian Austin

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BARBADOS What You Should Know

Head of State - Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Prunella Mason, GCMG, D.A., Q.C.

Prime Minister – Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C.

Barbados is a Democratic Republic.

BARBADOS is 116 square miles (431km), the easternmost country in the Caribbean.

Population - 287 371 (2020) Attorney General – Honourable Dale Marshall, Q.C.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade - Senator Dr. The Most Honourable Jerome X. Walcott, FB, MBBS, FRCS, JP

FAMOUS FOR Natural Beauty – memorable vistas, year round great weather, endless beautiful beaches, flower-filled landscapes; all together make for one of the most spectacular and unforgettable places in the world.

Rum was invented in Barbados more than 300 years ago. The four major brands in production today generate massive sales and are top spirit award winners.

Flower Exhibitions – Barbados has won more some 20 gold awards at the Chelsea Flower Show along with 11 74

Currency – Barbados dollar. Exchange rate: Bds – US 2:1 Country Phone Code – 246

Main Economic Activities – tourism, financial services It is roughly four and a half hours from JFK, New York.

JetBlue, Caribbean Airways and American Airlines –through Miami – serve the island out of JFK

Crop Over It’s been called the Sweetest Summer Festival and dubbed More than a Carnival…Sweet Fuh Days! Crop Over is Barbados’ main showcase of all things cultural, with massive fetes of all sorts, exhibitions, heritage tours, street events, soca and calypso contests and rollicking cruises. It culminates in a massive street parade of colour, Kadooment.

Famous Barbadians

Cricketing Stars – Barbados has produced a dazzling array of cricketing icons, a long list of them amongst the greatest ever in the world. At the top of all in the world is National Hero the Rt. Excellent Garfield Sobers. The parade of stars includes George Challenor; the 3Ws – Sir Frank Worrell; Sir Clyde Walcott and Sir Everton Weekes; Sir Conrad Hunte; Sir Wes Hall and Sir Clyde Griffith; Joel Garner; Sir Desmond Haynes and Sir Gordon Greenidge; and Jason Holder.

Rt. Excellent Garfield Sobers, National Hero and world’s greatest cricketer Velma Scantlebury, first black female transplantation surgeon Alan Emptage, creator of the first Internet search engine, Archie, Rihanna, billionaire entertainment and fashion mogul

Popular Oistins Bay Gardens, gathering place for all to savour fish, drinks and entertainment Harrison’s Cave, natural limestone cave with other adventures built around it.

Nicholas Abbey, ancient plantation home with its own rum business and a train tour

Silver-Gilt and one Silver medal Architectural Heritage – A wealth of unique buildings give Barbados an added dimension. These include two of the three Jacobean dwellings existing in the western hemisphere – St. Nicholas Abbey and Drax Hall; the single storey architecture that defined Speightstown, St. Peter which is now a hallmark of Charlestown, South Carolina; Blackwoods Screw dock, the last one in the world; the oldest synagogue in the western hemisphere, the Nidhe Israel Synagogue built in 1654; the latter two part of Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2011.

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Interesting facts George Washington, America’s first President, step foot out of the US once.

In 1751, he spent seven weeks in Barbados. He was 19.

South Carolina and parts of North Carolina were colonised by Barbados.

Barbadian heritage is still very evident in Charlestown and the Gullah Geechie people.

Grapefruit is an indigenous fruit of Barbados.

West Indian Sea Island Cotton grown in Barbados is about the finest in the world.

Selected Offices .........................................................................................................................................................................................................

Prime Minister’s Office Government Headquarters, Bay Street, Bridgetown, St. Michael Phone: (246) 535 5300 /01 E-mail: pmbarbados@pmo. gov.bb.

Office of the Attorney General & Legal Affairs Jones Building, Webster’s Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael PBX: (246) 535 0467 Fax: (246) 535 0559 Email: ps@oag.gov.bb http://www.oag.gov.bb

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade 1 Culloden Road, St. Michael, Barbados, BB14018 Tel (246) 535 6620 Fax (246) 429 6652 barbados@foreign.gov.bb http://www.foreign.gov.bb

Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs & Investment Government Headquarters, Bay Street, Bridgetown, St. Michael Tel: (246) 535 5300/01 /02 Fax: (246) 535 5344 http://www.gov.bb/Ministries/ finance -economic-affairs

Ministry of Tourism & International Transport 4th and 5th Floors, One Barbados Place, Warrens, St. Michael, Barbados Tel: (246) 535 7500 Fax: (246) 436 4828 donna.cadogan@barbados. gov.bb https://www.gov.bb/ 76

Ministries/tourism Ministry of Health and Wellness Frank Walcott Building, Culloden Road, St. Michael, Barbados PBX: (246) 536 3800 Email: ps-secretary@health. gov.bb http://www.health.gov.bb

Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training Elsie Payne Complex, Constitution Road, St. Michael, Barbados Telephone: (246) 535 0600 Email: info@mes.gov.bb

Ministry of Small Business, Entrepreneurship & Commerce 1st Floor, Warrens Office Complex, Warrens St. Michael, Barbados Tel: (246) 535 7700 Email: commerce.ps@ barbadosbusiness.gov.bb http://www.gov.bb/Ministries/ small-business-commerce

Barbados Immigration Department BTI Corporate Centre, Princess Alice Highway, Bridgetown, BB11093 PBX: (246) 535 4100 Email: immigration. department@barbados.gov.bb

Customs and Excise Department 2ndFloor West Wing, Warrens Office Complex, Warrens, St. Michael, Barbados PBX: (246) 535 8701 Email: comptroller@customs. gov.bb

Barbados Revenue Authority Weymouth Corporate Centre, Roebuck Street, St. Michael, Barbados Telephone: (246) 535 8347 Fax: (246) 535 8075 http://bra.gov.bb

National Housing Corporation

Barbados Investment & Development Corporation Pelican House, Princess Alice Highway, Bridgetown St. Michael, Barbados, BB11000 Tel: (246) 427 5350 Fax: (246) 426 7802 bidc@bidc.org http://www.bidc.org

Barbados Bar Association “Leeton”, Perry Gap, Roebuck Street, Bridgetown, Barbados Telephone: 246 537 7316 Email:adminbarbadosbarasso ciation.com

Country Road, St. Michael, Barbados Telephone: (246) 536 5300 Email: nhc@nhc.gov.bb

Barbados Licensing Authority Pine East/West Boulevard, St. Michael, Barbados Telephone: (246) 535 8501

Town and Country Development Planning Office Ground Floor, West Wing, Warrens Office Complex, Warrens, St. Michael Tel: (246) 535 3000 Fax: (246) 535 3093 Email: http://www.townplanning. gov.bb

Consulate General of Barbados, New York 820 Second Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 1007 Tel. 212 551 4350 Fax 646 329 6601 Email: newyork@foreign.gov. bb

Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. btminy@visitbarbados.org

Invest Barbados Tel: 212 551 4375 Fax: 646 329 6758 Email: Newyork@ investbarbados.org

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Consulate General of Barbados 820, Second Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY, 10017 Tel: 212 551 4325 E: newyork@foreign.gov.bb

Consul General:

O St. E. Mackie Holder