Youth Award
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Ayisha I. Mapp
A
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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