The Barbados Gala 2023 Magazine and NY Consulate General Year in review

UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF

THE BARBADOS CONSUL GENERAL NY, MACKIE HOLDER

COMMEMORATIVE BOOKLET

&

NEW YORK CONSULATE GENERAL YEAR IN REVIEW

2023

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JACKIE SUMMERS FOUNDER/CEO

FROM BARBADOS TO BROOKLYN Enjoy Moroccan hibiscus blended with Brazilian clove, Indonesian cassia and Nigerian ginger. A Caribbean tradition born of the spice trade, this bright red drink is gently sweet, fruity, floral and spicy.

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Proud to be Bajan!

Lionel Craig, former Minister and Member of Parliament, once famously said he wished every Barbadian could have the opportunity to travel. To give us perspective.

After five years in New York, the appreciation of what we have in Barbados is even more heightened.

It has always been there in the small things. Strolling about at will.

Community life. Chilling at the beach.

Fresh air. Pudding and Souse.

But at what they call the macro level, there is wonder at the things we take for granted. Our democracy.

Free education system. Free access to health care. Economic management.

Our systems – however challenged and criticized, they work comparatively well. Just how well, overall, Barbados works and the lengths to which, with limited resources, care is taken of people.

Of course, it has been an honour to serve as Consul General at New York.

My grandmother would be proud.

I am especially proud of the achievements of our citizens and the wonderful image of Barbados they continue to set, and of the collaboration with associations and individuals on a range of matters.

The support of Consulate and country during the Covid-19 pandemic was marked unprecedented care and concern and a defining level of devotion to, and love of, country by Barbadians overseas.

Navigating various interactions and processes in the jurisdiction, I can say the quality of Barbadian talent and execution of projects are very much at an international level.

Internationally, Barbados has always had an outsize presence.These days,our international standing is at new levels, supercharged by the interventions of Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, very forthright, on the climate crisis, equity multilateral financing and in

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the proposing of the Bridgetown Initiative.

And ever so often, we come across a Barbadian who has or is contributing in a special way to how we are regarded internationally.

As we all work and will our country to build on our cherished and enviable heritage, let us not forget we have a great deal of which to be proud.

Of course, we are all proud of the Barbados Gala, among the slate of events that have elevated interactions in the various States under our jurisdiction. We are happy to bring another one featuring the very best of Barbados.

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As I transition from New York, it has been a pleasure and honour serving you and I thank everyone for your love, advice and support always.

Expect EXCELLENCE Much is distinctive about the Barbados Gala. But what remains constant is delivering an experience like no other from the combined talents of the best of Barbados’ culinary and entertainment personalities.

We always hope to set the standard for that once a year outstanding occasion befitting the celebration of our Independence and Republic Day that will remain in memory.

The three previous galas since 2019 have all been in line with the vision.

Tonight, you are enveloped in the spectacular Da Mikele Illiagio, to be entertained by this exceptional cast, even by our usual standards. It’s a cast of top class celebrities. Lil Rick enjoyed being a part of last year’s gala, that he is back again this year. To DJ, but knowing Rick…..

Philip

“CASANOVA”

There is no mixologist like Philip “Casanova” Antoine. He is energy, style and a genius of liquid creations.

Trained as an interior decorator, he started the career that has made him a star in 2006. He has been Barbados Bartender of the Year numerous times, won the inaugural Embassy Chef Challenge and owns Casanova Liquid Artistry.

Philip spends most of his time promoting Barbados as the mixologist of choice for Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., (BTMI). He has travelled throughout the Caribbean, USA, Canada, UK and to many countries in Africa and the Middle East.

Chef

DAMIAN

Barbados team, of which he was a member, won the Caribbean National Team of the Year. 2018, Again, he reigned supreme as the Barbados Chef of the year.As adept at pastry as he is at savoury, Chef Day Day, as he is called, is also one of Barbados’ top culinary ambassadors, representing Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., (BTMI), in numerous countries. At home or abroad, his gastronomic artistry always wins rave reviews. Damian is married to Chef Ann-Marie and they have two daughters.

Chef Culinary rockstar Damian Leach is known for extracting new flavours and creating new sensations from traditional favourites, gaining untold fans worldwide for Barbadian staples like breadfruit and Blackbelly lamb. His main restaurant, Cocktail Kitchen, in St. Lawrence Gap, is one of the top eateries in Barbados – he is also co-owner of the lunch spot The Mill & Co. located in St.Thomas. At 13, Leach took a Food and Nutrition class as punishment and discovered his passion. He studied General Catering at the Barbados Hospitality Institute and then earned Le Grand Diplome from Le Cordon Bleu in Pastry and Cuisine. After some years in Canada, he returned to Barbados and developed his skills at Tapas over six years, becoming Head Chef. In 2016, he won Barbados Chef of the Year and Caribbean Chef of the year - one of only three Barbadian Chefs to hold the prestigious title.

That same year he won the NIFCA (National Independence Festival of Creative Arts) Chef of the Year and the Governor General’s Award of Excellence. In 2017, let’s add a Gold for Best Seafood at the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s Taste of the Caribbean Competition. The

ANN-MARIE

Mini Banana Almond Cookies with spiked bay leaf and chai latte. Vegan Pudding and Souse, a vegan take on our traditional Saturday favourite featuring local mushroom, breadfruit and green banana, pickle and steamed pudding.

Split Pea and Plantain Roti Bites served with a bright coconut yogurt. These are among the favourites of Chef AnnMarie Leach. She received Le Grande Diplome in both cuisine and patisserie at Le Cordon Bleu International School of Culinary Arts. After finding a new passion for vegan food and wellness, she became a plant-based wellness

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chef. She started Yummy Mummies, which specialises in vegan/plant based meal prep, in 2017.

She also runs wellness retreats and monthly detoxes. Chef Ann-Marie is married to Chef Damian Day Day Leach.

Terencia

Coward - TC

singing soca, gospel, soul or jazz.

Additionally, Activism and mentorship is part of her legacy. In 2010, she joined the UN WOMEN campaign: UNite To End Violence Against Women and Girls and this relationship continues with her actively involved in training workshops and other projects in the region. In 2019, she continued in her role as women’s champion, with her song Iron Lady. She is now focusing on giving back, and spent 2022 and 2023 as chief mentor of BAJE to the World, a programme of the Community Development Department in the Ministry of Youth, Sport & Community Empowerment that unearths new Barbadian talent.

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RPB - Stedson

WILTSHIRE

The People’s Queen, the little lady with the big voice, a Barbadian history maker in entertainment – that’s Terencia Coward – TC. Enjoying 40 years in music, she started singing at the age of 15 on a dare to go on stage and sing, placing second in the Richard Stoute Teen Talent Contest. The former co-lead vocalist of the band Coalishun has established herself as a solo artiste with three albums, New Direction, Colour Me Soca and Colour Me Soca Volume II), and multiple soca and calypso classics. These include mega hits Wrong Name (Kim), Jammers (Yes), Hot Sun & Riddim, Know What Yuh Got, Paradise and 10 000 Strong.

TC made history in 2009 winning the inaugural Sweet Soca Monarch and Party Monarch competition on the same day at Farley Hill National Park singing Hot Sun & Riddim. In 2010, she retained her Sweet Soca Monarch title. A Perennial Finalist in the Pic O De Crop Competition, the winner of seven Barbados Music Awards and two international music awards, TC is known for her absolute command of stage in live performances, whether

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Everyone knows him as RPB. He is Barbados’ most acclaimed homebased entertainer. You definitely know the soca hits: Something’s Happening, Ragga Ragga, Volcano, Wrong Gal, Something in de Music, Can’t Find Me Brother, If Ah Sweet Ah Sweet, Maizie, Once Upon a Wine, Spontaneous, Ah Lick She, Boat Ride, I Love It, I Am Alive, I Can’t Imagine. There is so much to RPB:

• Title - STEDSON “RPB” WILTSHIRE FB, D.Litt., BSS, BJH CULTURAL AMBASSADOR FOR BARBADOS Professional entertainer, composer and lyricist with thirty-nine years’ experience.

• A founder member and current director of COSCAP (Copyright

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Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) Former member of the Barbados Copyright Tribunal and Board of the Barbados Cultural Industries Agency.

Ambassador for the National Tourism Host Programme, and a Cultural Ambassador of Barbados.

Won the St. Philip Calypso competition for three consecutive years in 1979, 1980 and 1981 The youngest calypsonian to win the National Pic-O-De-Crop Calypso Competition in 1982, at 21.

Winner of national competition an unprecedented ten times, the Tune of the Crop on two occasions, Congaline Road March in 2000, People’s Monarch 2015, Stag Jam Tune 2017 and Sweet Soca Monarch in 2011 and 2017.

Has recorded 25 albums, with a repertoire of over 400 songs.

Composed the winning song in the Caribbean Song Contest on three occasions.

Written songs for Arrow of Hot Hot Hot fame, Swallow, Alison Hinds, TC and Nathalee and other calypsonians around the region.

Penned one of Barbados all-time most popular songs, Spring Garden on Fire for Ras Iley • Has judged several competitions at home and abroad, including The Caribbean Song Contest in Trinidad and Tobago and the Bermuda Song Contest • H a s thrilled audiences throughout the Caribbean, USA, Canada, United Kingdom, China, Brazil, Australia, Germany and South Africa.

Has performed at The Apollo Theatre in NY, Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre in NY, Lincoln Centre, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Bailey Music Hall in Florida, Hammersmith Palais, London and

Club Coconuts in Dublin, Ireland.

• RPB has three National Honours – the Freedom of Barbados (FB) in 2021, the Barbados Jubilee Honour (BJH) in 2016, and the Barbados Service Star (BSS) in 1995 • Other awards include the Jammy Award 1994 (Jamaica Music Award); Sunshine Awards in 1994, 1995 and 2000;Reggae Soca Awards,Best Song and Soca Artist of the year 1994; Entertainer of the year 1994; Pride of Barbados Award 2003 and 2012; Barbados Music Award 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; Brands of Barbados Award, Lifetime Achievement Award from the Barbados Film Festival for his contribution to the Arts and the Board of Tourism Award for the promotion of Barbados abroad.

• Has received awards in the US cities of Boston,Tampa,Atlanta, New York, New Jersey and Washington DC, and in Toronto, Canada.

• Honoured by the Governor of Maryland for his contribution to the citizens of the state.

• In 2019, conferred an Honorary Doctorate by the University of the West Indies.

• Inducted into the Sunshine Awards Hall of Fame in October 2019.

• Called the king of Ragga Soca and hailed as its pioneer, his music has been featured in films and other areas.

• RPB is best known worldwide for his song Ragga Ragga, which is recorded in seven languages, and featured on the Sony compilation, Dance Pool,Volume 2, with the likes of Celine Dion and Culture Club.

• Ragga Ragga is also featured in the Irish movie The Sparrow’s Nest along with another of his compositions Not Me and That.

• Ragga Ragga was played at the NBA final in Chicago in 1996 and has sparked a dance movement in Colombia called the Ragga Ragga Dance.

• His Tune of the Crop winning song Can’t Find Me Brother is featured in the HBO movie Some People.

• His 1998 winning song in the national calypso competition, What Kind of World, was featured on a

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Discovery Channel compilation CD of music from all over the world.

He has appeared in two movies, Vigilante - the Crossing and Barrow – Freedom Fighter.

He has been featured in many magazines and was the front cover of the winter edition of Air Canada’s En Route inflight magazine in 1992.

RPB wrote the foreword for the book, Mighty Sparrow Calypso King of the World, authored by Odimumba Kwambela.

Wiltshire is an avid cricket lover he represented Barbados at youth level in 1980 and is still involved in community cricket.

He founded the Red Foundation in 2018, which focuses on poverty relief, education and community development projects.

He coordinated a school’s programme called Tang Break, making motivational speeches at more than 60 primary schools in the island.

RPB continues to mentor youth across Barbados, and to hold workshops on writing and composition both locally and regionally.

He has been at the forefront of many campaigns aimed at educating and bringing heightened awareness to social ills.

In 1989, he wrote the song Everybody Needs a Heart, which was sung by a number of local artistes to help raise much needed funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Drug Abuse, which he also composed, brought together local artistes who not only helped to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse in the society but assisted in securing funds for the association to continue its work in educating and rehabilitating persons.

RPB wrote Barbados’ COVID-19 response song:This Is Who We Are. His philosophy is:“It’s not what you have that makes you happy; it is your ability to be happy with what you have.”

Lil Rick – Ricardo “Ricky”

REID

In 2023, it was more of the same for Lil Rick. He dominated the Crop Over scene with Mind Off, a collaboration with Jus Jay - the latest in a string of amazing hits.

Lil Rick is, by far, the most popular home-based Barbados entertainer and has been for two decades – with no end to his No. 1 status in sight anytime soon.

He touches everything that makes a performer in a class of his own – ever popular songs, prolific production, versatility, dynamism on stage, consistency with quality, unique phrasing and ability to connect with all audiences.

• Lil Rick is a DJ, writer, producer, rhythm creator and as an entertainer, the embodiment of Barbados culture, with more than 30 years as a performer.

• His monikers include Hypa Dawg, Board Face, the Chihuahua Businessman, Rickey Minaj and Ugly Dawg.

• Hits include De Party Mad. Happy Birthday. Pelau. Hypa Dawg. Girls Gone Wild. Guh Down. Work. All is Rum. Sugar Lump. Can’t Wait. Cyan Bother Me. I like Muhself. Mudda

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Sally. Hard Wine. Blessing. Can’t Style Me.True Story. Gym Instructor.

Hover It. Breakfast in Bed. Do Fuh Do. Breakaway. Wine Um Down. I’z A Bajan. Monster Winer. Balance Batty. Conch. Friends. Jones and Wuk Up. Ben It. Jam Down. Mash Up and Buy Back.Wine Tief. Bumper Inspector. Down Behind the Truck, Guh Down. Sugar Lump.Thank God for Life.Yea. All is Rum. It Aint Me.

• Rick’s Sunday School, his DJ signature online show featuring oldies and hot soca, is massively popular.

• In 2006, he was chosen for the launch of MTV Tempo.

• He won a number of Barbados Music Awards including Best Soca Single, Entertainer of the Year and the Cornerstone Award.

• Lil Rick began DJing at 12 and is known for his range on the turntables.

• He was first a dub star and at 16 opened for Jamaican dancehall king Beenie Man, later sealing his status opening for Buju Banton and Mad Cobra.

• His national popularity began with the songs like Glamour Girl (Dollar) Wine and You Got Talk Fuh Me. • Soca propelled Lil Rick when in 1997 he dropped Bumper Inspector and Hard Wine.

• In 1998 he won his first of six Party Monarch Titles with Down Behind the Truck.

• He has won four Tune of the Crop competitions and one Sweet Soca crown.

• He was the first Bashment Soca Competition winner.

• He has recorded back to back wins and multiple wins in a year and in 2018, he won four of the seven titles up for grabs and even placed fourth in the Pick of the Crop Finals. Rick has surprised with his range with songs such as Til Morning Come, Monsta Winer and Be My Girl.

• He has seven albums: Challenge (1997), We Surviving (1999), More Hype (2003) Spontaneous (2005), The Crave (2008), I Like Myself (2012) and Lil Rick HD and Friends, (2013).

• His Dis is Rick concert is an anuual Crop Over staple.

• He is a staple on every major show in Barbados and has performed throughout the Caribbean, the USA, Canada, and the UK.

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DJ

Fathead

DJ Fathead,christened Frank Griffith, started DJing in 1982 as a senior Christ Church Foundation School, Barbados.

His major influences were the two top DJs of the day, Admiral Nelson and Wayne “Kool” Simmons.

He migrated to the US in 1993 and started to take DJing more seriously.

Over the years, he has had the pleasure of performing with artistes such as RPB, Lil Rick, Mikey Mercer, Shaquille, Leadpipe and Saddis as well as Buggy Nhakente.

DJ Fathead now owns his mobile DJ business, performing in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut area playing all genres of music. In addition, he frequently performs in Toronto, Canada and has a standard booking with the Barbados New Rochelle Cricket Club, NY, for their Labor Day boat ride.

He also has a Monday night radio show hosted on SweetRiddim. com from 7pm – 11pm, simulcast on Facebook and My Zoom Room ID#7228983035 – Passcode:968113.

His favorite genres to play are groovy soca, lovers rock, old dub and House music.

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Adrian

CLARKE

The steel pan player of choice in the Tri-state, Adrian Clarke offers a wide repertoire, with selections for church events and birthday parties to large music events. His website, Panoccasions, is full of rave reviews of his playing.

Adrian’s recordings can be found on Soundcloud and he has produced two CDs, Expressions In Steel, the Many Moods of Pan and Sweeter This Time.

The former Harrisonian, started playing pan after immigrating to New York in the mid-1970s. The late Irving Burgie, who wrote Barbados National Anthem, was a fan and so is pop star Billy Ocean.

Unbelievably, playing pan is a side gig.Adrian, a former junior high school teacher, with a BA and two Masters degrees, is the history making Director of the Prospect Park Tennis Center in Brooklyn, NY. A short story writer, he is married to Sonia.

Pinnacle Award

Dr. Eusi SKEETE – Director, Canada, Barbados

Tourism Marketing Inc., (BTMI).

That the US market is pulsating to the extent of equaling and at points surpassing, traffic to Barbados from the UK market, for years the No 1 source for visitors, is in no small measure due to Eusi Skeete who, until recently was Director, USA, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., (BTMI).

That this shift was achieved this with a staff of four for much of the past few years – he assumed the role in April 2021 - is testimony to his management skills, his knowledge of, and passion for, the Tourism and Hospitality industry and devotion to succeeding for Barbados.

With a combination of sheer hard work and a mix of community and

trade activities, and creative events and partnerships, Skeete, supported by his team, which at its peak was six, has added airlift to existing routes, gained new flights, moved new events to Barbados and energized the diaspora – all adding to welcome results.

For instance,in September,Barbados saw 12,128 stopovers from the USA, up 18.0% from the 10,279 received in September 2022. And for the first nine months of 2023, stopovers from the USA increased by 14.7%, from 112,239 in the first nine months of 2022 to 128,794 stopovers.

Highly regarded as a shining light in tourism circles, not only an innovator but also an implementer, Eusi is now more than two decades working in all aspects of what is Barbados’ lifeblood.

Previously, the Vice Consul/Senior Business Development, Eusi joined the then BTA in 2004, initially on an internship. Apart from his work with Barbados, he is also known for his mentorship and his work with the Caribbean Tourism Organization on various initiatives, including serving as the Chair of the Rum & Rhythm Benefit Committee for eight years.

Eusi is an inspirational figure, known for his kindness, devotion to friends and promotion of his team.

He survived a near-fatal car crash with limited hand function on his right side to be an amazing success. Needless to say, he enjoys life; he is a fan of soca and Afrobeats, sports, especially basketball, and loves travelling – he has visited at least 80 countries.

He holds degrees in Hospitality Management, Tourism and Travel Management as well as Global Affairs. At Kingsborough College, between 2002 and 2004, he achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA, the College’s 2004 valedictorianship, a Leon M. Goldstein Award for Public Service, the

presidency of the International Student Union, membership in a dozen campus organizations, and student leadership in the campus’s renowned Tourism and Hospitality Department, where he worked to strengthen ties between the College and the Barbados Tourism Department. All that while doing a 25hour work week in the KCC Career Services Office.

He is a CTO Foundation award recipient and holds the distinction of being recognized by Travel Agent Magazine as Top Supplier Representative in the International Tourist Board category on multiple occasions. He is the recent recipient of the “Jerry Award” for outstanding contribution to regional tourism and unwavering dedication to sustainable growth and development of the Caribbean.

Eusi recently moved to Canada to become BTMI Director there. But when you catch a flight out of Miami, Newark, Boston, Dulles and JFK, or hear or read about the Barbados multiyear deal with the New York Giants initiated in April this year, or Faba (For Alumni by Alumni) Fest, - the gathering of alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) – in Barbados, the first of which was in June, or think about Barbados in New York, reminisce about A Taste of Oistins or recall the frenzy over the marketing masterstroke of Chefette in New York and Boston – remember Eusi played a major role in these defining developments.

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Pinnacle Award

Dr. Gale GIBSON-GAYLE - Educator/ Education Administrator

Earlier this year, St. Francis College of New York, a offered $2 million worth of scholarships to Barbados. At the beginning of November, a recruiting drive was held in Barbados and it is expected that shortly students will benefit from short and long term study programmes at St. Francis.

Additionally, St. Francis partnered with the Consul General of Barbados at New York, Mackie Holder, to host a town hall meeting in September at which Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds interacted with the Barbadian community.

All this was the work of Barbadian Dr. Gale Gibson Gayle, VP of Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate, Online and Professional Programs at St. Francis, who has had a distinguished career in education, as a teacher and administrator.

Dr. Gayle started her teaching career at North Carolina State University as an Adjunct Faculty in the School of Education and Psychology. She has been an Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and full Professor.

Dr. Gayle’s administrative experiences span numerous institutions where she served in roles from Director of Freshman Year Programs, Assistant Dean of Student Support Services, Associate Dean of Counseling Center, founding Dean of the College of Freshman Studies, Chief Academic Officer & Provost, President, Chief Online Learning Officer, Academic Director for the Athletic Tutoring Center, Housing and Resident Life Director.

Dr. Gayle’s research area is focused on underrepresented students in higher education and their academic performance. She has written on retention, progression, and completion of at-risk students.She has received over 50 awards and honors for outstanding service.

Dr. Gayle has been an evaluator on the Southern Association of Colleges 10

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and Schools Commission on Colleges and Middle States Commission on Higher Education, having previously guided two institutions to Middle States compliance.

She has held membership in 37 organizations and has held 40 professional affiliations and or board memberships. She has published over six articles and book chapters, presented at over 31 local, national and international conferences and been featured in the NY Times and on numerous television shows.

Achievement Award

Winfield S. CLARKE - Horticulturist Winfield Clarke is an inspiring one of starting from the bottom and succeeding through a love for his job, ongoing learning and seizing every opportunity to climb to the top.

Born and raised in St. Phillip, Barbados, he immigrated to the United States in May 1990 and began working for the City of Boston in June 1999 as a laborer. Today, Clarke is the Superintendent of Parks Maintenance for the City of Boston. His duties include supervising foremen, machine operators and laborers for the Parks and Recreation Department. His goal is to enhance and beautify the urban communities’ green spaces.

His journey through the Parks and Recreation Department included Foreman in the Horticulture department in charge of the Historical James Kelleher Botanical Rose Garden and the Boston Public Gardens. He also held the position of Executive Assistant of Horticulture and Greenhouse Manager, developing a sensible integrated plant management system and various

propagation methods. As Greenhouse Manager, he utilized hydroponic and natural settings to determine optimal plant growing condition. He oversaw the garden design for the Boston Public Garden and other city open spaces.

Winfield has received certification from the University of Massachusetts Green School in Landscape Management, Greenhouse Crops and Floriculture. Additionally, he is trained in Urban Forestry and Community Engagement and Turf Management, including plant selection, pest and nutrient management and maintenance.

Winfield is collaborating and consulting with the Barbados National Conservation Commission, (NCC), of the Department of the Ministry of the Environment and National Beautification. His interaction includes instructing interns regarding growing a variety of flower seeds, propagation and working with the Greenhouse Integrated Plant Management (IPM) program. The management program

consists of fertilizing, disease and fungicide control.

Winfield has been recognized and featured in the Boston Globe newspaper over the years for his work at the New England Spring Flower Show, tropical section in the Boston Park and Recreation Greenhouses, and the James Kelleher Rose Garden.

the billing and registration staff. He is regarded for his excellent management, problem solving and communication skills and has in-depth knowledge of Managed Care billing requirements, reimbursement methodologies and governmental compliance.

Most of all, he is known for

implementing efficient systems and meeting targets.

Ifill, to his friends Cassa, has been Director of Patient Financial Services since 2013 at New York Presbyterian.

Before that, held the same post at New York Downtown Hospital, where he successfully transitioned the New York Downtown Hospital Account Receivables and billing- staff from an outsource vendor back into the in-house operations, substantially increasing monthy collections and reducing Accounts Receivable.

He was Assistant VP, Revenue Cycle at Interfaith from 2007 to 2011 and Director, Patient Accounts from January 2005 – August 2007.

At St. Vincent’s, Allan was Manager, Accounts Receivable Management from 2003-2005; Manager Inpatient Billing, follow-up and cash posting from 2002 – 2003 and Supervisor, Managed care Billing/ Cash Posting, from 1989 – 2002.

Allan IFILL ~ Hospital Financial Expert

Allan Ifill excels in the difficult area of managing hospital finances. He has over 25 years of health care experience with New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York Downtown Hospital, Interfaith Medical Center and Saint Vincent’s Hospital, covering a broad scope of disciplines, including operational administration, billing, collections, accounts receivable management, CDM management, denial management and managed care contract compliance.

He has worked with other leaders and managers to develop and implement training programmes to provide education on regulatory compliance to

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Achievement Award He holds an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Kingsborough Community College, a BSc in the same discipline from Bernard

Baruch College, both in New York, and has attended multiple Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) seminars on Accounts

Receivable Management, Medicare and Medicaid Billing and Compliance and attended numerous courses on Labor Relations and leadership boot camps.

Alva STUART – Multilayered Gogetter

Alva Stuart is a dynamic individual who effortlessly wears many hats, seamlessly transitioning between

roles as a Special Education Teacher, NYS Licensed Teacher, Notary Public, Licensed Life Agent, NYS Licensed Funeral Director and the proud mother of two.

Her diverse skill set and unwavering commitment to excellence have earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious title of Business Woman of the Year in 2022.With an impressive 24 years in the industry, Alva has carved a niche for herself as a multifaceted professional.

For over a decade, she has served as a licensed Funeral Director, accumulating 12 years of invaluable experience in the field. Her journey

led her to establish Stuart’s Funeral Services, a distinguished establishment that caters to families across boroughs, counties, and even countries and offers a full range of services.

Alva continues to make a difference in the lives of others as a devoted NYS Licensed Special Education Teacher.

Her passion for education, coupled with her compassionate nature, shines through in her work, leaving a lasting impact on students and their families.

She is also a Licensed Life Agent, and a strong supporter of the Barbadian community, contributing to and attending numerous events, and assisting various causes.

Chef Renee Blackman – Private Chef and Caterer Everyone, from her celebrity clients to attendees of the Barbados Food and Rum Festival, who has the pleasure of having a meal prepared by Chef Renee Blackman sings her praises.

First is the plating – if food must look good, she is an architect in this regard.

But the proof is in the eating, and her food is exceptional, rated by some as better than five star restaurants.

She is now a private chef to the stars and operates her own catering company and has created a top selling barbecue sauce line, Chef Renee’s Sexy BBQ Sauce.

Chef Renee left Barbados at eight, moving to Texas, but her flavours are rooted in the land of her birth, vegetarian or non-vegetarian, savoury or sweet, inspired by her mother Colleen and grandmother Hazel,

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sparking her fascination with food.

At the age of 16, she attended an early culinary program in New York where she excelled quickly. Exhibiting extreme interest in technique and presentation, she was deemed the lead chef amongst her peers. After discovering her niche of combining food and art, Chef Renee began creating elaborate dishes for friends and family members.

She has worked at restaurants such as Tommy Bahama and Union Square Hospitality Group. As Executive Sous Chef, she opened the Delta Sky Club at JFK International Airport and holds a high honor as one of the Chefs who cooked at the James Beard house. She has also worked for Creative Edge Parties, Pinch Food Design and Cloud Catering, some of New York City’s most

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prestigious catering companies.

Chef Renee’s drive led her to open her own business in 2019, her first booking being Elle’s Magazine 30th

Achievement Award anniversary celebration, and her talent has gained her a host of top clients and brands. These include basketball superstar Kevin Durant, actor Jared Leto and American football stars Odell Beckham, Jr. and Saquon Barkley.

Apart from the Barbados Food and Rum Festival, she has appeared at Essence Fest, St. Martin’s Festival de la Gastronomie and Caribbean Tradishon,

by Best Dressed Plate, a privately curated gastronomic experience at various locations that is dedicated to Caribbean chefs and cuisine.

She has been featured in numerous publications, including Ebony Magazine, Huffington Post, New York Post and Hamptons Magazine.

Somewhat shy in person, Chef Renee is a dynamo in the kitchen.

Always up to a challenge in her drive for excellence, she has appeared on Netflix’s Pressure Cooker and Food Network’s Chopped and Kitchen Crash.

The Rev. Canon RYAN BOYCE – Episcopal Priest

Known for his frank and intense sermons, Rev. Boyce is The Rector of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church Hollis, Queens, a position he assumed in 2021.

Multitalented, with strong community work and social work credentials and an interest in music, he holds a BA in Law and Political Science, from UWI, Cave Hill, and graduated from Codrington College.

He was ordained as a Deacon in 2007 and entered the Priesthood in 2008.After Seminary, he spent a year in the Diocese of North Eastern Caribbean and Aruba in the Arch Deanery of St. Kitts.

In Barbados, he served as Curate of St. Leonard’s Anglican Church and Christ Church Parish Church. He then served as Priest-in-charge of the St. Catherine’s Church, overseeing the extension and rededication of the Church.

He also served on the Board of the Barbados National Housing Corporation, (NHC), chairing the Human Resources, Legal and Policy subcommittee; the Barbados Child Care Board, with special oversight of delinquency within the Children’s homes; and was Acting Chaplain of the Barbados’ Boys and Girls Industrial School (Juvenile Delinquency Incarceration).

Relocating to the USA, Rev. Boyce became Priest-in Charge of the St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Atlantic City, New Jersey where his knowledge

in Canon Law led to the drafting and registering of new and compliant bylaws along the restructuring of the sanctuary and worship.

He was also Police Chaplain of Pleasantville Police and Fire Department, volunteer chaplain to New Jersey Department of Justice Juvenile Correctional Facilities, New Jersey’s First responder Chaplain and served as the School Counsellor of the Star of the Seas Regional Catholic School of New Jersey.

Further, Rev. Boyce served as a public volunteer Probation Supervisor for the Atlantic County Probation Department, has also been a Diocesan Appointee on the Prison Ministry

Committee and the Cathedral chapter, and served as the Co-Chair of the Black Clergy Caucus. He has also been Guest lecturer of Major Religions at the Stockton University.

Additionally,he has completed many professionally accredited certificate courses in pastoral studies, HIV/Aids Education and Counseling, holds a certificate in Chaplaincy from the International Fellowship of Chaplains Inc., and one in Police Chaplaincy from the Police Chaplaincy Program Institute of the USA. Passionate about Barbados, church outreach and youth development, this very knowledgeable Anglo-Catholic liturgist loves to play the organ in his spare time.

Rev. Canon Boyce is currently completing a Master’s of Science in Forensic and Counseling Psychology, having completed the A Level Law certificate from the Cambridge International Examinations Council, UK.

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Friend of the Consulate Award

Roosevelt Corbin - Chef

Roosevelt Corbin is Mr. Barbados.

He does not miss an opportunity to display his patriotism – even though he left the country 47 years ago.

If he could, he would wear to work

blue, black and gold at the popular Palm Court Restaurant in the Plaza Hotel, Manhattan, where he is a chef.

But he can be found decked out in Barbados’ national colours on any given day and especially at any major Barbados event.

Chefette in New York, Corbin was there. Q in the community, Corbin was there. Barbados Day, Corbin was there, Polo in Connecticut, Corbin was there.

Prime Minister’s town hall, Yes, there, too.

Needless to say, he supports the Consulate General at New York fully. Once it is anything to do with Barbados, he will show up or support as suggested.

“Bacca”, as he is called, from Checker Hall, St. Lucy, migrated to the USA at the age of 19 with his mother and five siblings. Although Roosevelt left Barbados 47 years ago, it is obvious that he loves and holds his country close to his heart.

He keeps connected to Barbados

in every way when not visiting. This includes listening to the CBC TV show “Good Morning Barbados” every day and watching YouTube videos featuring Nicholas Dean, who live streams all the hidden gems of Barbados. Additionally, Roosevelt watches “the news” to keep up to date on current events that affect Barbadians and, of course, cricket matches and Q in the Community. His favorite radio stations are Q 100.7, Lady J, The DJ and VOB. He also loves listening to On the Roof Deck.

Roosevelt has been married to Sharon for the past 23 years; they share a son Jared and he is the stepfather of three girls, Faythe, Ciliena and Sherene, and has an older daughter Diandra from a previous marriage. He dotes over his grand-son Zakai, stepdaughter Faythe’s son, who calls him “Baba”.

The family man is a proud Adventist and attends church whenever he can. He enjoys traveling with his wife to different countries, and being the person he is, he can strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere.

You can bet the conversation will be about Barbados.

Lester IFILL – Content Creator/New Technology Professional/Musician

A sure way to raise Lester Ifill’s temperature is to say something negative about Barbados. From the Pine, St. Michael, he is passionate about his homeland, to which he is still very attached, having been in the USA only eight years.

From a music family – his brother is well-known vocalist Mike Remie – he is particularly interested in Barbados culture,documenting it and propagating it online.

Lester is on the younger side of Barbadians involved in maintaining and advancing the community in New York, working with churches and in the media sphere. He is also unhesitating in participating in activities of the Consulate.

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An accomplished director of photography, Web developer, app creator, editor and producer, Lester is also a videographer adept at editing, shooting and production and proficient in numerous design and music software.

He has completed numerous specialist courses.These include studies at the Hebron Evangelical Bible Institute, where he pursued Advanced Theology and General Bible courses; Behind the Camera and Advanced Editing at the BBC in Lancashire, England; the technical aspect of media at the Commonwealth Secretariat in Edinburgh, Scotland, and scriptwriting at the University of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Currently studying advanced

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animation, he is the Business Development Manager at NYCaribNews.

He previously served as a Senior Technology Director and Web Master at NicollsGroup, and in Barbados worked with Barbados Today and Kingdom Life

Friend of the Consulate Award Ministries, among others.

Lester has independently produced and edited content for renowned entities like UNICEF, Caribbean Media Corporation, Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, and

several government ministries including the Belize Ministry of Education.

His expertise in music includes playing keyboards, percussion and bass guitar, being a band director performing gospel and jazz and work as a session

Ian BOYCE – Musician

Ian“BassBwoy”Boyce is,deceptively, laid back. He is a man of strong convictions and has the same passion about being present and supporting Barbadian initiatives.

His backdrop is gospel music. At 11, he picked up a bass for the first time and soon was playing at a church in his district in St. Thomas. By the time he was in his late teens, he was touring with one of Barbados’s top gospel bands, performing through the Caribbean and with some of Barbados’ best artistes who shared stages with the likes of international superstars Kirk Franklin, Jessie Dixon, Shirley Ceaser and Hezekiah Walker, Morgan Heritage, and Barrington Levi..

In Barbados he also worked alongside the Grammy nominated producer, Nicholas Brancker as his studio engineer, producing for some of the Caribbean’s best - Square One & Krossfyah from Barbados, Machel

Montano & Atlantik from Trinidad, SSW from Suriname and Dread and the Baldhead from Antigua).

In 2005, Ian relocated to New York City to further pursue his career in the music industry and has worked many independent artists in the genres of pop, gospel, reggae, and rhythm and blues. He was the lead bassist for

Tracy Jordan – Attorney at Law

Tracy Jordan so connected with her homeland that it is a surprise to learn she left Barbados at four years. Not only does she travel there at every opportunity but she keeps updated

on all matters related to the country, whether international affairs, diaspora affairs or Barbados’ internal politics.

She is particularly interested in the challenges of encouraging interest among young Barbadians to become invested in relevant activities, connecting younger Barbadians and ensuring they have an appreciation of Barbados’ heritage.

Tracy is one of the younger Barbadians to be involved in the Consulate’s activities, whether participating in a church service or attending the Prime Minister’s Town Hall.

musician. He was a member of the popular Miraclettes in Barbados and was the second keyboardist on Evidence, by Reverend Timothy Wright and the New York Fellowship Mass Choir.

the Emmy Award winning Mama Foundation of The Arts, producers of the musicals Mama I Want To Sing and Sing Harlem Sing.

Ian’s debut album Diary of A Quarantined Musician, released on September 21st, 2021 was birthed as a result of the Global Pandemic COVID19.

His sophomore album, Existence, was released July 19th, 2022, and debuted on the iTunes US Jazz charts at number 38, reaching number 15 later that week. His third album, Don’t Stop The Music was released on March 23rd, 2023.

Ian is currently Technical Director, Beulah Church of the Nazarene, Brooklyn, a position he has held since 2019.

His previous jobs include teaching at Happy Home Academy, a Barbadianowned school in Brooklyn; being a Counsellor at the St. Michael School in Barbados and a five year stint at Caribbean Aircraft Handling, Grantley Adams Airport.

A fashionista, Ian is hoping to build an additional aspect of Barbadian interaction through intimate concerts.

A lawyer, Tracy holds a Bachelor of Arts (Magna cum Laude) Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY; Juris Doctor (J.D.), Howard University School of Law, Washington, DC and a M.A. in Educational Psychology, City University of New York, New York, NY. She has worked in a number of capacities including Project Manager and eDiscovery Attorney for various companies and has worked for some of the top law firms including Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton and Garrison LLP. Formerly President of the Cornerstone Homeowners Association, she is the current President District 22 Community Education Council.

Tracey, who loves travelling, is determined that her daughter understands her heritage.

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Association Award

Grace PADMORE – Springer Memorial Alumnae

Association

A proud member of Springer Memorial Alumnae Association for over ten years, Grace Padmore is Immediate Past President of the association, which she has also served as Public Relations Officer.

She brings her connections and businesslike approach to Springer and her contributions have helped to keep it dynamic, though it is one of the smaller Barbadian organisations.

Like all “Springer Queens”, Grace is passionate about giving back to her alma mater, which she attended from 1964 – 1970, one of the 300 students who entered the gates on opening day.

In 2014, she was among a group of alumnae members from New York who travelled to Barbados for Springer’s 50th Anniversary celebration at the Hilton Hotel.

Living the school motto, Members One of Another, Grace, along with Springer members, rally to assist the school in every respect, but mainly provides school supplies and graduation prizes and support to students.

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An ever-present face in the Barbadian community in New York for more than 50 years, Grace is often seen supporting other Barbadian associations as well as events by individual promoters and charity drives.

Moving from Hindsbury Primary School, she excelled at Springer Memorial Secondary School. She was a member of Litherland House, the school choir, drama group, netball team and a dominant member of the track and field team. In her final year at Interschool Sports, she won the 100, 200, 400-yard races and was a member of the winning team relay race. She also was first in the high jump and second in the long jump at event, held at Kensington Oval.

Grace also played netball for Hotspurs Netball team before emigrating to the USA in 1970, She continued her education at James Madison High School, graduating in 1973.

She worked in banking, insurance and advertising before landing at Empire State Development, (ESD) for thirtyfive and a half years. As Office Manager and Project Associate in the Loans and Grants Department, there, she oversaw administrative staff and led ESDs efforts to support new business ventures/ initiatives.

Grace was also the assistant to several Senior Vice Presidents throughout the years in the L&G Department and concurrently assisted the Executive Vice President of the Business Attraction & Expansion Department with new private sector investments and job creations, as well as expansion and attraction of companies, nationally and globally, to New York. Grace maintained both departments successfully. She retired from ESD on December 31, 2021.

Grace remains an avid sports lover, especially of basketball - she is a Los Angeles Lakers fan for life. Reading is her

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second love and she also enjoys dancing, music, bowling, and action movies. She delights in travelling to any destination with a beach.

Apart from her service with Springer, she currently bowls with Surrey Sports Club, which was founded in 1978. Her uncle, Eric Padmore, is one of the three founding members who is still alive. She has been a member of the organization for over 30 years, was Secretary for 13 years and is the current President.

Additionally, for the past 10 years, Grace has been a Deaconess at the Christ Fellowship Baptist Church. She also serves on the Athletic Ministry and Shepherd’s Ministry.

Brooklyn has been Grace’s home for 42 years, with a ten-year residence in Orange, New Jersey. She is the proud mother of two daughters, Twanna and Traci, and one son Stephan. She has nine grandchildren. Grace appreciates the goodness of God, and is especially grateful for the wonderful and fulfilling life she has with her family.

Association Award

Margaret DEANE – Barbados Cancer Association, USA (BACA), Inc.

Known for her style, Margaret Deane has served Barbados in the United Kingdom and the USA, both as a government employee and a member of numerous organisations.

She is, however, most associated with The Barbados Cancer Association (BACA), Inc., and is in her second term as its President. She has also served as Events Chair,Assistant Treasurer and Vice President.

BACA is one of the best known and most widely supported of the Barbadian associations, devoted, as it is, to improving education about cancer, one of the world’s most prevalent and devastating diseases. BACA also assists those who suffer from the disease and provides equipment to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, (QEH), in Barbados to enable it to better screen for cancer and manage cancer patients.

BACA also supports a range of other causes. It has provided book grants to students, been a strong supporter of the initiative to build a palliative care facility

in Barbados and continues to contribute to other national calls for assistance from the government.

Under Margaret, BACA has continued its signature events, including its all-white affair and the Dr. Deborah Brathwaite Annual Cancer Symposium.

She is also a member of other Barbadian associations. She is the current Vice President of Springer Memorial Alumnae and Vice President of the Caribbean American Medical & Scientific Association (CAMSA), Inc. She has held many other positions in both organisations.

Educated at St. Giles Girls, The Federal High School and Springer Memorial Secondary, all in Barbados, and Christopher Marlowe Girls Secondary, SE London College, London, Margaret has worked in executive administration capacities in various fields - Legal, Government, Medical, Fashion, Retail, Strategic Planning, and Importation.

After leaving Barbados for the United Kingdom, after college she worked at

the The Legal Aid Society and Barbados High Commission, London.

In the USA, she has worked at Barbados Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Charles Drew Medical Center, Selizman & Latz, Inc. and Kobrand Corporation.

Apart from Barbadian organisations, she has been a member of PS52 PTA, Queens, the Jamaica Diocese Deanery Choir, the Barbados Independence Choristers and Church of St. Albans The Martyr, Queens, where she has served on the Vestry Board, and is a member of the choir and St. Anne’s Guild.

When not working with, or supporting, one of the Barbadian associations, or being involved in church activities, Margaret enjoys strategic planning, dancing, singing and travelling.

Rosetta “Sheryl” STOUTE

– Barbados American Organization of Philadelphia In 1966, Rosetta Stoute joined six others of her fellow countrymen to form the Barbados American Organization of Philadelphia, (BAOP), and has been the glue holding it together.

Today, she is the Secretary of BAOP, striving to rebuild it to its glory days amidst generational change. It remains the resource organisation when Barbadians in Philadelphia need assistance.

Over its more than five decades of existence, BAOP has contributed immensely to Barbados.

It has sent medical equipment to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, (QEH), was very involved in the Philadelphia community and the Caribbean diaspora, supporting events in New York and other States, and awarded book scholarships to college freshmen yearly at their Barbados Independence Celebration. BAOP also made charitable donations to families in need.

Sheryl, as everyone calls her, grew up in Richmond Gap, St. Michael and was educated at St. Leonard’s Girls School, in the same street,

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Association Award and the Barbados Hotel Training School.

She worked at the Marine Hotel before migrating to the United States in 1970.

She settled in Philadelphia and started working at the Germantown Medical Center, now the Jefferson Medical

Center, as a medical records clerk. She is still working at Jefferson as a Research Analyst.

She furthered her education at the Chestnut Hill University in Philadelphia, studying accounting and nursing.

Mary SYMMONDS

– Harrison College Queens College International Affairs from the New School Alumni for Social Research. She has completed 60 continuing education credits in Association USA, over Transformation Leadership.

In her career, Mary was a pioneering (HCQC) Barbadian woman continually breaking In 2018, Mary Symmonds set out to reset the Harrison College Queens College Alumni USA group. Today, it is fair to say she has made the organisation one of the more relevant and dynamic, utilizing different tactics and events to build momentum.

Of note, has been her understanding of the value of unity and collaboration, working with other similar organisations in Canada and the UK, as well as those in Barbados, to realise the goals of scholarships, assisting with renovations and new plant and providing equipment.

Her work, supported by a relatively small team in the USA, with the other HCQC groups has delivered a number of exciting programmes. These include the newsletter, the College Bell, the Night of the Stars Gala in Barbados, the online fundraiser Get Moving and the production of the massive HCQC Commemorative Publication 2023, a defining project.

In New York, HCQC has partnered with organisations including the Barbados Cancer Association and the Caribbean American Medical & Scientific Association, (CAMSA), on seminars and HCQC has been a strong supporter of causes, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mary attended Queen’s College, earned a BA in Political Science from Hunter College of the City University of New York and, later, received Master of Science magna cum laude in

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glass ceilings. She began her career at UN Headquarters, NY in 1973 and then moved to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1976 where she served increasingly senior roles at the country level,including Assistant Resident Representative, Deputy Resident Representative,Country Director, member of UN Country Teams, and Country Advisor at Headquarters, specializing in economic and social development in Africa.

She has led the design of multimilliondollar development programs for capacity development on poverty reduction, governance, electoral support, HIV and AIDS, gender equality, climate change, economic empowerment as well as programs that contribute to disaster management, risk reduction, relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction.

She also led and oversaw the management of multimillion- dollar country programs in over 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including UN system reform and senior country leadership, and served in Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.

Now retired, Mary maintains an acute interest in Barbados’ development and world affairs, is passionate about connecting Africa and the Caribbean and devotes as much time as necessary to HCQC.

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When not occupied in her community, Sheryl likes travelling, basketball and dancing.

Her fervent wish is to have BAOP continue to service Philadelphians and Barbados.

Community Award

Linda KIRK – Community Activist/Business Owner

Few Barbadians are as active in the Barbadian community – and others – as Linda Greenidge Kirk, who migrated to the USA in the ‘90s. She is often the first to alert about assisting any member of the community who has an unfortunate

occurrence.And it seems that her support to causes in New York or Barbados and her volunteerism knows no bounds. All of which contributes to the promotion and image of Barbados.

Linda’s community activism includes contributing to the maintenance of immigrant communities, giving to the homeless, food drives, toy drives, school supplies drives, care packages to victims of domestic violence homes and care packages to men’s shelters and speaking out against gun violence, not defunding the NYPD and much more.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, she helped feed frontline workers at NYC Health + Hospitals as well as elderly people with disabilities. She received a citation awarded to Brooklyn Covid Heroes from the Office of the former Brooklyn Borough President, now Mayor of NYC, Eric Adams.

Her other numerous awards for community work include the Caribbean Life award in 2022, Power Women of NY award, Brooklyn Kings County Democratic County Committee Citation and a Public Action Figure award. Linda,

who recently just graduated from the NYPD’s Citizen Police Academy, is the 2023 recipient of the 77th Precinct Community Council’s Mother Theresa award and citation and was the Grand Marshal for this year’s Panamanian Day Parade.

Community work is Linda’s side passion. She is an educator, Chief Operator of Destined for Success, Chief Operator of Destiny Jewels Plus Size Online Boutique and owner of the Palace Hall. She puts ten per cent of every booking into the community. She also has a scholarship that provides help to graduating high school seniors in their first year of college.

Her most important role is being the proud mom of two successful children. Her daughter, 26, is a Brooklyn Education Advocate and her son, 23, is an accountant.

David “Likkle D” BRATHWAITE – Radiology Technician/ DJ Born in New York to Barbadian parents, David Brathwaite is one of the most popular individuals in the Barbadian community, a fixture on the entertainment scene as a go- to DJ in the TriState and Barbadian events in other places including Boston, Massachusetts, Atlanta, Georgia and Miami, Florida.

As a relatively new promoter, he has showcased many top Barbadian artistes. These include Lil Rick, Mole, Hypersounds, Marzville, Sugarhe, DJ Cutterman and Hypasounds.

His promotions, including karaoke and special productions such as his preIndependence show, with partners DJ Sean, with whom he has been playing

since 2018, and John John, energise the Barbadian community.

What most people do not know is how much Brathwaite, better known as DJ Likkle D, gives back to the community.

He willingly offers his services to almost every fundraiser befitting anyone in the Barbadian community and otherwise supports causes. He has a plan to formalize and expand his give back.

Additionally, his Facebook postings often serve as boosters for the community and promote Barbados. Usually witty, but sometimes serious, he has been able to build a huge following.

David started playing music at 12 and was dubbed “Likkle D” at 17. is one of

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Community Award the top DJs in New York. His late uncle, Hattan Callender, gave him his first big break, playing at Empire Cricket Club awards ceremony at Nazareth Hall.

Other cricket club gigs followed, along with some for Somerset organized by his Uncle Cameron. From there Likkle D progressed to now being a fixture at

Barbadian and events by other Caribbean countries. His biggest gig to date was performing in Jamaica in 2015 at that country’s Independence celebrations.

So ubiquitous is Likkle D, due as much to his professionalism as his song selection, that the impression is that DJ-ing is his profession. It is not –

he works full time as a manager at the Animal Medical Center, in the Diagnostic Imaging Department. He has been there for 24 years. His work includes working with the NYPD, Bomb Terrorism and United Nation dogs.

Antonne ‘Mike’ REMIE – Singer/DJ

Mike Remie – Antonne “MikieMike” Remie – is a name well known in entertainment circles in Barbados and New York. He was born out of the group of classic Barbados singers that produced such legendary performers as the late Richard Stoute, Mike Wikinson, Lew “Jiggs” Kirton and the Draytons Two. His talents as a drummer and singer have made him a fixture in the Barbadian community. And much of his time in the past decade or two has been spent contributing to various fund raisers for charitable causes, including performing gratis for many Barbadian associations.

Along with members of a group of Barbadians who live in New Jersey, he 20

has donated food and school supplies to children in Barbados and presented achievement plaques and awards to children at Bay Primary.

He was part of an organizing group, which held a reunion in the Bayland, St. Michael to give back to the community and contributed to a child who lost his home in a hurricane.

Mike began singing in Bay Primary Boys’ School choir, ending up as the lead singer. He was privileged to perform on Rediffusion on Christmas Day and was given the opportunity to perform at the Val Rosa Sports Club by its owner. He also performed for the YMPC Sports club, backed by The Imperials. He was smitten by the singing bug from then on.

Following that, Mike performed at the various kids shows at the time.These included Rediffusion’s Children’s Party with Aunty Olga, Junior Club at CBC on Thursdays with Leroy Sisnett and Studio Party on Saturday nights.

After leaving Children’s Party, Mike and three of his friends. Anthony “Moto” Smith (now Tony Rivera), Jerry Smith, his cousin, and David “Tails” King formed The Twilighters. He took up drumming and got a job at Club Zanzibar in Nelson Street, before moving on to Club Tropicale.

But his interest in music waned and he got a job as a Longshoreman in the Bridgetown Port. After migrating to the USA, he got a job drumming at Club Nero on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn, but soon pursued traditional work.

Among his achievements were becoming a manager at the popular Manhattan Hotel, the Milford Plaza, and working for a large banking establishment.

While working at the Milford Plaza, Mike won the First Prize of $5,000 in

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a singing competition promoted by the Milford Plaza on Broadway. He has also won a number of karaoke competitions in Brooklyn.

One of his most memorable performances was in Barbados at the Spouge and Rhythm and Blues Spectacular at St. Ann’s Fort, Hilton, Barbados for the island’s 50th Independence Anniversary.

Now retired, Mike is back to performing and DJ-ing. He will also be spending more time on community work on his own and with his New Jersey friends.

Community Award

Tennyson HINDS

– Promoter/ Transit Driver

It seems like every week, Tennyson Hinds has an event or is supporting one.

The list goes on – Camo, Lemon Lime – Citrus Burst, Reveal, Whiskey and Wings, Freshly Squeezed. He is known for his two annual boat rides, on Father’s Day and Labour Day weekend as well as his annual Boston carnival trip – Boston Lime People. Over the years, there were also two cruises in Barbados.

Tenny, as he is called, is the main promoter uniting the Barbadian community around music. The son of Mark Williams, a Barbados pioneer in entertainment,he has been undertaking various promotions in New York for 33 years.

Educated at St. Leonard’s School, he moved to New York at 16 in 1983.

Tenny started working in construction with a family friend, Tony Layne. He then worked with Shearson Lehman, a Wall Street brokerage, for nine years before moving to work with a wealthy trader for two years.

In love with driving as a child, he took the test to drive a bus and joined New York Transit and is now in his 23rd year.

The 56-year old, who is married with six children, is aiming to retire in four or five years and be full time in entertainment, bringing big and small events to the Barbadian community.

His dream is that the community have a Barbadian club or some space where people can gather – a place that Barbadians can call their own.

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Inspiration Award

Kathy ELLIOT – Activist (Domestic Violence)

Out of evil can come good. Kathy Elliot’s unfortunate situation in an abusive relationship has led to a platform that provides wide and strong support to victims of abuse.

If that was all, it would be sufficient to inspire anyone. But that is only part of the social and community work that this irrepressible dynamo is directing and involved in to aid people in need, whether cancer victims or school children in Barbados.

Her Women’s Motivational Services provides counselling, financial assistance, supplies, anything it takes that is possible to help abuse victims.

There are also seminars and socials, more like revivals, as Kathy and her many dedicated supporters spread the word against abuse or boost the spirits of cancer victims.

Known as Miss Bounce Back, Kathyann Elliott-Jones attended

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Workman’s Primary School and Springer Memorial High School in Barbados, where she was born.

In March, 1994, she migrated to the USA during the early stages of pregnancy. After her daughter was born her father rejected his role, she joined the welfare line. She returned to school to change her destitute situation and became a Financial Aid Advisor. But her burning desire was to help others pursue a higher education so she accepted a post as an Admission Representative.

The more she interacted with students, the more she chased after becoming a Motivational Speaker. She accomplished a Bachelor of Science - Business Management degree from Metropolitan College of New York and a Master of Science - Business Leadership from Capella University.

She also graduated as a Certified Life Coach and a Certified Transformation Coach.

Being in an abusive relationship, positioned and prompted Kathy to helping domestic violence survivors.

She obtained a certificate in Domestic Violence Awareness and founded Women’s Motivational Services, (WMS), in November 2008. WMS was granted non-for-profit status in 2013.

This organization was birth on advocating for women, empowering women, domestic violence awareness, building healthy relationships and men supporting women.

WMS functions throughout America and internationally. At the beginning of each year, WMS celebrates bringing love to the DV shelter women by hosting a pre-Valentine’s celebration.

Another crucial event is the Backto-School Supplies Fundraiser. WMS donates hundreds of book bags and school supplies to needy families in Barbados and Brooklyn DV shelter system.

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In October (Domestic Violence Awareness Month), WMS focuses on bringing about more awareness to domestic violence and breast cancer awareness. All year around, there is an effort to offer care packages as often as needed at the DV shelter.

According to Kathy, as she built her platform, she needed a name that represented the epitome and embodiment of the strength of never giving up and God spoke Ms. Bouncing Back into her Spirit. It is a compelling reminder that bouncing back is the only option to life, no matter how hard or bad it gets.

Ms. Bounce Back has published several books: Marriage Separation Divorce: Regaining the Light in 2009, Success: How Dare You Give Up in 2011,Never, Ever Give Up: 13 Successful Principles to Achieving Your Dreams in 2012, and Domestic Violence Awareness: Victims’ RealLifeStories in 2013.

Merit Award ~ Benefactor

Glynn Best - Retired Benefactor Seven years ago, Glynn Best and his friend Al Osbourne adopted the St. James Primary School in Barbados, his

alma mater. A commitment was given that whatever the needs of the school, they would be met.

Since, they have held to their word, with Glynn making several trips annually to meet with the school leadership and deliver aid. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, this did not cease.

Assistance to St. James Primary has included computers, books, backpacks, weed whackers as well as financial support.

Additionally, Glynn has been involved in organizing the Holetown Festival, one of Barbados signature events, over the past four years.

The eldest of four children, he graduated from Community High School before migrating to the United States in 1971. He then attended Nassau Community College studying business administration before entering the retail business.

Glynn spent more than 30 years in the sector in sales and management.

This included stints at Sears, Roebuck and Company and Lowe’s Home Improvement. He was awarded Top Sales Person during his career.

Now retired, Glynn travels for much of the time. He has been married to Gwendolyn for 48 years. They have two children and four grandchildren.

Ricardo Bentham

~ Accountant/Businessman Ricardo Bentham is passionate about Barbados’ heritage, assistance to the underprivileged and all issues relating to democracy, equity and the empowerment of Black people.

His main focus, though, is running his H&R Block tax preparation and financial services franchise in Queens, which has been in operation since 2011. The office has a staff of three and delivers a full range of services, including payroll, bookkeeping and tax preparation.

Bentham, who has more than two decades in diverse tax, financial and business consulting experience was born in Culloden Road, St. Michael.

He attended the Bay Primary School before moving to the United States at 12. He graduated from Long Island University with a BSc in Finance.

His career path took him to Wall Street where he held positions at

corporate America’s banking and financial firms, including Dean Witter Reynolds and Equitable Capital, where he was employed as a Senior Accounts Manager, overseeing special projects within the Mutual Fund department.

Among other citations, he was the recipient of the prestigious Man of Distinction Award presented to him by the City of New York; A Congressional Achievement Award, City Council Business Award and the Eagle Academy Foundation Distinguished Service Award.

Richard, who ran his own business before putting up the H & R Block shingle, lives and operates his business in Queens.

He is also involved in many other enterprises including real estate and golf excursions, and participates in numerous high level business seminars throughout the USA and abroad.

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Merit Award ~ Benefactor

Keisha Thorne ~ Domestic Violence Advocate/Entrepreneur

Keisha Thorne juggles a number of hats including her main job as a Cyber Security Risk Analyst, several businesses in the entertainment industry and working with Sanctuary for Families, an organisation that is dedicated to the safety, healing and self-determination of victims of domestic violence and related forms of gender violence.

The former St. George resident, who spends so much time in Barbados some people think she still lives there, attended Christ Church Foundation School and The Lodge School. At 16, migrated to the United Stated to pursue her dreams of fashion and managed high-end brands and retailers.

A decision to change careers saw Keisha becoming a Private Client Relationship Banker at JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A.

She worked there for five years and was promoted to Private Client Small Business Banker. A client recognised her talents and she was recruited to join his prestigious law firm in Midtown, in the Legal Finance Department. After declining, she accepted and, as it turned out, the firm did pro bono work for Sanctuary For Families.

Keisha spends considerable time speaking out against human trafficking and domestic violence and advocating for human rights bills, legislation to be changed to protect families of gender based violence, as a person who suffered violence.

The proud mother of four, ranging from 15 years old to four years old, is still working on becoming an attorney, aiming to pro bono services to assist survivors of gender base violence.

Quinn Harris – Businessman/Personal Trainer Accomplished as we are, few Barbadians in the USA establish businesses. One who has committed to building a successful operation is Quinn Harris.

In fact, he is not operating one successful business,but two.In addition to his gym at Rutland Road, Brooklyn, New York - Q – Fitness Inc. Aerobics & Personal Training Studio – Quinn operates a concierge and specialized travel business, LITU – Leave It To Us. That he is still in business speaks to his resilience, as he had to restart after the building in which his operations are located burned. And his gym is the only one of its size owned by a black person in the Brownsville/East Flatbush area.

The former St. Leonard’s student gained a CASS scholarship, through 24

USAID, in 1992 and took a degree in Hospitality Management, studying in Jacksonville, Florida. On returning to Barbados, he joined Discovery Cruise, starting as a purser before becoming Sports Director and then moved to Royal Caribbean as Sports Director and, on promotion, Assistant Cruise Director. He spent five years on cruise ships.

He moved to the USA permanently in 1999 and worked briefly at Lucille Roberts while volunteering as a fitness teacher at Brownsville Recreational Center.

He opened Q-Fitness Inc. 18 years ago and LITU three years ago. LITU offers a range of services from interior decorating to travel planning and has already established a reputation for its cruise experiences.

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Very invested in the community, Quinn runs an after-school programme, hosts a fund raising walk for cancer annually and has been involved in a seniors’ programme for 18 years.

CG Special Award

Lionel BLACKMAN

- Consul General’s Special Award He is the best chauffeur bar none.

A man immensely proud of his job – and one who executes it excellently.

In fact, pride and industry in whatever he undertakes is the hallmark of Lionel Blackman, a true ambassador for Barbados.

In fact, he is very good at many things. Extremely knowledgeable with an interest in current affairs with an amazing memory – and few can navigate New York like him – Lionel is an efficient organizer, above average domino player and karaoke singer, still a popular MC and raconteur.

Officially retired two years ago, he is still the designated driver of Consul General of Barbados at New York, Mackie Holder, a matter of loyalty and love for working at the Consulate.

Lionel B or Blackie, as he is known, is recognised in the Barbadian communities in theTriState and beyond.

He is well known from the various jobs he has held, various activities in which he has been involved and his support of the community in New York.

Born and raised in Grazettes Main Road, Lionel attended Ellerslie Secondary and in 1969 was among the first cohort of students to attend the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic, undertaking a course in Automotive Engineering, Sheet Metal and Plumbing.

At the same time, he worked at Super Center, Black Rock and Goddards, Broad Street supermarkets.

Lionel immigrated to the USA in 1972, spending most of his decades here working in retail operations, mainly in security, the US Army and as a chauffeur.

He joined E J Corvettes Department Store on Fulton Street, Brooklyn as a store detective before moving to Sears Automotive on Bedford Avenue as a mechanic, remaining there until 1976.

He then joined the US Army, as a Combat Infantry Medic. During his ten years in the military, he served at Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Fort Riley, Kansas; Panama, for two years after being sent there as part of the contingent for the signing of the Panama Canal Treaty; Fort Devins, Massachusetts and Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana.

He received training at the Academy for Health Sciences for the Armed Forces at Fort Sam Houston,completing the Military Paramedics Course. He worked with front line injuries, was in charge of the in-patients ward at Hawley Army Hospital as Sergeant, and under Dr. William Cook and Col. Dr. Lester G. Mullings, was trained in podiatrist procedures, dealing with minor in-grown toenails, the removal of haemorrhoids and making insoles.

He also learnt to perform sutures, and was one of a few allowed to attend to children with face lacerations.

Lionel joined Macy’s in 1986 as a Store Security Officer at the “Rotunda” on Queen’s Boulevard. In 1989, he was promoted to Assistant Security Manager but left the same year to join the Department of Justice. After training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glencoe, Georgia, he worked at the Metropolitan Correction Center in Miami, which was relocated to Tavares, after being destroyed in 1992 by Hurricane Andrew.

He also worked at Able Limousine and Tristor Limousine Service, and in 2006, launched Blackman Transportation Company, which closed in 2010. He also managed two adult clubs in Miami.

After a short stint managing another club in Barbados, Lionel joined the Permanent Mission of Barbados as Driver/Messenger before reassignment to the Consulate in 2018. His attention

to detail, vivacious personality and respect – he is known as a gentlemen – making him a favourite not just with staff but with visiting delegations and persons intimately connected with the Consulate.

Lionel was President of the Bajan American Domino Association for 13 years and captain of the Sea Breeze Domino Club. He took domino teams to Atlanta, London, UK;Toronto, Canada and Barbados. He also produced the Barbados truck for the Labour Day celebration in 2007.

Lionel, who likes travelling, including to Barbados often, has 11 children, 17 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

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What a Year It Was It has been a year of highs and lows. And, as usual, change. Through it all, the Consulate General of Barbados held steady to its purpose, Barbadian associations were out in fine form

and, generally, there seemed to be more activity in the community. The lows were around people we lost; some, unfortunately, in very tragic circumstances.

In the end, the community and Barbados benefitted from new connections, strengthened relationships and the image of the island continue to soar.

Event(s) of the Year People talked about it, they are still talking about it and it will be discussed for years to come. Without a doubt, the event of the year was a taste of Chefette in Manhattan. At the beginning of June, hundreds turned up on 42nd Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues – Bryant Park – to get their Chefette. Many from out of state stood in line for hours, many sporting some item attesting to their Barbadian heritage.Around 1000 people received a free treat. The Chefette surge was also experienced in Boston’s Copley Square. From a marketing perspective, it was unsurpassed, with an assist from Rihanna. All associated with the triumph, should be very proud – Eusi Skeete, Tenisha Holder and the BTTMI New York Team, Jetblue, Chefette,

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Export Barbados.

Another collaboration, between the Consulate General of Barbados at New York, the Barbados Support Group, (BSG), and the National Cultural Foundation, (NCF), delivered a massive Q in the Community in Brooklyn.

Attended by thousands and featuring top entertainers from Barbados, Q also served as the launching pad for Crop Over 2024, which also saw a Barbados truck on the road for Labour Day. A Taste of Oistins was another six, and Barbados has definitely outgrown the venue. On a lesser scale but no less impactful, the polo partnership with the Connecticut Polo Club which has been in place for some time presented a number of opportunities to highlight Barbados.

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Of course, the Barbados Gala was another outstanding occasion. The largest attendance yet was treated to delectable treats by Chef Creig Greenidge and a range of entertainment including performances by Elan Trotman, Lew Drayton, Phil Brathwaite, Lil Rick, DJ Likke D and DJ Spider.

A different kind of event, but a momentous one, was the hoisting of the CARICOM flag in Bowling Green, marking the regional integration community’s 50th anniversary. The June event, attending by Mayor Eric Adams and other officials, was one of the last duties performed by Consul General Mackie Holder as Chair of the CARICOM Consular Corps, which he chaired for an unprecedented four and a half years.

Staff at Work and Play The demand for services at the Consulate General at New York increased, a trend, and staff, even shorthanded in at least one critical area for months, kept pace.

For the second time in a few years, Consulate was called to set up a Condolence Book for a former Prime Minister, this time the Rt. Hon. Erskine Sandiford.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kerrie Symmonds met with staff in September during United Nations General Assembly, (UNGA), and

until the end of June hosted meetings of the CARICOM Consular Corps.

Two important facilitations were the community zoom by Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados Dr. Kevin Greenidge and the conversation with the Constitutional Reform Commission.

There were the usual services marking Heroes Day and Independence, coordination of the Barbados across the Bridge Walk and collaboration with, in particular, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., (BTMI) on exposing

Barbados to different audiences as with participation in PS 276’s diversity day.

It was good that the St. George Secondary Old Scholars International, (SGSSI), recognised the dedication of staff, and members of the community who expressed their appreciation in various ways.

The Consulate is in transition.Three new members of staff joined this year, and a new Consul General will be in place shortly as CG Mackie Holder, who has served five years, moves on.

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Associations Standing Firm Foundation School Alumni Association marked their 45th anniversary with a packed gala and brought out numbers for its annual health walk, now named after fallen member Hattan Callender.

The Barbados American Charitable Organization of New Jersey, (BACONJ), came back on the scene after a few years and, despite various challenges, almost every association in New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut continued to execute their annual programmes.

The Barbadian Ex-Police Association marked their 60th anniversary and was honoured by their compatriot St. Vincent Ex-Police Association, receiving its Diamond Award.

Springer Memorial Alumnae and a resilient St. George Secondary Old Scholars International, (SGSSI), produced two lively tea party events while the Barbados Cancer Association,

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USA (BACA), Inc. and the Barbados Nurses Association of America, (BNAA), decamped to St. Gabriel’s Hall for their galas. BNAA, among its charity efforts, donated US$ 3000 in chairs to the Geriatric Hospital and US$1000 to Born Haven Nursing Home, which it has supported for years.

The Association Aid for Physically Challenged Children of Barbados, (AAPCCB), continued their valiant efforts in its 61st year while Harrison College Queens College Alumni Association, USA, (HCQC), continued its resurgence marked by the publication of the HCQC book.

Barbados Day, produced by Friends of Barbados DLP Association, was as usual with thousands of Barbadians from everywhere enjoying the traditional foods and reconnecting while, with Cambridge persevering, cricket still provided a backdrop for Barbadians to socialize.

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A recalibrated United Barbadians in Massachusetts, (UBIM), and Friends of Barbados in Connecticut, (FOBCT), concentrated their efforts on November galas and marking Independence.

However, UBIM undertook their backpack drive and FOBCT treated seniors and held a tea party.

Seminars, on Zoom, were left to BACA,Barbados Diaspora Collaborative, USA, Inc., (BDCUSA) and the Caribbean American Medical & Scientific Association Inc., (CAMSA). Their collaborations with other associations on subjects such as men’s health and pancreatic cancer were inspiring, and the knowledge and, especially, personal testimonies needs to find a much larger audience.

As they face change, Barbados remain indebted to the various associations and next year will hopefully see all engaged once more.

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Always a Lot Going On A Consul General receives all sorts of invitations and speaks all the time.

But delivering the message at a church service is unusual. That was the case for CG Mackie Holder at St. Gabriel’s Hollis this year.

From speaking engagements and attending events to welcoming new contacts and sorting issues, as usual, this year the CG was on the go.

Along with attending celebrations for centenarians, one of the most wonderful encounters was being involved in the drug findings for Rhett’s syndrome patient Daniella Sawyers, who is showing improvement from a new drug.

Out of this, as a result of a call from Barbados, CG Holder was able to connect a patient with the same team treating Daniella.

Another was meeting the Barbadian force behind You Syght, an organisation devoted to helping persons suffering with sight loss and blindness.

The signal speeches were at the

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first USA Caribbean Investment Forum held in September, the convocation on Cultural Diplomacy in the UN in November, the CARICOM flag raising ceremony in June, the celebration marking Caribbean American Heritage Month in Albany and at the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies, (AFUWI), awards.

It was also important to be a part of the tribute to Duane Joseph, a Barbadian who died at 45, who was saluted as a community worker who made a difference.

Among the several new connections were with PS 276, the Flatbush YMCA to discuss road tennis, the Simon Wiesenthal Jewish Center on internships, Better Health which is operated by a Barbadian and with St. Francis College to discuss scholarships and other partnerships.

A number of Ministers paid courtesy calls. These included Minister Abrahams, Minister of Home Affaire; Minister Shantal Munroe-

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Knight, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office; Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey and Senior Minister Jerome Walcott, Minister of Health and Wellness.

An NIS team was welcomed as well as Youth Ambassadors attending the UN ECOSCO forum.

The attendance of the Best of Plate Caribbean Tradishon presentation of Caribbean tastes was another important occasion.

Health awards at St. Gabriels hollis 27 Oct PS 276 – 2 June Martyn Forde and Ras Ilix – 2 June You Syght – 23 June Motivational Kathy – 23 June PS 276 back to school 23 september Caribbean Investment Forum 23 september Caribbean Tradishon 15 september

PM Mottley Prime Minister Mia Mottley made a quick stopover in April and attended the Global Citizens session, sharing the stage with Hugh Grant. She gave another well-received speech at UNGA and had a rousing Town Hall in Brooklyn.

Success Stories DJ Spider was the only Barbadian to be in winner’s circle at the first Caribbean Music Awards, held in Brooklyn for Down Dey, a collaboration with GBM Nutron.

Two Barbadian students and one Guyanese/Barbados student graduated from the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts, NY – Jon-Mykil Bowen, Ammunikee Gomez and Genevieve Daniels received the Charles Jehlinger Award The Rev. Canon Sylvester Taylor celebrated his 25th anniversary as a priest with a service at St. Barbabas Episcopal Church, East NY. Teacher Tenysha St. John

won a Big Apple Award recognising teacher excellence, Kiserian Adams continued to make strides on a basketball scholarship at Baton Rouge Community College, while 18-year old Rasheed Jordan won a full scholarship to Notre Dame University with a 98.3 grade point average, 1200 SAT score and a star sports record.

Colette Parris published another well-reviewed short story, The Best Neighbors, and Murrell Weekes, 103 years old, was honored with the renaming of a space in Cambridge, Massachusetts as the Murrell A. Weekes Square.

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Centenarians Three Barbadians, all females, joined the Centenarian Club. Eleen Perry reached the milestone on 15 March,

Eleen Perry

Margarita Straker

The Big Give Giving has been the hallmark of Barbadian associations and individuals.

Groups and persons have their own charities. However, they have always rallied around supporting the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, (QEH).

The concentration has been on supplying chairs to the Paediatric

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Margarita Louise Straker on 21 July and Vera Oneta Greenidge on 13 August.

However, Everton “Daddy” Hall passed

Vera Oneta Greenidge

Ward. Sixteen have been donated at an average cost of $800.

Giving to the Care Buddy Project, which provides stuffed toys to children on the Paediactric Ward, continued. This project was started four years ago by Treva Holder and has donated some 900 toys.

The Rotary Club West of Barbados donated hundreds of books and several other donations were secured by the Consulate including a container with gowns, pampers, medical supplies and equipment, the majority from Wyckoff Heights Medical Center.

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at the beginning of November after celebrating 75 years of marriage to Linda in August and reaching 101.

Everton “Daddy” Hall and wife Linda on their 75th wedding anniversary

BARBADIAN ORGANISATIONS 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

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

Association Aid For Physically Challenged Children of Barbados

Caribbean Heritage Association Inc

Barbados American Charitable Organization of New Jersey (BACONJ)

Combermere Alumni Association

P. O. Box 120883 Brooklyn, NY, 11212 President: Mr. Von Karl Barker Tel: 718-314-0491 Email: barketvk@gmail.com

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. Margaret Deane Tel: 718 749 2879 Email: MDeane@kobrand.com;

Barbadian Cultural Committee of Boston (BCCB) Inc P. O. Box 260120 Mattapan, MA, 02126 President: Ms. Gina Headley Tel: 617-9870-9116 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

P. O. Box 26235 Boston, MA, 02126 President: Ms. Pamela Clinton Tel: 617-519-9253 (cell) 781-341-4320 (h) Email: pamclint@comcast.net

P. O. Box 021183 Brooklyn, NY, 11202 President: Mr. Neil Jones Tel: 9175925875 Email: 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: Marlene Taitt-Meade Tel: 917 755 1275 Email: tait1200@optonline.net -9177551275

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

The Barbadian Ex-Police Association

St. Patrick’s Heritage & Community Association

The Barbados Nurses Association of America

United Barbadians In Massachusetts (UBIM)

703 Crown Street Brooklyn, NY, 11213 President: Mr. Leroy Hutchinson Tel: 347 200 4328 Email: bepa703c@aol.com

P. O. Box 231 Rugby Station Brooklyn, NY, 11203 President: Ms. Cicely Wilkinson Tel: 917-873-5820 Email: bnaa1967@gmail.com

47 Kings Road, Rockaway, New Jersey, 07866 President: Mr. Garvey Ince Tel: 201-572-1985 Email: gince@yahoo.com

P. O. Box 260951 Mattapan MA 02126 President: Ms. Maureen Prescod Tel: maureenprescod@aol.com Email: 508 631 2681

The Barbados Support Group, Inc.

POB 360132 Brooklyn, NY, 11236 President, (ag): Ms. Michelle Brathwaite/Ms. Alicia Connell Tel: 347 524 8275 Email: bsgbarbados@gmail.com

The Foundation School Alumni Association

P. O. Box 528 Church Street Station Brooklyn, NY, 10008 President: Mrs. Beverly Callender Tel: 516-378-3792 Email: socabev@aol.com

Springer Memorial Alumnae Association

114-131 229th Street Cambria Heights, New York 11411 President: Carol Mayers Treasurer: Ms. Janice Smith Tel: 917-586-3685 Email: gpaddy155@gmail.com

St. George Secondary Old Scholars International

P. O. Box 120987 9402 Church Ave Brooklyn, NY, 11212 President: Ms. Ira Carrington Tel: 718 208 8086 Email:

SPORTS CLUBS: The American Cricket League

1162 East 43rd Street Brooklyn, NY 11210 President: Mr. John Wesley King Tel: 917-345-8849 Email: americancricketleagueinc@ 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

Cambridge Cricket Club, Inc

P. O. Box 30080 Ruby Station, Brooklyn, NY, 11203 President: Ms. Alicia Connell Tel: 347 524 8275 Email: connellalicia@gmail.com

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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CONNECTING 34

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Thank You The Consulate General of Barbados at New York wishes to thank everyone for your support and special thanks to BTMI and The Barbados Support Group.

Consulate General of Barbados at New York 820 2nd Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY, 10017

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