A colorful day of celebration on June 27 marked the 13 Annual Caribbean-American Heritage Month, hosted by the office of Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, and the Caribbean-American Heritage Month committee.
Under the theme “Embrace Your Hyphen,” the day that began with a symposium, art exhibition in the Community Room, showcasing works by artist Messiah Robinson, entertainment, A taste of Caribbean Cuisine, and a Caribbean Cultural Marketplace, also honored two Caribbean Americans.
Prominent attorney Colin A. Moore is a public speaker and political analyst. A graduate of Brooklyn Law School, Moore has authored several academic papers, including, “The Berbice Insurgency of 1763,” “The Venezuela / Guyana Border Controversy,” and “Guyana 2015 — A strategy for the Transformation of Guyana.”
Moore, a community activist, was presented with the citation — Cynthia Brown Franklin Award.
Violin prodigy, Claudius Agrippa, who played the “Star Spangled Banner” to begin the concert on Borough Hall Plaza, was presented with the citation — Borough President’s Youth Achievement Award.
Agrippa, a talented son of Guyanese parents, who has mesmerized audiences with classical “Meditation from Thais by Massenet, and at age 10 performed “Concerto in A Minor Opus 3 No. 6” by composer Antonio Vivaldi, is currently a student at Boston College where he is perusing studies in music.
Hazra Ali and Sandra Chapman, chief program officer of Brooklyn Borough Hall, served as emcees and presented the awards to honorees.
Caribbean Reggae Rhythms — Derrick Barnett and the Statement Band, followed by dance and folklore by Something Positive, Inc. Dance Company entertained a huge audience on the plaza.
The act included an ancient chant written and choreographed by the late Cheryl Bryan.
Latin R&B vocalist Luis Negron took to the stage and thrilled the audience with two selections, before Indo-Caribbean dancer, Anupan Persaud, and steelpan music featuring Harmony and Pantonics Steel orchestras revved up spectators.
Finally, Trinidad soca queen, Denise “Saucy” Belfon heated up the stage with her popular hits and gyration.
In closing, Dr. Roy Hastick, president of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. applauded Caribbean Americans for their outstanding work and encouraged them to continued to uphold their communities. He also thanked Borough President Adams for bringing the celebration to Borough Hall.
Assemblyman Nick Perry in turn, congratulated nationals and called on them to be vigilant in the face of problems communities are facing because of Washington DC politics.
