The rich West Indian heritage was displayed in its colorful splendor last Saturday on Brooklyn Borough Hall Plaza, thanks to Borough President, Antonio Reynoso, and WIADCA who collaborated for the stupendous, and exciting Caribbean Heritage celebration as the month-long commemoration comes to an end. Ponce Bank shared in the sponsorship.
Against the backdrop of flags proudly flying, smells of Caribbean food from trucks parked on the tarmac, the program kicked off with live beats by Caribbean DJ Dr. Haze, followed by the Batala New York Ensemble an all-women, Black-led, percussion ensemble, that excited the crowd with a stirring drum performance before Brooklyn’s eight-year-old phenom Jewel Alexis-Josey co-founded of Where Love Wins, Inc wowed the audience with a spoken word poem.
This was followed by a warm welcome from Deputy Brooklyn Borough President, Reverend Kim Council, before a parade of carnival costumes took to the plaza.
Patrons were also treated to a performance by 14-year-old artist KJ whose melodious voice filled the air with an original soca song celebrating his Grenadian American heritage, before Brooklyn’s own eight-year-old phenom, Jewel Alexis-Josey who co-founded Where Love Wins, Inc. presented a spoken word poem.
Author Dr. Lisette Caesar, showcased her book ‘Little Lizzy,” based on the life of events of a retired elementary school principal, while arts and crafts making carnival headwear, and face painting by “Kids I Adore” artist, Deloris “Nzingha” Thompson engaged the children during the celebration. Layla Charles also inspired the audience with her poetry.
In addition to performances by Genesis Pan Groove Youth Orchestra and Pan in Motion, a sneak-peek of Labor Day revelry displayed by Ole Mas Character Parade with WIADCA Moko Jumbies, and Masqueraders King Costume, got the audience on its feet, and into the carnival spirit, to end the fantastic presentation.
Food trucks from Trini Bites and Island Spice from the Bronx, gave out free samples of their Caribbean menus from jerk and curry chicken, sweet plantains, and spring salad, as ice and snow cones were provided by ICATOSNOCONE a Brooklyn-based business that focuses on healthier sweets that are also vegan, kosher, gluten- and fat-free.
“I’m the son of two Dominican immigrants who sacrificed everything to come here and give my siblings and me the best futures they could, so to now serve as Brooklyn’s first Caribbean American president is the privilege of a lifetime,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
“I’m so happy Brooklyn could gather at the People’s House this weekend to celebrate our stories and cultures, each of us bringing a bit of our own island together to celebrate Caribbean Heritage Month in style. The flavors of our food, the sounds of our music, the freedom of our dance, the words of our authors, and the people of the islands from which our families came will always be welcome here in Brooklyn — Saturday was a celebration and a promise of that.”
Noting the importance of celebrating Caribbean Heritage month safely after the pandemic, Assemblywoman Monique Chandler-Waterman said, “my Assembly district 58 is 90 percent black and brown immigrants, we are together, one people strong.
“We are the heart and strength of the community, the melting pot. We want to make sure we came out safe, united all of us together, one Caribbean, one love, one Brooklyn,” said Waterman who traces her roots to Barbados and Jamaica.
She thanked BP Antonio Reynoso, WIADCA, and the volunteers for what she called, “an amazing event for us to be out to celebrate safe.”
“On behalf of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), it is a pleasure to partner with Brooklyn Borough Hall in its tradition of highlighting the Arts and Culture of the Caribbean Community as one of the many aspects of Caribbean Heritage Month,” said Michelle Gibbs, chair of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association. “We are highlighting our contribution to Brooklyn, New York City, and the World. Everyone was welcomed to come out and enjoy and learn about the various aspects of who we are in the Arts and Culture of NY. The Dance, The Steel Pan, The Music, The Spoken Word, The Costumes, as we also ‘kick off’ the season of Carnival in New York and throughout the Caribbean.”
Gibbs, who became the board chairperson of the WIADCA in 2021, and served as emcee, applauded the children for showcasing all that they had learned at the in-house program during the school year, such as costume designing, steelpan music, and stilt dancing.
Guyanese-born Gibbs told Caribbean Life that the WIADCA outreach also include an information technology program for seniors, as well as yoga classes, in various communities including at St. Gabriel’s Senior Center.
She said the afternoon’s presentation showed that WIADCA is coming back stronger for Labor Day 2023, and the display of costume revelry is a taste of what will amaze Eastern Parkway in September.
“At Ponce Bank, we’ve always championed the role that every ethnic group plays in contributing to the diverse mosaic that is the great Borough of Brooklyn and the City of New York in its entirety,” said Carlos P. Naudon, president of Ponce Bank. “As we celebrate Caribbean American Month there is indeed a lot to celebrate.
“From the recent festivities at Brooklyn Borough Hall with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, to the range of events, culture, music, food, arts and crafts, and celebrations throughout the borough, we are reminded of the immense contributions of our neighbors and friends who hail from throughout the Caribbean and who can point to their beginnings in the region,” said the statement.
