The New Jersey-based Sunshine Awards Organization on Friday announced that the co-founder of the Sunshine Awards Hall of Fame, Trinidadian calypsonian Dr. Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool was honored on Jan. 29, with the prestigious title, Prof. Emeritus by the Board of Governors of the University of Trinidad and Tobago for his “lifelong contribution to education, research and the performing arts.”
“The Sunshine Awards Organization wishes to congratulate Dr. Liverpool on this well-deserved honor,” Gil Figaro, Sr., the Trinidadian-born chairman and founder of the Sunshine Awards, told Caribbean Life. “Dr. Liverpool has made remarkable contributions to the academic community, not only as a professor but also through his extensive work as a mentor and coach.
“His influence has spanned across numerous industries, guiding and inspiring countless students and professionals to achieve their highest potential,” he added. “His teachings, now immortalized in many published books, have become vital resources, and can be found in many libraries around the world.”
Beyond academia, Figaro said Dr. Liverpool, an accomplished calypsonian, historian and researcher, has also been a trailblazer in the performing arts.
“His research, compositions and performances in this domain have enriched the cultural landscape, and have left a legacy for Trinidad and Tobago and, by extension, the world,” he said. His contributions continue to inspire and resonate with many across different generations.
“I am very proud of Dr. Liverpool,” Figaro added. “His life’s mission has been to leave the world better than he met it. His drive to improve the lives of others, coupled with his passion for lifelong learning, have positioned him as a leader and role model across many disciplines.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this incredible recognition,” Figaro continued. “Dr. Liverpool’s profound impact on education and the arts will continue to inspire for generations to come.”
Professor Hollis Urban Lester Liverpool, ORTT, professor of calypso arts (UTT) taught primary and secondary schools in his beloved Trinidad and Tobago over a period of 35 years, then served in the Ministry of Culture as cultural officer and director of culture between 1993 to 1999, when he retired from the public service.
According to his biography, Dr. Liverpool founded and served as the first director of the Carnival Institute and has carried out extensive research in all areas of culture pertaining to the Caribbean in general and Trinidad and Tobago in particular.
He was educated at Patience Hill R. C. and Nelson Street Boys’ R.C. primary schools; St. Mary’s College; the Government Training College for teachers (GTC); the University of the West Indies at St. Augustine, Trinidad; and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Besides secondary Ordinary and Advanced Levels subjects from Oxford and Cambridge universities in the United Kingdom, he holds a trained teacher’s certificate from the Government Training College for Teachers in Trinidad; a post-graduate diploma in education; a B.A. in history and sociology, and an M.A. in World History from the University of the West Indies; and an M.A. in African history, a certificate in philosophy and a Ph.D. in history and ethnomusicology from the University of Michigan.
Over the years, Dr. Liverpool has written a multiplicity of papers and several books, including his masterpiece, Rituals of Power and Rebellion (Chicago: Frontline, 2001), and has addressed several world-wide conferences on carnival and culture generally.
As Calypsonian Chalkdust, he has recorded over 300 calypsoes (academic papers he calls them).
In terms of calypso performance, he has won the Buy Local Competition in Trinidad five times, the King of the World Calypso Contest in St. Thomas on eight occasions, the World Calypso Monarch on the two occasions it was held in New York, and the Calypso Monarch of Trinidad and Tobago nine times.
For his contribution to calypso and the arts, he has received numerous citations, certificates, trophies, medals and awards from individuals and institutions in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa, including the highly-acclaimed Prince Claus Award from the Government of the Netherlands.
Dr. Liverpool served as associate professor of history at the University of the Virgin Islands in 2000, was named an honorary distinguished fellow of the University of Trinidad and Tobago in 2006, as well as one of the 50 distinguished fellows of the University of the West Indies in year 2012.
Dr. Liverpool (Chalkdust) has been named by the calypsonians body, TUCO, as one of the top 50-best calypsonians of all times and by the government of Trinidad and Tobago as one of the nation’s top 50 teachers of all times.
In September 2019, he was awarded the nation’s highest medal, the Order of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, (ORTT), by the government and people of Trinidad and Tobago.
He is the current head of The Academy for Arts, Letters, Culture and Public Affairs of the National University of Trinidad and Tobago.
