Caribbean Life honors the community’s influential

The brightest and most influential in the Caribbean community were celebrated at the annual Caribbean Life Impact awards at Paradise Caterers in Brooklyn on Nov. 16.

The gala celebrated 29 Caribbean-Americans for their contributions and dutiful services to the city and their communities locally and abroad. Several of them hold titles in industries such as education, entertainment, business, hospitality, finance, and many more. For some recipients of the award, being recognized for their efforts in the presence of other distinguished honorees was moving and emotional.

“It was already surprising when I learned that I was being honored, but when I got here and saw the magnitude of the event and saw other people being honored — it tore me up a little bit,” said Chef Wenford Patrick Simpson. “To be among other influential people it was great.”

Many honorees hailed from Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago — some of them immigrating to the states and achieving personal successes.

Simpson, who is from Jamaica and the executive chef at B.B. Kings Blue Club and Grill is currently working towards building a culinary school for Jamaican youth.

“It actually makes me feel good to know that someone recognizes the difference that I’m trying to make,” he said. “For me and I think many of the other honorees, we’re doing this because we think it is right and it is what we need to do — to be role models for the future,” he said.

Hot 97 producer Shani Kulture was awarded for his dedication to children with his youth-friendly programs in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Jordan Rathkopf

Honorees Danny Mohabir and guest at the annual Caribbean Life Impact awards gala.

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Jean Alexander, center, founder of the Caribbean American Center of New York was among dozens of guests who came out to support the event.

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From top left, Caribbean Life reporter Nelson A. King, and Assosicate Editor Michael Kevin Williams, pose with guests at the gala.

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Ready to go: Twenty-nine crisp impact awards were handed out on Nov. 16.

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Community support: A guest walks around with the Nov. 16 issue of Caribbean Life.

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Awardee Ravi Ramkeesoon poses with his family at the Impact Awards gala.

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Guests and honorees were all glitz and glamour.

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Wayne McKenzie is all smiles at the event.

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Long time Caribbean Life reporter Nelson A. King was the master of ceremony at the event.

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Presenter Tai Abrams looks on at the Caribbean Life Impact awards gala.

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Linda McPherson holds her impact award.

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Amarimba Charles is awarded with an impact award.

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Letitia Theodore-Greene, smiles during the annual Caribbean Life Impact awards gala, where she was honored.

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Chanel Adams smiles after giving an emotional speech for receiving her impact award.

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Daniela Fifi was honored with an impact award for her commitment to the arts preservation.

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Honoree Ashley Murray is honored for her work to provide children with musical and cultural educational experiences.

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Husband and wife, Shelley and Danny Mohabir are honored for their community work in Ozone Park, Queens.

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Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte (D—Ditmas Park) attended the gala and presented proclamations to some of the honorees.

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Guests were dined with Caribbean food and treats.

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Angela P. Sealy, chairwoman at the West Indian American Day Carnival Association was one of the many honorees awarded for her impact on the Caribbean community.

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From left, Tai Abrams, awardee Cyril “Scorcher” Thomas, and master of ceremony Nelson A. King.

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A representative for honoree Sharon Gordon, accepts the impact award on her behalf.

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Caribbean Life Associate Publisher Ralph D’Onofrio, center, poses with guests at the publication’s annual Impact Award gala on Nov. 16.

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Winette Saunders talks to guests after accepting her impact award.

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Motivational speaker Dennis Rahiim Watson inspires guests during the ceremony.

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Attorney Melinda Alexis-Hayes speaks about her honor at the ceremony.

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Chef Wenford Patrick Simpson walks up to accept to his Caribbean Life Impact Award.

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Awardees Ingrid Griffith, left, and Rose Graham, await their Impact awards at the annual Caribbean Life Impact awards on Nov. 16.

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An excited Rose Graham talks about receiving an award for her work in education.

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Honorable Judge Ingrid Joseph accepts her impact award.

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Honoree Soraya Denis talks to guests at the ceremony about her pathway to receiving her impact award.

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All together: Caribbean Life’s Impact award gala awarded 29 Caribbean-Americans for their community work.

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From left, honorees Winette Saunders, Soraya Denis, and Margarette Tropnas.

Photo by Jordan Rathkopf