The Barbados Consulate in New York City was alive with merriment last Friday, Dec. 16, when Caribbean rhythms, festive dressed nationals, and food from around the Caribbean, celebrated the CARICOM Consular Corps annual Christmas party.
Hostess, Dr. Donna Hunte-Cox, consul general of Barbados to New York, extended warm greetings to the gathering of diplomats, consul generals and expatriates, during the hours-long evening of enjoyment, after a year working diligently to deal with issues that affect the region.
The diplomat acknowledged the 50th Independence Anniversary of Barbados, on Nov. 30, 2016, before congratulating Guyana on its 50th Independence Anniversary that was commemorated on May 26 of this year, by saying “hip hip hooray,” to a receptive audience.
“It is a pleasure to see all of you here. I hope this is a start to something new and better than we have ever seen before,” said Consul General Hunte-Cox as she addressed the attendees who stopped dancing to infectious Caribbean music to listen to the envoy.
She called on her colleagues to encourage expatriates who are documented to become citizens to affect change in New York, stating, “If you have green cards, go to the next step to become US citizens. This is the only way you could affect change.”
Hunte-Cox invited the nationals to attend collaborative town hall meetings and seminars at the consulate so that they are better educated of citizenship procedure, and ongoing programs to address issues that affect them.
“Spread the word that we must come together as one in the region. I wish you a safe and happy Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous 2017,” said Consul General Hunte-Cox.
Jeremiah Hyacinth, vice consul of St. Lucia to New York, who served as emcee, said, “We would like to welcome you to this side of the region. After dealing with lots of issues this year, we felt it was time to come together to host our Christmas party as one.”
VC Hyacinth then acknowledged the presence of Peter Helder Bernard, consul general of Haiti to New York, Barbara Atherly, consul general of Guyana to New York, Urvashi Ramnarine, (AG) consul general of Trinidad & Tobago to New York, Michelle Longsworth, consul general of Belize to New York, and Roman Longsworth, vice consul general of Belize to New York.
Ambassador, H.E. Keith H. L. Marshall, Barbados permanent representative to the United Nations and Senator Roxanne Persaud, of the 19th Senate District of Brooklyn also attended the event.
