The Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc. (GCA) honored some of the best and brightest for their outstanding contributions to the community at its Awards Ceremony on Aug. 28.
This event is one of the signature events of the Annual Folk Festival weekend of activities.The festive evening was celebrated in a fundraising Dinner Reception format, from 6 p.m. with a Cocktail hour in St. Gabriel’s Golden Hall on Hawthorne Street, against a backdrop of the colors of Guyana’s Golden Arrowhead flag of achievement.
The awards ceremony, where GCA joins the Brooklyn community and beyond to express heartfelt congratulations to cultural exemplars, recognized a wide section of the diaspora in various categories.
Recipients received GCA Stick Figure statues, designed by Jonathan Locke, Proclamations from U.S. Rep. Yvette D. Clarke, and Citations from Senator Roxanne J. Persaud.
They are Lifetime, Dr. Vibert Cambridge, Exemplary; Roxanne Lashley, GCA; Errol Hazelwood, Lorraine Croft-Farnell, Andy Ninvalle, Calvin Booker, Anthony Alleyne, and GCA Business Partner Emblem Health, Ann Marie Adamson-Serieux, Godfrey Chin 1st Prize, Leon More 2nd Prize – The Shabna Show (Shabna Rahman), 3rd Prize Philip Wallace, Derry Etkins Composition, Preservation, Rudy Bishop, Claire A. Goring Youth Award, Jean Moise Merable, ISAAC Scotland, and Johannah Rae George.In her message on behalf of the executive and members, Ave Marie Brewster-Haynes, president of GCA, extended greetings to the sold-out audience, noting that it was a joyous yet solemn occasion.“We celebrate and document the achievements of contributors of distinction at home and abroad through the “2024 Guyana Cultural Association Awards.”
“It is with a deep sense of pride and an air of hope, harmony, and continuity to our late executive director’s unwavering commitment to the education and development of our youth that we present to you the 2024 Awardees of the Inaugural Claire Ann Goring, M.S. Youth Award,” she said. Brewster-Haynes noted that the event showcases one of the many seeds planted by the late Executive Director and Cultural Icon Claire Ann Goring that has blossomed.
“Over the past 24 years, the signature events of Guyana Folk Festival season have provided entertainment platforms to explore Guyana’s multi-ethnic cultural heritage and to encourage creativity and innovation in Guyanese expressiveness through community service, literary, performance and visual arts, information technology, and social media,” she said.
“Tonight’s awardees represent GCA’s commitment to community engagement. We thank you for your contributions as nominators and supporters of the awards process. Your ongoing financial and moral support is valued and sincerely appreciated,” said President Brewster-Hayes.
“I would like to pay tribute to the late Marcia Gordon, the past Secretary to the Awards Committee whose sterling contributions will forever be etched in our hearts, she said, adding that the fundraising Awards Dinner was a success and thanked all the dignitaries, sponsors, donors, alumni, and craftsman Jonathan Locke. She also acknowledged the production team, cultural director, and many others.
Consul General of Guyana to New York, Ambassador Michael E. Brotherson, in a written message, extended best wishes to GCA at the 23rd Annual Awards ceremony.
He also congratulated the honorees, noting that the cultural influencers were worthy of the honor for their outstanding service and commitment to enhancing Guyanese and Caribbean culture in numerous cognate fields.
“As a Diaspora body, the GCA is recognized as a credible organization which has been able not only to promote and advocate for genuine partnerships and unity in the Guyanese and the wider Caribbean Diaspora but also has successfully etched a place for our culture in the life of the society in which you function,” expressed CG Brotherson.
The cultural evening, which saw attendees decked out in African attire, was honored with a choreography—Our Land Our Home by Joro Dance Company, an instrumental solo by Erwin “Souflantis” Ewards, and a Tap Dance titled Cal-ibrate by Calvin Booker.Presenters included Dr. Patricia Cambridge, Gail Nunes, Alex Neptune, Allison Skette, and Sybil Chester.
University of Guyana Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, Ph.D a behavioral scientist educated at Harvard University, was also in attendance.
Desiree Edghill hosted the event, which benefited from a Silent Auction. It concluded with a folk medley led by Winston “Jeggae” Hoppie and a vote of thanks by Verna Walcott-White.
The event was described as elegant and exuded pride.GCA, a 501(c)(3) Organization whose Mission is to Preserve, Promote, and Propagate Guyanese creativity and Document, Showcase, and Celebrate the multiple roots of Guyana’s cultural heritage, was celebrated under the theme of hope, Harmony, and Continuity.
Through its work, the group preserves Guyanese cultural heritage and makes it available through various channels to inspire future generations of nationals at home and abroad.Executive board members are Edgar Henry, v.p.; Patricia Jordon-Langford, secretary; Claire J. Patterson, interim executive director; Clive Powell, cultural director; Maurice Blenman, assistant cultural director; Verna Walcott-White, assistant cultural director; Jacqueline Newton, secretary; Shauna Parker-Harding assistant secretary, and Avis Penelope Bascom financial director.
