The Brooklyn-based Grenada-American Ex-Teachers’ Association, Inc. on Saturday night honored seven outstanding members of the community for their exemplary service during its 4th Annual Yuletide Awards and Gala Ceremony.
During the ceremony, at Nazareth High School in East Flatbush, the association bestowed honors on Ambassador of Diaspora Affairs Terrance Forrester; Education Awards on Crystal McQueen-Taylor and Carmen Perryman-Coward; Community Service Awards on Jennie Marie Pascal, Donna Mitchell and Jamar Quenton Louison; and Cultural Award on Pamela Date.
The honorees also received proclamations and citations from local elected officials, including House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, representative for the 8th Congressional District that encompasses parts of Brooklyn and Queens.
Miss Grenada USA Mickala Forrester Ewen was also on hand to help confer the honors.
“The Grenadian-American Ex-Teachers’ Association, Inc. is a beacon of light in the Brooklyn community and beyond, and is the only group within the Diaspora that acknowledges, recognizes and rewards individuals, young and old alike,” said President Cecily Mason.
“It is also the pioneer in welcoming Grenadian elected officials who will be serving here within the community,” she added.
In receiving the special award, Forrester praised Mason for her continued service to the community.
“It is not too often that we find a person who makes sacrifices in the spirit of giving,” he said. “On behalf of Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, I want to extend to the Grenadian-American Ex-Teachers’ Association (gratitude) for the work of Cecily Mason and her team.
“It’s an example and honor for her over the years,” he added, using the opportunity also to congratulate Bernard Bourne, president of the incumbent National Democratic Congress (NDC) support group in New York, as well as to Winsome Slocombe, executive member of the Grenadian-American Ex-Teachers’ Association, Inc.
“It’s not easy to serve, but it’s a passion that you continue to give all the time,” Forrester continued.
McQueen-Taylor told Caribbean Life afterwards that she was honored to receive the award.
“I’ve known Ms. Mason and was involved with the association since a kid,” she said. “So, it feels honored by people I’ve known all my life.”
Louison said described the award as being “out of this world, because, when Ms. Mason called me, I was in shock, to the point where I asked her, ‘why?’
“And even tonight, I’m still trying to grasp it,” he added in Caribbean Life interview. “I appreciate everything that the Grenadian-American Ex-Teachers Association is doing in the US, to the point that I want to be a part of that.”
Perryman-Coward also told Caribbean Life that she was “humbled because I didn’t go into teaching to be awarded for it. I love it.”
Date said, she, too, was “honored” and felt “appreciated.”
“My hard work has been recognized,” she told Caribbean Life. “I feel loved by the community. It’s 10 years I’ve been doing this and more to come.”
Mason said the event was “fun,” adding that “there were lots of Happy Holiday wishes and Happy New Year greetings throughout the entire evening.
“All in all, I feel satisfied with the night’s proceedings,” she added. “We were very pleased to have in our midst H.E. Terrance Forrester, Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs. He added luster to the event, and his address to the crowd was impeccable.
“Our reigning queen Miss Grenada USA Mickalia Forrester-Ewen carried out her duties with honor and dignity. We thank her,” Mason continued. “We wish to extend gracious thanks and much appreciation to the supporters.”
About the honorees
Forrester
Over the last three decades, Forrester has served successfully on numerous statutory boards as chairman, including chairman of the committee to plan the activities to celebrate Grenada’s (Silver jubilee’) to mark the 25th Anniversary of Grenada’s independence. He also served as chairman of the (GIDC), Grenada Industrial Development Corporation, The Financial Complex Limited, Grenada Airports Authority, The Housing Authority of Grenada, Grenada Broadcasting Network, and the National Water and Sewerage Authority.
As chairman of NAWASA, Ambassador Forrester led the process to create and implement a 25-year Strategic Development Plan, working with strategic partners. NAWASA is today, one of the most effectively run statutory bodies because of the implementation of this 25-year strategic plan.
Forrester is no stranger to the diplomatic community as he also held the important position of director of tourism for Grenada based at the Grenada High Commission in London with responsibility for the United Kingdom and Europe between 1982 and 1984. Before that posting, he worked as a senior manager for a regional airline, LIAT, and represented the company on the local Grenada Tourist Board, under the chairmanship of the late Dr. the Hon. John Watts.
Carmen Perryman-Coward
She embodies the quintessence of educational dedication, seamlessly blending a fervor for inclusive teaching with an unwavering commitment to scholastic distinction. Esteemed as a Special Education/SPED and General Education Teacher, her pedagogic journey is marked by the distinguished honor of being named NYC Big Apple Teacher of The Year—a testament to her exemplary contributions to the field.
Perryman-Coward’s academic odyssey, punctuated by the acquisition of outstanding distinctions of a Master’s Degree in Special and General Education, an Associate Degree in Human Services, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology—with the honor of magna cum laude— stands as a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of her mother’s enduring emphasis on the power of education, despite limited opportunities.
Crystal McQueen-Taylor
McQueen-Taylor was accepted to the prestigious Prep for Prep 9 leadership development program in seventh grade, which led to her being accepted to a boarding school, Middlesex School in Concord, MA. While Crystal navigated the challenges of being in a completely foreign environment that had fewer than 30 Black students in the entire school, she continued to excel academically, and took on various leadership opportunities such as leading the Black Student Union.
McQueen-Taylor then attended Brown University, an Ivy League school, and majored in Education Studies with a focus on race, class, and gender in American education.
She later went on to attend Bank Street College of Education for her master’s degree coursework and then Columbia University Business School earned her certificate of Business Excellence in Executive Education.
Propelled by her experience in the NYC public school system, she pursued a career as a teacher straight out of college. McQueen-Taylor started her professional career as a New York City public school teacher in the South Bronx then taught as a lead teacher at an international school during her time living in Japan.
She later led the NYC Teaching Fellows, the largest alternative teacher certification program in the country, scaling the program to provide over 2,500 NYC public school teachers annually to the highest need classrooms. She then served as the Regional Senior Director for Uncommon Schools NYC, a public charter school network, where she managed district charter partnerships, external affairs, advocacy, parent organizing, and governance.
Since 2022, McQueen-Taylor has served as StudentsFirstNY’s Executive Director. StudentsFirstNY is a parent organizing and legislative advocacy organization that fights for student and family centered public education reforms.
Pamela Hankey Date
Date’s background is rich in culture with both her maternal and paternal great-grandparents having a love for Afro-Caribbean folk customs and traditions, which dominated the villages of La Fillette and Mt. Horne.
After graduating from St. Joseph’s Convent Grenville, Date started her own business with a clothing boutique and hair braiding salon in the town of Grenville. During this time, she cultivated lots of friends and grew in popularity.
It was on this journey that Date began to receive inspiration to help people in vulnerable situations. She created a space for this purpose and began organizing activities to help children and youth in her community who were in need. She also developed an interest in politics and found ways to support the candidates she found similitude with.
In August 1993, Date left Grenada and traveled to the United States, arriving in New York where her life would change forever. She has always enjoyed hairdressing and wanted to strengthen her skills to increase her product knowledge and become more marketable. She pursued studies in hairdressing and obtained a cosmetology license, which opened many doors for her.
Date always imagined being a businesswoman in the USA which she was able to fully accomplish for the past 22 nyears. She opened her own salon which grew into a successful business.
She is active is the East Flatbush community. As a board member of Nostrand Merchant Association, the members implement best practices for business development and fight to improve and create policies that will benefit the Nostrand community.
Together with her daughter Rhea, Date formed Rhea and Associates Kiddies Band, a community-based organization that supports cultural events and provide toys to children during the Christmas season for the past 11 years.
Donna Mitchell-Charles
Donna Mitchell-Charles was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, migrated to Grenada at 9 with her father Doyle Mitchell from Happy Hill, St. George, and Theresa Grace Mitchell nee Lewis.
While she attended primary school, she was a member of the Girl Guides Association and 4-H groups. She graduated from the St. Andrew Anglican Secondary School (SAASS).
After completing secondary school, Mitchell-Charles temporarily worked at St. Andrews Medical and Dental Clinic and in the evenings as a photographer with the Parliamentary Electoral office. She then also worked with Grenada Cocoa Associate as a clerk, and sold encyclopedias on the side. She also worked part-time as a surveyor for the Population Census.
Later, Mitchell-Charles landed a job with the biggest hotel on the island, namely, Rex Grenadian Hotel, where he was employed as a Wedding Coordination and Guest Services representative for almost five years.
Subsequently, she moved on with Trinidadian Construction company, Hafeez Karamath Construction as an executive administrative assistant, overseeing the reconstruction of The Convention Center at Grand Beach Resort, formerly known as Ramada Hotel.
Mitchell-Charles volunteered with Partnership for Parks, under the guidance of Jennifer Viechweg -Horsford Constituent and Community Relations Coordinator, in cleaning and beautifying the Seaview Park in Canarsie in Brooklyn, an area with daffodil flowers.
She also worked alongside members of the Grenadian-American Ex-Teachers Association Inc. with its fundraisers.
Recently, joined the Paraclete (St. Andrew, Grenada) New York branch to help raise funds for the children and the less fortunate in the surrounding communities.
Jennie Marie Pascal
Pascal, born and raised in the vibrant community of Woburn, St. George’s, embarked on her educational journey at the esteemed Woburn R. C. School. She made the transition to St. John’s Christian Secondary School, where she continued to excel in her studies and further develop her skills.
Recognizing her potential, Pascal sought new challenges and opportunities to broaden her horizons. With unwavering determination, she pursued admission to the Grenada Technical and Vocational Institute (now known as Grenada National College), where she successfully obtained her secretarial certificate.
Following her graduation, she gained a short-term employment opportunity with the Government of Grenada in the Ministry of Finance. However, she eventually decided to pursue a different path and accepted the role of secretary at Pannell Kerr Forster, Chartered Accountants. Her dedication to this position continued until she made the life-changing decision to immigrate to the United States in 1997.
Pascal has faithfully served as the Administrative Assistant at the Grenada Consulate in New York for over a decade. Her unwavering dedication and passion for her work are evident as she tirelessly supports the cause of nation building and development. She holds a Business Management associate degree and is a Notary Public for the State of New York.
Jamar Quenton Louison
Louison has a dynamic personality that embodies the true essence of his roots from the beautiful spice island of Grenada. Whether he is hosting or attending an event, it’s always cause for celebration as he is family-oriented, hospitable and caring.
As an Executive Event Specialist at JP Morgan Chase and founder/CEO of Quentessential NYC, a premier event planning company specializing in weddings, birthday celebrations, and private events, Pascal is a tremendous asset to the industry.
He is also a multifaceted artist, known for his work as a bartender, pageant coach, stylist, and model, having graced the runway at New York Fashion Week for VP Records.
Furthermore, Pascal’s deep ties to his cultural roots are evident from his active involvement in Grenada’s cultural events in New York. His dependable nature and keen artistic eye have earned him a reputation as a reliable resource for ideas and innovation.
With his son Aiden and network of family and friends inspiring him daily, Pascal has embraced his mantra that life should be celebrated.
