Danny Glover, legendary, multi-award-winning actor, took Queens by storm, on Sunday, Nov. 5, at a meet and greet reception organized by the Miss CARICOM International Foundation in Queens.
The 75-year-old Glover, a political activist, and film director, who visited Guyana in 2004, received a warm welcome from Guyanese-American, Founder, President, Monica Sanchez, who organized the event, in collaboration with Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Queens), and Kenrick Ross, proprietor of Ross Code Lounge in Richmond Hill, where the event was held.
Ushered in with a flurry of excitement, and a drumming salute, by master drummer, Menes de Groit, and accompanied by Sen. Sanders, the retired thespian later graciously posed for pictures with scores of guests, before saying in a speech, how honored he was to be there.
Introduced by Sen. Sanders, Glover, widely known for his lead role as Roger Murtaugh in the “Lethal Weapon” film series, and who had leading roles in the “Color Purple,” “Sleep With Anger,” “Predator 2,” “Angels in the Outfield,” “Operation Dumbo Drop,” and many others, was called a philanthropist, historian, activist, who graduated with a degree in political science, but chose to make a career in Hollywood, applauded Sanchez for bringing people together, noting, he has always been intrigued by the stories of the community.
In his response, Glover called Sen. Sanders a great politician, who “deals with the issues we care about in the community, he is right there at the table,” he said, and quipped, Sanders was a little hyperbole when he introduced him, (Glover), before he broke out into his notoriously hearty laughter.
He added, “I am here because of Monica Sanchez, of Miss CARICOM Foundation, but I am also here because, I have always been intrigued by the diversity of stories within the community. The brother, here, and this beautiful place, is a part of that story.”
“As someone who migrated from Guyana, and created something that has purpose, a place of discovery. It may be a night club, and the food is great, but more than anything else, this is a place where we come together whether it is in the service of Miss CARICOM, or the service of the wonderful senator, who in his community, is continuing to do the work he is doing, touching citizens within the community.”
“That is what this is all about. That is what intrigues me. How do we get to where we get to? I had no idea, that I would have been an actor. I began in community service.”
“First, while in college in community service, back in 1966,” adding he and the senator, talked about new, hopeful things that were happening in communities, not only in my community in San Francisco but, across the country. A lot of things have been disappointing, but it is we the people who continue to find ways in which we can come together and create the kind of change for the future.
“There is a lot of things on our plate, on our agenda, and we have to be engaged citizens collectively where we come from, wherever we migrated from, even if we migrated from East Harlem to here, the fact is we had to come here and come together. This is the moment that gives me clarity, so I am honored to be here with you,” said Glover.
“We are here to celebrate ourselves, what we have done, and the work we have to continue to do, thank you,” he said
Executive legislative aide and constituent manager, and humanitarian in the Guyanese community, Lady
Ira Lewis, on behalf of Assemblywoman Britnee N. Timberlake, of the 34th Legislative District, invited the Dreamgirls actor to New Jersey, during Black History Month 2022, where he will be honored, by the politician.
Recently elected, Queens Supreme Court Judge Joseph Kasper, Bibi Alli, founder, Culture of Blessing Organization, and author of “Power of the Soil,” Shameeza Ally, producer and host of “Get Real with Shameeza,” Ray Rasheed, Rotary Club representative, Anthony Springer, Springer Printing, Brooklyn, and others, attended the reception.
