History was made in Richmond Hill, Queens, on May 29, when the intersection of Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Boulevar was co-named “Little Guyana Avenue,” in a community that a large population of Guyanese calls home.
Mayor Bill deBlasio applauded Guyana for its many contributions to New York City, its people of different backgrounds, businesses and faiths, coming together as one. “That is what New York stands for as well,” said the politician who joined hundreds of nationals, during an unveiling ceremony, highlighted by Tassa band music.
Council Member Adams who sponsored and passed legislation in December 2020, said: “The historic, street co-naming, Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard as “Little Guyana Avenue” has been long-awaited but so well-deserved. For decades, our Guyanese community has contributed to the economic, cultural, and political fabric of Queens, and now their accomplishments and impact are officially recognized through this new street sign.”
“The co-naming of Little Guyana Avenue is testament to the hard work and sacrifices of our immigrant families, longtime small businesses, and community organizations and leaders who have endeavored to make their mark on our community and our city. Their long and lasting legacy of community building will forever be remembered,” she said.
Congressman Gregory Meeks said: “I’m delighted to see the impact of the Guyanese community being recognized. Little Guyana Avenue may be new, but the Guyanese community in Southeast Queens has been vibrant for many years.”
“There are few communities that represent our borough’s unmatched diversity and pride in its heritage than the Guyanese-American community in Richmond Hill. It is an honor to officially declare Liberty Avenue as Little Guyana Avenue, cementing the remarkable strength and the countless contributions of our thousands of Guyanese-American families who call this neighborhood home,” remarked Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr.
“We applaud Councilmember Adrienne Adams for her efforts to make this street co-naming possible, and we look forward to a celebratory summer on Little Guyana Avenue honoring Queens’ Guyanese heritage, culture, cuisine and more.”
“As a second-generation Guyanese-American representing the second largest diaspora in Queens, and as your deputy borough president, I join with Queens Borough President, Donovan Richards in expressing our pride with the co-naming of Liberty Avenue as Little Guyana Avenue,” said Deputy Borough President, Rhonda Binda.
“As the first South Asian woman elected to office in New York State, I am proud to represent the entire South Asian diaspora, which includes Indo-Caribbeans from the great nation of Guyana. The South Asian community now has a seat at the table of power in our state and is finally getting the recognition and resources it deserves,” said Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar.
“This was a proud and powerful moment for generations of Guyanese-Americans who built Little Guyana, like my parents,” said Richard David, district leader, Assembly District 31.
Mohamed Q. Amin, founder and executive director of Caribbean Equality Project, “LGBTQ+ said people have always been essential. As we celebrate this historic moment for all Guyanese, it is also a reminder that queer and trans Caribbean people have always been a part of the intersectional embodied struggles of belonging in Little Guyana.”
Liberty Avenue is one of New York’s most thriving metropolis and its historic co-naming to “Little Guyana Avenue” is a fitting honor for the economic and cultural contributions that members of the Guyanese community have made to the town of Richmond Hill,” said Cloyette Harris-Stoute, founder and executive director of Guyanese Girls Rock Foundation, Inc.
“The United Madrassi Association Inc. extends congratulations to the Guyanese community on the co-naming of Little Guyana Avenue. The contributions that Guyanese-Americans have made to the United States, and Richmond Hill specifically, must be noted and remembered,” said Vijah Ramjattan, founder and president of United Madrassi Association Inc.
“Liberty Avenue is more than symbolic,” said Dr. Dhanpaul Narine. “It encapsulates the dreams and aspirations of the immigrant.”
“I am proud to be part of history in the making with the co-naming of ‘Little Guyana Avenue,’” said Jeany Persaud, a community activist with the New York City Corrections Department Desi Society.
“Being part of this proud historic moment that happened on May 29, 2021,” said Ray Persaud, president of the New York City Corrections Department Desi Society, “Little Guyana Avenue showed me we can, be unified,” said Persaud.
The co-naming of Little Guyana Avenue came three days after the 55th anniversary of Guyana’s Independence Day, and celebrated with a brief history presentation of the Republic.
