Everybody’s Magazine plan a huge Mother’s Day fete that will headline some of the Caribbean’s best known soca and calypso legends – all of whom will serenade five achieving women and in addition pay tribute to the single day dedicated to women who nurture children.
Billed “Mother We Love You Concert,” publisher Herman Hall said women named for excellence by his magazine represent the best of the region and deserve to be feted by some of the best entertainers from the region.
Among the chosen: Denise Donaldson of Grenada, Brenda Harris Ephraim from the twin islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Janet Logan of Jamaica, Gloria Smith of Panama and Vena W. Baker who was born in Panama but raised in Jamaica.
The five women of distinction have all distinguished themselves as independent, successful immigrants who have left an indelible imprint on the New York landscape. However, on May 10, it will be their mothering characteristic that will place them front and center with the likes of the calypso king and queen – The Mighty Sparrow and Calypso Rose, Singing Sandra, Shadow, King Short Shirt, Braata Jamaica Folks Singers and others. The evening’s emcee will be comedienne Susan Kennedy.
I proudly send a special Mother’s Day shout-out to Mother Baker. She is a retired registered nurse from Montefiore Hospital but most importantly, my own mom. Born in Colon, Panama, she is known as an advocate of the teachings of Marcus Mosiah Garvey. She is also an avid supporter of the National Action Network (NAN), the United African Movement (UAM) Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations (ASCAC), The Jamaica Progressive League, New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and many more organizations. I have known her to be a world traveler who has visited a myriad of destinations throughout the Caribbean, Europe, South America, China, as well as landmark locations including Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, Israel and Jerusalem; Egypt, the land of the Pharoahs, Robben Island where South Africa’s President Nelson Mandela was confined for more than two decades. She has revisited the continent of Africa many times over stopping into more than 20 countries there but most often her beloved Ghana. She said she is proud of all the visits she made with grand master teachers — Egyptologist Prof. Josef Ben Jochannon, Prof. Leonard Jeffries and Prof. Asa Hilliard. She was a student of Dr. John Henrik Clarke and remains his advocate and shepherd. She is particularly fond of Haiti and the legacy of liberation and example the French Caribbean nation has given to the rest of the world. She is most proud of her only grandson Kahlil T. Goodwyn who is the venue manager of Central Park Summerstage.
As Rev. Al Sharpton refers to her, “Mother Baker,” I honor and congratulate you.
The concert is slated to begin at 8:00 p.m. at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College, 1 Campus Road & Hillel Place (near Nostrand & Flatbush Ave. junction).
RESPECTED BLACK PRESS JOURNALIST CHARLES ROGERS PASSES
Charles E. Rogers represented the Black press at a time when readers relied on the medium for clear, concise reportage related to people of color. Using his “Different Stages” column published in the Amsterdam News he broached every aspect of the sports and entertainment spectrum providing his perspectives on theater, films, music, television, publishing and the games. Charles’ poignant items were usually on the cutting edge of news reporting.
He doubled as a publicist representing the likes of M.C. Trouble, actor Obba Babbatunde, radio personality Vaughan Harper, Doug E. Fresh and a myriad of names who might never have gotten the kind of visibility Charles provided with his publicity firm.
More than anything, he was a colleague who tried to support others. He was a friend. He died on April 29 and leaves a long list of colleagues and friends who will grieve his passing. His family should know that he was dearly loved and respected during his lifetime.
Ann Tripp, WBLS news director added this to the long list of commentary that marked his May 6 funeral rites at Brooklyn’s Duryea Presbyterian Church:
“Charles Rogers’ passing dims the lights on Black Broadway, Black Off-Broadway and Black Off-Off Broadway because that’s where he could be found listening, appreciating, writing, supporting and chronicling. He was a human glossary of all things entertaining and creative in the African American community and could always be counted on to give a little ink to those new to the scene as well as to make sure his readers never forgot the great ones whose contributions were poached and who were never given their due by mainstream entertainment reporters. Charles Rogers loved classic Black movies and would make beautifully illustrated copies for me or anyone who asked. He loved his family, he loved his children he was proud of all of us and we were proud of him.”
Catch You On The Inside!
