As part of his Caribbean American Heritage Month celebrations, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer on Tuesday honored three Caribbean Americans in a grand celebration at Tropical Paradise Ballroom on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn.
Stringer bestowed the honor on Haitian educator, community organizer and activist Dr. Monalisa Ferrari, US Virgin Islands (USVI)-born pastor Gilford T. Monrose, and Panamanian roots DJ Norie.
Norie was not present to accept the award, but Stringer told the packed crowd, to huge laughter, that he was bestowing the award whether or not he showed up.
“We have three amazing honorees,” Stringer said. “Our City has long been a beacon of hope for immigrants. From Canarsie in Brooklyn to Gun Hill in the Bronx, Caribbean-American New Yorkers’ vibrant energy, strong community, and entrepreneurial spirit have become part of the very fabric of our city.
“Our nearly one million Caribbean-American citizens have made this city what it is today,” he added. “You’ve helped build our boroughs, you’ve lifted up our neighborhoods, and you’ve served New Yorkers as nurses, doctors, police officers, lawyers, firefighters, and entrepreneurs.
“You’re our neighbors, friends, colleagues, family members,” he continued. “And immigrants enrich us in ways that can’t be counted.”
He noted that more than 670,000 New Yorkers — over 20 percent of the city’s immigrant population — are eligible for naturalization, but haven’t applied, because of the cost.
Dr. Ferrari works at the NYC Department of Education as a professional development coordinator, and has previously served as a dean, middle school director, lead teacher and mentor.
Pastor Monrose has been a religious leader and community activist since moving to NYC in 1999. He serves as chaplain for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and director of Faith Based and Clergy Initiatives at the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office.
DJ Norie is considered “America’s most influential radio personality for dance hall reggae.”
The honor ceremony was preceded by two selections from Andrew Clarke, of the Jamaican folklore group, Braata Productions: “Rivers of Babylon” and “Smile Jamaica.”
and director of Faith Based and Clergy Initiatives at the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office.
In addition, he serves on the Board of the Flatbush YMCA, the Advisory Board for Boys Town, and chairs the Community Leadership Council of the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center.
Pastor Monroe worked to get supplies to the Caribbean in the wake of the winter hurricanes.
His direct leadership efforts were responsible for getting four trailers’ worth of supplies to the USVI in the wake of Hurricane Maria.
“This recognition is testament to the work we do in Brooklyn,” said Monrose in his acceptance speech. “Immigrants have really made a big impact.”
DJ Norie is considered “America’s most influential radio personality for dance hall reggae.”
His biography states that he has been devoted for decades in popularizing Caribbean music since his family moved to the US from Panama.
Norie has been involved in “DJ-ing” since he began hauling equipment around East Flatbush as a teenager.
He was part of a collective called “Da Union,” which enabled him to take dancehall into several New York City nightclubs, where it had previously been excluded.
Norie has produced and hosted live concerts. His series, “Anything Goes,” has brought acts like Grammy Award Winning Artist Stephen Marley to New York City.
The honor ceremony was preceded by two selections from Andrew Clarke, of the Jamaican folklore group, Braata Productions: “Rivers of Babylon” and “Smile Jamaica.”
