The Brooklyn-based Vincentian group Vincentian-American National Charities, Inc. (VINCI) on Sunday honored three outstanding members of the community during its 40th anniversary gala celebration at El Caribe Country Club on Strickland Avenue in the Mill Basin section of Brooklyn.
VINCI bestowed its Outstanding Achievement Award on Vincentian Soca Monarch and Cultural Ambassador Delroy “Fireman” Hooper; Award of Distinction on Atiba T. Edwards, the newly-appointed chief executive officer and president of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum; and the Sylvia Wilson Humanitarian Award, named after VINCI’s deceased, former president, on Claudette Thomas-Butler, a philanthropist.
“Our honorees, over the years, has covered the wide spectrum of Vincentian society, and this year is no exception,” said VINCI President Wayne Raguette, stating that, this year, VINCI is “extremely proud to honor these three outstanding persons.”
In addition to all members, who have contributed to making the organization a success, VINCI, during the 5 ½-hour-long ceremony, recognized four outstanding members for their “dedication and hard work”: Jean and Ossie Lewis, Deloris Providence and Cynthia Billinghurst.
All honorees were also presented with proclamations and citations by Congresswoman Yvett D. Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 9th Congressional District; State Assemblywoman Monique Chandler-Waterman, the daughter of Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants, who represents the 58th Assembly District; and Mercedes Narcisse, the Haitian-born representative for the 46th Council District – all in Brooklyn.
Though they were unable to attend the ceremony, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Ambassador to the United States Lou-Ann Gilchrist and Consul General to the United States Rondy “Luta” McIntosh extended congratulations, through the souvenir journal, to the honorees and VINCI.
Gilchrist thanked the honorees for their “considerable contribution to the country,” adding: “May they continue to inspire others through their work and by their dedication.”
McIntosh, also a soca artiste, urged the honorees to “let your light perpetually shine and continue to be an inspiration to us all to give selflessly.”
He said the honorees’ award is “testament to VINCI’s work in elevating and highlighting outstanding Vincentians who aspire to raise the profile of SVG (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) in their respective endeavors.”
In introducing Hooper, Enisha Fern Dopwell, VINCI’s public relations officer, who served as Mistress of Ceremonies, amid much acclaim, noted that the cultural ambassador is “no stranger to the musical stage.”
“Tonight, we’re so honored that he’s here to be honored,” said Dopwell before reading the long list of the 12-time Soca Monarch’s accomplishments.
Afterwards, VINCI showed, on a huge screen, a video of Hooper’s performances.
Hooper described the honor, in a Caribbean Life interview, as “out-of-this world.”
“The most important thing is being disciplined,” said Hooper, who also won the Ragga Soca crowns in Vincy Mas in 2010, 2014 and 2022, and Road March tiles in 2014 and 2023. “Discipline is the key to success.
“It’s always good for people to recognize you for what you’re doing,” he added, flanked by his mother, Eltina Hooper, and youngest brother, Mackell. “Without the people, you can’t get where you are and what you’re doing. So, you need support and the people around.
“So, my friends are responsible for getting me on this journey,” continued Hooper, thanking “each and everyone from the VINCI organization for recognizing me for such an award; and, there’s more to come once I keep working.”
Ms. Hooper told Caribbean Life: “I feel like I want to cry. I sent them (her children) to school. I never treated him (“Fireman”) bad. I took care of them without a father.”
Mackell said he was feeling “very happy and good, very proud” for his brother’s success and honor.
When he was confirmed last month as president and chief executive officer of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Edwards, who was born in St. Vincent and the Grenadines but grew up in Brownsville, Brooklyn, became the first Black to head the museum since it was founded in 1899.
“We can do what we want to,” Edwards told patrons in his acceptance speech to loud applause and a standing ovation. “Mom, dad, I made it; I reach.”
Afterwards, he told Caribbean Life that he felt “a tremendous amount of generational pride in that both my family and extended family have come out to roaring applause, but also a community that knows the hard work ahead, and showing up and offering support in whatever way needed.
“As I move into this next chapter, I know that I have an amazing team, community and country that are rooting for me,” said Edwards, who acted as president and chief executive officer of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, since mid-August, following the departure of Stephanie Hill Wilchfort.
Even though she was physically present at the event, Edwards’ mother, Cornelia Edwards, said in a pre-recorded video message that her son, a “middle child,” was “very inquisitive and always engaged in technology” while growing up.
“My husband and I always instilled in our children never to be complacent and never let your environment define you,” said Mrs. Edwards, disclosing that Abita attended the Bronx High School of Science and the University of Michigan, where he graduated with a degree in industrial engineering and another in liberal arts.
On returning to Brooklyn, she said Atiba worked at JP Morgan Chase as the first Rastafarian analyst, then at the Bank of Nomura, followed by six years as the co-lead of the Brooklyn Collegiate School.
“Fast forward to today, history has been made, and we all know that story well,” Mrs. Edwards said. “From Paul’s Avenue, Stoney Grounds (both in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Brownsville. Congratulations Atiba, you have proven that with determination, dedication and discipline, and with the love and support from family, you can achieve success no matter where you come from. Atiba, your journey has just begun.”
VINCI said that Thomas-Butler, a former netballer and member of several community groups in Brooklyn, “loved to give”.
“Her generous spirit meant she would give not because she had a lot but because she insisted on helping others in need,” said VINCI in its souvenir journal. “She joined friends and organizations that were community-oriented. Once, it was about building community and helping those in need, Claudette was all in.
“She loved to dance, she loved sports, especially netball, and she pride herself as an actor,” it added. “Tell her do any of these for her community organization, to celebrate SVG’s independence, or to raise funds, and you do not have to say another word. It was done.
“She is generous of spirit and caring to a fault,” VINCI continued. “She gives not because she expects anything in return. She cares little about public attention or recognition.”
After accepting her award, Thomas-Butler thanked her mother and other family members, her co-honorees and VINCI, stating that she does community service not looking for any reward.
“To VINCI, I thank you for give me this award,” she said, giving a “heart-felt thank-you” to Dopwell, and thanking “each and every one for your support.”
