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PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 3
april Articles
Vol #13 4th edition
Contents
Feature Articles BIG Awards Honorees
32 The Delaware Valley Voice
8 Never Forget
pg 18
10 More Than a Place to Eat 12 In Memory of Dr. Ben 14 The Beauty of the Black Woman 15 Reggae Singer Responds to Critics
Reflections of You
16 My Journey back to London
pg 28
24 W estern Union and Grace Kennedy Announce 2015 Town Hall Series 30 I MF Cautions on Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Programs
CHAIRMAN & PUBLISHER
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
PHOTO JOURNALIST
LEGAL COUNSELOR
PHOTOGRAPHERS
DELAWARE VALLEY
CLIVE WILLIAMS
ADIKA BUTLER
MARJORIE FLASH
GARNETT H. SULLIVAN, ESQ
MARJORIE FLASH OF MY FLASH KEN/UNIVERSAL
PRESIDENT & ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ART DIRECTOR
NEW MEDIA INITIATIVES
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
MEDIA
(PHILADELPHIA, SOUTH JERSEY, DELAWARE)
CHRISTOPHER C. WILLIAMS
VICTOR STOUTE JR
ROCKSTONE MEDIA GROUP
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
MANAGING EDITOR OF ONLINE CONTROLLER MAGAZINE MICHELLE WILLIAMS
ADIKA BUTLER - DR. CLIVE WILLIAMS - MARJORIE ON THE COVER IMAGE Jumanner d. Williams, Gail Lewis, robert FLASH - CHRIS GODFREY SHERON P. - REUBEN c. desouza, rev. canon calvin c. mcintyre, JAMES - BEN CASSELMAN Jumanne omar stewart, millicent clarke, neil curtis, trevor dixon, paula shaw
ANNETTE GORDON
NAKISHA DUNCAN
INQUIRIIES
(917) 749-7613 editors@whereitzatmag.com clive@whereitzatlive.com
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PUBLISHER’S VIBE
THE CRISIS OF LEADERSHIP Re-creating Intelligent Leadership Clive Williams, CEO/ Publisher _________________________ The teaching of Leadership as it pertains to industry, commerce and politics has become an industry of its own in recent years, even popping up on many college curricula, as well as attracting a motley crew of consultants, coaches and so-called gurus selling Leadership Skills to anyone willing to buy. Leadership has become the subject of the most rigorous study and practice by psychologists and other research professionals, as well as by many of the leading titans of industry who conflate their prowess at making money with possessing leadership skills. I believe they’re all missing the mark by packaging leadership skills like just another commodity to be bought and sold, and in this case, for a very high price. I am making the case that this is a travesty, another slick way of denying equal access to minorities by gentrifying a fundamental human skill. So industry, colleges and government conspire blindly to hold leadership opportunities hostage - resolutely denying access to its many advantages and privileges to minorities; this obviously makes leadership to be exclusive instead of inclusive. As far as this writer is concerned the post-modern leadership craze is being fuelled by those whose intention is simply to reinforce the status quo and maintain full control of their economies. If you are astute enough to perceive my cynicism, then you might even understand my rationale for it. I have had the gut-wrenching experiences of working for several fortune 500 companies, where persistent efforts were made to systematically shred my selfesteem and covertly diminish any drive or ambition that I had, to lead. I was often reminded that my confidence and assertiveness, (both vital ingredients of leadership) came across as aggressive, while that of my white counterpart was firm and decisive. How about the fact that I was told I had authority but whenever I used it, my action was overturned by my boss, who then patronized the recipient of my authority. Isn’t it ironic that black leaders are almost always held accountable and responsible but very rarely given the 6 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE
authority that goes with it? Something is damned wrong with that leadership paradigm. It badly needs re-creating; please understand this bit of psychology - if someone has consistently deprived you of your basic rights - self-expression, freedom of assembly, voting rights etc., etc., what makes you think they are willing to choose, appoint or elect you leader? So forgive me if I am not down with today’s establishment leadership fad, which only reinforces and perpetuates a celebrity leadership culture on steroids, with very little room for meaningful minority participation. When any society, including the news media starts calling Donald Trump, Sarah Palin, Marco Rubio, Rick Perry et al leaders, those of us who are still conscious, know for sure, that the gene pool is screwed. That concept of leadership is irreparably harmed and its ideals are bankrupt. It therefore begs the question, “are leaders born or are they made?” The happy answer to that is yes! And yes! Unbiased research suggests that some leaders are born while some leaders are made, even more encouraging is the fact that approximately more than 60% of us have the ability and capacity to lead. This good news means that we in the Black and other minority communities can and must undertake the task of re-creating authentic and organic leadership programs based on our unique needs. There are no better places to start than in our Churches and other charitable organizations, where the fundamentals of service to others are taught. Then, we must find a way to harness the wisdom and experience of the elders in our community to rekindle the mentoring process that has given us many of our successful professionals, politicians, civic leaders, entrepreneurs and Religious leaders. Sadly there are still vestiges of an unfortunate and shameful history in America. So, no matter the quantitative and qualitative value of a black persons leadership, to the rest of America that person is a “Black leader,” yet you never hear of a white leader or an Irish leader, so Black leadership is always posed in contradistinction to generic leadership. Hence, President Obama is a victim of that vestigial paranoia. Traditionally Leadership was assumed by the victor, the vanquished was led, usually through coercion, or brute force if necessary, “to the victor goes the
spoils.” The role of leaders was therefore perceived to be authoritarian and dictatorial and it still is; especially as it pertains to how minority communities are treated by de facto leaders who impose their fiats arbitrarily – a great example of that was when former Mayor Bloomberg coerced the New York City council into changing to New York city charter to buy himself another four year term. If you have paid close attention to the punditry and hubris of professors, politicians, technocrats and gurus alike, they would have you believe that Leadership secrets” are shrouded in the mysterious caverns of their mystical minds. Not so! Regrettably, the element or ingredient that remains untapped, undiscovered and undisclosed is the most uncommon of all, “Common Sense.” A course in common sense from my dad’s school of “hard knocks,” would pose the question, “ how is it that you pretentious Leaders and titans of industry continue to widen the earnings gap between yourselves and the people you lead – earning tens of millions, while your employees don’t make a living wage? A logical follow up question is, “do you still consider yourselves Leaders, since you have become oppressors? The rational common sense foundation for recreating Intelligent Leadership is enshrined in two fundamental concepts, concept number one is: “empowering others by working to assist and serve them, while teaching and imparting the knowledge you have accumulated – that’s service to others.” Concept number two is the practice of shaping the lives of our young aspirants, scholars and professionals through Mentorship. We can re-create intelligent leadership which speaks to the needs of our diverse minority communities by staying in tune with our emotional intelligence and re-calibrating our attitude to life; ask yourself the questions, “what is my real Intention in life?” then, “am I a Giver or a Taker?” If you are a Taker you are a part of the problem, if a Giver you are part of the solution.
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CULTURE & EDUCATION
Never Forget U.N. Assembly unveils monument dedicated to victims of the African Slave Trade. By: Melissa Rawlins As the children of the Sun gathered anxiously, almost breathless under the whipping cold winds on the United Nations Visitors Plaza on March 25, 2015, a slight rain began to fall.
As the first speaker, United Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon noted that the Ark of Return was a “fitting and permanent memorial to the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade” and that “it will stand at United Rodney Leon, architect and designer of the “Ark Nations Headquarters to honor the memory of Return” was just taking the microphone, of some 15 million men, women and children, after a decidedly distinguished and impressive forced to cross the Atlantic ocean in slave ships.” international panel gave inspiring remarks. He also acknowledged the numbers purchased “I see that the rain is starting to come down, but, by slave traders and never survived. I see that representing, tears and blessings from Ban Ki-moon also thanked the donors who the Ancestors,” he said. “The Ark of Return is a made the Ark of Return possible, including project that we conceived and was inspired by member states, foundations, “and in particular the theme Acknowledge the Tragedy - Consider the Caribbean community and the African the Legacy - Lest We Forget. And this 3 part group, the initiative led by his Excellency, the theme led us to begin to delve deeper into the Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the experience of the ancestors who passed during United Nations Mr. Courtenay Rattray. United the tragedy of slavery that occurred for many Nations Secretary-General H.E. Mr. Ban Kicenturies.” moon concluded by remarking that he hoped
people away, and the particular experience slaves had undertaken under extreme conditions through the door of no return.
When walking through the ark, its visitors will notice a map inscribed with the locations of 66 different sites from the continent where people were taken from. Secondly, you will see a “trinity figure carved out of African Black Zimbabwe granite, reaching out to you, which represents the spirit of the men, women, and children who passed away during middle passage,” Leon explains. The third element to engage you is a water fountain which is pointing into the future, inscribed with the words Lest We Forget. That element, he exclaimed, is about us “reflecting upon where we are today, as a human community here at the plaza of the United Nations, and our role in educating future generations, Lest We Forget and are doomed to make the same The United Nations marked March 25, 2015 the monument would serve as “a place to pause mistake and tragedies of the past.” as the International Day of Remembrance of and reflect on the causes and consequences of Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave racism.” Trade. The day was observed by a solemn What inspired the artists’ efforts were the maps commemorative meeting of the General of the triangular slave trade, ships that took Assembly, roundtable discussions, and this unveiling of a permanent memorial that will stay at the United Nations Visitors Plaza as a testament to the victims of slavery and the Transatlantic slave trade. “Freedom was not gifted to us, but was rather earned by the sweat, blood and tears of millions of our forbearers on whose backs the economic foundations of the New World were built,” Jamaican prime minister Portia SimpsonMiller. “…I, the proud daughter of the Ashanti Queen Nanny of the Maroons, cannot ignore the unspeakable tragedy of the many millions who succumbed to the dastardly conditions, and whose memories now pave the annals of our history.” 8 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE
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SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
MORE THAN A PLACE TO EAT! On the brink of celebrating the first year anniversary of their elegant southeast Queens restaurant, Pa-Nash, husband and wife owners Titus and Annette Runcie greeted a filled-room of business leaders from the tri-state area and abroad for the monthly business to business networking gathering. The business networking event convenes the last Tuesday of each month in the lower-level of their establishment, free of charge. According to Annette, “It is our desire to bring leaders together and share knowledge and strengthen the community.” The keynote speaker, Winnie Benjamin encouraged the attendees to “Collaborate now and grow your business.” Please join Pa-Nash Euro Soul Restaurant on May 10, 2015 as they launch their Sunday Gospel Brunch in honor of Mother’s Day. For more information on Pa-Nash, please log on to www.panashnyc.com
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EDITORIAL PAGE
In Memory of Dr. Ben tape shortly after hearing Dr. Ben.
The year was 1990. I was a few months shy of my 12th birthday. After going to the African Street Festival in Brooklyn with my mom that particular summer, I became obsessed with ancient Kemet (Egypt). This fascination was fueled by an emotional connection I felt with the paintings and statues I saw, but also my love for the rap group, X-Clan.
In Black Man of the Nile I read about the African origins of the world’s Western religions as well as the so-called Kemetic “Mystery Schools,” which many new age and Right-Wing Christian authors have since associated with the infamous “Illuminati.” My initial exposure to The Mysteries was through Dr. Ben’s book. I was deeply intrigued by what he had to say about it. I remember reading about the “Illuminati” years later, and how the African god Ausar was really Lucifer in books like Behold A Pale Horse and The Anti-Christ 666.
You should feel personally offended when authors speak in condemnation of the Illuminati. It is your ancestor’s sacred order. For if we are not here on earth to resurrect ourselves back into a state of righteousness and illumination then what are our lives really worth? Absolutely nothing. And the world will treat us accordingly, lest we forget.
These works are classic examples of cultural myopia, which is very prevalent in European assessments of Primary world cultures. Rather than examine the culture within its own cultural context, the near-sighted researcher studies it exclusively through the lens of his own cultural After asking my mom countless questions about bias, which can only result in the reader having On March 19th, at 3:30 am Dr. Yosef Ben “pyramids” the goddess “Isis” and “The Egyptian a distorted understanding of that culture. Jochannan, 97, ascended to the abode of the Book of the Dead” she gave me one of her masters, stripping himself of the cloak of death. books, which I still own to this day: Black Man While reading many of the hysterical New World Let us lionize him in love and light. Let us of the Nile and His Family by Dr. Yosef Ben Order books years ago, my prior experience rejoice in his powerful legacy as he is more Jochannan, who is affectionately known to his with Dr. Ben’s work made me ask myself a alive now than ever. May his work be a greater students across the globe as Dr. Ben. This is the question that we should all inevitably ask of influence to future generations than it was to book that first introduced me to many subjects ourselves: in demonizing the ancient Illuminati those that came before I have since explored in my own writings via are these authors demonizing traditional African spirituality, which is essentially, at the very core By: Adika Butler Mind Glow Media. of Black redemption and self-realization? The Editor-In-Chief Not long after my mom gave me his book I heard answer is yes. an excerpt from one of his lectures on WLIB, a Black talk radio station. He was recounting the The word “Illuminati” simply refers to a group story of Ausar (Osiris) being murdered by his of enlightened individuals. If you are working brother Set, and the ensuing battle that his son to keep other people from realizing their full Heru had with the murderer of his father. As a potential as emanations of divine intelligence, child, the story sounded like an amazing comic then you are definitely not enlightened, book to me. I actually made my own comic out therefore you could not possibly be a member of loose leaf papers bound together by scotch of the Illuminati.
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Beauty Black Woman The of the
PHOTO CREDIT: Damion Reid
World-renowned photographer Damion Reid captures the amazing images of women in the Tri-State area as part of his Beauty of the Black Woman project. The project has evolved into a book collection of heart-stopping photographs that capture the style, grace, and natural beauty exemplified by Black women of all ages. Be sure to check out Reid’s Tumblr page at Damionkare.tumblr.com, and follow him on Instagram at @BOTBW2013.
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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Reggae Singer Responds to Critics After “Waste Man” Comment on President Obama Courtesy of NewsAmericasNow.com
Reggae singer Chronixx says he is prepared to be judged for his reference to US President Barack Obama as a “waste man.” The ‘Here Comes Trouble’ singer faced a social media backlash even as the country’s Youth and Culture Minister Lisa Hanna weighed in on his Instagram on April 9th regarding the US criminal record of Jamaican National Hero Marcus Garvey. The outspoken reggae artiste criticized the fact that Jamaicans were glorifying a ‘waste man’ while Garvey, who he says “paved a peaceful and safe path for the US President to address us,” still has a criminal record in the US. The singer also referred to the black race as a “race of good for nothings”, adding “that’s why black faces don’t mean anything to Rasta anymore.” But a day later, on April 10th, Chronixx deleted his earlier post. Instead he posted: “Evolution time now. After all the talk…judge and you shall be judged my elders say. I don’t mind the judgement of my Human family. I expect to be judged and told when I’m wrong…that’s
actually a very healthy thing for me. “Now for you….remember the words of the Likkle one from Spanish town said. The media will take it from here, twist it in the best interest of their “story”. And the struggle continues. Let jah be praised in all things. I read all the comments and now I see who is who! Love. May the teachings of our beloved Marcus Garvey forever take root in our hearts. May the leaders of today take counsel in his divine teachings. May the leaders of tomorrow reap the fruits of his timeless works.” Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has since said that she spoke to President Obama about having Garvey’s criminal record expunged. Garvey was a Pan African giant and leader of the Harlem Renaissance who was born in St. Ann, Jamaica. In 1922, he was convicted on a mail fraud charge in the US in connection with some business and organizational activities in which he was involved; his sentence was later commuted by President Coolidge and he was deported back to Jamaica.
Chronixx
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FAMILY & LEISURE
My Journey Back to London By: Marjorie Flash Jamaica is the land of my birth, but England is where I grew up; from a 5 year old child to coming of age as an adult. I recently returned to London for only the third time in 40 years, the last time being 13 years ago. Going back for my nephew’s wedding I was excited at the prospect of returning to the country of my youth especially with a camera in hand for all the wonderful pictures I would take. I remember the last time I was there in 2002, I marveled at how little London had changed. The thousands of row houses all still looked like they were 100 years old, and I can well imagine they probably were at least 60 or so years old, and looked like they were in need of repair. This time, it seems like a lot has changed, especially the roads, with the building of many motorways which circle around the city making travel much easier from north to south or east to west. It is now mandatory, that if you drive your car into the city (or West End), you have to pay certain surcharges as you are captured on the many cameras all over London and you will receive a ticket in the mail. The London road ways have become a money earning scheme for the government as drivers are paying through the noise to drive in and out of London deterring motorists to keep their cars at home and take the Tube instead, which trust me, is not all that cheap either. Another cost motorists have to bear is paying annual amounts to park on the streets even in residential areas like outside their homes (since many houses are row or attached houses they have no driveways or garages). However, the houses still look like centuries old! As I said, with camera in hand I toured the city taking some spectacular pictures of things you saw everyday growing up, but not appreciating its splendor until you become a visitor. The architecture of Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abby, Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London and Buckingham Place to name a few of the main attractions in London, remains monuments for a must see and little has changed with these magnificent structures. New edifices like The London Eye, which is a gigantic Ferris wheel with pods that can hold up to 20 people, rotate at a minute speed that you hardly feel as if it’s moving, but offer a birdseye view of London for miles and miles. 16 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE
A party animal at heart, I was fortunate to have a good friend celebrating his 65th birthday while I was there. Roy “Hawkeye” Forbes-Allen, a DJ and host for RJR London radio station, a multifaceted restaurateur, sports store owner, record store owner/distributor and producer in Harlesden, London, was hosting a formal affair at The luxurious Royal Lounge in Wembley. Hawkeye, as he is affectionally known by all, has been in the music industry for more than 40 years producing or distributing hits for legendary artists like Sugar Minott “Good Ting Going”, Tamlins “Ting A Ling,” Barry Biggs “Wide Awake In A Dream” to name a few. As such, a few foundation artists came out to celebrate with him and performed a few of their classic hits. Typically, the reggae sound popular in England is Lover’s Rock and a couple of these artists are big names whose work spans the R&B, Ska, Rocksteady, Bluebeat, Lover’s Rock reggae and Gospel. One such artist is one of Jamaica’s foundation singer with over 60+ years in the music business. Owen Gray, at 76 years, burst on the stage, shimmering in a grey suit and dropping some skanking legs as he belted out his hits of yesteryear. His voice is still strong and suave just like his records as he travelled down memory lane with songs like (my favorite) “Miss Wire Waist”, and “Please Let Me Go.” Gray sang several tunes and was well received by the huge crowd in the ballroom. High on energy, clearly, he could have gone on for a full repertoire of his music if they had let him. A little history on Owen Gray; he has recorded over 39 albums and worked with music greats in the industry like, Clement Dodd, Prince Buster, Sir Clancy Collins, Arthur “Duke” Reid and Byron Lee. Gray’s big break came about with the release of a Ska tune “Please Let Me Go” by a then young up and coming record producer, Chris Blackwell. The tune did well in both Jamaica and England and it was then Gray migrated to the UK. Although he has had a prolific career, Gray has not received the acclaim or recognition as some of his counterparts from that era. He does still perform in the UK and tours in Europe from time to time. Another foundation singer from Jamaica to perform was Barry Biggs who you might remember was once the lead singer of Byron Lee & the Dragonaires. However, Biggs was most popular
in the UK where he had success with reggae cover of popular soul hits like Blue Magic’s “Sideshow” and “Three Ring Circus”, originals by The ChiLites, The Moonglows, The Temptations and Stevie Wonder’s “My Cherie Amour.” Biggs topped the UK reggae chart with the smooth lover’s rock “Wide Awake in a Dream.” The now 68 yr. old Biggs, still maintains his high pitched falsetto voice as he delivered a stellar performance of those tunes. I believe Biggs now resides in Florida and does the occasional performances. Crowd pleasing performances was also made by Johnny Orlando, Trevor Dickson and Winston Reedy. Hawkeye had a great turnout of his friends and supporters attending from Jamaica and as far as the USA. I was thrilled to hear some wicked DJ’s spinning a wide selection of dancing music. DJ Rankin Merva was of particular note selecting the wickedest tunes to rave review and is a graduate reared by Hawkeye. With so many people to see and places to go, this was indeed too short a trip for me to accomplish all I had planned. However, I can only say I had a great time and vow to return much sooner the next time. Being in London, brought back some precious memories of family and friends from my younger days. Until next time UK!
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HONOREES
B.I.G Awards Honorees Jumaane D. Williams
New York City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Brooklyn) represents the people of the 45th Council District in Brooklyn, having originally been elected in 2009, and re-elected in 2013. Williams serves as Deputy Leader of the New York City Council, and chair of the council’s Committee on Housing and Buildings. Williams is co-chair of the council’s Task Force to Combat Gun Violence, a co-founding member of the Progressive Caucus, and a member of the Black, Latino & Asian Caucus. Council Member Williams is a first-generation Brooklynite of West Indian parentage and a proud product of our city’s public school system, including the Philippa Schuyler Middle School for the Gifted and Talented and Brooklyn Technical High School. It was while earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science at Brooklyn College that Jumaane realized civic engagement and community empowerment would be his professional focus. He received a Master’s Degree, also from Brooklyn College, in Urban Policy and Administration. While there, he served as Graduate Student Body President.
Immediately after college, Jumaane was hired as the assistant director for the Greater Flatbush Beacon School where he provided leadership for its first successful summer. Subsequently, he became the interim executive director of East Flatbush Community Development Corporation. As a community organizer, Jumaane worked in the buildings of Vanderveer Estates, now known as Flatbush Gardens, and successfully secured city funding for a new youth
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program. He continued fighting for affordable housing as the Housing Director for the Flatbush Development Corporation, where he reconstituted a defunct housing program. Council Member Williams was a lead sponsor of the Community Safety Act (“CSA”), which established an independent Inspector General for the New York Police Department (NYPD) and created the first enforceable ban against biasbased profiling by the department- both measures aimed at ending the abuse of Stop, Question and Frisk by the department. The CSA not only represents a dramatic reversal in years of deteriorating community-police relations, it also dramatically expanded the classes of individuals that are protected against abuse, including on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, disability and housing status. Jumaane’s vision is to make the 45th District a safe place for all young people to learn and grow. He is pushing to establish the Shirley Chisholm Community Center, a full-service facility providing recreational, educational and social opportunities to youth, seniors and families. Other initiatives include the establishment of a Community Emergency Response Team for Community Board 17 and creation of community gardens, mural projects and a local farmer’s market. Through the promotion of local culture, he hopes to brand East Flatbush as the “Little Caribbean” to spur economic activity and tourism. For Council Member Jumaane D. Williams’ complete bio go to http://council. nyc.gov/d45/html/members/biography.shtml
HONOREES
Gail Lewis An Apex Award for Excellence in Communication winner, outgoing TV personality Gail Lewis hosts the popular local TV shows Communication Corner and Cooking with Gail which air on QPTV, Queens Public Television. Ms. Lewis has a passion for and a commitment to teaching. Professionally, Gail Lewis, M.A., is an Assistant Professor at the State University of New York. Additionally, she teaches English at Manhattan College and professional development classes at Mildred Elley School in Manhattan. When not in a lecture hall instructing undergraduates, Ms. Lewis may be found volunteering in the community teaching presentation skills and public speaking. As Vice President of Public Relations of The Cambria Heights Toastmasters Club, and as a member of Emerging Speakers of Elmont Toastmasters, Ms.
Lewis, is dedicated to promoting good communication skills in her community. An award-winning emcee and speaker, Ms. Lewis is 2012 Toastmasters Table Topics Speaking Grand Champion of District 46, comprised of New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties. As comfortable as Gail Lewis is in front of the camera as TV Host, she can also be found behind the scenes as a member of the crew of John Crow’s Caribbean Classroom, the longest running English-language Caribbean-American talk show in the United States. Additionally, articles written by Ms. Lewis may be found locally in Communities of Color Newspaper. An avid skier, and blogger, www.SocialGail.com and www.IDontHaveIssues. com, Ms. Lewis bakes a sumptuous bread pudding and never passes up an opportunity to watch Star Trek with her family. Please be sure to watch her online at www.YouTube.com/TheCommDepot and visit her website at www. Gail-Lewis.com
Robert C. DeSouza Robert C. DeSouza is the CEO of TransContinental Express Shipper in Queens, New York. He has been in the shipping business for over 30 years and is largely responsible for the awareness and education of the Caribbean shipping fraternity. He sponsors many public and private events, offers scholarships and gives back to the community both here and abroad.
Award for outstanding contribution to the Caribbean community, which was presented at the Jamaica 42nd Anniversary Independence Ball in August 2004. Other awards include
He is co-host of real Island Radio heard on WGBB 1240AM on Sundays, where he gives pro-bono time to numerous charitable organizations. He is also a contributor on WVIP 93.5FM.
• The Proclamation Honor by the City Council of New York
He is a member of the New York State Board of Realtors, American Society of Notaries, Cambria Heights Civic Association, St. Albans Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club of South East Queens and sits on the board of five nonprofit organizations.
• The President Award from Kingston College Alumni Association
“Bob” as he affectionately known throughout the community, despite his busy schedule, finds time to share with the elderly and counsels youngsters in the community. He is someone who will always say “no problem”, “it can be done”, and “I will help.” Bob’s commitment and unwavering dedication to the community has earned him numerous awards and accolades including the Consul General of Jamaica
• The Corporate Award of Excellence from Empire State Grand Chapter
• Man of the Year Award for Outstanding Community Service from Heartbeats of the World • Certificate of Appreciation from Dinthill Alumni Association • The American Adventist Association Bob was born in Clarendon, Jamaica, W.I. He is a graduate of Kingston College, the University of the West Indies (Jamaica) and Iona College (NY). He currently resides in Springfield Gardens, Queens, with his wife Arlene and sons Robert Jr. and Darren. PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 19
HONOREES
Rev. Canon Calvin C. McIntyre Canon Calvin McIntyre, an Anglican/ Episcopal priest from Jamaica, came to the United States in 1990. His first ordination was in July 1980 and he has since served the church with zeal for thirty five years. He is a graduate of Kingston College, Church Teachers’ College and the United Theological College of the West Indies (UWI) in Jamaica, New Rochelle College in New York and Trinity College at the University of Toronto, Canada. Prior to entering the priesthood, he taught at Wolmers School for Girls where he was in charge of Religious Education. Canon McIntyre worked in the Diocese of Long Island since 1990. The main focus of his priestly and community involvement activities was in the Brooklyn area until his appointment in 1998 to The Church of the Good Shepherd, Bronx, in the Diocese of New York where he is now the tenth rector.
In July 2000, the Archbishop of West Africa appointed him commissary to the USA on behalf of the Province of West Africa and also made him a Canon of the Cathedral of Koforidua in Ghana. The Archbishop made this appointment based upon Canon Mac’s previous willingness, interest and enthusiasm in assisting in ministering to the needs of the people in that region. He has since extended his missionary work, along with his congregation, to other African countries such as Ethiopia, Tanzania and Kenya and also his island home Jamaica. In August 2013, The Rt. Rev. Howard Gregory, Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, appointed him commissary to the tristate area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Canon McIntyre’s ministry has been filled with excitement and enthusiasm which mirrors his caring disposition and earnest desire to be an instrument to be used in the propagation of God’s ministry in the church, community and beyond. He has been recognized by numerous community based organizations, alumni associations of Jamaica and by the city and state of New York
The late Jumaane Omar Stewart Jumaane (Ju-maa-nee) Omar Stewart was born on June 7, 1974, the second in the union of Daniel and Judith Stewart. His beautiful, effervescent life was cut far too short on July 30, 2013. Jumaane was a born LEADER, MOTIVATOR, DEFENDER, and SCHOLAR. He graduated from Brooklyn Tech High School in 1992 with an academic diploma in math and science, and went on to attend and graduate from Hampton University with a degree in architecture in 1998. As a young, motivated and ambitious New York State Architect Jumaane’s first employment was with renowned Harlem architect Roberta Washington which led to various employment and independent projects such as the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation as well as major architectural firms where he worked on, among other things, restoring historic homes in Harlem and developing residential housing in Brooklyn, he also worked with several other public and private companies. Jumaane ultimately set out on his own, starting his own architecture company and design studio, 3LG Design Studio, focusing on new residential projects as well as renovations of existing structures. He worked on developing two condominium projects in Panama with his family before his untimely death. 20 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE
Jumaane was a member and vice president of the New York Coalition of Black Architects, the local chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects. He also devoted countless time and energy to volunteer programs such as ACTSO, SO, an NAACP mentoring program, and the Architecture Construction & Engineering (A.C.E) high-school mentoring program in Mount Vernon, New York. He was a teacher with the Pratt Liberty Partnership Program in Brooklyn, New York, at Pratt Institute--a state-funded program that exposes students from the fifth to the eighth grades to the design and construction fields and assists them in increasing their math, reading, and writing skills. He was also the board manager, as well and basketball coach of the YMCA Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn Branch. In addition to his successful career, Jumaane was an incredibly loving and devoted husband and father to his wife, Michelle, and his children, N’kosi and Nandi—first and foremost, Jumaane was a family man, and he lived for his children.
HONOREES
Millicent Y. Clarke Esq. Millicent Y. Clarke has practiced Immigration Law for over 30 years. Ms. Clarke obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Fordham University, and a Juris Doctor from Temple University School of Law. She was selected as a United States Department of Justice Honors Graduate. Her first legal position was with the United States Justice Department in Chicago as a General Attorney for the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Ms. Clarke subsequently worked for the United States Department of Justice, Office of Immigration Litigation in Washington, D.C. There she authored appellate briefs and argued cases before the various United States Courts of Appeals, nationwide. In 1986, Ms. Clarke began working as a Special Assistant for Immigration at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. She was responsible for the prosecution and defense of all cases arising under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Ms. Clarke was later appointed to the
Immigration Bench However; she declined the appointment and instead founded Clarke & Associates dealing with the full range of immigration and consular law. In 2000, the Board of Immigration Appeals published one of her asylum cases, a precedent decision. In 2009, she won two extensively and arduously fought removal cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. During 2014, her office defended and won a number of complex cases, including identifying a United States Citizen, and compelling the release of a Jamaican national, held by ICE for 5 ½ months for imminent removal from the U.S. Ms. Clarke has spoken locally and nationally on immigration issues in a number of forums. Most recently she served as a panel member on a CLE program for attorneys at the Nassau County Bar Association. She has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the Bread & Life: Immigration Clinic at St. John’s University School of Law. She sits on a number of local boards and has received numerous commendations for her commitment to her profession and community
Neil Curtis Neil Curtis is a life-long entrepreneur and self-starter. As a young man, he quickly earned management positions within family food and produce businesses, until deciding to open up his very own automobile establishment between 1990 and 2008. Mr. Curtis’ knack for business prompted him to concurrently pursue Real Estate and Property Development projects. In 1994, he began refurbishing old homes, which later evolved into a passion for constructing large, high-end estates. In recognizing that auto sales and home sales were the two largest purchases in America, he sustained a successful work-balance between the two lucrative industries for several years. An innovative approach to business later led Mr. Curtis to pioneer the very first independent Toyota-Lexus superstore on Long Island in 2003. Additionally, that very imaginative gift is what helped him foresee the direction in which New York’s real estate was headed –that direction was up. Neil Curtis is now a well-known Air Rights Specialist for Citi Habitats, a division of the Corcoran Group in Manhattan, New York. Furthermore, Mr. Curtis enjoys volunteering his time working as special advisor to government officials and business owners. He has forged many meaningful relationships
throughout countless communities and is sought after for his notable problem-solving skills and altruistic originality. More currently, Mr. Curtis has begun pursuing philanthropy, which more closely matches his present goals. In 2011, 2011, Neil Curtis published a book called “No God? Know God,” a book written to help people all over the world connect to the Creator and learn to make better life choices. In 2013, Mr. Curtis founded Farm Up Jamaica Ltd. a non-profit organization formed to assist Jamaican farmers in the cultivation of organic food. The goal of this organization is to reduce the importation of conventional, inorganic and genetically modified (GMO) foods, while helping to increase the export of high quality foods; doing so will help to balance the Jamaican economy.
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HONOREES
Trevor Dixon M.D. Trevor Dixon was born in Christiana Manchester, Jamaica. His mother’s emphasis on education played a major role in his career choice and his father’s planning and patience helped to bring grass roots programs to Jamaica’s Health sector in his vision for a better Jamaica. Dr. Dixon is an Attending Physician of Emergency Medicine and Director of Emergency Ultrasound at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Dr. Dixon is also the Founder/Director of Jamaicans Abroad Helping Jamaicans At Home (JAHJAH) Foundation, established in 2011. Since 2008, Dr. Dixon has been bringing together and leading various professionals from New York and New Jersey to voluntarily travel to Jamaica to conduct an annual Emergency Ultrasound Symposium for doctors from various public hospitals across the island, teaching the many uses of the ultrasound
machine. This initiative blossomed into a medical mission involving over thirty volunteers, and conducting additional projects such as, Annual Pediatric Cancer Conferences, Health Fairs, Donation of Medical Equipment and Supplies, Facilities Renovation and much more. The Mission has expanded into renovating infrastructure of health facilities on the Island and most recently building a sick bay for Hanbury Children’s Home in Kendal, Jamaica. JAHJAH prides itself with being in touch with what the people living on the island need. Through frequent dialogues with Local Health leaders who the Organization refers to as “Local Champions” they are able to feel the pulse of Jamaica’s underserved. Projects include, “Healing in the Dancehall”, “One Love - One Heart”, “Ulster Spring Health Center” and hosting conferences in Pediatric Cancer through a joint venture between Bustamante Hospital for Children and Columbia University in the City of New York. For details visit www.JAHJAHFoundation.org.
Paula Shaw Paula Shaw, a native of South Manchester, Jamaica, is the Founder and Chairperson of the non-profit organization, the Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc. During a visit to her parents, who retired to Jamaica in 1996, she realized the need of the community for reading materials. The children of the community were using her parents’ old 1976 World Book Encyclopedia to complete their research assignments and her mother’s books were all tattered from repeated borrowing. The following year, 1997, she opened the Allen-Shaw Reading Room in the local community church. Touted as the “first of its kind, a district library for residents”, by the local newspaper, she ventured out with the support from private donors and colleagues; to build a library, the Allen-Shaw Reading Room in the rural community where she was born.
the form of volunteers who travel to Jamaica to to work with the program. This Volunteer Program is greatly benefitting the Library and people from the Allen-Shaw Reading Room Community. Volunteers from Italy, France, Switzerland, Canada and the US have US have worked in the Library and at the annual Summer School. The community educational and social structures gain from the expertise shared during the workshops. Locally, Paula Shaw worked with Community Works NYC to speak with students about community service as part of their Local Hero programs.
The Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc. provides Library Services, Summer School Programs, Scholarships, Literacy and Community Workshops to the surrounding communities and schools. The organization also provides consulting assistance for other non-profits organizations in the US with their community program planning for Jamaica. Many of the Community services provided involve adopting a local basic school in order to provide school fees, uniforms, shoes and meals for the students. The Allen-Shaw Foundation has in the past and will continue to work with the Jamaica Library Service, by securing new books for libraries across the Island of Jamaica. Other community service includes providing financial assistance to young adults in High School and their transition to other training programs. The Foundation works with individuals from around the world in
Since its inception in 1996, the Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc. has received numerous recognitions and awards over the years for the work in Community Giving. Recently, the Allen-Shaw Foundation completed the additional construction of a new wing of the library building to support a literacy and homework center for the community. The Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc. is planning to expand its scholarship program to ensure that the children of the community continue on their path of learning. The poverty of the rural community where the Allen-Shaw Reading Room is located affects the accessibility to education for most of the young people. The Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc. believes that the future of the community depends on the access to education.
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PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 23
SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Western Union and Grace Kennedy Announce 2015 Town Hall Series: “The Caribbean Diaspora - Borderless Possibilities” Toronto– April xx, 2015 – Western Union and GraceKennedy will hold their annual town hall series from May 4th to May 8th, 2015 in Canada, New York and Florida under the theme, “The Caribbean Diaspora - Borderless Possibilities.” The keynote speaker for this year’s series is the Most Honourable P.J. Patterson, Former Prime Minister of Jamaica and President of Heis Consults Ltd.
and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient banking and finance, insurance and remittance ways to send and receive money around the services, together with an investment in building world, to send payments and to purchase money materials retailing. orders. As of December 31, 2014, the Western Town Hall Venue Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services Date and Time were offered through a combined network of New York Medgar Evers College over 500,000 agent locations in 200 countries May 4th, 2015 5:30 p.m. 1650 Bedford Avenue and territories and over 100,000 ATMs and Brooklyn, NY 11225 9:00p.m. kiosks. In 2014, The Western Union Company completed 255 million consumer-to-consumer “These forums are very important to us as they transactions worldwide, moving $85 billion of May 6th, 2015 Canada CBC Atrium 250 Front Street West provide an excellent opportunity to engage the principal between consumers, and 484 million 5:30 p.m. Toronto, Ontario, Caribbean diaspora – not just to network with business payments. For more information, visit 9:00p.m. M5V3G5 our customers and get their feedback but also www.westernunion.com. importantly, to encourage their participation Miami Miramar Cultural May 8th, 2015 in the discussion about issues that are critical About GraceKennedy Money Services 5:30 p.m. Centre to their home countries. Their contribution is 9:00p.m. 2400 Civic Centre GraceKennedy Money Services (GKMS) is the very valuable as we explore ways to continue the Place development and promotion of the Caribbean umbrella entity which encompasses FX Trader Miramar, Florida The Foreign Exchange Place from GraceKennedy 33025 while improving the quality of lives for those Money Services, Bill Express The Bill Payment who live within the region,” said Michelle Allen, Chief Executive Officer of GraceKennedy Place from GraceKennedy Money Services and Western Union - Moving Money for Better. Media Contacts: Money Services. Some or all of these services may be found in This year’s discussion topics include “Corporate Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Antigua Western Union social responsibility – changing lives, cultivating and Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis, generations through educational investment.” St. Vincent and the Grenadines, The BVI and US and Canada: Sarah Meske, +1 720 332 2796, Western Union and GraceKennedy will also Montserrat. sarah.meske@westernunion.com share information on their commitment to About GraceKennedy education and support of the diaspora. Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean: GraceKennedy is one of the Caribbean’s largest and most dynamic corporate entities. The company started in Jamaica in 1922 as a small trading establishment and wharf operators. It has expanded and diversified over the years, changing from a privately-owned enterprise to a public company with Food and Finance Divisions, listed on the stock exchanges of About Western Union Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago. Today, the Group comprises a varied network of some 50 The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a subsidiaries and associated companies located leader in global payment services. Together with across the Caribbean, North and Central its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Western America the United Kingdom and Europe Union Business Solutions branded payment and Africa. GraceKennedy’s operations span services, Western Union provides consumers the areas of food processing and distribution, The schedule for the Western Union and GraceKennedy 2015 Town Hall Series is noted below. Each session will include a question and answer segment following the keynote speaker’s presentation. Please visit www. networkcaribbean.ca for more details and to register.
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GraceKennedy Group: Simone ClarkeCooper, 1 876 93 -3174 simone.clarke-cooper@gkco.com GraceKennedy Money Services: Kayon Wallace 1 876 936 9878 kayon.wallace@gkco.com
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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
Reflections of You
Your Queens’ offers families exhibitions in royalty By: Jasmine Scott recite the lives of ancient African queens. One by one, each queen, Queen Nefertiti, Queen Amina, Queen Cleopatra, and Queen Sheba sit poised on their thrones reminiscent of ancient beauty, and for children this is like story books coming alive.
Healing is a multifaceted art-form without boundaries. The belief that doctors are the only ones capable of healing has been a long-standing error in human perception. Your Queens—a costumed character company based in the New York City area—serves as a powerful reminder of this fact. In its distinctly unique fashion, it isn’t interested in healing minor bruises, but a scar that continues to bleed profusely. Ekiuwa Asemota is the founder of Your Queens, her newest venture that launched early this year. Its aim is to educate children on the history of African queens through the performing arts. With a background in fine arts and dance, Asemota uses her talent to not only entertain, but educate. Though a costume entertainment company, Your Queens is by no means showy or a “Black” replica of Walt Disney’s princesses. This isn’t a masquerade of beauty, or charity to make little Black girls think they are princesses, but rather a declaration that springs forth from the mouths of ancient beauties that they are the embodiment of original beauty. They are the prototype, and everything else is a copy.
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Fairytales are the reasons for our illusions, hence our realties, and if this means anything Disney has surely made an awful mess of perception. What inspired the manifestation of “Your Queens” came from witnessing a birthday party. “While I was sitting at a birthday party out came three white Disney characters and suddenly God spoke to me,” says Asemota. “‘Create something positive for little black girls to see’ is what I Asemota’s mission is to showcase the dynamic was told. With so much negativity happening lineage of royal African Queens, but she’s done I wanted to shed some light.” The theme more than that. She’s put the spotlight back on “everything happens for a reason” seems to be the Black woman. These aren’t lights dazzling in kept alive by Asemota’s faith in the miracles of front of video vixens hoarding all the attention. God, so it is of no coincidence that she chose to These are “Black women in their true glory” be obedient to that voice even while surrounded shouts someone amidst the crowd during the by all of the hoopla. company’s launch party in March. And indeed I’d recently seen a musical entitled it is. “Disenchanted,” a comedic spin on the lives of You almost feel shameful to ever think a harlot the Disney princesses – Cinderella, Snow White was the pinnacle of beauty for Black women and the token “Black” princess from the film, when you watch such a moving performance. The Princess Who Kissed the Frog. Played by To know that you’d not only go out of your a Black woman of course, The Princess Who way to worship such vileness, but aspire to be it Kissed the Frog was given a storyline that went too, is a sobering thought. Thankfully, Asemota something like this: “Soul sista with sass!” The and “Your Queens” are diligently extracting a cliché was so dramatized, so banal, that it was psychosis that has caused many Black women depressingly inauthentic. It made me think of to suffer from dementia. “We’ve forgotten who how unfair the playing field is, how someone we are and where we come from,” says Asemota. can literally create your reality by their false perception of you. But, if you want to see Five women, all friends of Asemota’s from something that’s really real and truly divine look college, have devoted themselves to three no further than “Your Queens.” mandates – educate, heal, and inspire. Children as young as two years old sit patiently in the For more info on rates and services, visit Your presence of these women as they perform and Queens on the web at: www.yourqueens.com
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James PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 29
CULTURE & EDUCATION
IMF Cautions on Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Programs Courtesy of NewsAmericasNow.com
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a word of caution on the growing citizenship by investment programs being instituted by several Caribbean nations. Speaking at the press conference in D.C. Friday, Adrienne Cheasty deputy director of the Western Hemisphere Department at the IMF, insisted that while the programs have been a “valuable windfall to some countries in the area … it is very important that the programs be managed very impeccably.” St. Kitts/Nevis, Dominica, Antigua & Barbuda and Grenada have all implemented citizenship by investment programs that allow foreign nationals to essentially pay for passports and obtain tax perks. Cheasty advised that the programs need “careful governance and attention.” She also revealed that the IMF has cautioned countries to treat the earnings from citizenship by investment programs as windfalls to use them to pay down debt, because they might be there forever. “For example, if Canada or the European Union felt the programs were not being managed well, they could
disappear,” Cheasty added. Her comments come as the Citizenship by Investment Program implemented by the island of St. Kitts/Nevis faced security questions by Canada, the US and the UK governments. Canada last year imposed a visa requirement on all holders of St. Kitts-Nevis passport seeking to enter the country and the US’ Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an advisory saying that certain foreign individuals were abusing the country’s program and obtaining SKN passports for the purpose of engaging in illicit financial activity.
New St. Kitts/Nevis Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mark Brantley, has said that the less than two-month old Team Unity Government continues to work on assessing and revamping the current Citizenship by Investment program to ensure transparency and legitimacy. But the Migration Policy Center in D.C. warns that “background checks are only as good as the data on which they rely” leaving the chances of some foreign investors slipping through the net.
Still Cheasty pointed to the fact that the Saint Kitts economy had grown at seven percent in 2014, and it is expected to grow again strongly in 2015 “largely because of the strong inflows from citizenship by investment receipts.” The SKN Citizenship-by-Investment program offers citizenship to a non-citizen who either invests in designated real estate with a value of at least $400,000 USD, or contributes $250,000 USD to the St. Kitts and Nevis Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation.
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The Pulse of the Caribbean People
Presents...
The Delaware Valley Voice
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WOMEN / BUSINESS
DON’T RUSH TO RADIO
By: Rob J. Johnson
One of the most annoying things I hear from artists all the time is, “so can you play my song on the radio?” I always want to take them by the hand, look them in the eye and kindly but emphatically say NO! In the digital age that we live in, radio is necessary but not paramount to breaking an artist. Music can be heard through so many different mediums and various settings, that it is most important to first build a fan base to support your music when it’s on the radio. I was having a conversation with a record rep from a major label who also works with independent artists, and he told me – that, he first sets out to see what kind of momentum an artist can build without the help of radio and the backing of a major label, to determine the strength of the music they’re making. He helps the artist find his or her core audience and works them tirelessly to build demand for that product. This I believe is the step that so many artists are missing, they think that once they’ve gone in the studio and created their musical masterpiece, that the next step is to get it on the radio without knowing who’s going to actually want to hear it, and sometimes sadly enough, that’s nobody. It can be said that a lot of these misconceptions may stem from the idea that, radio play means “dollar dollar bills y’all! And that is simply not how the business works.
push your song on radio to millions only to end up owing the label for the capital that they invested in you, leaving you broke and still unknown! Trinidad James had the number ONE song in the country on the radio for months but where is he today? He had no fan base that would’ve kept him relevant, no one checks for him, because he had no real supporters before “All Gold Everything”. If you can put an album out on your own and legitimately move 10 to 20,000 copies with YOUR muscle, then you are ready for radio, because that says to us that there is a demand for your music. Keep in my mind that if you can accomplish such a feat on your own, not only will you have made$ 50k to $100k for yourself, but if you’re looking for that major label deal, then you have made yourself a hot commodity to them as well! So in essence, don’t rush to radio, first, create a core audience and a demand for your product, then radio can be your final step. Force us to come to you - then your success will be assured!
Many artists have songs in rotation on radio stations across the country and never truly “make it” in the industry simply because no one saw them coming. Artists like Mac Miller, who hasn’t really smashed the radio charts, is still winning because he built his reputation on the backs of a fan base, and it was that fan base that forced the rest of the industry to take notice of him. In that respect, Mac Miller is probably richer than your favorite rapper…unless of course your favorite rapper is my favorite rapper - Jay-Z! Mac Miller had people around him that understood that you can make oodles of money being independent, selling albums for $5 a pop out of a trunk to thousands of fans versus being signed, having a label PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 33
CULTURE & EDUCATION
The Immigrant Reality of Settling Down in North America people have access to networks which others may not have. As it is, lots of opportunities are gained through who knows you.
By: Callista Regis An immigrant person faces a lot of challenges which perhaps are largely taken for granted. The process of acculturation is more of a challenge than is actually acknowledged. In this article I provide an honest look at some of what a Caribbean immigrant faces on arrival in the US. There is a lot more than what will be presented here; unfortunately, it is beyond the scope of this article to deal with all of them. Many immigrants come here for a better life. Some leave prestigious jobs in the Caribbean and migrate to the US to experience the American dream. The American dream which tell migrants that they can achieve all that they can, they can have mansions, exotic holidays and a comfortable retirement. Unfortunately, the reality is that this dream is punctuated with challenges. Let us examine the issue of marginalization which in many instances is actuality what many, if not all immigrants face. Upon arrival, you are seen and treated differently. For one thing you have a different accent and a different culture. These characteristics can put an immigrant on the altar of inferiority. Suddenly, you are seen as somehow less capable, never mind what qualifications or experiences you may have; coming from a developing nation means that you do not measure up. You must be oriented into the system through US education and training and then perhaps you may be seen as worthy. Now, many others have gone through this orientation successfully while there are some who after many years still struggle. The difference is that some
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This systematic marginalization is also faced by children of immigrants but in the form of bullying. It is well documented that bulling affects a person psychologically, emotionally, socially and physically. What is even more troubling is the lack of empowerment which is sometimes felt by an immigrant parent to deal with it. Consequently, some immigrant children fall behind in school. How can they concentrate when they are being tormented on a daily basis? Indeed there are measures in place but then knowledge of what exist to help may be lacking in some cases. Grappling to understand the education system in the US is a challenge by itself. Then having to deal with bullying that your child may face just because they speak differently or may not wear the brand name shoes or may not have a phone or the trending phone is a magnanimous challenge which many parents cannot handle. Given these difficulties faced by migrant children many of them become Americanized in an attempt to fit in. By Americanized I mean that they adopt much of the American culture and value systems while they may simultaneously undermine theirs. In other words, they redefine who they are in terms of American culture. This redefinition in extreme cases may mean a total disregard of the culture of the country of origin. Perhaps this explains why successive generations have little knowledge of their Caribbean cultural backgrounds. This is an issue of the definition of self and identity which perhaps can be explored fully in another article. A related issue is the process of understanding the education system in the US. I have heard many immigrant parents complain about the way in which some report cards are issued. Many codes are used sometimes with little or no explanation. As such, some immigrant parents do not get a full understanding of their children’s performance and therefore unable to provide the necessary support. It is interesting that some sociologists discuss the plight of immigrants in the concept of the ‘reserve army of labor.’ This concept illustrates that when
it comes to employment, the low paying and low security jobs are populated by members of the immigrant class. This trend is certainly applicable in the case of Caribbean immigrants. It is easy to get into these types of jobs as there is little or no regard for skills and or qualifications. Consequently, many are ashamed of their occupations in the US because of the ridicule they may be subjected to from family and or peers back home. Imagine coming from a well-paying job such as a manager or banker or other high status job in the Caribbean and working as a part time cashier in the US. This situation does not only affect a person’s morale but it can cripple their motivation. It takes tenacity and determination to rise above and yes, many immigrants have successfully moved up the stratification ladder through persistence and hard work. How many times do we hear success stories of where an immigrant brother or sister started and who they are today? Despite having gone through such humbling circumstances many do not turn back to help another, how sad! These issues indicate that the US is not as meritocratic as it claims. The term meritocracy simply means that a person is judged on the basis of objective merits such as skills, level of education etc. Far, from this ideal, a lot of what happens here is based on connection or simply put, who you know and who knows you. This translates into getting opportunities easier. This is not to say that there are not many instances where immigrants are placed in jobs based on skills and merit; however, it cannot be denied that sometimes an American citizen who has fewer qualifications gets through employment easier than an immigrant who is a permanent resident with better qualifications. The brief discussion above indicates the need for educating new immigrants about the realities of life in the US. It can save a lot of heart ache and unnecessary hardship. A Caribbean based program which will facilitate an orientation of new immigrants and provide support from resume writing to taxes and other issues specific to a Caribbean immigrant will help to empower new Caribbean immigrants.
COMMUNITY, CULTURE & EDUCATION
CARIBBEAN CULTURE COMMISSION ON A MISSION
By Angel Regis-Felix
Caribbean Culture Commission has been a staunch advocate in mobilizing and creating an environment, of cohesive collaborative efforts, that encourage a multitude of ideas and avenues to trigger change, community activism and provide platforms for our communities and local entrepreneurs. The organization’s aim is to seek and solidify its 501©(3) status because that in itself broadens the scope of opportunities that can be researched to be of great benefit to the Caribbean and American communities that are in dire need. Through many collaborative efforts and a keen interest in providing resources such as community forums in immigration, women empowerment round table discussions, being present at meetings conducted at City Hall to benefit African and Caribbean Immigrant affairs; Caribbean Culture Commission is always seeking to dig deeper and be the voice and resource for the community it serves.
The community is beginning to recognizing that as our numbers grow, we as a collective need to be more aware of the resources and opportunities that are available so that we can get involved and demand to be heard and partake – that mindset creates a more active and empowered people who are subsequently becoming a part of the changes they seek. It appears that the increasing dialogues among community leaders and members, who connect at the monthly Caribbean Culture Community forums, seem to echo similar interest in opening up more resources and closing the gaps in the fragmented parts of our communities. There are so many areas of need such as healthcare advocacy, education, real estate education, community development, entrepreneurial support and so much more – the real work has just begun for this organization. As the saying goes, “It takes a village” and the village has spoken loudly and is ready to
get empowered and be about something greater. The community at large has gotten a taste of the mission of the Caribbean Culture Commission and seeing the increase in community forum attendance and feedback one can assess that change has begun and the CCC is proud to be part of a collective that wants more, seeks more and will put the work in to gain more for all. Upcoming Community events forums sponsored by Caribbean Culture Commission: Men’s Empowerment Meeting, Women’s Empowerment Roundtable Event, Healthcare, Education, Caribbean Got Talent and other events to be announced at a later date. Connect with us and get involved because we are about resources and opportunities that matter and will help to sustain and grow our communities.
Jamaican To Represent South Carolina University At Penn Relays Courtesy of NewsAmericasNow.com
A Jamaican-born athlete who has taken the track of the Penn Relays in Philadelphia for at least seven times, is getting ready to do it again, this time for a South Carolina University.
Jamaica in the USA vs. the World women’s sprint medley relay.
Natoya Goule will take to the tracks of the Ben Franklin Field for another year this April 23-25 but this time for Clemson University as she goes for the 800 meters.
Goule broke the NCAA indoor championship meet record in March, winning the event in 2:01.64, breaking a record set by Hazel Clark of Tennessee (2:01.77) 16 years ago. It was her third career NCAA crown, adding to the two she won in 2013 at LSU.
The 5’3″ Clemson senior and NCAA indoor 800-meter champion ran at Penn for four years with Manchester High School of Clarendon of Jamaica. “The first time I heard of the Penn Relays was when I went to Manchester High,” said the communication studies major. “It was important to us kids. All of us compete against each other in Jamaica, then we come to the Penn Relays and it’s a bigger thing. You compete against U.S. athletes and athletes from other countries, from around the world.” She then ran twice for the Louisiana State University. While sitting out one year after transferring from LSU to Clemson she represented
Now she’s getting ready to do it for her new school.
Goule also propelled the Tigers to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships in the 4×400 relay and was named Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s Track Co-Athlete of the Week and Indoor Track Performer of the Year and Southeast Region Track Athlete of the Year by the USTFCCCA. Goule also posted the nation’s fastest time in the 800 meters recently at the Pepsi Florida Relays, finishing in 2:01.63. She finished second behind professional Chanelle Price, but was the top collegiate finisher after setting a relays record in the event. Her time is the national leader so far this outdoor
season. Goule later anchored the 4×400 relay to a runner-up finish and time of 3:31.89, No. 3 in Clemson history and No. 4 on the national performance list. The group set a school record in the final. Now she’s hoping to make history for Clemson at Penn. Clemson’s women have won only one Penn Relays Championship of America, the sprint medley relay in 1992. And if the Tigers have some sprinters to get the baton to the anchor in good shape, there may be a second one after those final 800 meters on April 25th thanks to Goule.
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An Empire Inspired by Rejection: A Story of Persistence Prayer and Purpose By Callista Regis
Trans Caribe Express Shippers Inc. is a successful and expanding family owned shipping company based 163 Tremont Ave, East Orange, New Jersey. Their success emerged out of passion, purpose and rejection. The company was started in 1992 by Mr. Homer Rutty, father and family patriarch who at the time desired to help Caribbean immigrants transport their cargo to help family members they left behind. Trans Caribe was started in a station wagon with three seats. Mr. Homer would pack the barrels into the station wagon and then take them to other shipping companies based in New York. This approach was used as he was merely helping others and did not have a fully-fledged business as yet. At one point, Mr. Homer was transporting some cargo which he expected to drop off in New York; unfortunately, he was caught in traffic and arrived a few minutes late. The attendant at the shipping company refused to take the cargo leaving Mr. Homer with no option but to return to New Jersey with all the cargo. What a disappointment this must have been but this rejection became the catalyst for the birth of Trans Caribe.
and impeccable approach to customer service. All customers, regardless of background receive the same treatment. In essence, all customers are treated as family. In this way, they feel valued. In addition, Lezlie noted that Trans Caribe would like to educate customers, not only on shipping matters, but to also on health and financial literacy issues, such as investments. This is in a bid to help customers secure a stable financial future and to enable them to continue to provide assistance to family members even after retirement.
school children in St Lucia. More information about what she does can be obtained via her website at www.200backpack.com. Lezlie says that true success stems from efficient and effective use of one’s talents or skills. According to her, a person should be able to sustain themselves on their talent. Use of one’s talent is second nature to them and will naturally motivate them to perform excellently and push them towards self-actualization.
The above is an amazing success story of one The philosophy of family has also inspired the Caribbean family who pushed against the desire to form alliances with other Caribbean odds to become a pillar of success. Anyone can shipping companies to facilitate a stronger succeed with the right amount of foresight and and more economically viable Caribbean motivation. community. For more information about Trans Caribe
Trans Caribe is also an active humanitarian please visit www.transcaribe.com or call. organization. They support nonprofit efforts and (973) 676-8625 organizations. Walkerswood Youth Foundation, a US based 501(c)3 organization, offers assistance to youth within the Walkerswood community in Jamaica, the hometown of the Lezlie Rutty CEO Rutty’s before they moved to America. Together they host annual summer camps which help to build self-esteem, confidence and self-awareness among young people. The annual Prince and Princess Pageant is a signature event which encourages youth to embrace who they are regardless of skin tone. The career workshop is another prominent activity which inspires young people to dream and help them set goals and plans towards realizing their dreams.
After twenty five years of business Mr. Homer, who is currently ailing from Alzheimers, retired. Roy, Markos and Lezlie, along with nieces and nephews currently run the business. So far, the business has experienced significant growth from moving individual cargo to commercial cargo with services expanding to China. Lezlie ascribes the massive success of Trans Caribe to prayer. She noted that her parents were a praying couple. Another family member, Arlene Gervais gives According to Lezlie, the company has a unique back to St. Lucia through her back pack project. Every year she distributes 200 back packs to
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B.I.G Awards Gala 2015 The premier event for the recognition and celebration of business leadership, community service and outstanding achievement, invites you to its Gala Awards Ceremony and Presentation
“Promoting Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development”
Adria Hotel, 221-17 Northern Blvd, Bayside, Queens, NY 11361
Saturday, June 13th, 2015 8pm-1am Tickets (all inclusive): $75/person
Dress: Strictly Formal – no exceptions For more information, Contact: Dr. Clive Williams: 917-749-7613
bigawards@gowhereitzat.com
“Think Big, Achieve Big – and realize Big Rewards”
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