It’s said that true charity begin at home and Keshia Adams is determined not to keep it there. The Brooklyn-Based Executive Director/Founder of Lifting You For Tomorrow’s Success (L.Y.F.T.S) is on a mission to break the cycle of poverty for families in her community and in Guyana. L.Y.F.T.S. is a non-profit organization that tackles many social problems like poverty, at-risk youth, and hunger. Another passion of Keshia is the The Adams Project (T.A.P.); a subsection of L.Y.F.T. that…
Community Service
On Sunday July 1st, 2018, Guyanese from New York/New Jersey Diaspora turned out in support of the Coalition of Guyanese Women – Conversation and Fundraising Luncheon held in honor of the first lady of Guyana, Her Excellency Sandra Granger. The Coalition, made up of Sherif Barker, President of Guyana Unity Movement, Cloyette Harris-Stoute, Founder & President of Guyanese Girls Rock, Sharon Devonish-Leid, CEO of Netstruc PR and Internist, Dr. Candace Cummings hosted the event to help…
Faudia Baijnauth is the co-founder and Chairperson of Indo-Caribbean Alliance, Inc. (ICA). She is responsible for the overall governance and direction of the organization which has grown to become one of the leading Caribbean organizations in Queens. Faudia’s primary role is to ensure that ICA advocates and creates programs and services for Indo-Caribbean residents in South Queens. Faudia holds a BA Degree in Political Science from Baruch College and earned her Master’s in Social Work…
Congratulations to Guyanese Tricia Teekah for winning the Commonwealth Youth Prize for Excellence in Development for the Caribbean & Canada Region! Tricia co-founded the Guyana National Youth Council with the objective to enhance youth empowerment, engagement, inclusion, and participation at all levels. She led the ‘Vote Like a Boss’ campaign, a youth voter education initiative which used private sector partnerships to educate young voters. The campaign which was launched in 2016 reached more than 16,000 young…
Aminta Kilawan Narine is an attorney, community activist, and writer. Born in the Bronx, New York to Guyanese parents, Aminta’s passion for social justice manifests in various aspects of her life. Aminta writes a weekly column for The West Indian newspaper titled, “Civics, Culture, and Community Engagement” in efforts to increase involvement and stewardship in areas such as politics and volunteerism. Aminta uses her voice for multifold purposes: she is a spirited bhajan singer but…
Sukree Boodram left Guyana as a teenager in 1983 for a better opportunity in the US. Four years later she was married to the person who would become her abuser for 21 years. Born into a Hindu family and raised to keep her personal problems to herself, Sukree never sought any help nor did she stand up to her abusive husband. A wife and mother of two, who strongly embraced her cultural and traditional beliefs,…
Supriya Singh-Bodden, C.C.H., is a native of Guyana and the Founder/Trustee of the Guyana Foundation. The Guyana Foundation was created by a group of highly dedicated men and women who see an urgent need to contribute meaningfully to the rebuilding of Guyana. Driven by the conviction that great change can be made by people who are encouraged and supported, the Foundation empowers local and international volunteers to transform the lives of individuals, families, and entire…
Meet Marva Jacobs, the new Honorary Consul for Guyana to the State of Georgia. Born and raised in Bartica, Marva was officially appointed to this role in February 2015. Her focus will be on connecting the Guyanese community, which is estimated to be about 10,000-strong in the State, with the Guyana embassy in Washington and facilitating improved business relations with Guyana. A former Guyana Airways employee, Marva emigrated to the US in the 1970’s and served for 7 years at…
Ira Leona Lewis is known throughout the Caribbean and American community as “Lady Ira”. Born in British Guiana to the late Omar Converty and Elaine Pile, Lady Ira has been an essential figure in spearheading efforts that promote the Cultural awareness and well being of New Jersey’s Guyanese American community for over 20 years. Supporting her vision of a united and informed Guyanese community, Lady Ira is dedicated to the development of organizations and events that benefit Guyanese…
Born and raised in Guyana, South America, Onica Charles faced many disadvantages still experienced by its citizens today. When she was twelve years old, her parents brought her to the United States “to give me a chance at a good education.” Charles had no idea that one day, that opportunity would inspire her to create a similar path for others. Charles (M.P.A. ’09) made the decision to attend Nova because “I was able to begin…