A collection of true and extraordinary stories that speak of the abuse suffered by Guyanese women, girls, and members of the LGBT community both in their native country and after having emigrated to the United States. Through carefully crafted prose and poetic undertones, the author, Elizabeth Jaikaran, reveals accounts of the horrific violence and trauma through the lens of Guyanese culture and history. Along with these stories are points of fact, gathered from newspapers, agency studies, and governmental records, that illustrate the far-reaching existence and impact of violence and strict cultural norms. Also on display in these stories is the strength and resilience of Guyanese women as they have struggled to survive and flourish. This story of a small and often overlooked culture has needed to be told, and Jaikaran tells it with amazing courage and grace.
Guyanese Girl
Guyanese designer, Keisha Edwards of Shasha Designs, on February 19 represented Guyana at the first-ever Commonwealth Fashion Exchange programme, which saw designers and artisans from 52 Commonwealth countries producing a fashion ‘look’ using principles of sustainable excellence. The design was unveiled at a special reception at Buckingham Palace for London Fashion Week. In an interview with The Pepperpot Magazine Keisha said that she feels excited, honoured and humbled to have been selected to participate in…
Rochelle Porter has never met a blank surface she didn’t want to draw on. A lifelong lover of global design traditions, the Atlanta-based artist takes cues from the breezy hues of her Caribbean roots, the stark simplicity of Scandinavian prints and the bold geometrics of West African weaves to create vibrant, eye-catching textiles for the home décor and apparel markets. Her travel-inspired patterns feature joyful, unexpected burst of color and classic motifs with a fresh,…
Dr. Nadia Nalini is a Hematology and Oncology Specialist at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania. In a recent interview with kaiteurnewsonline.com, Dr. Nalini talked about her journey from her early years in Guyana to a well sought after Cancer Specialist in the United States. Here are a few excerpts of her story… Delving into the fields of Hematology and Oncology has allowed Nadia to save many lives over the years, essentially allowing her to realise…
Alyssa Raghu shed tears of joy Sunday night when she was advanced to Hollywood for the next round of American Idol. The 15 year old songbird auditioned on the premiere episode on season 16 of the ABC’s singing competition before judges Katy Perry, Lionel Ritchie and Luke Bryan. Born to Guyanese parents, Alyssa is a student at Lake Nona High School in Orlando Florida and also plays the guitar. According to www.wftv.com, Alyssa’s ‘American Idol’ journey…
Elizabeth Jaikaran is a New York-based author and lawyer who has published work across a spectrum of print and digital media. She began writing at a very young age and published her first article to Stardust Magazine when she was only eight years old. Elizabeth has since published fiction, nonfiction, comedy, poetry and legal commentary. She is a proud child of Guyanese immigrants, born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Queens. Elizabeth is most…
GUYANA’S good streak at international pageants this year is continuing, with well-known make-up artist, turned pageant contestant, Tenisha Garnett-Billington, winning the Mrs Tourism International crown two weeks ago at The Theater Center in New York, New York. After representing as Miss Tourism International Guyana, the 23-year-old beauty bested 12 other contestants to collect the crown, donning a stunning Derek Moore turtleneck evening gown. “I was just so surprised when I won because I felt super…
Guyanese Renita Fisher has officially launched her campaign to represent House District 56A (Savage-Burnsville) in the Minnesota Legislature during the upcoming November 6, 2018. Born in Guyana, South America, Renita studied Mandarin at the Beijing Language and Culture University in China. She is an Operational Risk Consultant with over 16 years of experience working in mortgage banking operations and management. Most importantly, she is the proud mom of a 13-year-old son who enjoys acting in…
Two-thousand-eighteen (2018) is shaping up to be a fantastic year for Guyanese Actresses. As we watch our very own Letitia Wright and Shaunette Renee Wilson serve up “Wakanda “goodness at the box office, CC Pounder was recently honored by the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI). The veteran Guyanese actress whose official name is Carol Christine Hilaria Pounder, plays medical examiner Dr. Loretta Wade on CBS’s NCIS New Orleans. She was honored…
In some ways, Shion Fenty’s campaign is similar to that of many others taking place this year across the U.S. She’s a 37-year-old Black woman, a first-time candidate, and is facing two middle-aged white men in the primary. But there’s something that sets her apart from the wave of other women of color running for office this year: Fenty is a Republican. The fact that she’s a Black woman and the daughter of immigrants in…