Our Sheroes

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12 Mar: She Rocks! Guyanese “Alyssa Raghu” Secures Spot on American Idol Competition

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…

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05 Mar: Author Elizabeth Jaikaran Recounts Stories of Traumatic Experiences & the Resilience of Guyanese Women

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…

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22 Feb: She Rocks! Neo-Soul Songstress Olivia K Embraces her Guyanese Heritage

Neo-soul songstress Olivia K is unapologetically proud of her Guyanese Heritage.  Born in Brooklyn, New York the talented guitar playing singer/songwriter recently treated her fans to a carnival-inspired performance that was nothing short of spectacular.  The packed event was held on February 22 at the Knitting Factory in celebration of her 25th birthday, and coincided with Guyana’s Republic Day Mashramani celebrations. Olivia K is known for her electrifying performances with band “Olivia and the Parkers”…

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14 Feb: Actress Shaunette Renée Wilson Brings More Guyanese Girl Magic to Black Panther Movie!

On the eve of the release of Marvel’s Studios Black Panther, Guyanese across the globe are beaming with pride as actress Letitia Wright gets ready to light up the big screen in her starring role as Shuri. Well little did we know that there’s another Guyanese girl, with a not so prominent role in the movie, but who also deserves to be celebrated. Meet actress Shaunette Renée Wilson who plays a member of Dora Milaje, a Wakanda’s elite special forces unit,…

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09 Feb: She Rocks! Middle Distance Runner, Andrea Foster, named “Woman of the Year”

Future Olympian, Andrea Fosters, recently added another award to her outstanding resume when she was named “Woman of the Year” by the New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women!  The middle distance runner is the first Guyanese student to receive this distinguished honor. This annual recognition is awarded during the month of February in honor of the 32nd anniversary of National Girls & Women in Sports Day; a national observance celebrating the extraordinary achievements of women and girls…

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07 Feb: She Rocks! Meet Rashada Harry – Award Winning Tech Enthusiast, Founder of Your Future Your Ambition, UK

Rashada Harry is the Founder of  Your Future Your Ambition,  a social enterprise she created in 2012, which aims to encourage people from Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority backgrounds into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related careers.  Since its launch 6 years ago over 4500 students have attended the YFYA annual event.  The social enterprise has been recognized for its excellence and the directors as leaders and role models in STEM.  Rashada was motivated to…

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31 Jan: Guyanese Actress, Letitia Wright plays “Fierce” Princess Shuri in Upcoming Black Panther Movie

The much anticipated Marvel Studios’ Black Panther movie is just 2 weeks away from hitting theatres on February 16th, and we’re so proud see one of our very own light up the big screen.  Last night stars turned out for the Black Panther world premiere at L.A.’s Dolby Theatre and Letitia Wright was a red carpet favorite. The 24 year old actress, who was born in Guyana and raised in London,  plays the role of Shuri the technologically proficient…

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31 Jan: Ph.D. Candidate, Leah Persaud, Pursues Groundbreaking Cancer Research at Lehman College

Born to Guyanese parents, Bronx native Leah Persaud, is a Ph.D. candidate in biology pursuing cancer research at the CUNY Graduate Center at Lehman College. Since 2015, Persaud has been conducting research in the lab of Moira Sauane, a professor in Lehman’s Department of Biological Sciences, that she hopes will ultimately lead to new cancer therapies and drug treatments. “The Lehman campus was always my first choice,” said Persaud, who expects to earn her Ph.D….

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02 Jan: She Rocks! Meet Dr. Shabana Amanda Ali – Postdoctoral Research Scientist In Search of A Cure

At a time when many cultural forces continue to stand in the way of women pursuing careers in the science and technology fields, Dr.  Shabana Amanda Ali is proving to be a great role model for young female scientists.  A self-professed “Multidimensional Student of Life” her work speaks volumes of her level of commitment to the field of research science.  After witnessing the decline of her grandmother’s health due to osteoarthritis, Dr. Ali  decided to dedicate her career to finding a…

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08 Nov: She Rocks! Future Neurovirologist Rukia Henry wins 2017 ABRCMS Outstanding Achievement Award

Congratulations to Howard University Honor Student, Rukia Henry, on winning an ‘Outstanding Achievement Award’ at the 2017 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), which was recently held in Phoenix, Arizona. A native of the town of Linden, Guyana and former Mackenzie High School student, Rukia has goals of becoming a Neurovirologist. Having experienced a long history of breast cancer in her immediate family, and administering daily care, Rukia is determined to continue the…