Don’t forget to love yourself…..

The Honourable Madam Justice Désirée Bernard, a citizen of Guyana, was born on 2 March 1939. A lawyer by profession, she began her career in 1963 when she attained a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of London.  Qualifying as a solicitor in 1964, Justice Bernard engaged in private practice in the High Court of the Supreme Court of Guyana from 1965 to 1980. During that period, she was appointed a Magistrate (1970), Commissioner of…

Born in Guyana, Sharmilla Persaud, with a little unwilling help from her mother, discovered her love of fashion at an early age. Finding the perfect artistic playground in her mother’s colorful saris and jewelry, a young Sharmilla went to work cutting and combining them into her own creations. At five, she moved with her family to New York, and now credits the streets of Manhattan for lending an urban edge to her aesthetic as a…

Buxton Spice (Bluestreak) ABOUT  THE BOOK:  Told in the voice of a girl as she moves from childhood into adolescence, Buxton Spice is the story the town of Tamarind Grove: its eccentric families, its sweeping joys, and its sudden tragedies. The novel brings to life 1970s Guyana-a world at a cultural and political crossroads-and perfectly captures a child’s keen observations, sense of wonder, and the growing complexity of consciousness that marks the passage from innocence…

I was told by a friend that she wanted to plan a small reception for her mother’s 80th birthday; she wanted something very elegant. A Champagne Reception is ideal for this type of event. It is also perfect for small weddings or any other function, where the intention is to host a top notch classy event that has a small guest list. You will need three types of champagne: ‘Dry’ or ‘Extra Dry’ for cocktails  …

In 1958, Martha Ruby Holland (nee Nicholson) founded the first Ruby Holland School of Music  in British Guiana, South America. She was an avid believer in music education and the art.  She believed that everyone possessed creative talent and spent her life providing artistic opportunities for students regardless of their age, social standing or financial means. Martha’s approach to teaching music (the piano) was unique and quite enriching. She offered her students a rich array…

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,…

A person’s image, manners and communication skills make the difference between mega success and average in their personal, social and business life. ~ Gloria Starr Meet Phillipa Morrish – certified Social Protocol consultant and the Founder of Etiquette Training International, New York.  Since 1999, Phillipa has worked internationally with corporations, organizations, law enforcement officers and private clients to help them become leaders in their field. She also works extensively with teens, and has been an…

The Honorary Judge Ingrid Joseph is a Democratic judge of the New York City Civil Court Kings. She was born in Brooklyn to Guyanese parents. Judge Joseph is running for re-election in the New York State primary on September 13, 2018.  She was elected to the court in 2009, and her current term expires in 2018. She is also serves as an acting justice of the Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term. Here’s Her Story…

The reigning Miss Guyana World 2013, Ruqayyah Boyer, will be heading to Indonesia in September to vie for the Miss World title. Franchise holder Natasha Martindale and the executive committee are working around the clock to get the beauty queen ready. Miss Boyer, the 2012 Miss Guyana Universe title holder, represented Guyana during the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada and became quite popular internationally for her graciousness after falling during the pageant’s…

BMCC Student Government Association President, Okeema Humphrey’s ultimate goal  is to give back to the country of her birth, Guyana,  but in the meantime she’s sharing very smart advice with her peers. During her recent graduation ceremony,  Okeema told the class of 2015 “whether you are employed, unemployed, or moving on to higher education …  use what you learned at BMCC to be the best version of yourself that you can be.” Okeema is a…

From floor sweeping gowns in black and gold, to white frocks and bridal wear, models sashayed down a long flight of stairs to display a floral patchwork attire by Guyanese Melissa Payne, swimwear embellished matched with costume head-pieces by Marlon Smart, in addition to Mariska’s popular Resort Collection, that continues to take the world by storm. Caribbean flair and fashion

A collection of short stories which are all set in the Caribbean and London. Pauline Melville is the winner of “The Guardian” Fiction Prize and winner of the Macmillan Silver Pen Award. This book was also awarded the 1991 Commonwealth Writers Prize for best first book. Shape-shifter (Picador Books) More Books by Pauline Melville ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Pauline Melville

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…

Why wait to be someone else’s queen when you can be your own queen!  The word Queen means woman – any women – a woman with or without riches, fame, position; women from any background, color or creed; women limbless or able-bodied; a Queen of her domain, a Queen to her King; her husband, a Queen is a woman, a woman is a Queen (Wisdom Beyond Being).  So what’s stopping you from being the queen…

Proud Guyanese-American and Brooklyn native,  Dawnn Lewis, best known for her strong and compassionate character Jaleesa Vinson in the hugely-popular 90s sitcom, A Different World, and for her current co-starring role in the HULU reboot of the Veronica Mars series has returned to Broadway as Zelma Bullock, Tina Turner’s mother in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. Dawnn grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant and Flatbush sections of Brooklyn and is excited about returning to Broadway, spending…