Don’t let your fears and doubts hinder your dreams….

Relationships last longer when you don’t tell people about your personal problems. Remember – 20% of people don’t care and the other 80% are glad you have them.”

Nola Ro spent the first 10 years of her life in Guyana before migrating to the United States. Most of her family (maternal side) lived on the East Bank of the Demerara River, stretching from Timehri to Coverden.  The daughter of Restaurateur, Doris Rodney, Nola inevitably caught the cooking bug and developed a passion for the culinary arts herself.  In 2015, she founded Sumptuous Bites Catering, which specializes in the Caribbean/American cuisine all made from natural & organic ingredients….

Guyanese Singer Lisa Punch named “Profile of the Year” in local New York Newspaper. This comes as no surprise as the young #RisingStar has had a fantastic year. Congratulations Lisa – Keep on Rocking in 2015!

Elisa Hamilton, a proud daughter of the East Coast Demerara Village, secured five grade ones and one grade two at CAPE, and was honoured by her fellow villagers at a simple, yet auspicious ceremony. Her achievement placed her among the country’s top CAPE performers. Also, in 2014, Hamilton secured 20 passes; 19 grade ones and a grade two at Caribbean Secondary Examination Council (CSEC), making her the top Regional performer for that year. President announces Village…

Guyanese, Iris de Freitas, was the first female lawyer in the Caribbean and possible The chance discovery on eBay of a postcard featuring a portrait of a young black woman in university robes has led a Welsh university to honour one of its alumni. As part of its International Women’s Day celebrations on Tuesday 8 March 2016 Aberystwyth University,  a public research university in Aberystwyth, Wales officially named a room in honour of Iris de…

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…

Lorna E. Welshman-Neblett has reached a pinnacle that few women of color have attained in the fragrance industry. More than 20 years ago she launched Angel, the first Thierry Mugler perfume, in the U.S. market. The fragrance has been flying off high-end shelves since. Welshman-Neblett’s career in the fragrance industry began in the late 1970s, when Elizabeth Arden established a separate fragrance company with Chloe, Burberrys and others. Welshman-Neblett started working with Thierry Mugler Parfums…

Dr. Marilyn Fraser is the Chief Executive Officer at the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center and the co-Director of the Brooklyn Health Disparities Center. In her previous capacities as the Deputy Director and the Associate Director for Research & Training, she was primarily responsible for overseeing the Institute’s community outreach and research programs. In March 2019,  Dr.  Fraser was named…

Are you enjoying BALANCE between work & play, family & friends, sleep & activity, chores & fun? Pay attention to what feels out-of-balance in your life, then focus on the steps needed to tip things in your favor to improve the health of your mind, body, and Spirit. Focus on finding BALANCE in your thoughts and actions. Remember – Life is Better IN Balance! .

Kite Flying in the Village: A Guyanese Girl’s Story A Guyanese Girl’s Story is a series of short stories from my childhood. One of my favorite is “Kite Flying in the Village”. Kite flying is a family outing for many in Guyana, South America. Easter is a very special holiday in my village of Vreedenhoop in which the children of many ages make and decorate kites to fly in celebration of Easter. Another part of…

Congratulations to Rukia Henry who recently graduated at the top of her class with dual degree and high honors.  The soon-to-be Virologist earn a B.S in Biology and Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa at Howard University, and a PhD in Molecular Genetics and Pharmacology at Rutgers University. Born in Guyana,  Rukia has experienced a long history of breast cancer in her immediate family and is determined to continue the fight against this terrible disease. …

Lakshmee Singh is a well known talk show host and producer of the popular “Let’s Talk with Lakshmee” show.  The  multitalented TV personality is also a dancer, actress, community worker, choreographer and has been in the public eye since the age of five.  Lakshmee has performed for large audiences at prestigious venues such as Westbury Music Fair and The Continental Arena. She has taught and coached many groups of young girls for stage performances. Lakshmee’s first acting experience was…

The extraordinary life of Baroness Valerie Amos has taken her from the small island of Wakenaam at the mouth of the Essequibo River in Guyana to the House of Lords. It is a journey that includes time spent at the United Nations headquarters in New York and the British High Commission in Australia. She has now returned to London where she has become the first black director of a British University at the School of…

Roxanne Jacqueline Persaud was elected to the  New York State Assembly in November 2014. In January, 2015 she was sworn in as the first female, first black, first Guyanese to hold the position of Assembly member for the 59th Assembly District in Brooklyn, New York . Assemblywoman Persaud is a longtime advocate for her community and an avid volunteer. Her dedication to serving her community has motivated her to serve in various capacities. Assemblywoman Persaud …

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…