Enter our Mother’s Day Giveaway for a chance to Win!

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…

With Easter Monday only a few days away, I thought it would be quite fitting to share this book and it’s author with you. Here’s an overview of the book and the author’s story … Overview: 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…

Toronto-based Caterer Shaunna Marto never thought she could have a career doing what she loves.  Trained in culinary arts, Shaunna founded Party’s By Shaunna in 2006; a full service catering and party business. Born in Georgetown, Guyana to a middle class family, Shaunna started cooking at the of 11; much to the horror of her parents who were concerned that she would hurt herself at the stove. They soon realize she had a talent for…

Meet Dr. Monica Sanchez, a mother of three, born a native of the Republic of Guyana where her education started.  Dr. Sanchez  migrated to the USA in her early teens where she continued her education and obtained degrees in Criminal Justice, Business, Fashion and   Education. Armed with a PhD, Dr. Sanchez has earn over twenty five years of experience as a Business Woman in the Fashion, Entertainment and Cultural Industries.  She has appeared in many…

Twenty-two year old Letitia Wright was born in Guyana and moved to Britain aged six.  The rising star got her start on TV in the British series “Doctor Who,” “Cucumber,” and “Chasing Shadows.” She recently landed a key role in Steven Spielberg’s upcoming big-budget tentpole “Ready Player One,” beating out dozens of young actresses to costar opposite Tye Sheridan and Olivia Cooke. Letitia also plays the role of  Irene “Rene” Watson, on season 2 of the…

One week ago Letitia Wright lit up the purple carpet at the Avengers: Infinity War premiere in Hollywood. The 24-year-old Guyanese-born British Star is inspiring the next generation of young women in STEM & Style and we’re definitely a fan!  Letitia is soaking up her new Hollywood fame after appearing in ‘Black Panther’, ‘Black Mirror’, and even Drake’s music video ‘Nice for What.’ According to Teen Vogue, Letitia looked like a true superhero at the Avenger’s world premiere…

Celebrity choreographer and actress Shakira Marshall combined her passion for African and Caribbean dance into a class. Marshall, who is of Guyanese ancestry, now shares her love of dances from the diaspora as an instructor at the Center for African and Diaspora Dance in Brooklyn. NY-based video reporter, Melissa Noel, (also a Guyanese Girl) recently caught up with Marshall at her studio and witness her in action. Check out the video. Shakira grew up in…

Meet Vanessa Lee Chester, television and film actress, born on July 2, 1984 to Guyanese parents.  She is the oldest child, and the first member of her family to be born in the United States.  She has a younger brother named Kevin. Vanessa began acting at the tender age of 3 when her mother signed her up for an audition with a New York agency.  She spent her early years in Brooklyn before heading to…

Meet Nickolette Emptage. She’s originally from Linden and now lives in New York. Nickolette is an honor student with a 95 average at Martin Van Buren High School in Queens and is the second captain of the school’s soccer team. Nickolette says she’s “repping” for 592! She Rocks! .

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…

Nine-year-old award winning author and poet, Anaya Lee Willabus, will be launching her second book, ‘A Bully’s Disguise.’  Anaya Lee published her first book ‘The Day Mohan Found His Confidence,’ at the age of 8, which earned her five awards, as well as local and international recognition for her outstanding literary contribution. A Bully’s Disguise, sheds light on peer pressure and how it may influence one’s decision in elementary school.  Mohan, the nine year old…

Shyko Amos is an OBIE winning actress with Guyanese roots who is known for her performances in  Tell You Something (2015), One Small Step for Melvin (2014) and 3-C (Three-C) (2012).  She has performed in theatres all over the world from South Africa to Paris and New York appearing on Televion for the BBC and TROUBLE TV. Originally from the UK, at age 15 Shyko began her career at the prestigious National Youth Music Theatre of Great Britain.  She has a…

Jamila Keizia Sanmoogan will be one of two, and the only female swimmer representing Guyana at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The 19-year-old, who recently trained in Columbia on a swimming scholarship, is slated to compete in the Women’s 50m Freestyle event. In an interview the Guyana Chronicle, Jamila shared the following: “It felt as if my dreams finally came true, there were so many feelings, from excitement to happiness” she…

Three women, Janet Jagan, Jane Phillips Gay and Jessica Burnham, were the first females elected as Members of British Guiana Parliament in May 1953 after  the first universal adult suffrage elections were held in the same year. Former first lady Janet Jagan became the first female Deputy Speaker of the Legislature in 1953; the first female Prime Minister in March 1997 and the first female President of Guyana in December 1997.  Jane Phillips-Gay was a…

Meet the Guyana Girls Squash Team! This past July these lovely young ladies retained the Overall Team Title during the 2015 Junior Caribbean Squash Championships in Barbados for the 11th consecutive time.  Guyana was the defending champions having won both the boys and girls’ team titles at last year’s championships in Bermuda. Guyana Girls Squash Champions – 11th Win Guyana females crowned Caribbean Squash Champs – Stabroek News