First Day of School: Do You Want to Be My Friend? by Jennifer Bisram

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,…

Brehanna Michelle Daniels made national headlines in 2017 when she made history as the first African-American female to go over the wall in a national racing series, as the rear tire changer. In 2018 she became the first African-American female to work for a pit crew in NASCAR’s prestigious Cup series. Brehanna was born in the US on Jan. 26, 1994 with her twin brother to Kimberly and Luxley Daniels.  She is very proud of her…

CONGRATULATIONS to the very *first* Miss Guyana Teen Excellence Pageant Queen – Trishelle Ross. Trishelle is 16 years old and attends St. Rose’s High School. The issue close to her heart is Teenage Pregnancy.  “I would like to inspire teens who do not have a chance at a decent life”, Trishelle shared.  My goal is to become a Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon.  Her personal belief is that it’s better to try and fail, rather than fail…

You can be happy if you choose to be thankful.  Even if your life is not perfect, there are lots of reasons to feel good about something.

Shawna Rochelle Kimbrell is a major in the United States Air Force, and the first female African-American fighter pilot in the Air Force history. She was born in Lafayette, Indiana on April 20, 1976, to Guyanese parents, Dr Norman Ng A Qui, and Eve Blackman Ng A Qui after they migrated to the US.  Their hard work and dedication paid off in her father earning a degree from Howard University and a doctorate from Purdue University. That focus on…

A stellar achiever at a very young age and one of Guyana’s youngest dental surgeons, Dr. Sulan Fung aims to empower young women and spread awareness on her interest – maintaining a healthy mouth. Twenty-four-year-old Sulan began her scholastic career at Stella Maris Nursery at three years old. She later earned a place at Bishops’ High School where she received awards for best debater and best actress, along with elocution prizes. “I got prizes mostly…

Soulful.  Divine.  Spellbinding.  Simone Denny is…a legend in the making.  Born and raised in Toronto, this powerhouse diva is of Guyanese heritage.  Simone’s Caribbean Canadian environment exposed her to a wide and eclectic mixed bag of musical influences. She grew up listening to calypso, reggae, Brazilian music, and of course, R&B. Simone knew in her heart that music would always be a major part of her life. Singing at a talent show in the 6th grade…

Marian Joan Burnett (born 22 February 1976 in Linden) is a Guyanese middle-distance runner who specializes in the 800 and 1500 metres. She competed in the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympic Games, reaching the second heat of the 800 metres on both occasions. She won the first of her three national Sportswoman of the Year awards in 1998 including being a national champion in two sports – track & field and bodybuilding & fitness. In…

On Saturday, July 4, Guyana’s first female World Champion Gwendolyn ‘Stealth Bomber’ O’Neil defeated Sonya Lamonakis and captured the heavyweight title in Philipsburg, St Maarten. O’Neil who is now a five-time boxing world champion while at the same time a mother of five children, thanked the fans, her management team and God for the heart-stirring win which put her back on top of the world heavyweight boxing scene. A huge crowd favourite, O’Neil fought to…

Luana Pierre is the owner of Pawsome Pets Guyana, a new pet grooming business located in Georgetown. Pawsome Pets Guyana is the only professional pet grooming service in the country. Mrs. Pierre has more than 25 years of experience in animal health and 10 years of pet grooming experience. Luana has been one of my best friends for more than thirty-five years. She was the friend who made me laugh with her dry humor, but…

Canadian actress & international fashion model, Simone Small aka “Small & Mighty” was born to a Guyanese mother and Barbadian father. She attended Humber College and Etobicoke School of the Arts in Toronto, Ontario. The only child for her parents, Simone recalled having a great childhood. She spent her school years in Toronto but every summer went to Barbados or Guyana, sometimes both, to spend time with her cousins, aunts and uncles. Simone’s mother is from…

Via washingtoncitypaper.com Natasha Allicock is popping up inside Valor Brewpub with shumai burgers and Asian jerk oxtail. Natasha Allicock is one of the most versatile chefs in D.C., and chances are you haven’t tried her food. The private chef was born in Guyana, a Caribbean nation in South America that is a cultural and culinary melting pot. Her father’s Chinese roots and mother’s Indian roots heavily influenced her cooking career. Through her company, iChef LLC, Allicock…

As a highly successful voters’ rights lawyer in the US, Marcia is able to help thousands of persons, particularly minorities, through her work and hopes to replicate her successes in Guyana. Now 46 years old, Marcia lives in Washington D.C. with her husband and two daughters. Though she has lived in America for more than three decades, Marcia said that she had never forgotten her roots. Promoting democratic rights in Guyana and beyond…Lawyer Marcia Johnson-Blanco…

Jenise McBride is the CEO of Angelically Kute, a protective-style Hair Salon, and the Founder of H.E.R-Volution University, an online platform that is revolutionalizing hair ergonomics. Over 6 years ago, Jenise decided that she was done with weaves, flat-irons, and relaxers and began her natural hair journey. Like many women who decide to “go natural,” Jenise discovered there were not many styling options. So, she decided to change all of that! Jenise taught herself, and then…

It’s a rainy day in NYC.  What the weather like where you are?.