

First Day of School: Do You Want to Be My Friend?
Educator, author, researcher, community advocate and TV and radio host Dr. Janice Emanuel-Bunn was born in Guyana and migrated to the United States in 1983 and settled in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. Dr. Emanuel-Bunn has always demonstrated great interest in the community by conducting mentoring, domestic violence prevention, health and youth empowerment programs for many years. She said her passion is to “sow seeds of greatness in others.” She has served the Seventh-day Adventist church in…
As women we sometimes tend to be very self-critical and always focusing on your own faults and weaknesses. Self-criticism can be both a healthy means of increasing self-awareness and personal growth, and, on the other hand, it can serve as a major obstacle to self-esteem and peace of mind. Stop all of the negative self-talk and criticism of your image and feel happy about who you are. “When a woman becomes her own best friend…
Verna Walcott-White a.k.a Teacher Verna, Ms. Verna or Ms. V is versatile, creative and is truly proficient in her field. She is passionate about her profession (dance). She began dancing at the tender age of three, under numerous famous Guyanese and International Instructors and Guru. Ms. Verna joined the Guyana School of Dance as a teenager, from its inception, under the tutelage of its founder and Director, Lavina Williams famous Haitian/American Dancer/Choreographer/Director. Ms. Verna was…
During Emancipation Celebrations in Guyana in August, beautiful head wraps form part of the dress of many; but did you know? African head wraps have served as a head cover since the Early 1700s. It is interesting to note that the African head wrap (also known as Dhuku, Duku or Gele) is deep rooted in tradition and history – Each African nation has its own story to tell. While some of us look at a…
Below, the first female army officers, from left, Brenda Aaron, Clarissa Hukumchand, Hyacinth King and Captain Joan Granger, in their uniforms of green khaki shirts and blouse, green berets, shiny black shoes and shoulder bags at Camp Ayanganna. Reprinted from Guyana Graphic, Tuesday, January 31, 1967 (Winston Oudkerk photo) The four young women are donned military uniforms of green khaki on January 30, 1967 and marched smartly off to begin a course of training as…
We are so proud of the young women in Guyana as they continue to exceed academically. President’s College student Shalita Appadu, 18, of Corentyne, Berbice, has topped this year’s CAPE examinations. Appadu, a former student of the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School, scored six grade ones and one grade two at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). In 2011, Shalita obtained 15 grade ones at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. Congratulations Shalita…
Bishops: My Turbulent Colonial Youth More books by Mona Williams: Her list of books include: How we made a colour television show (1973); The turtle who longed to be a bird (1973); Christmas in Guyana (1974); The day I swam the river (1974); How the goat lost his voice (1974); Old Medicine (1974); The ant who refused titles (1975); Granny (1975); Father Martin Heale (1975); Old Bell (1975); When I went to the pictures (1975);…
In some ways, Shion Fenty’s campaign is similar to that of many others taking place this year across the U.S. She’s a 37-year-old Black woman, a first-time candidate, and is facing two middle-aged white men in the primary. But there’s something that sets her apart from the wave of other women of color running for office this year: Fenty is a Republican. The fact that she’s a Black woman and the daughter of immigrants in…
You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 1 Peter 3:4 Look in the mirror and start loving yourself, then your inner beauty will grow and radiate to your outer self.
Janice Elizabeth MacGregor is a second generation Canadian born to parents who emigrated from Guyana and became Canadian citizens. Her father, Frank Moorgen (RIP 2010), was born in Hampshire Village, Berbice and her mother, Mary Moorgen (née Deonarine) was born in Corentyne, Berbice. Janice, her brother, and her sister were born in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada). She attended Millwoods Christian School where her strong commitment to academics and faith were formed. She fondly recalls visiting…
Anjali is the breath of fresh air that the world of music is waiting for. A woman of gentile strength and passion, her innovative style, powerful sultry vocals and haunting melodies ensure that she will touch the heart of one and all. Her influences span several continents, cultures and musical genres therefore it is only natural for her music to fuse both classical and contemporary urban sounds. Born in Brooklyn, with roots in Guyana and…
Dr. Beryl Agatha Gilroy (née Answick) was a novelist and teacher, and “one of Britain’s most significant post-war Caribbean migrants”. Born on August 30th, 1924 in Guyana (then British Guiana), she moved in the 1950s to the United Kingdom, where she became the first black head teacher to be appointed in the borough of Camden in London at Beckford Primary. Beryl was born in Skeldon, Berbice, Guyana. She grew up in a large, extended family,…
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…
Labour Day is celebrated on the First of May every year in Guyana. It is an international observance that commemorates the struggles of workers and their significant input into society. Labour Day originated in 1889 in Paris, where the first congress of the Second Socialists International meeting decided to celebrate, on an international scale, a Worker’s Day. The First celebration of Labour Day in then, British Guiana was during the 1930’s. It was organized by…