Guyanese, Roxanne Caleb, named Nyack College’s 2015 Valedictorian

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…

Many of you will agree that Deborah Cox is one of the music industry’s most notable voices.   A multi-platinum selling artist and self-proclaimed diva, Deborah was born on born July 13, 1974 in Toronto to Guyanese parents.   She began singing for TV commercials at age 12, and entered various talent shows with the help of her mother. She performed in nightclubs as a teenager, and began to write music around the same time. Deborah entered the music…

At a time when many cultural forces continue to stand in the way of women pursuing careers in the science and technology fields, Dr.  Shabana Amanda Ali is proving to be a great role model for young female scientists.  A self-professed “Multidimensional Student of Life” her work speaks volumes of her level of commitment to the field of research science.  After witnessing the decline of her grandmother’s health due to osteoarthritis, Dr. Ali  decided to dedicate her career to finding a…

Meet Food artist, Indra Mekdeci, CEO and Founder of Reminiscence.  Founded in December 2011, Reminiscence is the premiere source in Guyana for beautifully designed, delicious fruit bouquets and chocolate treats.  Indra was born in Guyana and currently resides in Georgetown where she runs her home-based business. Her mouth watering delicacies include chocolate dipped fruit, cake pops, edible hampers and an assortment of chocolate truffles. The idea for starting Reminescence came to Indra while she was…

In Nirmala’s Kitchen: Everyday World Cuisine ABOUT THE BOOK:  Through her travels to such exotic locales as New Zealand, North Africa, India, and the Caribbean, to name a few, Nirmala Narine has scoured local markets and remote hillsides for herbs and spices to bring home to her own kitchen. In this collection of recipes and personal anecdotes, Nirmala includes a thorough glossary of herbs and spices to guide even the most inexperienced cook beyond table…

Linisa George is a creative outburst of energy. Born in Guyana, Linisa migrated with her family to Antigua, the island where she calls home, at the tender age of 4. She wrote in secret from the age of 6; her poems were her escape from a world that she didn’t think she fit into. It wasn’t until 2003 while living in Toronto where she discovered the writings of the amazing Maya Angelou, that she realised…

Recent medical school graduate, Topaz Sampson, is very close to accomplishing her dream of practicing Medicine. A New Amsterdam native, Topaz was part of the graduating Class of 2015 at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, and is scheduled to begin residency training at Baylor College of Medicine. While in medical school Topaz was appointed 2014 President of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), the oldest and largest student-run organization focused on the needs and concerns…

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

Too often people mistake Guyana for Ghana.  During  a recent trip to Florida, I was having a conversation with a colleague about the Mashramani celebrations in Guyana and she said to me “that’s in Africa right?”  I’ve also been asked quite a few times “what other language do you speak in Guyana?  That’s why I decided to put together this synopsis  to enlighten some folks on the difference between “Guyana” in South America and the African nation…

The Slipper is a classic tale of love and loss portrayed in the most unconventional style. Included are lovable, colorful characters such as Meetu, Vishnu, maa and baap who’s humor infuses a serious subject matter in a very unique, warm and touching manner. What happens when a headstrong teen falls for an unsuitable suitor? What becomes of her future when her strict parents desire another path? And what ensues years later when Meetu’s past catches…

Tania “Mohabeer” Kinsella is a leading female force and inspiration in the heart of diverse New York City. The First Deputy Commissioner of the NYPD—the world’s largest police department—she exemplifies top-notch law enforcement and proudly reflects her rich Guyanese heritage. Her mother, Linnet Mohabeer, a proud New Amsterdam Berbice native from Guyana, and her Jamaican father instilled in her the values of determination, respect, and community. These values, deeply rooted in her upbringing, have propelled her…

Charisse Holder is on a mission to preserve her legacy. The young first generation Guyanese-American filmmaker recently wrapped up production of  “Where’s My Inheritance?“,  a film she co-produced with Randy Harris that documents their journey back to Guyana, the land of their ancestors in search of the missing pieces of their identity. The much anticipated film will premiere at Metro Tech Center’s Pfizer Auditorium in Brooklyn, New York  on Friday, June 21, 2019. Film Synopsis…

Winnie Cox lives a privileged life of dances and dresses on her father’s sugar cane plantation. Life is sweet in the kingdom of sugar and Winnie along with her sister Johanna, have neither worries nor responsibilities, they are birds of paradise, protected from the poverty in the world around them. But everything can change in a heartbeat….When Winnie falls in love with George Quint, the post-office boy, a ‘darkie’ from the other side, she soon finds herself…

The three students are 19-year-old Kessia Garnett who graduated Valedictorian followed by 17-year-old Anika Lewis and 19-year-old Nashavia Cummings who shared the Salutatorian position. These young women are all in the Honour Society and plan on entering college next semester. Guyanese girls graduate with top honours at US high school

Do you think that serving pepperpot or garlic pork at different times of the year or at events other than Christmas celebration is  taking away from the Guyanese Christmas tradition?  Please don’t respond with “it’s my food and I can serve it whenever I want”. Let’s just have a discussion. I was recently invited to an all day picnic in the park here in New York and pepperpot was on the menu; then there was…