Happy New Year! Rock on in 2015!

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…

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! .

“Be patient” is easier said than done but always remember that Good Things take time…

London-based saxophonist and composer, Nubya Garcia, is one of the leading forces behind the resurgence of jazz-influenced sounds in the UK. Raised in a creative environment built by a set of Caribbean parents, her brand of afro-tinged Jazz has made her a key component in a string of new and established groups: from work with MOBO Award-winning drummer, Moses Boyd, legendary Jungle producer and toaster, Congo Natty, through to her own works as part of…

Linda McPherson is the current President of District Council 1707 of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employee (AFSCME).  She represents some 28,000 non-profit social services ranging from home care, social services, direct care, public center-based day care, educational, fundraising and her own local Heat Start.  She is employed at Community Parents, Inc. /Medger Evers Head Start where she works as a Family Service Coordinator.  She praises the federally-funded Head Start program for…

The National Library recently held its second annual Easter Hat Parade in Georgetown and these pretty little GGs Rocked it!

Afuwa Granger is a visual artist, writer, and poet who uses her work to construct a visual language around intersections of identity, particularly race and gender. She was born in Guyana to current President, David Granger and First Lady, Sandra Granger.  Afuwa studied in Jamaica at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, and lives and creates her artwork in Vancouver, Canada. Afuwa’s  art is based on her family photos and the idea of the immigrant…

Sixteen year old swimmer Onika George, was Guyana’s only swimmer at the 2014 Commonwealth Games last month in Glasgow, Scotland.  She finished 4th in the Women’s 50m Freestyle – Heat 2 and 5th in the Women’s 100m Freestyle.  What’s commendable about Onika is her determination to inspire her fellow Guyanese to take up swimming Onika  was part of the small Guyana team in Glasgow and the only athlete in the pool after men’s freestyle and…

Jennifer Bisram is a TV Reporter for WSVN, CH7 in Miami, Fl.  Before her move to Miami, she worked at WOFL, the FOX affiliate in Orlando, Fl. At FOX Orlando, the relatable reporter was one of the station’s main journalists who covered the controversial Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman case. Her extensive and exclusive reporting, earned her a segment there, called, “The 10 P.M. Interview.” During her stint at WOFL, Jennifer also covered sports, politics, featured events,…

When you think of a well rounded student, Ayisha Jackson comes to mind.  This weekend the senior at Brown University will be among the Class of 2018 and will graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Materials Engineering.  Ayisha’s academic achievement is not the only impressive thing about this very bright young woman.  She has interned at NASA and Vanderbilt Institute for Nanoscale Science and Engineering, studied in Hong Kong,  traveled throughout the continent of Asia…

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…

Samantha Cross is a new up and coming triple threat singer/songwriter and dancer who goes by the name SCross. She was born in Linden at Mackenzie Hospital, but now lives in Canada. Growing up Samantha always knew that she wanted to be an entertainer. She started singing at the age of 8 and performed her  first solo with her church choir. Over the years, Samantha has performed at many venues including some well known clubs,…

Sasha Wintz, 18, who is born to Guyanese parents, was crowned Miss World BVI 2015 on Sunday, October 3rd. She is known for her stunning performance at BET Music Matters last year and her ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ project will be focused on persons with special needs. During her introduction, the teenager shared her personal experience, having an 8 year-old nephew who has Down Syndrome. Her nephew, Jaquan Wintz also shared the stage with Wintz after…

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…

We all know that curry and roti is one of Guyana’s most popular cuisine and a common dish within the Caribbean community. It is also much more enjoyable when you indulge with your fingers. However, one can also admit that it’s sometimes quite messy and will ruin your pale nail polish or fresh manicure. For this very reason I sometimes prefer to eat this dish only while at home where I can really dive in with my fingers. I recently attended a function and observed one…