Congratulations to Dr. Paloma Mohamed, poet, playwright & educator on being named one of four honorees for the Anthony N. Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence (Arts & Letters). Dr. Mohamed is currently the Director of the Centre for Communication Studies at the University of Guyana. The Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Awards is the only programme in the Caribbean which seeks out and rewards outstanding nominees in Arts & Letters, Public & Civic Contributions, and Science…
Victoria Marianna Gunraj is the owner of Miami-based Caribbean clothing line and T-shirt Company “DeportedTEES.” Born in Miami, Florida on December 17th, 1989, Victoria’s parents hail from the villages of Wales and Vreed-en-Hoop in West Demerara, Guyana. A graduate of the University of Florida, this 24- year-old business woman earned a B.S. Degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition. Victoria’s passion for fashion and design led her to start her own fashion company in 2011…
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…
THE ADVERTISERS TRIBUNE, NOVEMBER 18, 2018 As a young Guyanese girl growing up in New York City from the age of 14, Aliann Pompey had no idea that her undiscovered talent would lead her to four consecutive summer Olympics, beginning in Sydney and ending in London. Medalling in two commonwealth games, gold in 2002 and silver in 2010, and competing at World Championships, are just some of many achievements Aliann has attained over the years;…
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,…
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…
When Ingrid Berkeley-Brown began her career in law enforcement 30 years ago, she wanted to be the best that she could could be and leave above the rank of constable. Today the Guyana-native has risen far above that rank On January 29, she made history when she was promoted to Superintendent in Peel County, Ontario, making her the highest-ranking Black female police officer in Canada. Berkeley-Brown was one of only two Black female recruits in a class of about 300 at the Ontario…
Silent Hearer by Marcia Shury | ISBN # 978-1-68118-826-3 | Tate Publishing “Silent Hearer” chronicles the story of Marcia S. Shury as her happy childhood was turned upside down due to the onset of a sudden partial hearing loss. The book details how she rose above the many obstacles and frustrations that she encountered in school, in her career and relationships as she resolved to live a normal life.
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…
United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources Management, Catherine Pollard, was born in Georgetown, Guyana 1960. She attended Bishops High School from 1971 to 1978 and holds a Master’s Degree in Accounting from the University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica. Catherine was appointed to this top post by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in April 2008. The Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM) is responsible for implementing the vision of the Secretary-General for an integrated…
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…
Faudia Baijnauth is the co-founder and Chairperson of Indo-Caribbean Alliance, Inc. (ICA). She is responsible for the overall governance and direction of the organization which has grown to become one of the leading Caribbean organizations in Queens. Faudia’s primary role is to ensure that ICA advocates and creates programs and services for Indo-Caribbean residents in South Queens. Faudia holds a BA Degree in Political Science from Baruch College and earned her Master’s in Social Work…
Nirmala Narine is a World Traveler, Author, Executive Producer, Television Host, and Founder of Nirmala’s Kitchen, the go-to company for spices, grains, sauces and much more. She was born in Guyana and at the age of six Nirmala began to cook in a tiny kitchen with no running water or electricity. It was Nirmala’s grandfather, an Arya Samaj Hindu Pandit, who schooled her in the ancient Indian arts of holistic cooking and Ayurvedic living. When…
Dr. Latoya Shonell Gooding is a beacon of hope to many cancer-stricken patients in Guyana. She goes above and beyond to ensure they receive the best care as they battle this deadly disease. Her kindness has touched many families and helped most of her patients through those dark days. She was compelled into the field of medicine, specifically Oncology, following the death of her grandfather to prostate cancer. According to Dr. Gooding, he was given…
Donna Makeda is definitely a musical force to be reckoned with. She was born in Kwakwani and grew up in New Amsterdam, Berbice, Guyana. Donna started singing and performing over 25 years ago, her foundation in music came from the church, which she attended when she was a little girl. Donna started out as a dancer; she was trained in Afro-Caribbean Dance, Modern Dance, Folk Dance, Kathak and Classical Ballet. At age 16, she opened…