Meet Our Sheroes

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14 Feb: Actress Shaunette Renée Wilson Brings More Guyanese Girl Magic to Black Panther Movie!

On the eve of the release of Marvel’s Studios Black Panther, Guyanese across the globe are beaming with pride as actress Letitia Wright gets ready to light up the big screen in her starring role as Shuri. Well little did we know that there’s another Guyanese girl, with a not so prominent role in the movie, but who also deserves to be celebrated. Meet actress Shaunette Renée Wilson who plays a member of Dora Milaje, a Wakanda’s elite special forces unit,…

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09 Feb: She Rocks! Middle Distance Runner, Andrea Foster, named “Woman of the Year”

Future Olympian, Andrea Fosters, recently added another award to her outstanding resume when she was named “Woman of the Year” by the New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women!  The middle distance runner is the first Guyanese student to receive this distinguished honor. This annual recognition is awarded during the month of February in honor of the 32nd anniversary of National Girls & Women in Sports Day; a national observance celebrating the extraordinary achievements of women and girls…

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07 Feb: She Rocks! Meet Rashada Harry – Award Winning Tech Enthusiast, Founder of Your Future Your Ambition, UK

Rashada Harry is the Founder of  Your Future Your Ambition,  a social enterprise she created in 2012, which aims to encourage people from Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority backgrounds into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related careers.  Since its launch 6 years ago over 4500 students have attended the YFYA annual event.  The social enterprise has been recognized for its excellence and the directors as leaders and role models in STEM.  Rashada was motivated to…

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31 Jan: Guyanese Actress, Letitia Wright plays “Fierce” Princess Shuri in Upcoming Black Panther Movie

The much anticipated Marvel Studios’ Black Panther movie is just 2 weeks away from hitting theatres on February 16th, and we’re so proud see one of our very own light up the big screen.  Last night stars turned out for the Black Panther world premiere at L.A.’s Dolby Theatre and Letitia Wright was a red carpet favorite. The 24 year old actress, who was born in Guyana and raised in London,  plays the role of Shuri the technologically proficient…

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31 Jan: Ph.D. Candidate, Leah Persaud, Pursues Groundbreaking Cancer Research at Lehman College

Born to Guyanese parents, Bronx native Leah Persaud, is a Ph.D. candidate in biology pursuing cancer research at the CUNY Graduate Center at Lehman College. Since 2015, Persaud has been conducting research in the lab of Moira Sauane, a professor in Lehman’s Department of Biological Sciences, that she hopes will ultimately lead to new cancer therapies and drug treatments. “The Lehman campus was always my first choice,” said Persaud, who expects to earn her Ph.D….

Patriotic entrepreneur, Allison Butters-Grant, is a ‘Special Person’

29 Jan: Allison Butters-Grant, CEO of Global Seafood Distributors, shares her success story…

Allison Butters-Grant  is the Chief Executive Officer of Global Seafood Distributors, an importing/exporting business that she jointly operates with her husband, Kerwin.  The daughter of successful seafood entrepreneurs she opened her own Seafood Market in Guyana specializing in wild caught seafood sourced from Guyana with the mantra “straight from the sea to your plate.” Her business distributes  seafood locally in Guyana and to the international markets, including the Caribbean and the US.  In 2015, Guyana Chronicle…

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28 Jan: The Girl from the Sugar Plantation: A gripping and emotional family saga of love and secrets (The Quint Chronicles)

An unputdownable story about a woman in search of the truth, the man she falls in love with, and the devastation of the Second World War.

1934, Georgetown.

All her life, Mary Grace has wanted to know the truth about who her parents really are. As the mixed-race daughter of two white plantation owners, her childhood has been clouded by whispered rumours, and the circumstances of her birth have been kept a closely guarded secret…

Aunt Winnie is the only person Mary Grace can confide in. Feeling lost and lonely, her place in society uncertain, Mary Grace decides to forge her own path in the world. And she finds herself unexpectedly falling for charming and affluent Jock Campbell, a planter with revolutionary ideas.

But, with the onset of the Second World War, their lives will be changed forever. And Mary Grace and Jock will be faced with the hardest decision of all – to fight for freedom or to follow their hearts…

An utterly compelling and evocative story about the heart-breaking choices men and women had to make during a time of unimaginable change. Perfect for fans of The Secret Wife and Island of Secrets.

What readers are saying about Sharon Maas

‘Sharon Maas has become my ‘go-to’ author… another wonderful book by Maas that has all the trademark thought and care that resonates throughout her work. A heart-rending, epic tale of loss and identity that gets into your heart.’ Bloomin’ Brilliant Books

‘Sharon Maas is one of my favourite authors… evocative and vividHighly recommended.’ Renita D’Silva

‘A terrific writer.’ Barbara Erskine

‘A page-turning story, full of humanity, crossing cultures and continents, reminiscent of Andrea Levy.’ Katie Fforde

This book has everything. Great characters, interesting perspective and strong settings.’ Lexi Reads

Heart-breaking, poignant and intriguing… This truly is a powerful story that will fascinate and engross you from the very beginning until the very end.’ What’s Better than Books

‘The writing is stunningly evocative and sensual… I just felt immersed in the story and setting from the start.’ The Book Trail

Exceptional… evokes a whole range of emotions.’ Batty About Books

‘A beautifully written story of love against all the odds.’ Portobello Book Blog

‘A wonderful and heartrending book.’ Sean’s Book Reviews

‘A beautiful mesmerising work… I was completely transported.’ Krafti Reader

‘A beautiful story about tragic love and ultimately about forgiveness… with powerful messages about love, life and learning to let things go in order to be happy.’ Life With Joy

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25 Jan: Based On A Love Story

Writing poetry and short stories since the tender age of 7 years old, aspiring music artist Danielle BlaiQ opens her private collection of heartfelt expression to the world in Based On A Love Story. Best described as ‘love at first sight for the heart and mind’, this collection of poetry unfolds revealing the beautiful imperfections found in a young woman on her journey to defining womanhood. Honored for her lyrical illustrations, bold reflections, and vulnerable insights, these poems are filled with the promise of a brilliant writer emerging before our very eyes. (Due to content Based On A Love Story is suggested for Mature Readers)

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25 Jan: I Want To Live Again

This book is about a woman’s struggle to make it in America after immigrating from Guyana in South America. It deals with issues which she had to overcome to survive in Brooklyn, New York. The stories are all true but names have been changed to protect the identities of relatives and close friends. The events take place in urban settings and they are not typical of all immigrants. The book shows that anyone can overcome adversity if he or she is determined to work hard and remain focused on personal goals. Queen Hadassah

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25 Jan: The Secret Life of Winnie Cox: Slavery, forbidden love and tragedy – spellbinding historical fiction (The Quint Chronicles)

‘This is a beautiful, mesmerising work of fiction that makes you think about the past and the history of slavery… Sharon Maas is an author to look out for with regards to historical, romantic fiction.’ Krafti Reader

1910, Guyana. A time of racial tension and poverty. A time where forbidden love must remain a secret.

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 slipping into a double life. And as she withdraws from her family, she discovers a shocking secret about those whom are closest to her. Now, more than ever, Winnie is determined to prove her love for George, whatever price she must pay and however tragic the consequences might be.

A breath-taking love story of two people fighting to be together, in a world determined to break them apart.

I absolutely love Sharon Maas writing style– you can just picture the setting and the relationships between the characters in such a vivid world.’Bookworms and Shutterbugs

‘Superb book about love in a different age against all the odds. Brilliant.’ Baatty about Books

Intriguing and compelling …a page-turner that had me drawn into a previously unexplored world. An emotional drama’ Natalie-Meg Evans

This rich story grabbed me from the start! It is powerful, fulfilling, thought-provoking and a whole lot more. Definitely a must read! Totally engrossing!Great Historical Fiction Review Blog

‘A beautifully written book – one which transports you to the place it is set in. The plot, the twist, the setting, everything was perfect.’ Any Excuse to Read

‘I hope many people will pick up this book and see just what magnificent writing and storytelling abilities Sharon has. Right from the outset the writing in this book is beyond beautiful and resonates such a chord. A deeply satisfying read of love, loss and determination.Shaz’s Book Blog

A beautifully written story of love against all the odds.Portobello Book Blog

A beautifully written story of forbidden love…I fell in love with Winnie … the book is written with sensitivity and heart-aching honesty’ The Bookshelf Blog

Acclaim for Sharon Maas:

A terrific writer.’ Barbara Erskine

A page-turning story, full of humanity, crossing cultures and continents, reminiscent of Andrea Levy.’ Katie Fforde

‘Beautifully and cleverly written. A wondrous, spellbinding story which grips you from the first to the last page… I can’t recall when I last enjoyed a book so much.’ Lesley Pearse

An authentic reflection of a world full of sadness, joy and surprise.The Observer

A beautiful story about tragic love and ultimately about forgiveness… with powerful messages about love, life and learning to let things go in order to be happy.’ Life With Joy

‘Rich in detail and emotion and has the most beautiful and real description of loss I have ever read.’ Shaz’s Book blog

‘Wow what a very touching story that was filled with super characters and important real-life issues…AJ Book Review Club

‘If you are fond of family dramas that span generations, continents, and cultures, you will find this to be a worthwhile read. I found the shift in attitudes toward gender and ethnicity across generations and cultures to be particularly interesting.’ janetursel.com