New York, New York, USA

Sheroes

Photographer, Keisha Scarville

16 Jul: She Rocks! Keisha Scarville – A Passionate Fine Arts Photographer

Keisha Scarville is an accomplished and talented fine arts photographer.  Born in 1975 to a Guyanese father and mother,  she self-defines as Guyanese-American. Keisha spent her childhood in Brooklyn after her parent migrated to the United States in the late 1960s. She will be the first to admit that within the walls of her childhood home, her experience was still a Guyanese-centered one. Keisha earned a B.S. from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in…

Zena_Bland

10 Jul: Congratulations to Zena Bland, Newly Crowned Miss Guyana UK 2015

Zena Bland was crowned Miss Guyana UK at a coronation ceremony on Friday 26th June 2015, at The Guyana High Commission in Bayswater, London. Bland, 24, is British by birth, raised in Guyana for 12 years and now resides in South London. She studies journalism at Middlesex University, freelances as a pageant correspondence, brand ambassador for Chloe’s Curls which supports cancer patients and an active member of Positive Pageants. The crowning and sashing ceremony took…

Bibi_Sulaman

10 Jul: Interview with Guyanese Valedictorian, Bibi Sulaman: “From Cotton Tree Primary to New York Valedictorian”

When she entered her guidance counselor’s office earlier this year, it was not a big revelation. Bibi Sulaman, a senior at Jamaica Gateway to the Sciences High School, had met with her counselor to verify her credits and classes before graduating this June. Casually, her counselor revealed that she was valedictorian of her class of around 150 students. “It wasn’t a surprise,” said Bibi. “[Being valedictorian] wasn’t my goal. I just tried to do my…

Gwendolyn ‘Stealth Bomber’ O’Neil

08 Jul: GUYANA’S first female World Champion Boxer, Gwendolyn ‘Stealth Bomber’ O’Neil, Wins Heavyweight Title in St. Maarten

On Saturday, July 4, Guyana’s first female World Champion Gwendolyn ‘Stealth Bomber’ O’Neil defeated Sonya Lamonakis and captured the heavyweight title in Philipsburg, St Maarten. O’Neil who is now a five-time boxing world champion while at the same time a mother of five children, thanked the fans, her management team and God for the heart-stirring win which put her back on top of the world heavyweight boxing scene. A huge crowd favourite, O’Neil fought to…

Roxanne Jacqueline Persaud

07 Jul: She Rocks! Hon. Roxanne Jacqueline Persaud – First Female Representative for 59th Assembly District

Roxanne Jacqueline Persaud was elected to the  New York State Assembly in November 2014. In January, 2015 she was sworn in as the first female, first black, first Guyanese to hold the position of Assembly member for the 59th Assembly District in Brooklyn, New York . Assemblywoman Persaud is a longtime advocate for her community and an avid volunteer. Her dedication to serving her community has motivated her to serve in various capacities. Assemblywoman Persaud …

Eliza_Smith1

04 Jul: She Rocks! Eliza Smith: Youth Model, Dancer, Actress, Little Miss New York 2015

Eliza Smith is 9 years old. Born on October 8, 2005 she is a mix of Guyanese and Turkish. He mother was born in #58 village in Berbice. She currently resides in Queens, NY. Eliza will be starting the 5th grade for the upcoming school year, and has been awarded student of the month on numerous occasions. Eliza is a model, dancer and actress. She currently attends the Ghungaroos Dance Academy where she is being…

LadyIraLewis

03 Jul: She Rocks! Ira “Lady Ira” Lewis, Entrepreneur/ Humanitarian/Staunch Community Advocate

Ira Leona Lewis is known throughout the Caribbean and American community as “Lady Ira”. Born in British Guiana to the late Omar Converty and Elaine Pile, Lady Ira has been an essential figure in spearheading efforts that promote the Cultural awareness and well being of New Jersey’s Guyanese American community for over 20 years. Supporting her vision of a united and informed Guyanese community, Lady Ira is dedicated to the development of organizations and events that benefit Guyanese…

Debra_Amata

02 Jul: Stories We Love! Guyanese, Debra Amata, Received the Top SEA Examination Score in Tobago

Guyanese, Debra Amata, received the top score out of 836 students who sat for the SEA examination in Tobago this year.  She scored 238.298 points and told the media her success was due to her spirituality, parents and teachers.  Debra moved to Tobago in 2014 with her parents, who are both medical doctors at the Scarborough General Hospital in Tobago.  Her mother, Dr Vivienne Amata, said her daughter was a well-rounded student and she was very proud of her…