Stories We Love: Latoya Roberts went from being a Farmer to a Lawyer

Congratulations to Guyanese-Born Businesswoman Gina Miller who has been named Britain’s Most influential Black Person. In a story published by BBC News, Gina topped the 2018 Powerlist of 100 people, which recognizes those of African and African Caribbean heritage.  The 52-year-old led the successful Brexit legal challenge which ruled parliament had to vote on whether Theresa May could trigger Article 50. Those named were decided by an independent panel – including former High Court judge Dame…

Dr. Padmanee Sharma is a leading figure in Oncology.  She currently holds Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointments as Professor in the Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and Professor in the Department of Immunology, Division of Cancer Medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr.  Sharma specializes in renal, bladder and prostate cancer. Her prime focus is to understand the mechanisms and pathways within the immune system responsible for tumor rejection. Since 2005 she has been…

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing (1 Thessalonians 5:11).  This five young women definitely epitomize this phrase. Meet Trea, Michelle, Sonya, Corlecia and Feigel who reign from the small town of Amelia Ward Linden in Guyana, and playfully call themselves the “Amelia’s Ward USCians.” These “beauties with brains” all attended the University of Southern Caribbean (USC) in Trinidad; an affiliate of Andrews University in Michigan and over the years have form a…

Sunday’s Child by Anne Lyken-Garner is the remarkably inspirational true story of a little girl struggling to rise above poverty, appalling living conditions, food lines, violence, abuse, mental anguish and political hardships. It shows how she picks out little glimmers of hope and love and uses them as positive anchors in her life. She draws on everything she has – just to survive. Readers, all of the events I’ve recorded in this book have happened…

Maritza Lord is a NYC-based Artist and Musician, born and raised in Georgetown, Guyana. She became a professional musician after moving to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music. Marita grew up in a household filled with music. Her father sang and played guitar and her mother encouraged a career in music early on and began her education of classical piano and voice and performing publicly at a young age.   “As a kid, I loved to sing, play the…

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…

The year was nineteen seventy-five. Barren couple, Pearl and Edward Riley stumbled upon a newborn baby girl. Her cries could only be heard by a true mother, which Pearl immediately became. Bundled up with their new child, they discovered a parcel of artifacts and a scribbled note that read: Sakkara. Pregnant seamstress, Petrina Dugal, became a runaway at the age of twenty-six. She ran away from a brutish husband, Roger, and a well-loved South American…

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,…

Abigail Wade is a Guyanese Professional Makeup Artist and Stylist who currently resides in Brooklyn, New York. A creative being, Abigail is working hard to achieve the “American Dream” through her craft. The quality of her work speaks for itself and has even attracted the attention of some big retailers in New York like Macy’s.  She’s also the go-to makeup artist for Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta cast member Grace Hamilton popularly known as Spice, whenever…

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…

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…

Amander Williams-Clarke is a Guyanese Sculptor/ Wood Artist based in  Bridgetown, Barbados.  Her family owned and run business, Williams Legacy, specializes in fine art creations using  indigenous wood. Born in South Ruimveldt in Guyana, Amander migrated to Barbados with her parents at age five. The art  of wood craft was passed down from generation to generation beginning with the patriarch of the family Nathaniel Williams who initially worked with straw specialising in hats, baskets, brooms,…

Congratulations to Rukia Henry who recently graduated at the top of her class with dual degree and high honors.  The soon-to-be Virologist earn a B.S in Biology and Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa at Howard University, and a PhD in Molecular Genetics and Pharmacology at Rutgers University. Born in Guyana,  Rukia has experienced a long history of breast cancer in her immediate family and is determined to continue the fight against this terrible disease. …

Fifteen year old Table Tennis Star, Chelsea Edghill, was introduced to the sport at the tender age of 9, and she has served up quite an impressive career record. The Bishop’s High School student first got her start at the Teach Them Young training Summer Camp and later at Mae’s where she regularly competed for the school. In 2006,  Edghill made her first regional appearance at the inaugural tournament of the annual Caribbean Pre-Cadet Table…

As we watch more and more women throwing their hats into today’s political arena during these highly polarizing times, Lalita Etwaroo is gearing up to challenge Democratic incumbent Clyde Vanel for a New York State Assembly Legislative seat.  Born in Georgetown, Guyana, the recent college graduate is a Republican candidate for NY State Assembly in the 33rd District, which covers the neighborhoods of Cambria Heights, St. Albans, Hollis, Queens Village, Bellerose and parts of Floral Park…