The aim is to raise the level of visibility and prominence of Guyanese as the fourth largest group of foreign born nationals in the city.
Music
“It’s about taking Guyana and Guyanese to new heights in a big way and moving beyond the widely known ethnic rifts and coming together as a united front on neutral grounds,” said Persaud.
Movies
The inaugural 2007 event featured: Hollywood actor, Sean Patrick Thomas, who many will remember from ‘Save The Last Dance,’ ‘The Fountain’ and ‘Barbershop’ and was presented with the First Annual Independence Day Leadership Award.
Others honored were movie producer Rohit Jagessar of ‘Guiana 1838,’ movie director, Mikey Nivelli of ‘Rainbow Raani,’ actress CCH Pounder and boxer Vivian Harris.
Television
A special tribute presentation was made to former Guyanese cricketers Sewdatt Shivnarine, Vishal Nagamootoo and Sudesh Dhaniram. Among special guests will be several consul generals of the Caribbean and elected city, state and federal officials as well as the special advisor to US General Services Administrator, Laurita Doan. Thomas’ wife, actress, Aonika Laurent Thomas, a native of New Orleans, also attended.
Books
Guyanese comprise the fourth largest foreign-born group in New York City foreign and continue to make great strides as entrepreneurs and homeowners. In one area of Queens, NY alone, their annual earnings are more than both native born black and white Americans according to the US Census’ recent American Community Survey report.
Heroes
The free, public from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Saturday May 26th included many performances from veteran performer, John ‘Slingshot’ Drepaul, who is recovering from an accident and will make his first return to the stage at this event along with The Dheeraj Cultural Foundation’s Ghungroos Dance School; poetry readings by James Richmond and Francis Quamina Farrier; patriotic songs by Courtney Noel, Almira Brasse and Clifford John along with rising young deejays, DJ Praksh and Mr. H2o WataFlow as well as the emerging Triad group; Africa drumming by and a musical saw presentation by Moses Josiah.
About me: The Committee For Guyana’s Independence Anniversary is the brainchild of Hard Beat Communications CEO Felicia Persaud and the Bowling Green Association of New York.
The public event was followed by private, invitation only awards ceremony in the historic grand rotunda at the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House that will bring together an extraordinary line up of both honorees and entertainers.
The event received the support of Western Union, AmeriGroup Funding, North American Airlines, Deluxe Delivery and Ariana Development Group Of Companies along with donors – JR. Giddings, Edgar Henry, Unique Professional Creation, Golden Krust Bakery, Tota’s Bakery, Sybil’s Restaurant and Hollis West Indian Restaurant.
New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, proclaimed Saturday May 26th, 2007, ‘Guyanese Independence Day’ In New York City.
The declaration comes as the Committee to Celebrate Guyana gets ready to raise the country’s flag for the first time over Manhattan New York in the financial district at Bowling Green. In declaring the day, Bloomberg proclaimed: “The Guyanese community is an asset to our metropolis, whose greatness is predicated on an unparalleled diversity of cultures, ethnicities, and perspectives. New York City is proud to be a part of this celebration, as it is a fitting tribute to a Guyanese community that has stayed true to its roots while blossoming in a new environment.”
