Talks life in politics and update on ‘Rhythm Nation Entertainment’

By Telesha Ramnarine

IF Dimple Singh-Willabus wins the New York City Council seat for District 46, it will be the first time that a Guyanese, and a woman, would take up this seat. And Dimple, who has been residing in the United States of America since 2003, is sure that she has all of the attributes needed to win.

Born to shopkeeper parents Phagu and Gloria Singh, from Albouystown and Parika respectively, the family lived at Princes Street, Lodge, before moving overseas. The virtues of hard work, compassion and family values were instilled in Dimple at an early age.
The youngest of five children, she learned the importance of patience and of the commitment it takes to follow the example of her elders, as well as, the necessity to build upon those foundations.

Speaking with the Pepperpot Magazine during an online interview, Dimple said getting into politics was a natural progression after 25 years of community work and having parents who were both community advocates.

“Community work has always been intertwined in my DNA! Also, I want to be a role model for my three children, especially my two daughters,” she expressed. There are not many women who have been successful along this path, she noted. “There are only 12 women in the New York City Council but there are 39 men, so the ratio from women to men is very small. As women, we need to be at the table to make decisions for our children, other women and our community! We need strong leaders who will stand up to advocate for the voiceless and the disenfranchised.”

With Brooklyn being Dimple’s home since leaving Guyana, her campaign is promoting unity among all constituents. “Most of our community is striving for a leader among the people who has their best interest at heart and who share similar concerns for a change. There is no community without unity and we are able to bring our community together for the common good.”

She is promising to bring transparency, accountability, equity, and inclusion to her community. “Winning this election would bring a voice and a sense of inclusion knowing that someone understands the community’s concerns.”

Dimple has served as the President of the NYC District 22 Community Education Council and was the Brooklyn Borough President appointee to the council. She has also served on the Mayor’s Task Force for CEC’s and is currently an advisory board member for the Visions Organization, which is committed to empowering individuals that are visually impaired or blind. She is also an advisory board member of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s M/WBE Committee.

While education has been a hallmark of her agenda, she is aware that resources and services must be available to a wider array of the community and the greater diaspora, who call Brooklyn home. Youth and senior services, small business development, transportation alternatives and quality of life improvement programs are all paramount to her agenda of improving the community.
Rhythm Nation

Meanwhile, Dimple still has her long-time business, Rhythm Nation Entertainment which started back in Guyana in 1995. The show was on for almost 10 years before Dimple migrated to the United States.
She was just 18 years old when she began on television what became a successful show that was loved by many, especially the young generation. The show, a pioneer programme for Hip-Hop (Rap) and R&B music, never moved from Channel 9. “It was the first show of its kind. I was the first female to have a live TV show at the hour and the time at that time, in the 1990s, 1996 to be exact,” Dimple had said.

Additionally, since 2016, she started a nonprofit organization called ‘The Stalwarts Youth’ which was founded to promote literacy and to empower youths locally, nationally and internationally. Anaya, her younger daughter was the inspiration behind this. The 13-year-old now has four published books.
Rhythm Nation currently works along with small businesses to assist them in whatever business needs they may have; from setting up their business to filming TV commercials. Dimple’s older daughter, 26-year-old Chantelle Grant, takes the lead on the events they host.

Her husband, Winston, is also a Guyanese who is now a New York Police Department Lieutenant. She is also mother to 10-year-old Brandon.

Dimple attended D’Urban Street Primary before pressing on to St. Joseph High School in Guyana. After moving away, she continued with her studies and today has a ‘Masters of Science’ in Media Studies and a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism with a Minor in Marketing and Economics.