By Francis Quamina Farrier

ON THE occasion of Guyana’s 50 Republic Jubilee anniversary, the Mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio and his wife, First Lady of New York City, Chirlane McCray, hosted 50 Guyanese who were honoured for their service to the city of New York. It was the very first time in the history of New York City that the doors of Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the Mayor were opened for a grand Guyanese celebration.

The 50 Honorees and their relatives and other special guests filled the Mansion. Also present as honoured Guests were Guyana’s Ambassador to the USA and the OAS, Dr Riyad Insanally and the Guyana Consul General to New York City, Hon. Barbara Atherley.

Guests were greeted on arrival with the pulsating rhythms of the drumming of the celebrated Menes de Griot Group. The formal segment of the event commenced with the National Anthems of the USA and Guyana sung by celebrated Guyanese Tenor Baritone, Anthony Alleyne, whose powerful singing voice almost raised the roof of the mansion. That was followed by an address by the Guyana Ambassador, Dr Riyad Insanally, who spoke of the social and economic future of Guyana, subject to the Oil and Gas Industry which is now unfolding. There was then an address by the First Lady of New York City, Chirlane McCray, who has been an advocate for the treatment of Mental health issues for many years. She enlightened the gathering of the availability of treatment for those in need. “And it is FREE,” the First Lady emphasised. Concluding her address, the First Lady introduced her husband, the mayor, who upon entering, went up to his wife and gave her a sweet kiss on her lips.

Mayor Bill de Blasio who was one of the Democrats who had entered the current Democratic Party nomination race for the Presidency of the USA at the upcoming November Presidential Elections was loud in his praise for the Guyanese community in New York City and of the contributions which they have made to the city over the decades. The principal advice from the Mayor to the Guyanese resident in New York City at this time is for them to ensure that they participate in the up-coming Census so that they will be counted and as such, benefit from the many areas of assistance available to resident New Yorkers. “It must be your coming of age, and Guyanese must stand up and be counted”, Mayor Bill de Blasio urged his guests. Then instructing them to raise their right hands and repeat after him, “The Guyanese community will be counted,” which was said three times, with much enthusiasm by all.

The source of this special Guyana Jubilee Republic Celebration was the brainchild of Pastor James Richmond who hails from Hopetown on the West Coast Berbice in Region 5, Guyana. Describing himself as a Poet, Pastor, Writer, Artist, Community Liaison and Political Consultant, Pastor James Richmond had done it before. For Guyana Independence Jubilee in 2016, he had successfully approached Mayor Bill de Blasio to have fifty New York-based Guyanese honoured. “It was an easy task to approach him once again to host the Republic Jubilee Celebration (this time) at Gracie Mansion”, Richmond explained. His special contribution to the evening’s celebration was his dynamic performance of his timely poem, “Guyana Oozing Oil”. Since migrating from his native Guyana over thirty years ago, James Richmond has visited his homeland on three occasions. His diverse community work in New York over the years has earned him many accolades including a New York City Proclamation in 2007.

Among the 50 honorees of the Guyana Republic Jubilee 2020 in New York City, were Educator Dr. Ivelaw Griffith, Dentist and Political Commentator Joey Jagan, Educator and columnist Dr. Dhanpaul Narine, Broadcaster and Political activist Mark Benschop, Movie and Stage producer Mahadeo Shivraj, Veteran Journalist Tangerine Clarke, Healthcare Executive, Cultural Ambassador and Social Justice Advocate Claire Patterson-Mona, Businessman and Community Activist Vishnu Mahadeo, Singer/Songwriter Courtney Noel, Entertainer Adrian Dutchin, Educator Dr. Juliet Emanuel, Cultural Organiser and Costume Designer Claire Ann Goring, Dancer and Choreographer Verna Walcott-White, Community Organiser Patricia Jordan-Langford, Writer and actress Ingrid Griffith and Attorney-at-Law Aminta Kilawan Narine and others. Two Special Guyanese were Posthumously Honored; Basil Butcher and Jimmy Hamilton who were the founders of Mashramani at MacKenzie, now one of the three wards of Linden, Region 10, 50 years ago.

Reflecting on the success of the event, Pastor James Richmond said, “It was heartening to see Guyanese from across the five Boroughs of the city of New York and around the Tri-State area, come out in their numbers to celebrate Guyana and to display our Guyanese culture and cuisine together”. The native of Hopetown, West Coast Berbice was also recognised by Mayor Bill de Blasio as the person whose idea it was, and pointed out that, “It is the first time that such a celebration has occurred in the people’s house (Gracie Mansion)”. In concluding, Pastor James Richmond said, “This is a significant achievement for us (Guyanese) as a people and nation.”