International Men’s Day 2021

-Let’s do better

I HAD so much to celebrate last month, including the 30th birth anniversary of my daughter Mariska. I started this month celebrating my grand-daughter Peyton’s second birthday. I am also celebrating the birth of my first book. I am super excited about another International Men’s Day celebration. The Sonia Noel Foundation (SNF) will host a two-day Virtual Forum slated for November 18 and 19 at 19:00hrs. Our theme is “Let’s to better.”

The main objective is to live our best lives and create the world we desire to live in together.

This is the third year SNF has been involved in International Men’s Day celebration. In 2019, former British High Commissioner Greg Quinn hosted an event to launch the Men Across Borders Anthology. Last year we hosted a virtual forum for men and boys, featuring some of the co-authors from around the world. We are having an impressive lineup for both days. I will be the moderator for November 18 and we will broadcast from Sonics boardroom compliments of Ryad Boyce. Joining me for this meaningful discussion are the following influential men:

Captain Gerald Gouveia jnr,Director of Aviation and Security, Roraima Group. I have great admiration for this humble young man. He is also Senior Vice President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry and President of the Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana.

Alvin Anthony Doris, who is the Founder and CEO of EDefied.He was also appointed Guyana Coordinator of International Men’s Day.

Esan Benzy, Recording Artist/ CEO Hardball Entertainment. This is a super talented young man who writes his own music. He has also collaborated with Quacy Boyce AkA Dj Avalanche on a few songs.

DJ Avalance is also a popular radio personality and he will be part of the discussion,
Royston Tudor, Supervisor, Customs Excise and Trade Operations, Guyana Revenue Authority and a member of s and Faith, where we both worship. He is a respected elder in our church, and I was happy that he agreed to be part of this event.

Last year we had only one day but decided this year we needed to extend this year, because of the feedback we received. Richard Young was the moderator last year and will be holding that position for day two. He is an active member of the foundation and always willing to make a difference in lives on and off the runway. He wears so many hats and has many titles, including Caribbean Creative Strategist/Storyteller .

My dear friend James Ogle, is an entrepreneur and investor and is taking time off his busy schedule to join this discussion from Atlanta. He has always encouraged and supported me over the years.

I connected with Steven Cutting from our first meeting. He came to Guyana to judge the Guyana Model Search and Designers Portfolio a few years ago. I have visited FIT a few times on his invitation. He is a Professor of Fashion Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology and President of RAC Garments/ Accessories President of RAC Garments/ Accessories.

Amar Panday is the founder and CEO of the  Empower Guyana Consultancy Leadership advocate and Motivational Speaker/ Facilitator. His team is making a difference in many communities.

Shane Mark Tull is a Clinical Psychotherapist and international consultant. It is an honour to have him on this panel at a time when Mental health is on the rise. He recently launched his book, “The Mental Health Pandemic” and he encourages readers to explore the impact of mental health in these challenging times. Mental Health has become a pandemic within the pandemic. This is the perspective being shared by Guyanese clinical psychotherapist and author, Shane Mark Tull.

Raquel Thomas-Caesar will join the guys for this interesting discussion. She is a Scientist, Human Rights Activist and Vice-President of the Sonia Noel Foundation, so she is my co-pilot to navigate this foundation to go to higher heights. I must also thank all the other efficient crew members for SNF.

International Men’s Day was founded in 1999 by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh. He was a history lecturer at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. Jerome Teelucksingh chose November 19 to honour his father’s birthday.

The theme for International Men’s Day this year is “Better relations between men and women.” Raquel and I have been discussing this for years. I am involved in many events for the development of women and girls, but over the last five years, I am having a strong conviction that my contribution is more to humanity than gender and that is one of the reasons why EXPO 50th featured male entrepreneurs and the birth of entrepreneurs for sustainable developments which allow young men to be in that space that also provide much-needed mentorship and guidance.

You can register to join the forum by emailing beyondtherunway1@gmail.com or WhatsApp 5926289044. We are inviting everyone to join as for this virtual event because we all “Can do Better” as we celebrate this beautiful journey called Life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.

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