-Gala and after-party to be hosted virtually

This year, two renowned Guyanese have topped the list of awardees for the Annual Caribbean American Heritage (CARAH) Awards Gala slated for this evening. They are, Dr. Vidia Roopchand, the Guyanese research scientist who is best known for his work to help develop the Pfizer, coronavirus vaccine and Dr. Jason Mars, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) developer.

Dr. Roopchand will receive Excellence in Science and Technology, while Dr. Mars will receive the Vanguard Award from the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS).

The 28th edition of the prestigious honours recognize the contributions and accomplishments of Caribbean diaspora leaders in various fields while celebrating Caribbean pride and the great promise of Caribbean immigrants to America and the world.

The highly anticipated staging of the awards will once again be virtual, as the world continues to grapple with the novel coronavirus, a press release indicated.

ICS’ Caribbean American Heritage Awards is the leading honours event by Caribbean Americans for people from the Caribbean diaspora, and this year the organisation has taken the unprecedented decision to offer the event as a ‘free-to-pay-what-you-can’ to up to 500 people to join the VIP Reception with prizes and surprises at Live Entertainment which will be hosted on online platform, HopIN.

“We are all so weary of the current state of affairs with malingering of the COVID Pandemic as well as the realization that we can’t go back to what was. We just want our friends and supporters to be able to gather dressed to impress in their Purple, Black or Gold and matching masks,” the institute noted.

The CARAH Awards will also feature pre and after-party, featuring virtual entertainment by Image Band; Becky Bass, steelpan virtuoso; Marcus Johnson, saxophonist; and Washington’s hottest and most demanded disc-jockey, DJ Smalley.

“During the Live VIP Reception, we will also be treated to demonstrations from Celebrity Chef Oji Jaja of Ashebre Cuisine, and Celebrity Mixologist Jackie Summers, the founder and Sorel Liqueur,” the organisation said in a press release.

The Caribbean American Heritage Awards, which is held under the patronage of the Caribbean Diplomatic Corps, celebrates members of the Caribbean diaspora who have been exceptionally successful in their fields at the national or international level.

“ICS started this event more than 25 years ago in an effort to highlight to the American society at large the calibre of individuals that claimed Caribbean-American ancestry, and to provide a forum for honouring and recognizing their contributions to America and the world,” said Dr. Nelson, Founder and President of the Institute of Caribbean Studies.

He added, “This remains important today when we consider that there is now a woman of Jamaican heritage serving as Vice-President of these United States of America.”

Since its founding in 1994, CARAH has awarded more than 100 leaders such as Susan Taylor, former Editor-In-Chief of Essence magazine; Rita Marley, reggae matriarch and philanthropist; Dr. Velma Scantlebury, transplant surgeon; George Willie, CEO of Bert Smith and Company; and Aubrey Stephenson, CEO of Federal Management System.

The ‘Friends of the Caribbean’ aspect of the awards has honoured persons such as Congresswomen Barbara Lee and Maxine Waters, along with Congressman Elliot Engel.

Noted broadcast television journalist Neki Mohan will serve as Anchor Host for the evening with quest appearance by comedian Owen ‘Blakka’ Ellis. The event’s live-streaming partners include RDePROS; Jamaicans.Com and CaribNation TV, which will co-executive produce the Gala for broadcast television.

Donations from the guests as well as proceeds from a silent auction will be used to support LifeSEED partners in Haiti, Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The other persons expected o be awarded tonight include Dominica-born Justina Nixon-Saintil, an engineer and corporate social responsibility maven, who will receive the Trailblazer Award; Trinidad-born, Dr. Cindy Duke, a medical doctor and public health influencer, who will receive the Forerunner Award; Black Violin, a classical boom duo of Wilner Baptiste of Haiti and Kev Marcus of Dominica, will receive Excellence in the Arts; Jamaican Lloyd Carney, a corporate executive, entrepreneur and philanthropist is up for the Outstanding Entrepreneur Award; Basil Watson, an award-winning sculptor from Jamaica, will receive the Marcus Garvey Lifetime Achievement Award; and Grammy winning songwriter Gordon Chambers, of Jamaican heritage, will receive the Luminary Award.

To reserve your ticket or connect with the folks at the Caribbean American Heritage Awards, you can email to icsdcorg@gmail.com or visit www.caribbeanheritageawards.org.