Caribbean Corner

(StatePoint) Every student deserves a fair shot. Fortunately, opportunities exist to help people with disabilities pursue the education and training they need to succeed in their chosen career path. Since 2017, Wells Fargo has partnered with Scholarship America to award 253 renewable scholarships to students with disabilities. Recently renamed “The Stacey Milbern Scholarship” after the pioneering activist, the scholarships open doors to new opportunities and foster greater accessibility for all. Stacey Milbern was a Korean American activist who helped create the disability justice movement and advocated for fair treatment of all disabled people. Born with congenital muscular dystrophy, a genetic degenerative disease, Milbern eventually became reliant on a scooter, a tracheostomy tube and a ventilator. Despite living with challenges, she found the strength to dedicate herself to disability justice from a young age. While she was still a student, she worked to have disability his...

Brooklyn Assembly Member Jaime Williams says that she recently spearheaded a second relief mission to Grenada, Carriacou, and Petit Martinique, following an earlier one in July, in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl. Williams, the Trinidadian-born representative for the 59th Assembly District Brooklyn, told Caribbean Life on Tuesday that last month's second venture was "in response to the crucial needs and asks of the citizenry from the aforementioned islands in response to the aftermath of hurricane Beryl." The Assembly Member said she and her volunteers packed eight six-foot pallets of "new, essential, everyday items for the benefit of the citizenry." Some items were carpenter's tools for rebuilding homes, baby items, adult diapers, sleeping bags, food, medical and school supplies, toys, and heavy-duty cleaning liquids. Williams said the pallets were wrapped and shipped to Grenada and Carriacou pending the arrival of t...

Taking its cue from Guyana, which is earning nearly $7 million daily from offshore oil production, the government in neighboring Suriname says it will give every citizen living in the country a cash grant of US$750.00 each from future oil revenues. Announcing the package at the 49th independence anniversary celebrations on Monday, President Chan Santokhi clarified that the government will pay the money from royalties and other revenues after actual oil production begins in 2028. Total Energies of France, which is the lead player in the offshore production effort, had earlier this year made the crucial final investment decision to go ahead with preparations for production in 2028 as well as to continue exploration activities in an offshore area adjoining Guyana's prolific Stabroek Block now producing more than 650,000 barrels of oil daily. Production began in Guyana in late 2019. Commercial discoveries were first announced in mid-2015. "Today, I announce the finan...

Assembly Member Monique Chandler Waterman, who represents Assembly District 58 in Brooklyn, on Nov. 23, in partnership with I AmWondaWoman Foundation , LinkNYC, AD 58 Taskforce, and New York Public Schools, among others, distributed 600 turkeys to the neediest residents during an Annual Harvesting Health & Harmony Thanksgiving event at PS 135 on Linden Boulevard. The lawmaker stood in the school's gymnasium and patiently filled the carts of scores of elderly, families, and youths who showed up for a bird, thanks to the annual donation from legendary rapper Brooklyn born and bred Busta Rhymes and Special Ed, who, along with hype man William "Spiff Star" Lewis, later put on an exciting performance on the tarmac of PS 135, the school where both Assembly Member Chandler Waterman, Rhymes, and Ed, attended in the East Flatbush neighborhood. "During the holiday season, sometimes people suffer from seasonal depression, while others mourn the loss of loved ones...

Legendary Jamaican comedian Oliver Samuels brings bellyful laughter with his "Luck Money" to the stage, adding two extra shows to his Northeaster show schedule. The tour in New York City will be held on Nov. 30 at Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Blvd., Bronx; Dec. 1 – JPAC, 153-10 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica, Queens; Dec. 7 – NYC College of Technology, 300 Jay St., Brooklyn. Showtime for all performances: 7:30 p.m. Ticket Prices: $76-$86, available for purchase at www.whirlwindlive.net . According to the CEO of Whirlwind Live Performances, Michael Dawson, "One would think that after 50 years in the theater, even a great comedian as Oliver Samuels would slow down, but not so. After adding shows on his UK Tour and selling out Mother's Day in Canada, demand has forced him to add a second show in the Bronx, New York, and one in Philadelphia, making it 9 shows in two weeks in the northeast US. This is on the heels of several global superstars canceling show dates b...

Bronxites lined up Saturday in Soundview to fill their grocery carts with turkeys, Halal chickens, and canned and fresh produce at a holiday food distribution event hosted by the nonprofit Caribbean Equality Project and City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farias. Caribbean Equality Project , a community organization that supports and advocates for LGBTQ+ Caribbean immigrants in NYC, has hosted the event with Farias for four years. Over 140 volunteers filled the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community Center, where they unpacked and distributed 600 turkeys and 200 Halal chickens. They also offered resources and information to Bronxites who waited in line for hours in the chilly weather. Council Member Amanda Farias greeted and helped a Bronx resident collect a turkey. Credit: Sadie Brown Council Member Farias greeted community members and handed out either a turkey or a halal chicken to each household. She said events like these are not just about providing a Thanksgiving meal, they’re abo...

On Oct. 7, 2023, our world changed forever. As families in southern Israel celebrated the joyous holiday of Simchat Torah, Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, unleashing a brutal attack that left 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage, nearly all civilians. It was the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Over a year later, 101 hostages remain in captivity, including seven US citizens. These are our neighbors, colleagues and friends. They are children torn from their parents, grandparents separated from their families and foreign nationals who came to Israel as workers or tourists. Some of these hostages, we now know, were murdered by Hamas – yet their bodies are still being held, denying their loved ones even the basic dignity of burial and mourning. We now bring you their stories. We plan to profile many of the 101 remaining individuals being held by Hamas in Gaza – though we dearly hope they will all come home now, rendering this project unnecessary. Until then, y...

Kimbesha Campbell , a proud Guyanese immigrant, has brought the vibrant flavors of her homeland to Georgia through her food truck business, Kim’s Caribbean Kitchen. Specializing in authentic Guyanese dishes, Campbell’s food truck has quickly gained popularity, delighting locals with a taste of the Caribbean like no other. Originally from Berbice, she moved to the United States with her children, seeking new opportunities and a fresh start with her husband. As she settled into life in Georgia, she found comfort in sharing her love for cooking with family and friends. It wasn’t long before those closest to her began encouraging her to turn her passion into a business. Kimbesha Campbell, owner of Kim’s Caribbean Kitchen in Georgia. Photo by Kimbesha Dey “I love cooking and just enjoy it and every time I would host family and friends, they would rave about my cooking,” Campbell said. “They told me I should do this professionally. So, I decided to take the leap and turn my passion int...