Caribbean Corner

This week's edition of "Caribbean Life" features various news articles, op-eds, and announcements relevant to the Caribbean and Caribbean-American communities. Read the digital  edition of the newspaper here . Key highlights include: Political Changes in Trinidad & Tobago : Stuart Young is set to replace Keith Rowley as the Prime Minister, marking a leadership change in the People's National Movement (PNM). Page 1 Caribbean-American Chamber of Commerce : Jean Joseph, the new CACCI president, discussed plans for empowering Caribbean-American businesses and fostering economic growth. Page 1 Grenadian-American Ex-Teachers’ Association Honors : The organization recognized cultural group Quake USA and individuals for community service and education during its annual gala. Page 3 State of Emergencies in CARICOM Nations : Haiti and Trinidad & Tobago declared states of emergency due to escalating violence a...

The Family Life Ministry at Fenimore Street United Methodist Church (FSUMC) in Brooklyn on Sat., Dec. 7 brought much-needed, early Christmas cheer to several unhoused families in New York City, as the committee hosted its Annual Christmas Party for families in shelters. Families from homeless shelters in Brooklyn and Staten Island – including Hospitality House, Urban Transitional Family Center and Staten Island Family Transition Center – were treated, along with walk-ins from the neighboring community, to a sumptuous lunch, as well as with donations of clothing and shoes, and other gifts. [caption id="attachment_69021" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Families and coordinators at the Urban Transitional Family Center on Saratoga Avenue in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Photo by Nelson A. King [/caption] They also participated in several activities, such as tug-of-war, sack races and tattoo parlor, after which winners were able to choose a prize. “Our...

Kwanzaa, a non-religious and non-commercial holiday created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor and activist, will be observed from December 26 to January 1. However, there will be a calendar of events leading up the actual celebration period with events around the boroughs, starting on Dec. 14. The cultural holiday celebrates African heritage and African American culture., culminating, in a festive gathering known as the Karamu Ya Imani (Feast of Faith). Kwanzaa is a time for reflection, community, and the reaffirmation of cultural values and principles. During the week of Kwanzaa, families and communities come together to share a feast, to honor the ancestors, affirm the bonds. Each day families  light a candle  to highlight the principle of that day and to breathe meaning into the principles with various activities, such as reciting the sayings or writings of great black thinkers and writers, reciting original poetry, African drumming, and sharing a meal of African d...

The Brooklyn District Grand Lodge of Brooklyn-headquartered Grand Council of the Independent United Order of Mechanics, Friendly Society of North, Central and South America, Islands of the Seas and the Entire Western Hemisphere, Inc., known by the abbreviation IUOM, FSWH, Inc., on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, provided warm meals and clothing to homeless people and members of the community. Officials of the Executive Committee of Grand Council told Caribbean Life , at IUOM’s headquarters, on Putnam Avenue in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, that many of the people fed were members of the surrounding communities. Panamanian-born Hon. Orlando Maxwell, chair of the Thanksgiving Day Committee, said that Guyanese-born Hon. Myrthland Ince, district grand master for Brooklyn District Grand Lodge, assigned him to spearhead the committee. Ince welcomed and thanked attendees and volunteers. The annual tradition, for over 30 years, started with the late Ven. Ancil Harding, the...

The purpose of World Human Rights USA Inc. (WHRUSA), a South Asian organization, is to provide resources and counseling to families facing challenges, helping them rebuild and strengthen their relationships. As such, an Oct. 19 second annual convention brought together professionals to highlight its messaging of hope and understanding. Founder and president of the non-profit Dr. Rafiqul Islam, a Pakistani national, who welcomed attendees to the 2nd Convention and Cultural Show at the Queens Palace in Woodside, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Office of President Joe Biden and other Citations from elected officials for his incredible humanitarian work. Dr. Islam, whose studies in human rights violations have made him an expert on the cause, brought together a stellar group of professionals for a night filled with speeches about the focal points of human rights worldwide. With educational opportunities and essential resources to ensure that orphans and disadvantaged ch...

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Queens Public Library (QPL) President Dennis M. Walcott, and New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley on Friday broke ground on a $7.4 million project that will completely modernize the interior of the Hollis Library QPL branch with new reading rooms, more space for computers, and additional features for visitors and staff. Adams also celebrated three years of significant investments in the city’s libraries, with total investment in the city’s libraries approaching $900 million in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 to FY 2028 capital plan. “I am proud to be here to break ground on this major renovation of the Hollis Library, a $7 million project that will improve the library experience for this entire community,” said Mayor Adams. “New York City’s libraries are so much more than just a place to check out a book, particularly for low-income New Yorkers. “From looking for a job, to staying cool in a heat wave, to gett...

Brooklyn Assemblywoman Monique Chandler-Waterman and the 58 th Assembly District Safety and Mental Health Taskforce have joined the Transport Workers Union Local 100 (TWU), stakeholders and leaders in rallying for stronger safety measures for Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) workers following the recent stabbing of train conductor Myran Pollack who was critically injured and currently remains in critical care. Chandler-Waterman, the daughter of Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants, who represents the 58 th Assembly District in Brooklyn, said on Tuesday that this incident occurred along the #3 and #4 lines at the Utica Avenue Station in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. “This incident highlighted the need to continue activating for continued mental health programming and measures to support impacted individuals and deeper implementation of enhanced safety actions, designed to create safer working environments and protective measures of all of New York’s public service workers every day,”...