MAY’S CELEBRATION of Haitian Heritage Month — full of events and activities commemorating the nation’s rich culture — has gotten some contemporary significance with Haitian-American college student Carlsky Belizaire winning a prestigious Fulbright award and Haiti-born C. Reynold Verret becoming the new president of Xavier University of Louisiana.
A Valley Stream, L.I., resident, Belizaire, a senior at CUNY’s Macaulay Honors College at Queens College, won a 2015 Fulbright English Teaching Assistant award and he’ll be helping English instructors teach the language to non-native English-speakers in Taiwan.
The Fulbright honor comes just before Belizaire’s graduation from Queens College — capping a spectacular scholastic stint for the Valley Stream, L.I. resident. A Hertog Scholar at Macaulay Honors College and a member of the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity, Belizaire has been on the Dean’s List each of his four years at the college and spent a month in China Japan through Queens College’s QC’s Study Abroad program.
The stellar senior has studied Japanese business and culture in Japan and Asian business in China, relishes the opportunity to teach and live in China.
“These two experiences have allowed me to visit world wonders and Fortune 500 companies, learn how to communicate despite a language barrier, and ultimately see deeper into my own culture as well as the ones I interacted with,” said Belizaire, a political science major who is also fluent in Haitian Creole.
C. Reynold Verret, who came from Haiti in 1963, is the new president of Xavier University of Louisiana.
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C. Reynold Verret, who came from Haiti in 1963, is the new president of Xavier University of Louisiana.
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C. Reynold Verret, who came from Haiti in 1963, is the new president of Xavier University of Louisiana.
The other 2015 Fulbright awardees from Queens College are Karissa Caputo, Eric Becker, Carla Spensieri, Sarah Chung, Katherine Cox and Alyssa Blumenthal.
“We are very proud that our students are being recognized so frequently by the Fulbright Program,” said Queens College President Félix Matos. “These honors speak highly of both the quality of the students that Queens College attracts and the skill and dedication of the faculty members who teach here.”
For more information about Macaulay Honors College at Queens College, visit www.macaulay.cuny.edu
Verret, the new head of New Orleans-based Xavier University, was the provost and chief academic officer at Savannah State University in Georgia before accepting the position of president at Xavier. Trained as a biochemist, Verret immigrated to the U.S. as a political refugee in 1963.
“I am deeply honored to be elected as the next president of Xavier and am excited to engage the entire Xavier community in envisioning a future that sustains the university’s distinct mission in a changing higher education environment and that responds to societal need,” said Verret. “Upon arriving in this country as a refugee from Haiti in 1963, I was supported by many who nurtured my love of learning and science and gave me the encouragement and confidence to persevere. During my tenure at Xavier, I will continue paying it forward, helping generations of young people realize their dreams, regardless of their backgrounds.”
Verret will succeed retiring president Norman Francis, who has run the black Catholic university for 47 years. Xavier is the oldest institution of higher learning in coastal Georgia and the first public Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the state.
Barbados chef had attendees transfixed at a culinary demonstration in the Williams Sonoma – Columbus Circle store in Manhattan at last year’s Caribbean Week in New York, presented by the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
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Barbados chef had attendees transfixed at a culinary demonstration in the Williams Sonoma – Columbus Circle store in Manhattan at last year’s Caribbean Week in New York, presented by the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
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Barbados chef had attendees transfixed at a culinary demonstration in the Williams Sonoma – Columbus Circle store in Manhattan at last year’s Caribbean Week in New York, presented by the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
BUSY SLATE FOR CARIB WEEK 2015
Creative cuisine and fantasy-like Caribbean weddings and honeymoons are on the early agenda for Caribbean Week in New York, the annual presentation of the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
The Celebrity Chef Program — a public portion of the 2015 Caribbean Week activities — will bring master cooks to share Caribbean-inspired cuisine, starting today in Manhattan. Chefs representing Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Jamaica and the U.S. Virgin Islands will be sharing at locations around the city.
Jamaican-influenced cuisine from Samantha (Chef Sam) Davis of Savor by Sam catering will be featured today at the Williams-Sonoma Shops, 10 Columbus Circle (at W. 59th St.), from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. A dinner service will be presented by U.S. Virgin Islands chef Digby Stridiron on Tuesday with dinner service at Spur Tree at Norman’s Cay Restaurant, 74 Orchard St. (between Broome and Grand Sts.) in Manhattan’s Lower
East Side.
Other participating chefs include Michael Harrison (Barbados),Melvyn Myers (Antigua And Barbuda); Andre Nurse (Barbados); Shorne Benjamin (St. Lucia); and Christopher Terry (Antigua And Barbuda).
Visit http://bit.ly/2015chefs for the 2015 Celebrity Chef Program schedule. And go to www.caribbeanweek.com/chefs for more information on the participating chefs.
For the second year, the Wedding Salon firm and the CTO will present the “Caribbean Romance Pavilion”on Wednesday , where engaged and married couples will see a wide array of venues, accommodations and options for a romantic honeymoon or destination wedding in the region.
There will also be gown previews from Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier and other designers, beauty trials, food tasting, cocktails, and luxury swag bags and more.
The Romance Pavilion will be held at EZ Studios 325 W. 37th St. (between Eighth and Ninth Aves.), from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For information, visit http://bit.ly/CaribbeanRomance or call Wedding Salon at (212) 631-7777.
For the entire Caribbean Week schedule, visit www.caribbeanweek.com.
JA. BOBSLED BENEFIT
“The Hottest Thing on Ice,” a fundraising benefit for the Jamaica Bobsled Federation, will be held June 4 in Manhattan.
The affair — which will features a performance by dancehall singer Briggy Benz — will be held at Katara, 217 Bowery (between Rivington and Prince Sts.), from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Colin Williams Photography is presenting the affair, which also includes culinary treats from celebrity chef Yvette Lacrette of Grenada.
The Jamaica Bobsled Federation is the governing body of bobsledding in the nation and the supporter of the world famous Jamaica national bobsled team, which debuted in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Calgary and participated in two subsequent Olympics.
Suggested admission is $10. For information, call Colin Williams at (646) 552-5521. Also visit Jamaica Bobsled Federation website at www.jamaicanbobsled.com.
WIN TV’s MOHAN TRIBUTE
Businessman Mohan Jakiaran will be featured on WIN TV in Trinidad on May 31 – and online for viewers internationally.
The special tribute will be broadcast live on WIN TV cable channel 12 and local channel 7. In addition, international viewers are invited to the special programming through an all-access free 24-hour pass to winhd.tt.
Jaikaran, founder and chairman of the WINTV television station, died April 12. For information, call (718) 848-7171 in New York or (868) 672-7946 in Trinidad and visit www.winhd.tt.
FLEURIMOND’S ‘POWER BRUNCH’
Fleurimond Catering is presenting a “Power Brunch with Councilmember Laurie A. Cumbo” on May 31 in Brooklyn at the Kinanm Bar and Lounge, 856 Atlantic Ave. (between Underhill and Vanderbilt Aves.), from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Maximize Your Potential” is the theme for the affair, part of Fleurimond Catering’s motivational Power Bruch series, presented by owner Nadege Fleurimond.
There will also be unlimited mimosas, a cash bar, live entertainment, and even a complimentary professional headshot for patrons from Grace Xavier. The event is part of Fleurimond Catering’s motivational Power Bruch series.
Admission is $35 in advance and $45 at the door. Space is limited and RSVP is required. For tickets and information, visit http://conta.cc/1cgNrtY, call (646) 489-4120 or send email to info@fgcatering.com. Also, visit www.nadegefleurimond.com.
CELEBRATE B’KLYN MUSIC
The Celebrate Brooklyn festival, presented by the BRIC nonprofit organization, returns with a 2015 season featuring a number of Caribbean stars at the Prospect Park Bandshell, at Prospect Park West and 9th St.
Singer Chaka Khan, the popular perennial R&B favorite, starts the festival on June 3 at 8 p.m. The Caribbean performers debut with the popular Barbados soca band Krosfyah, with special guests Lead Pipe & Saddis, a Trinidad Carnival International Groovy Soca Monarch contest finalist, and the energetic Something Positive dance and music ensemble on June 11 at 7:30 p.m. The famous reggae group Third World and African singer Awa Sangho, “the Golden Voice of Mali,” perform on Aug. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Before the free June 3 Chaka Khan concert, the BRIC will hold the “Celebrate Brooklyn! Opening Night Gala,” honoring David Berliner, COO of Forest City Ratner Companies, at 5:30 p.m. After the concert gala guests and Friends of Celebrate Brooklyn! members are invited to the opening night after-party featuring DJ Raydar Ellis.
For information and a full schedule of events, visit http://bricartsmedia.org/performing-arts/celebrate-brooklyn/2015-prospect-park-bandshell or call (718) 683-5600.
CARIB BOOK FEST RETURNS
Caribbean literary stars will shine at the “WORD! – A Caribbean Book Fest” on June 6 in Brooklyn at Medgar Evers College, 1650 Bedford Ave., starting at noon.
The afternoon-long program for adult and younger readers features author presentations, speakers, panel discussions and workshops examining how to publish a first novel, diversity in children’s literature and other topics.
The event – produced by the Caribbean Cultural Theatre – features Jamaican novelist Marlon James, children’s book author Tracey Baptiste, Guyana-born editor Rosalind McLymont, Haiti-born novelist Elsie Augustave, Cuban-American science fiction writer Daniel José Older, Trinidadian poet Cheryl Boyce-Taylor and other literary figures.
Scheduled writers and storytellers for the Young Readers Platform include Zetta Elliott (St. Kitts – Nevis), Kellie Magnus (Jamaica), and Ibi Zoboi (Haiti).
Authors, poets and books will meet readers – young and old – at the WORD! – A Caribbean Book Fest” on June 6.
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Authors, poets and books will meet readers – young and old – at the WORD! – A Caribbean Book Fest” on June 6.
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Authors, poets and books will meet readers – young and old – at the WORD! – A Caribbean Book Fest” on June 6.
“Dream to Change the World,” a phrase from Guyana poet and philosopher Martin Carter’s poem, “I Will Not Still My Voice,” is the theme for this year’s WORDFest.
A project of the Caribbean Cultural Theatre, WORD! – A Caribbean Book Fest is being presented in association with Caribbean Research Center and Medgar Evers College’s School of Liberal Studies and Education with support from the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs, he New York State Council on the Arts; Poets & Writers, Inc., Friends of the Caribbean Cultural Theatre, state Assemblyman Nick Perry and city Councilmember Mathieu Eugene.
Additional programming support is being provided by Akashic Books, the Antillean Aruban Cultural Affairs Association, the Brooklyn Caribbean Youth Festival, the Caribbean Book Review, the Caribbean Network Television, Caribbean Reads, the Charles Evans Inniss Memorial Library at Medgar Evers College, Friends of the Antigua & Barbuda Public Library, the International Consortium of Caribbean Professionals Materials for the Arts, Mosaic Literary Magazine, People of the Sun Middle Passage Collective, the Revolution Book Store, St. Martin/Sint Maarten Friendship Association, The Network Journal, the Union of Jamaica Alumni Associations and the University of the West Indies Alumni Association
WORDFest, part of the Caribbean Cultural Theatre’s Poets & Passion literary program, is being hosted by Caribbean Research Center in association with the Medgar Evers College School of Liberal Studies and Education, is under the patronage of state Assemblyman Nick Perry and city Councilmember Mathieu Eugene.
For information call, (718) 783-8345 or (718) 270-6218.
RECEIVING A ‘DISTINCT’ HONOR
“Brooklyn’s Women of Distinction 2015,” collection of outstanding residents selected for their contributions to the borough, includes West Indian American Day Carnival Association member Jean Alexander.
The Trinidad and Tobago-born Alexander, who volunteers with WIADCA and runs the Caribbean American Center of New York organization, was among the 25 women recognized in the award initiative, organized by Courier Life Publications and the Community News Group.
“They were nominated by their peers and selected by an independent panel for exemplifying the best and brightest of Brooklyn’s female labor and volunteer workforce, and Courier Life Publications and Community News Group are proud to share with our readers how the extraordinary contributions of these Women of Distinction have advanced, nurtured and healed our communities,” read part of a message from the publication’s editors.
To read Alexander’s profiles and learn about the other honorees, visit http://bit.ly/brooklynwomen2015.
