The concept of strength in numbers will be displayed in a major way when seven new Caribbean-based chambers of commerce are announced at the New American Chamber of Commerce’s annual International and Multicultural Business Expo on June 19 in Brooklyn at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, 333 Adams St.
The “chamber coalition” — consisting of newly-formed business groups from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Guyana, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Haiti, St. Lucia and Grenada — is part of a NACC initiative to provide management information and resources to firms doing business in the region.
“Our focus is education,” said NACC chairman and founder Brian Figeroux, the international initiative. “You can’t empower people without educating them,” he said . The Daily News, one of the expo’s corporate sponsors, is also an exhibitor at the event.
The daylong, business-to-business, empowering and networking event is being conducted with the support of the African-American International Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic-American International Chamber of Commerce and the New York Statewide Coalition of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.
Entrepreneurs, representative of business organizations, professionals, non-profit and faith-based groups and interested youth (accompanied by parents) are scheduled to attend.
Government private sector business experts are among the presenters at these sessions, which include the “Small Business Boot Camp,” “Start Your Business,” “Take Your Business to the Next Level,” “Social Media,” “Advertising and Marketing,” “International Business” and “Economic Deprivation.”
Tickets for the day’s VIP Breakfast and Juneteenth Celebration-Expo Cocktail Reception and Awards are $25 for members and $50 for non-members.
For info, visit www.mynacc.org.
CARIB EVENTS IN QUEENS
“A Likkle Braata…Goes A Long Way,” a Braata Folk Singers’ show celebrating the troupe’s fifth anniversary, is one of several special Caribbean events presented in June by the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning in Queens.
The Braata Folk Singers show will be held June 21 at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave., at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, and $20 for seniors and children, at the door). For tickets, call the JPAC box office (718) 618-6170.
Works by Cuban photographer Jacqueline Herranz-Brooks in “Maldita Pared: fotografía y texto de Cuba,” currently on display in Miller Gallery at JCAL, 161-04 Jamaica Ave., through July 25.
Second-generation Haitian-American artist Stephanie PhaFa Roy’s “We Be Rational” exhibit can be seen at JCAL through July 25. “We Be Rational” is part of the “Women of The Diaspora” exhibit.
JCAL is also hosting a student art exhibit in its Gallery II, from June 15 – 20. In addition, outside JCAL’s Jamaica Ave. location, a concert of the Make Music New York music festival will be held on June 21, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Visit www.jcal.org or call (718) 658-7400 for information on Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning programs and activities.
FILM ON GRENADA’S REVOLUTION
“Forward Ever: The Killing of a Revolution,” filmmaker Bruce Paddington’s powerful and haunting documentary about the rise and fall of the Maurice Bishop-led People’s Revolutionary government in Grenada, will premiere in a free New York screening on June 20 in Brooklyn at Medgar Evers College, 1650 Bedford Ave. between Crown and Montgomery Sts., at 6 p.m.
The documentary – which features rare archival footage and interviews with key figures – will also be shown in Harlem on June 21 at the Maysles Cinema 343 Lenox Ave. (between 127th and 128th Sts.) at 4 p.m. and on June 26 in Soho at DCTV, 87 Lafayette St. (between White and Walker Sts.) at 6 pm. Admission for the Manhattan screenings is $10.
The Grenada experience impacted the course of struggles throughout the Caribbean and beyond,” said Roger Toussaint, former president of the Transport Workers Union Local 100 and a member of the Caribbean Awareness Committee. “This film makes a valuable contribution to those of us concerned about the way forward to a progressive Caribbean.”
The film, produced and directed by Paddington is being presented by the Caribbean Awareness Committee in conjunction with the Medgar Evers College Film and Culture Series.
For information, call the Caribbean Awareness Committee at (718) 532-6347. See a trailer for the film on Youtube at http://bit.ly/Forwardever.
FULTON ART FAIR IS BACK!
The historic and happening Fulton Art Fair — celebrating its 56th year of displaying the works of veteran and emerging African Diaspora artists — will be held June 15, 21, 22, and 28 at Robert Fulton Park, Fulton St.. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
There will be performances are by the Jeff King Band, Bereather Ready, Sankofa School, Boys and Girls High School Play as part of the art fair.
“On the Fence,” is this year’s theme for the outdoor showing of creations by painters, sketch artists, print-makers, sculptors, collagists, quilters, mixed media, and photographers and others. The event was founded by in 1958 by local businesswoman Shirley Hawkins and had legendary artists Jacob Lawrence and Ernest Crichlow as its inaugural co-chairs.
For information, call (718) 635-1987, visit www.fultonartfair.net online and send mail to fultonartfair.inc@gmail.com
Intelligence, hard work and good fortune are some of the ingredients making up successes of young Kristen Palmer, who will be receiving an award from the “A Better Chance” organization.
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Intelligence, hard work and good fortune are some of the ingredients making up successes of young Kristen Palmer, who will be receiving an award from the “A Better Chance” organization.
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Intelligence, hard work and good fortune are some of the ingredients making up successes of young Kristen Palmer, who will be receiving an award from the “A Better Chance” organization.
SKY’S NO LIMIT FOR STUDENT
The term “success story” does not come close to the continuing tale of first-generation Jamaican-American Kristen Palmer, a seventh-grade student, who will be recognized for her outstanding academic and personal achievements at the “A Better Chance” awards event on June 20.
The astonishing 12-year-old A Better Chance scholar, who wants to attend Yale University and become an astronaut and the first person to land on Mars, will receive the organization’s Young Leaders Award, presented nationally to six participants who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership in their school.
With help of A Better Chance and her own limitless aspiration and drive, young Palmer was admitted to Poly Prep Country Day School, has learned Mandarin, got a perfect score on the National Latin Exam’s Introduction to Latin test, and became a team finalist in the national MathCounts Video Challenge competition.
Palmer’s mother learned of A Better Chance, program for talented youth of color with leadership potential from a friend at the Peter Westbrook Foundation and the Fencers Club, her daughter studies under 2000 Olympian Akhnaten (Akhi) Spencer-El.http://www.abetterchance.org
For information on A Better Chance, visit www.abetterchance.org.
Dancer, educator and anthropologist Lavinia Williams Yarborough will be remembered at a memorial dance class on June 29 in Manhattan.
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Dancer, educator and anthropologist Lavinia Williams Yarborough will be remembered at a memorial dance class on June 29 in Manhattan.
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Dancer, educator and anthropologist Lavinia Williams Yarborough will be remembered at a memorial dance class on June 29 in Manhattan.
MEMORIAL FOR DANCE GREAT
It’s fitting to honor Lavinia Williams Yarborough – the late dancer, educator and founder of the Haitian Institute of Folkloric and Classical Dance – with the art form she loved, so a memorial dance class will be held in Manhattan on June 29 to recognize her achievements and devotion.
The memorial gathering will be held at the Rod Rodgers Dance Studio, 62 E. 4th St., from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Dance class participants are asked to bring two bandanas for “Danse Congo” and ladies should have a wide skirt for progressions. The class fee is $15.
Lavinia Williams Yarborough, at rest. Known for her work with the Katherine Dunham Dance Company, she also taught dance and founded the Haitian Institute of Folkloric and Classical Dance.
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Lavinia Williams Yarborough, at rest. Known for her work with the Katherine Dunham Dance Company, she also taught dance and founded the Haitian Institute of Folkloric and Classical Dance.
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Lavinia Williams Yarborough, at rest. Known for her work with the Katherine Dunham Dance Company, she also taught dance and founded the Haitian Institute of Folkloric and Classical Dance.
An hour-long reception will follow the session. The event is being organized and conducted by her former student Noel Nantambu Hall.
The dancer, educator and anthropologist, who once a principal dance with the legendary Katherine Dunham Dance Company, died in 1989 at the age of 73. During her career with Dunham, she showed visionary excellence by composing stick-figures to aid the creation of the now-famous Dunham barre technique.
Williams also performed on Broadway, in Hollywood films, and later traveled to Haiti to work with the National Folkloric Troupe. She later founded and directed the Haitian Institute of Folkloric and Classical Dance, and conducted extensive research.
Hall – who began learning dance from Williams in 1962 at the University of the West Indies campus in Jamaica – is a former principal dancer with the Rod Rodgers Dance Company and a dance instructor.
For more information, call Rod Rodgers Dance Company at (212) 674-9066 or Hall (718) 857-4643.
‘RESTAURANT WEEK’ KICKOFF
A very tasty debut takes place next week when the first Caribbean Restaurant Week comes to New York through the efforts of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association and Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.
The event – featuring many cuisines and many cultures – will be held June 22 to 28 and dozens of restaurants are taking part.
“Spicy Meals, Spicy Deals” reads promotion for the week, which features prix fixe prices.
For more information on Caribbean Restaurant Week New York, CARIBE, and the New York Caribbean Carnival, please visit: www.Facebook.com/CaribbeanRestaurantWeekNewYork or
www.wiadcacarnival.org or send email to wiadcainc@gmail.com.
CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT WEEK NEW YORK
Participating Restaurants
BROOKLYN
Eat-in Restaurants
Culpeppers
1082 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225
Jamaica Grill
321 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11216
D’Savannah Bar and Lounge
1460 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11210
Kombit Bar & Restaurant
279 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11217
Milk River
960 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11238
Footprints Café
1521 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Footprints Café
1377 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, NY 1121
Samuel’s Top Ranking Fish Shop
33-15 Church Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11203
Footprints Café
5814 Clarendon Rd., Brooklyn, NY 11203
Sugar Cane Restaurant
238 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11217
Glady’s
788 Franklin Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11238
Trini Breakfast Shed
32-09 Church Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11226
Ideya Brooklyn
636 Carlton Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11238
Vivid Café
4617 Ave. D, Brooklyn, NY 11203
Janelle’s Restaurant
671 Washington Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11238
BROOKLYN
Take Out Restaurants
A & P Roti & Pastry Shop
4902 Church Ave., Brooklyn NY 11203
Picky Eaters
1166 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn NY 11225
Allan’s Bakery
1109 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11225
Punch Line Smoothies & Juice Bar
701 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11216
D&P Restaurant
34-05 Church Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11203
Secrets NYC
724 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11216
FishNet Inc.
3814 Church Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11203
Tastee Pattee Ltd.
31-22 Church Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11226
Island Burger
915 Utica Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11203
MANHATTAN
Eat-In Restaurants
Negril Village NYC,
70 W 3rd St., New York, NY 10012
SOBS,
204 Varrick St., New York, NY 10014
QUEENS
Take Out Restaurants
Creole Buffet
216-19 Linden Blvd., Cambria Heights, NY 11411
Sybil’s Bakery & Restaurant
159-24 Hillside Ave., New York, NY 11432
‘MAKE’ MUSIC’ FESTIVAL
The West Indian American Day Carnival Association’s free “Make Music New York” festival is coming to Brooklyn’s Ronald McNair Park, Eastern Parkway, between Classon and Washington Aves., from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Performers include Lani K (son of Twiggy), Mystique, Lennox Picou, Surette Bon Bon, Benji C, Desmond, Majesty, Kuf Knotz, Yaiquab, N’YCE, Johnny Voltik a.k.a The Legendary Misfit, Thaddeus Strauss, the Boodoosing Tassa Drummers, Dare Devil’s Of The Red Circle, and DJ Hard Hittin Harry and the Earthman Experience.
For information, call (718) 467-1797 or send email to wiadcainc@gmail.com.
CARIBBEAN HERITAGE DOWN-HOME
The Birmingham, Alabama-based Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization and the Normal, Alabama-based Caribbean Association of North Alabama are keeping Caribbean culture alive.
The CACAO heard the announcement of National Caribbean American Heritage Month loud and clear. On June 13, CACAO joined with the Birmingham Barons organization to present a pre-game Caribbean cultural event at Regions Field.
“Our community here might not be large, but we are making strides and we have a definite presence here. The Mayor of Birmingham has issued a Proclamation recognizing the month, as has the Governor of Alabama, said organization President Pauline Ford-Caesar recently.
And the Caribbean Association of North Alabama has plans for August – “Caribbean Day at the Park” planned for Aug. 31.
For information on the Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization, visit www.cacaoonline.org. For the Caribbean Association of North Alabama, visit www.canaonline.com.
MONTH FOR CELEBRATION IN HOUSTON
The celebration of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month in Houston, Texas is in full swing. Organizations, individuals and institutions have come together to mark the occasion.
Houston’s Cool Runnings Jamaican Grill hosted the second annual “Open for Business and Non-Profit Reception” on June 14. State Representative Alma Allen was the scheduled guest speaker at the event.
Allen, who came bearing gifts – a Texas House Resolution proclamation of Caribbean Heritage Month in Texas and 2014 Caribbean Heritage Month Landmark Business Recognition honors for four Texas Caribbean businesses: Patrick Lewis of the Houston Caribbean Festival; Sylvanus Donaie, founder, publisher and editor of One Love Caribbean newspaper; and businessman Tony LeBlanc, who runs the Cool Runnings Jamaican Grill.
And there was more good news for Cool Runnings Jamaican Grill. Richard Rodriguez of the Braes Oaks Management District announced that the eatery was named the 2014 Braes Oaks Management Business of The Month.
The commemoration kicked off with the issuance of a City Hall Proclamation on June 3. The Caribbean American Heritage Foundation of Texas presented the Caribbean American Heritage Month Festival on June 7 in downtown Houston. The Caribbean Heritage Month Kids and Family Diversity Carnival at The Mall is scheduled for June 22. The event is oganized by Caribbean Resources Alliance CDC.
And the inaugural Houston Caribbean Queen Pageant is set to come to the Stafford Civic Center in Stafford, Texas on June 28.
WEEK OF FASHIONABLE AFFAIRS
“Rainbow Fashion Week,” an array of stylish events, opens June 20 in Manhattan with the “50 Top New Media Moguls’ affair and culminates with the “Inside Celebrity Closet” on June 27, 2014, featuring stars and their children’s modeling.
E. Jaguar Beckford’s JagandCo is presenting week of events, which also includes Rainbow TotsTM onJune 21, “House of JagandCo” on June 22, “A Cooking Fashionista” on June 23, “Queer Kids Next Door” on June 24, “PhotoViews” on June 25, and “Urban K’Nights” on June 26.
For details on the events, visit www.rainbowfashionweek.com.
