Jamaica - Jamaicans in New York

Irwine Clare: A Man of the People, Born to Serve - Influential Jamaican in New York

Kerri-Ann M. Smith — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 02:19:47 UT

On any given day, one can find Irwine Clare, Sr. in any of five different places. He is a multi-tasking community service machine that settles at nothing when it comes to helping others. I was privileged enough to spend a few hours on “his time,” observing the morning activities of the man whose picture you will see next to the term “master of all trades”. His office, located on Parsons Boulevard in Queens, NY, has a sign that reads “Caribbean Immigrant Services: Your one stop empowerment center.” It’s located in an inconspicuous building but it is ironically one of the best known gems of the Caribbean community in New York City and beyond. As I entered the office, I was engulfed with a feeling of Caribbean pride. On the wall are two carvings of the Jamaican coat of arms, along with countless plaques that acknowledge the significance of CIS to the community. There are also several plaques dedicated to Irwine Clare with one recurring theme: Outstanding service to the Caribbean community. Around the office are myriad posters depicting Clare’s other passion, track and field. Irwine Clare’s name, though often misspelled, is one of the most recognized throughout the Caribbean community. His network is vast and at his immediate disposal is the formal directory of the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and other members of the local clergy. His address book boasts the numbers of several prominent Jamaicans, from Irie Jamboree promoter Anthony Turner and Basil Bryant, former Jamaican Consul General to New York to Una Clarke (former NY City Council member) and the record-setting Usain Bolt.

Clare is an unrelenting, colors-wearing, prideful son of St. Ann. He will tell you that St. Ann is the best parish because it is the birthplace three very significant M-s: Marcus, Marley, and “Me”. He is from a place called Bamboo, which fittingly explains the strong but flexible nature of this man who manages three telephones and two computers, all while talking with me about his legacy, the DREAM Act and other current affairs, without missing a beat. His phones often ring in harmony (sometimes even in unison) and he is constantly monitoring his computers. He is passionate about Jamaica and while his gentle sarcasm and wit are his trademarks, there is no mistaking his sincerity when he discusses the social, political, and economic affairs of Jamaica.

Clare attended York Castle High School, where he was proudly the first Student Council leader after former Prime Minister Michael Manley began the movement to form student councils on the island. In his words, he was “never a disciplined child,” yet when the opportunity came for York Castle to select a representative for the Ministry of Education’s National Discipline Committee, they appointed him, at sixteen years old. He jokes that he also attended but did not graduate from Westwood and St. Hilda’s high schools for while his friends were busy organizing students’ bodies, he toiled to organize the student body toward activism at both schools. As a youngster, Clare attended several leadership conventions in Cuba and across Jamaica and upon coming to the United States, he became a founding member of the Union of Jamaican Alumni Association.

Clare’s commitment to community service began in the womb. He quips that his mother nursed him well into his teens, as she is the one who instilled in him a strong sense of social responsibility. She was, after all, a member of the Jamaica Agricultural Society and the 4H Club and a very active woman in her church. She was a trailblazer in her own right, who built the basic school and library (which still stands today) in Bamboo and was responsible for getting telephone service in the community. With a secondary education, Clare’s mother emphasized the significance of service and scholarship in her only child and upon immigrating to the United States, he began planting his own seeds to continue bearing fruit of service.

The New York City Office of Planning and Development reports that immigrants from the Caribbean region account for two of the three largest immigrant groups to New York City. As the largest Anglophone immigrant group to New York City, Jamaicans, in particular, are in dire need of advocacy and advice. Thus, in the early 90s, Clare and his partner Winston Tucker saw a need to help provide honest and informed services to Caribbean immigrants in New York City. They established Caribbean Immigrant Services (CIS), an advocacy and consulting organization aimed at leading Caribbean immigrants toward attaining U.S. citizenship. Clare also founded the non-profit “Team Jamaica Bickle,” an organization that provides assistance for fledgling Jamaican athletes and their coaches to participate in the Penn Relays. Since its inception, Team Jamaica Bickle has raised over $30,000 in support of athletes and their coaches.

In addition to his many service activities, Clare has been the vice-president at a bank, hosted his own television and radio shows (Caribbean Lifestyle Magazine), helped draft and review legislation pertaining to immigration, and worked for the federal government as a consultant on special projects. Despite his many accomplishments, Irwine Clare Sr. is a humble man who likes to cook his own conch and bananas for breakfast and spend time with his family and friends. Hanging from his office door are countless lanyards and passes for the Penn Relays, and below them sit two untouched bottles of white rum peeking through a half-opened duty free carton box, undoubtedly being saved for the moment when he finally gets to relax. He is a family man whose firmest belief is in leaving a legacy for his two children, Irwine Jr., and Kayla. Service, he says, “is just a part of me! It’s healthy; it sustains my life.” And why does he do it all? For moments like the morning he stood in line with his children at the airport and a middle-aged man, with tears in his eyes, approached Clare to say thanks for helping him obtain a green-card. This help, the man stated, was the reason he was about to be reunited with his fifteen year old daughter that he had only seen when she was two years old.

During my conversation with Clare, I noticed a greeting card on a small desk in his office, near pictures of his family and behind countless papers and photographs of him tubing down a river in Jamaica. The outside reads, “if we measure success by the number of lives we touch and the ways that we reach out to others and truly make a difference…” I wondered if Hallmark custom- made this card for Irwine Clare, because no one is as giving, as cordial, and as committed to serving others than the third most important M from (what he insists is the best parish in Jamaica) St. Ann.

Jamaicans in New York

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:56:22 UT

Where Jamaicans live

Antoinette — Sun, 02 Feb 2003 17:00:00 UT

When mi check it out Lawd! No wey nuh betta dan yawd! Let me add another verse to this famous song. When yu cyan ongly 'ford fi walk, no whey no betta dan New York. All jokes aside, when you can't get home there is no need to worry.You can find almost everything Jamaican, mi sey everyting (man and woman included) in New York. It is not called "the mecca" for nothing. The largest influx of Jamaicans to New York occurred first in the mid 1960's and again in the mid 1980's. Despite a great exodus by many to other states or back home, (sometimes by force) many Jamaicans still reside in the Big Apple. The 2000 Census results showed that over 500,000 Caribbeans are living in New York City with Jamaicans and Haitians as the largest groups. The top boroughs with heavy representation of Jamaicans are: Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. These are the boroughs that will be discussed. I will also include Long Island, which has smaller representation but JA is definitely present. Some may argue this, but the boroughs by region alone that tie for the most Jamaicans, would definitely be Brooklyn and Queens. Listed below are some areas of Brooklyn, Queens and Bronx that have a large concentration of fellow yardies.

Brooklyn - Flatbush, East Flatbush, Crown Heights, Carnasie and Midwood. Drive along commercial Flatbush Ave., as it takes you through several neighborhoods. There are legal van drivers who proudly display their flag from JA or from some other part of the Caribbean and they will take you anywhere on the Flatbush Ave. bus route, faster and cheaper than the bus. Van drivers are also on other commercial strips such as Church Avenue, Glenwood Rd. and Utica Ave. Big up all van drivers!

Queens/Long Island - Jamaica, South Jamaica, East Elmhurst, St. Albans, Lawrence, Laurelton and Rosedale are all areas that have a large Jamaican population. In addition, van drivers are also along Merrick Blvd. and Jamaica Ave., as well as other commercial parts of Queens.

Bronx - Unlike the other boroughs, it seems that Jamaicans are condensed in specific areas of the Bronx. North Bronx areas have a large Jamaican population, streets like White Plains Rd., Gunther Ave., Boston Rd., Fish and Barnes Avenue, Allerton Ave, etc. The older residents of some of these areas are still there as well, more so in the Castle Hill section. Neighboring Mt. Vernon has a section of middle class Jamaicans on the residential side. New Rochelle although a small town, definitely has Jamaican representation. As for any areas that might not have been included, it was not intentional, this is just an overview.

Jamaican Events

Antoinette — Sat, 01 Feb 2003 17:00:00 UT

Photograph by William Farrington of the Empire State Building lit up in the colours of the Jamaican flag in celebration of Jamaica Independence 41.

If you are looking for some fun, you shouldn't have to look far. There are many places to go in New York to hear the latest reggae, dancehall, Jamaican hip-hop; eat curry goat, jerk chicken and mackerel, run-down, Jesus Christ! and drink rum punch, magnum, tan-pon-it-long!, sorrel. Lawd a mercy, Jamaica dey right yah so! Due to the extensive amount of Jamaican influence in New York, I will give you a little synopsis of what can be enjoyed in each area noted.

Culture - Every year the Jamaica Dance Theatre comes to New York, to perform at Brooklyn College or The Brooklyn Academy of Music. I have watched them perform more than once and it is something to be seen. Through various private organizations, other Jamaican plays come to New York several times throughout the year. They are seen at campus sites such as: Brooklyn College, Queens College and Lehman College in the Bronx. To give example, Oliver Samuels and his theater performers come at least twice a year, usually around Mother's Day and during September. His plays also would be featured at the three venues listed. Jamaican pantomine also comes usually once a year. New York has "Reggae Caribfest" annually, featuring a host of Jamaican singers, dj's and also American artists. Held at Sunken Meadows, (formally Downing Stadium), this concert is over 5 years old. In addition, during Jamaica's Independence each year, the Jamaican consulate devotes a week of celebration featuring speakers and featured artwork of various artists as well as entertainment. The Jamaica Tourist Board also hosts a series of events during this week.

For Jamaican Gospel fans, the Grace Thrillers choir has performed here on gospel boat rides, and at Brooklyn College. Other Jamaican artists such as Papa San and Carlene Davis come periodically as well.

Music - Now haul and pull up my selector. Or as Sizzla says, "Faward, Faward, pull up dat!" This is my forte. I don't get to take advantage of some of these events anymore but when it comes to my reggae artists, mi nuh play! If you are into seeing entertainers, such as Beres Hammond, Sanchez, Luciano, Burning Spear and Damian Marley, just to name a few, you will not be disappointed, they give 150% to every performance.

Starting with the free stuff: During the Summer - Central Park in Manhattan, the "Summer Stage" at Rumsey Playfield features at least one reggae artist during the concert series. Over the last few years, it has been Beres Hammond and Freddie McGregor. In Brooklyn, Prospect Park has free annual events as well, featuring Jamaican artists and other artists from the Caribbean. This past August, Damian Marley along with soca frenzy artists such as Kevin Little, Allison Hinds, etc. performed for a crowd of over 5,000 people. This concert had major sponsorship by the Jamaica Tourist Board.

In regards to regular concerts, Beres Hammond, Luciano, and Burning Spear come to New York at least once a year. They showcase at various locales such as: Hammerstein Ballroom, Madison Square Garden Theatre, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Brooklyn College. Sanchez, (a my bway dat!) comes at least 3-4 times a year. I have seen him perform at major venues and also local clubs. For the culture lovers, Burning Spear, The Marley Clan, Capleton, Morgan Heritage or newer artists such as Warrior King, Junior Kelly and Bushman have also performed in New York. Club S.O.B. (Sounds of Brazil) on Varick Street in Manhattan has featured many of these artists. For the fans of the classics, now referred to as "old skool" many artists such as: Toots Hibbert, Dobbie Dobson, Phyllis Dillon and the like, headline memory lane events accompanied by early selectors such as Winston Blake and Merritone Sounds.

When it comes to Dancehall, almost all of the dancehall artists, famous and upcoming, have performed here. Among them: Beenie Man, Yellowman, Elephant Man, Cobra, Lexus, Sean Paul, TOK, Spragga Benz, Lady Saw, Bounty Killa, just to name a few. Many of them also perform at local clubs. I will break down a few clubs based on longevity, ambiance and wicked, wicked, dj's spinning the turntables.

Manhattan - Club Pulse, It's been around well over 5 years. It has a nice after work Caribbean crowd, nice ambiance and in house dj's change periodically. Friday and Saturday are the main nights. Last time I checked it was DJ Chris the dub master, from the Irie-Fm station. He's a crisp dj!

The Shadow - Also been around over 5 years. It is bi-level, with two dance floors on the first level and a lounge on the second floor playing soothing music. The main floor plays a mixture of R& B and Hip-Hop and the little dance floor is devoted to Reggae. Each time I went, they have had different dj's but the reggae music always left me feeling like all my troubles were over. It is that good! Crowd is 25 & over, well behaved except that the men follow you around a lot. Keep the ones who can dance and bring a fly swatter for the rest.

Long Island - Club/Restaurant Nakisaki and its offspring Jamroc. Jamroc was originally designated for the 30 and over crowd. I don't think that really applies anymore but they often feature reggae artists, live stage shows, comedy showcases and dj competitions. One very popular English veteran dj - David Rodigan comes at least once a year to battle various killer sounds such as Tony Matterhorn. Nice ambiance and music by the resident dj is alright. During the day and evening, Nakisaki features Chinese/Jamaican cuisine at reasonable prices and has a cozy and elegant atmosphere. The food is tasty.

Queens - The Q club off of Liberty and Archer Ave. - This club is over 10 years old. Once dubbed one of the best clubs in New York, by me, it has changed somewhat. It no longer has the original owners and now caters to the local youthful crowd. It is bi-level, featuring various selectors on a week to week basis and often features various artists. I have seen many stage shows here. Nice ambiance. However, the current crowd is very young and casual.

Club Amazura - Off of Merrick Blvd. Although I haven't heard anything recently regarding this club, it is huge! It is also nicely set up with big screens, a big stage and at least two bars. I really liked this place. I have also seen artists such as Junior Kelly and Frankie Sly perform here.

Brooklyn - Caribbean City on Empire Blvd. This club has undergone a few name changes through the years. It has been around over 15 years. It has been Caribbean City for over 5 years. It features a lot of various selectors, some of them veterans, i.e. dj Carlton and dj Paul, (wicked star!) Currently it has Sunday night venues with local radio station bigwigs, Bobby Konders and Jabba. Personally, Saturday night was a favorite because the crowd was more mixed and I usually had to work on Monday. The music is always good and the crowd is always hype! Age range 23 and over.

Bronx - Famous for a lot of little places. Some common places to go, were Act III, this club is over 15 years old. It has also featured a lot of selectors. I haven't been there in years so I am not sure what it is like now.

New Rochelle - Club Caribe - Home of the Ms. Jamaica Beauty Pageant. It features music on Friday and Saturday nights. It is also bi-level, has a beautiful ambiance but gets too crowded. Features a large Bronx crowd also. Music is pretty good and many stage shows are held here as well.

Although, I didn't mention security, all of these clubs have pretty good security or else they wouldn't be listed. I guess you can tell I love music. Let it be known that I have seen almost every artist listed here perform at least once. Except for Mr. Kevin Jackson aka Sanchez, who I have seen at least 10 times. What can I say, we all have a weakness. (P.S. Mr. Murphy pass on the word, he's "living up, living up" in your neck of the woods now.) Anyway, you know what they say about New Yorkers, we know how to party. Bear in mind this is only a small microcosm of what is out there in the big city. The city that never sleeps. Faward, Faward, Pull up dat!!

Jamaican & Caribbean Organizations

Antoinette — Sat, 01 Feb 2003 17:00:00 UT

Below is a partical list of some of the organizations present in the New York area. Be sure to check back as we add more organizations to this list.

Clarendon College Alumni Assn.
180 East 17th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11226

Committee for the Economic Redevelopment of Jamaica
BMCC 199 Chambers Street, Room N610
New York, NY 10007

Cornwall College Alumni Assn.
201-05 Murdock Avenue
St. Albans, Queens, NY 11412

Dinthill Technical High School Alumni Assn. (USA) Inc.
P.O. Box 924 Peck Slip Station
New York, NY 10272

Friends of Needy Children of Jamaica
973 E. 56th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11234

Friends of West Portland
P.O. Box 130188
Springfield Gardens, NY 11413

Jamaica Alumni Assn.
66 Leanard Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10013

Jamaica Foundation
259 Kennedy Avenue
Hempstead, NY 11550

Jamaica Freedom League
45-14 158th Street
Flushing, NY 11358

Jamaica National Guild
P.O. Box 162 Breeveport Station
Brooklyn, NY

Jamaica North America Society
1006 Arnow Avenue
Bronx, NY 10459

Jamaica Progressive League, New York, Inc.
22230 Light Street
Bronx, NY 10466

Jamaica United Youth Support
116-08 168th Street
Rochdale, NY 11434

Jamaica West Indies Nurses' Assn. Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 12
Poughkeepsie, NY 12602

Kingston College Old Boy's Assn.
659 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11225

Merl Grove High School Past Students' Association NY Chapter Inc.
Comprise of past students in the New York tri-state area.
Please visit us at http://www.meetup.com/Merl-Grove-High-School-Past-Students-Association-NY-Chapter/

Montego Bay High School Alumnae Association
(Tri state - New York, New Jersey and Connecticut)
347 768 4297
Faithinparadise@hotmail.com

U.J.A.A. USA
66 Leonard Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10013

Shortwood Teachers College Alumni
22 Buckinham Street
Brooklyn, NY 11226

St. Andrew Alumni Assn.
221-36 Murdock Avenue
Queens Village, NY 11429

St. Andrew Technical High School Alumni Association, North East Chapter, Inc.
Address: 121-24 195th Street
Springfield Gardens
Queens, NY 11413
General E-mail Address: OAR@STATHSNE.Com

The Jamaica Benevolent Assn. Inc.
141 W. 119th Street
New York, NY 10026

The Jamaica Nurses Group of NY, Inc.
1781 Brooklyn Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210

The Union of Jamaican Alumni Assn. USA, Inc.
2320 Foster Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210

U.W.I. Guild Of Graduates
2138 Oakwood Place
Elmont, NY 11003

Vision for the Children of Jamaica, Inc.
1838 W. Seamans Neck Road
Seaford, NY 11783

Voices of Jamaica
28 Gusto Lane
Roosevelt, NY 11575

Wolmer's High Alumni Assn.
P.O. Box 1910
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Jamaican/Caribbean Media

Anntonette — Sat, 01 Feb 2003 17:00:00 UT

Newspapers/Magazines

Carib News

Radio

WLIB, 1190 AM
93.5 FM

Eating in New York

Antoinette — Sat, 01 Feb 2003 17:00:00 UT

This section is dedicated to you. All those who walk off dem boot heel, wit dem belly inna dem han! If you love a home cooked meal, you will never go hungry in New York. I really mean this. If you need products, seasonings, fruits or vegetables such as, bammy, breadfruit, ginnep, hairy coconut, sorrel, etc., most of the Korean markets in Flatbush, East Flatbush or Crown Heights carry these products.

If you want hot food, the list is endless. In Flatbush and East Flatbush there are Jamaican restaurants on every other corner. Flatbush, Church and Nostrand Avenues are abundant with restaurants for Jamaicans. Many of these restaurants are take out places but if the food is good, that's all that matters right? In Queens, in all the areas mentioned above, there are a plethora of restaurants. In Bronx, all along White Plains Road and off this main thoroughfare. In Manhattan, there are known restaurants such as:

Negril - 362 W. 23rd St. (212) 807-6411
Island Spice - 402 W. 44th St. (212) 765- 1737
Pepper's Restaurant & Bar* - 349 Broadway (212) 343 -2824 (features entertainment on certain nights)

Not to mention the Golden Krust Bakery franchises that are popping up all over. There are currently seven stores in Manhattan. In Brooklyn, there are nine locations, four of them along Flatbush Avenue. In the Bronx, which was home to the first store, there are at least eight stores. In Queens, there are four locations. This chain features the famous beef patties, along with good hot food and even soup. Just ask Tiki Barber!

Online Resources on New York

Antoinette — Sat, 01 Feb 2003 17:00:00 UT