New York, February 20, 2008 - Eight persons of Jamaican heritage who have contributed significantly to the development and preservation of the island’s culture overseas, will be recognized during Black History Month celebrations at the Brooklyn Borough Hall, downtown Brooklyn, New York, on Monday, February 25, 2008 at 6:00 pm.
The celebration is a presentation of the Consulate General of Jamaica , the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), in conjunction with three community based organizations, Sons & Daughters of Jamaica, Inc., Caribbean Cultural Theatre of Brooklyn and the Caribbean American Program for Empowerment (USA), Inc.
The honourees are; Community Activist Sadie Aarons Campbell & Educator Dr. Cynthia B. Richards who are being cited jointly for their collaborative effort on their most recent book project, ‘Cotton Tree’, a collection of short stories that seek to capture and describe customs and practices that are swiftly passing away.
Ian Forrest - for his incisive commentary on talk radio WBAI, Ken Williams for his pioneering approach in getting reggae music on the play-list of main stream radio stations in the New York metro area, Hyacinth Spence - for her advocacy work for and on behalf of human rights and justice, Hon. Yvonne Graham - for services to Government and politics as deputy president, Borough of Brooklyn, Norman Narcisse and Annette Nelson – for their dedication to the development and preservation of Caribbean theatre and customs in the USA.
Acting Consul General of Jamaica in New York , Mr. Lincoln Downer and Hon. Yvonne Graham, DBP, Borough of Brooklyn, who will address the celebrations, are expected to underscore the outstanding achievements and rich legacy of our forebears in such life-changing endeavors as, science and technology, community empowerment and the arts.
E. Wayne McDonald, Artistic Director of the Caribbean Cultural Theatre will host the ‘cultural cavalcade’, the opening segment with song, dance and spoken word reflecting the celebration’s sub-theme of ‘Black is Back’.
The Brooklyn Borough Hall is located at 209 Joralemon Street, downtown Brooklyn.
