On the occasion of the 175th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery, the Alliance For Change pays homage to our African ancestors who were forced to journey to this foreign land; many dying along the way, and their struggle for freedom.

The history of Guyana and indeed of the Caribbean could not be written without recall of the greatest evil ever unleashed on mankind; that of slavery. Likewise, who we are as a people cannot be defined if we fail to acknowledge the fortitude of our African ancestors, which saw them through the harsh reality of slavery and the struggle for freedom.

The staff of Guyana Graphic wishes Mr. Vibert Parvatan a Happy 80th Birhtday.

Mr. Parvatan, retired Executive Director of the Laparkan Group of Companies in Guyana also served as a Minister of Government (Technocrat) and non-elected Member of Parliament during the structural adjustment period for six (6) years - 1986 to 1992.

The Adjutant General of Florida Major General Emmett Titshaw, U.S. Army Cadet Command, and the U.S. Embassy in Guyana’s Military Liaison Office have selected Guyana to host the Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency (CULP) Program in July 2013.

The U.S Embassy’s Public Affairs Section has established a Youth Action Network (YAN), bringing together approximately 50 young Guyanese leaders from around the country. The Embassy’s Youth Action Network was officially launched July 20 through its first event – a Conference on Service and Leadership under the theme: “Ready to Serve, Ready to Lead.”

All ASL plane crash passengers discharged from Hospital. Medical Bills to date total in excess of $3 million dollars

Esther Williams from Baramita and Urmella Rajesh from Berbice both of whom underwent surgery for fractured facial bones were the last 2 passengers to be discharged from the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital last Saturday. They are scheduled for a follow-up visit this Thursday, 25 July 2013 with Dr. Abalberto Fernandes. They are staying with relatives in Mocha, EBD and Enmore, ECD respectively.

Actress Antoinette Mia Pettis is a multi-talented entertainer now living and working in Hollywood, California by way of Texas.

Although she does not know much of her own ethnic background, Antoinette’s fondest childhood memories were formed around the time spent in a Guyanese household. In those important developing years, she identified herself as the unofficial daughter of a strong West Indian family. Antoinette’s physical appearance allows her to perform diverse roles. Exposure to the wide variety of Guyanese cultural experiences (from African, Portuguese, Chinese and East Indian influences) enhanced the foundations of her acting talent. The long dance lessons taught by Auntie Mickey in the family living room was the birthplace of Antoinette’s “riddim” which she was able to showcase at cultural events.

Arti Cameron has recently completed her reign after two active years as Miss Guyana World 2011-2012, and now joins a growing elite list of former queens who have represented Guyana at the prestigious Miss World pageant.

The Ghana Day Committee in collaboration with The Cuffy 250 Committee Hosts Forum on State of Black African Guyana on 250th Anniversary of Berbice Slave Rebellion

From “Canvas to the runway” Dominican fashion debutant stirs heads
By Lin-Jay Harry-Voglezon

Expectations of the “Caribbean Fashion Tourism 2013”, held on Tuesday, 4th June at the Grand Ballroom, New Yorker Hotel, Manhattan, may have been dampened. For by the time the 8th of the 13 ensembles of fabric were sashayed across the runway approximately 80% of the less than capacity filled room had departed. The show time started beyond the scheduled 7pm and as the more than 40 models, inclusive of twelve males, changed from one designer’s couture to another, the estimated 5-10 minutes intervals lingered without even meaningful Caribbean rhythms.

Caribbean Studies Symposium:
Caribbean redefined – “ bona fide sociology of Caribbean literature” urged!
By Lin-Jay Harry-Voglezon

If the day long engaging symposium on “the current state of Caribbean research” held on April 17 at Brooklyn College, is evidence of new thinking then Caribbean academics are leading a new path of Caribbean identity and sense of self. The multidisciplinary discourse presented by the 13 Caribbean Professors and DJ Rupture (Jace Clayton) on Caribbean immigrant communities was partly in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Caribbean Independence. Sponsored by the Social Studies Department of Brooklyn College, subjects ranged from urbanization, community gardens, gentrification, “race, gender and identity in carnival”, Caribbean musical genre and instruments, “authors meeting critics”, to “texting the diaspora”.