FIRST ANNUAL WEST INDIAN CARNIVAL PARADE RECEPTION
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For the second year in a row, Governor David A. Paterson along with the West Indian American Day Carnival Association will host a reception at Empire Fulton Ferry State Park’s Outdoor Warehouse on Thursday, August 20, 2009 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Confirmed speakers include: Governor David A. Paterson, WWRL Program Director Rennie Bishop, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Congresswoman Yvette Clark, Senator John Sampson, Assemblyman Nick Perry, New York City Councilman Mathieu Eugene, and West Indian American Day Carnival Association President Yolanda Lezama-Clark.. Four leadership awards will be presented to individuals whose work has benefited the Caribbean community.
About the award recipients:
Mary Barbara Walters has been an ardent community activist for over 50 years. A native of Trinidad, she is a founding member of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and has also held leadership positions with the Caribbean Women’s Health Association, the Trinidad & Tobago Working Women’s Association and other groups.
Karl and Faye Rodney founded the New York CARIB News twenty-five years ago to fill a recognized void in communication of the growing Caribbean-American community. It has since grown into the largest circulated publication serving the Caribbean-American community.
Dr. Lois Blades-Rosado is the Dean/Executive Director of the State University of New York/Brooklyn Educational Opportunity Center for adult academic and workforce development dedicated to helping adult learners upgrade their skills.
Dr. David John is an HIV/AIDS Specialist and family physician, working primarily in the Central Flatbush area of Brooklyn. His practice focuses on improving the quality of care to this underserved community. He is also the founding doctor of a center in Trinidad and Tobago which treats children with HIV/AIDS.
About the parade and its organizers:
Established in 1967, the West Indian-American Day Carnival Association has been the driving force behind the parade. The main focus of this organization is to develop, teach and promote Caribbean arts and culture. The West Indian Carnival Parade is now the largest festival and parade in the United States, drawing as many as 3.5 million participants.
