We're saddened to learn of the passing of George Subraj yesterday, November 17th at age 71. George was a philanthropist, businessperson, and a leader in promoting Indo-Caribbean culture in New York and abroad. 

Among many accomplishments, George will be remembered for pioneering life-saving kidney transplant surgery in Guyana, for funding numerous educational initiatives including a new computer laboratory at Richmond Hill High School in Queens, NY just a few months ago, and of course, for building a sprawling real estate empire in Queens and Long Island as President of Zara Realty Holding. 

George and the Subraj family are friends of Indo-Caribbean Alliance, Inc.  In 2014 at our annual gala, we awarded the three brothers, Ken, Jay and George, with a Business Leadership Award.  At the time, George was supposed to attend the ceremony but made a midnight decision to go on a trip to Guyana instead to support a group of children who were getting heart surgery the next day.  This was his way of celebrating his recognition, by continuing to be hands-on with his philanthropic work. 

Our condolences to the entire Subraj family, employees and supporters. 

In solidarity, 
Board of Directors
Indo-Caribbean Alliance, Inc. 


Here's a re-post of George's biography from our 2014 gala:
President, Zara Realty Holding Corporation
Business Leadership Award

George Subraj's success began in the 1980’s when he and his brothers purchased a 44-unit apartment complex.  He began renovating and upgrading the facility himself to make it “Clean, Safe, Comfortable and Affordable”, a mantra he developed to drive his business.  Today, as President of Zara Realty Holding Corporation, George and his family have developed dozens of apartment complexes housing thousands of families and providing employment to over 200 individuals. George takes particular pride in the impact his investments have made in improving the quality of life for residents and in driving 
economic development in Queens. 

George is the fourth of ten children and was born in Georgetown, Guyana.  He moved to the United States in 1971 where he attended the Midtown School of Business in the evening while working during the day.  He has received numerous awards including a US Army and Navy Medal and Commendation, a New York City Council Member Award and a Medal of Service from the Government of Guyana, the fifth highest award of the Order of Service of Guyana.  

George and his brothers, Ken and Jay, are perhaps best known for their philanthropy. In 2008, George sponsored a team of doctors from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. to conduct the first kidney transplant in Guyana on an 18 year old.  By 2013, they had funded 21 kidney transplants in Guyana.  In 2010, they also funded the introduction of Pediatric Heart Surgery in Guyana.  The brothers have funded the construction and outfitting of computer labs in Guyana and in New York, upgraded Mandirs with elevators to assist the elderly and disabled in addition to undertaking major blood drives for New York Hospital in Queens. 

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Dear Friends and Allies,

The Board of Directors would like to announce the departure
of Kenrick Ross as Executive Director of Indo-Caribbean Alliance, Inc.
Kenrick served in this capacity for over a year.  Prior to this role,
he volunteered with ICA and co-chaired our 2014 gala. His contributions to
the organization have been meaningful and will continue to be felt by all
those impacted by our work.

"Over the last year I've had the most unique privilege of my life, working
in the heart of Little Guyana. Serving as Executive Director of ICA,
surrounded by fragrant roti shops and front yards festooned with
jhandi flags, thumping chutney music on Saturday nights and heated
political debates that spanned cities and continents, I got to combine the professional and the deeply personal.  I was able to bring the skills and experience gained empowering other communities to the one I call, and claim, as my own. These experiences have affirmed to me the necessity of the work we must do, for social change and racial justice, community empowerment and equality, work that must be done urgently and with true integrity. I'm thankful to the Board of Directors for this opportunity, and all of you for having made it such a truly special and meaningful one" - Kenrick Ross

As we planned this transition with Ken, we were careful to ensure a smooth process with no interruption in our programs and advocacy. The first step in the transition is appointing Vedesh Persaud  as Interim Executive Director. Vedesh has been with ICA since 2010, serving in numerous roles including most recently as Vice Chairperson on our Board of Directors where he oversaw our Youth Programs Committee.  

Over the next few months, we will be conducting a search to find a new Executive Director to best serve our community. We're also seeking your help, as an integral member of our community, to find a well-qualified individual best suited for this role; someone who has developed and implemented strategies that could take this organization to the next stage of growth.  The full posting is available on our website. Please share this announcement within your networks.

As we wish Ken success in his next endeavor and thank him for his contributions to the organization, we are hopeful and excited for this new phase.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly or to Vedesh Persaud at [email protected]. 

Sincerely,

Faudia D. Baijnauth
Chairperson
[email protected]