8. What happens after Hindus make offerings at Jamaica Bay?

In April, an organization called Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus launched a series of environmental awareness drives that included clean up efforts in partnership with the U.S. National Park Service and the Rockaway Waterfront Alliance at Jamaica Bay. To spread further awareness and education, part of what they called "Project Prithvi", Sandhana co-created a landmark exhibit called "Sacred Waters: A Collection of Hindu Offerings from Jamaica Bay" which was on display at the new Queens Museum of Art for several months. The exhibit showcases religious items discovered on the beaches of Jamaica Bay. The organization plans to continue cleaning up the Rockaway waterfront in 2015.

6. Mahadeo Shivraj Day in Schenectady, NY

The Office of the Mayor of Schenectady, New York, issued an official proclamation declaring November 30, 2014 as MahadeoShivraj Day. Shivraj, a native of Guyana, was recognized for his outstanding work as an actor, director, and producer and his overall dedication to the arts. Shivraj is perhaps the best known Indo-Caribbean filmmaker having produced, directed, and starred in "A Jasmine for a Gardener", "Brown Sugar Too Bitter for me", and "83 Million Gees".  

Schenectady is also the first City in New York State to elect an Indo-Caribbean to public office. Last year John Mootoovenern was elected to the City Council. The City has a significant and growing Indo-Caribbean, Guyanese population. 

5. Miss Guyana 2014 enters Miss World Top 10 finals - the first time in over 40 years

Miss Guyana 2014, Rafieya Husain, landed as one of the top 10 contestants for the Miss World 2014 competition in December. This marks the first time in over 40 years for a Miss Guyana contestant to make it this far in the pageant. Rafieya made domestic violence her platform bringing additional attention to an issue that continues to plague many households and relationships. 

Rafieya lives in Queens, New York and graciously lent her support to ICA's Annual Gala in June.

4. Community loses Jimmy Maharaj & Frankie Sooknanan  
 
On January 9th, Jimmy Maharaj, passed away after a prolonged illness at age 63. Jimmy was the founder and owner of the iconic Trinidadian roti shop named Sandy's after his daughter. Jimmy was also a fixture in the cricket community - an avid cricket player and supporter of multiple teams. For his service to the community, the Jamaica Rotary Club presented Jimmy it's highest award, the Paul Adams Medal. Jimmy's funeral procession was also given a NYPD motorcade escort, a rare honor for a civilian.    

On August 3rd, comedian Frankie Sooknanan also passed away unexpectedly at age 34. Frankie was a co-founder of Flat Tire Productions,  an Indo-Caribbean production house that creates original content to reflect Indo-Caribbean heritage and promote performing arts. In 2004, Frankie produced a feature film, Sacrifice, that won Best Feature at the Indo-American Arts Council Film Festival in NYC.  Frankie was called "Sundar" by friends also his namesake in the television show "Liberty Avenue Singles" which he co-created. Frankie was perhaps best known through the comedy troupe "Buttahflap" which performed at hundreds of shows in the community. Frankie  was born in Suriname and graduated from New York University.   

Both Jimmy & Frankie's presence will be deeply missed in the community but their accomplishments and legacy will continue on. 

2. Shootings & Race Relations

The exoneration of police officers in the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri and Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York triggered a national movement of protests all over the country. This came after a string of other shootings of black men. In an apparent retaliation, two NYPDofficers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were murdered.  The cycle of gun violence by police and civilians is tied to a complicated web of privilege, race, economic imbalances, education, an unfair judicial system and many other angles. Advocates for police and judicial reform are worried their agenda for change will be undone by the senseless murder of the NYPD officers. 

Coming from countries where race, power and economic relations are also strained, Indo-Caribbeans are all too familiar with the cycle of violence. We are joining the thousands calling for reforms and peace to return to our communities.  

1. Guyanese and Trinidadians are the 3rd 
largest immigrant group in New York City 

The New York City Department of City Planning issued a detailed report showing that Guyanese are the second largest immigrant group in Queens and the fifth largest in New York City. Immigrants from Trinidad & Tobago ("Trinidad") occupy the eighth position. The report, The Newest New Yorkers, is based on data collected in the 2010 Census and the 2011 American Community Survey. Details on income, occupation, and neighborhood demographic is included. The data does not include thousands of Indo-Caribbeans who were born in New York City.  
With such a large combined population, Indo-Caribbeans from Guyana and Trinidad, and other Caribbean countries, have the propensity to work closely together for social, political and economic development. 

Read the snapshot ICA produced: Population Analysis of Guyanese and Trinidadians in NYC

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Please let us know if we forgot something. Share your feedback, add to the list and/or repost.

The list is only meant to spark discussion and reflection. In the interest of full disclosure, we explained our participation in different events while we intentionally excluded ICA's core initiatives to offer an objective perspective.

Dear Friends, 

I am writing to notify you that I am stepping down as the first Executive Director of the Indo-Caribbean Alliance effective immediately. As a co-founder, I worked tirelessly with a dedicated team to build a movement to bring resources to thousands of Indo-Caribbean residents in New York. Today, I am happy to see that the organization has grown into perhaps the largest program and advocacy outlet for this community.
 
Over the last few months, the Board of Directors along with our staff and volunteers have developed a careful transition plan to ensure the organization continues to prosper. As part of this plan, our current Director of Youth Programs, Padma Seemangal will become the Acting Executive Director.  With your support, Padma will have the capacity to continue the important work we started to foster a stronger Indo-Caribbean community.  
 
It has been an honor and a tremendous learning experience to lead this organization over the last five years. I am confident that this is the right time to initiate this transition because it will make the organization more robust and sustainable for generations to come. I am counting on your continued support of ICA and I look forward to working with you again.
 
With gratitude and respect,
 
Richard S. David 

Safia is a Certified Professional Coach and an Energy Leadership Master Practitioner. She specializes in life & leadership coaching, working with individuals who are seeking a deeper connection to and a greater balance in life. Through her unique coaching style, she helps her clients take their careers, relationships & lives to the next level by breaking through their inner and outer blocks unlocking their true potential to become more powerful, dynamic leaders both at home and at work. 

Safia has been a volunteer with ICA for a number of years.  She started as a mentor to several young women in ICA’s Leadership and Mentoring Programs and gradually took on more responsibilities including spearheading events and fundraisers. She served as a co-chair of ICA’s Inaugural Gala in 2013. 

She received her B.A from the University of California Irvine (UCI) and her coaching certification from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPec) 

More information can be found at www.safiacoaches.com 

Michael holds a B.A. in international business from Dickinson College, a professional certificate in fundraising from New York University, and has over 5 years of fundraising, event planning, and non-profit experience.

Michael has specific experience in higher education fundraising including, alumni affairs, volunteer management, and planning and executing high-net worth special events. 

Michael served as a Co-Chair of ICA's Inaugural Gala in 2013 and in other ad-hoc volunteer capacities to enhance ICA's mission. In addition to his professional pursuits, Michael is an avid cyclist who has successfully completed two TD Bank 5 Boro Bike tours. Michael was raised in Brooklyn, New York.

Kenrick I. Ross is Founder and President of Urban+Out, a New York-based organization which promotes community involvement, cultural engagement, and professional development in LGBTQ communities of color. Founded two years ago, Urban+Out utilizes events, panel discussions, social media presence, and e-newsletters to engage and empower queer professionals of color to be leaders in their communities.

Kenrick has extensive experience in nonprofits, serving as a development officer at Washington DC’s Whitman-Walker Clinic and Brooklyn’s Diaspora Community Services, and overseeing professional development and quality assurance at Newark’s Leaguers, Inc. He has consulted on strategic development
and event management and has organized and chaired both local and statewide conferences. He has served on the boards of Resource Generation, Newark-Essex Pride Coalition, WRAP, and DGBM, Inc. He holds a BA in Politics from New York University and is pursuing a Masters in Urban Affairs at Hunter College.

More info can be found at www.urbanandout.com

In December 2013, the New York City Department of City Planning issued a detailed report showing that Guyanese are the second largest immigrant group in Queens and the fifth largest in New York City.  
Immigrants from Trinidad & Tobago (“Trinidad”) occupy the eighth position. The report, The
Newest New Yorkers, is based on data collected in the 2010 Census and the 2011 American Community Survey.  

The report details the change in population and provides comprehensive information on the foreign-born population to policy makers, program planners, and service providers to help them gain perspective on a
population that continues to reshape the city.  The data is based on the foreign born population from specific countries, but the Indo-Caribbean Alliance, Inc. combined the data for Guyana and Trinidad to reflect the overwhelming ethnic and cultural similarities[1] among the two nationalities. The combination also reflects to propensity for Indo-Caribbeans from Guyana and Trinidad, and other Caribbean countries, to work closely together for social, political and economic development in New York City. 

While this report demonstrates the large Indo-Caribbean population in New York City, it does not account for the population born in the United States.  Immigrants from Guyana and Trinidad began moving to New York City in significant waves since the 1960’s and many are now first and second generation Americans. If these populations were included, we are confident the number of Indo-Caribbeans residents in New York City would be considerably larger. 
 
Key Findings

Population
·        In New York City, the combined foreign-born population of Guyana and Trinidad is 227,582.  This is the 3rd highest foreign-born population in New York City-trailing only the Dominican Republic (380,160) and China (350,231) and ahead of countries such as Mexico, Jamaica and India among others.

·        In the largest New York metropolitan region, the combined total number of Guyanese and Trinidadian
immigrants would be over 288,000, the 5th highest foreign-born population, trailing the Dominican Republic (557,520), China (477,386), Mexico (366,810), and India (330,881).

 ·        In Queens, which has the largest concentration of Indo-Caribbeans among the five boroughs, Guyanese represent the second largest foreign-born population with over 82,000 individuals trailing only Chinese immigrants who account for over 142,000.  The reports also found that nearly half of all Queens’ residents are foreign born as of 2011 out of a total population of 2.2 million residents.

 ·        More than half of all Guyanese immigrants and 40% of all Trinidadian immigrants in the United States live in New York City.  

Male to Female Ratio
·        There are 79 males for every 100 female Guyanese immigrants.  

·        There are 65 Trinidadian male immigrants for every 100 Trinidadian female immigrants which
are among the lowest male to female ratios of all foreign-born populations. 

·        By comparison, New York City (native and foreign born) was approximately 90 females for every 100
males.

Age
·        The median age for both immigrant groups was 46-48 years old.  Approximately 1 out of 3 was between 18-44 years old.

Education
 ·         1 out of 3 New York City residents (foreign-born and native) had college experience or advanced
degrees compared to only 16% of Guyanese and 15% of Trinidadian immigrants. 
 
·    Only China, Ecuador, El Salvador and Mexico had lower percentages relative to their respective
population.

·        The high school dropout  rate for Guyanese and Trinidadians was 11% roughly matching the city’s overall average. 

Income
·        The average household income for Guyanese immigrants was approximately $51,000, much higher than the average for foreign-born populations and only exceeded by immigrants from India,
the Philippines and United Kingdom.  
 
·        Trinidadian immigrants’ household income was approximately $44,000 which is consistent with the average household income for all foreign-born populations.  
 
·        NYC’s median income (including native and foreign-born) was approximately $49,792. 

·         Female Trinidadian immigrant workers in New York City made an average of $44,000 compared to
$40,000 for female Guyanese workers.

·        15% of Trinidadian and Guyanese immigrants were in poverty, 25% lower than the New York City average.

Note:  Immigrant and non-citizen are used interchangeably and only represent immigrants not born
in the US.  They do include foreign born immigrants who are citizens and may include undocumented immigrants.  The report does not detail race.

For more information read the full report which details separate entries for Trinidad and Guyana as well as the interactive chart: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/census/nny.shtml

Footnote: [1] It is important to acknowledge that Guyana and Trinidad are multi-ethnic societies, and while Indo-Caribbeans are the single largest ethnic groups within those countries, they are not the only ones to move to New York City. In fact, large communities of Afro-Caribbeans are concentrated in Brooklyn and other parts of New York City.

About Indo-Caribbean Alliance, Inc.
Indo-Caribbean Alliance (ICA) empowers Guyanese, Trinidadian and other Indo-Caribbean youth and families in New York City by providing supportive and culturally-sensitive programs,
services and advocacy. 

ICA’s strategies include creating outlets for children, their families and the community to partner in their
success; building coalitions with allied organizations, businesses and residents; creating awareness and developing leadership within the community to take action and foster social change. Our program areas include: Youth Development, Leadership Skill Building, Identify and Cultural Awareness, Civic
Engagement and Activism.  For more information, visit us online at www.indocaribbean.org 

10.   A radio station for Wee, 87.7 FM

Wee Radio is the new Channel 77 for many listeners who now tune in every weekend for the hottest chutney, soca and even bajans.  Listeners can easily tune in to this FM station while driving or at home, a welcomed relief from the days when you were required to buy a special radio and manually tune it until the static goes away. Despite the constant and repetitive real estate and mortgage ads, the station is gaining loyal listeners.  Wee Radio also streams online and via mobile apps.

9.    Our community masjid seeks to modernize

After serving as a community landmark for 36 years, the Board and Trustees of Masjid Al-Abidin have committed to a major capital campaign to reconstruct the building that now stands prominently on 127th Street and Liberty Avenue.  In its place, they envision a modern, eco-friendly space that is an architectural icon as well as endowed with community programs and services.  Throughout the summer, dozens of volunteers cooked, served meals and held fundraisers to contribute to the capital campaign.      

8.   Ready for a New Mayor

After rallies, debates with friends and even strangers, many Indo-Caribbeans cautiously welcomed Bill DeBlasio who practically became Mayor of New York City after just the primary election.  Fed up with the high cost of living, exorbitant fines at every turn, parents feeling locked out of the public education system –and on, and on – like most New Yorkers, Indo-Caribbeans were more than ready for change.  Many volunteered for different campaigns, held house party-fundraisers and even sent out constant Facebook messages and emails hoping that the incoming political leaders will find ways to lower taxes on the working class, increase affordable housing options and breathe new energy into Southern Queens.  

7.    The Chutney Queen comes to town

One of the most talked-about concerts of the summer was Drupatee Ramgoonai’s sold out performance in Ozone Park where hundreds of fans gathered to hear her most recent hit, “Indian Gyal”.  After years of making some of the most popular chutney songs, Drupatee proved why she continues to be the undisputed Queen of Chutney.  Skillfully organized by the Angels Caribbean Entertainment Group of Companies, the event also featured chutney trailblazer Rasika Dindial and many others. 

6.    Rebuilding Richmond Hill High School   

Richmond Hill High School received yet another principal, this time Neil Ganesh, an Indo-Caribbean.  Mr. Ganesh was selected to lead the school with possibly the most Indo-Caribbean students in New York.  After years of under-performance at the school, Mr. Ganesh is taking over the reins and tasked with turning it around.  Having migrated from Guyana, Mr. Ganesh shares a cultural background with his students and expectations are high that he will have a lasting positive impact on the long neglected school.  

       5.   Building a more inclusive South Asian narrative

Hosted by South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), the 4th National South Asian Summit brought together over 375 social justice leaders and non-profit organizations from across the country, and featured a segment on Indo-Caribbean Americans for the first time.  The segment was the brainchild of activist Suzanne Persard of the Jahajee Sisters who was also a panelist in the discussion, along with Sakhi, a domestic violence organization, and ICA.  The important conversation focused on the need to actively broaden the definition, outreach and literature that comprises South Asian Americans to include Indo-Caribbeans.

You can read the full report on the Summit here.  

4.    Indo-Caribbean is elected to public office

At 41 years old, John Mootooveren received the highest number of votes of all members elected to the Schenectady City Council.  With this, Mr. Mootooveren also becomes the first Indo-Caribbean American to be elected to public office.  Strikingly different from previous attempts at public office in more established Indo-Caribbean neighborhoods, Mr. Mootooveren was able to build a broad coalition that included support from the local Democratic Party.  Mr. Mootooveren moved to Schenectady from Queens, NY in 2001 and resides there with his family.    

3.    Life and death on Liberty

Even as New York City recorded some of the lowest crime rates in its history, shockingly violent deaths seemed to visit the Indo-Caribbean enclaves in Queens predictably every weekend, at the usual locations.   

To close 2013, a 23-year-old was shot several times in the chest near the popular Silver Lounge on Liberty Ave in the wee hours of the morning.  This was just the latest episode in a year that saw many young Indo-Caribbean males murdered or young Indo-Caribbean women assaulted.

In January, one man was shot to death and one stabbed outside Flavor Lounge, which has since closed.  In March, 24-year-old Deosarran Ramdular was killed by a bouncer near Moka Nightclub in Jamaica.  This was just the latest violent incident at this establishment in a long string of reported and unreported incidents.  In May, a 21-year-old was fatally stabbed in brawl outside Level Ultra Lounge on Liberty Ave after going out to celebrate his girlfriends’ birthday.  This was also the site where a young woman was allegedly drugged and raped, according to NYPD reports. Over the summer another brawl erupted between LGBT patrons and artists/musicians at Players Restaurant and Bar on Liberty Ave.  This captured headlines and motived many elected officials, community members, organizations and businesses, including ICA, to rally against rampaging violence in our community and the alleged homophobic attack.  Perhaps the most shocking was the beating of an off-duty NYPD Sargent, Mohammed Deen, in the heart of Liberty Ave in front of his wife, all caught on video.   

Many maintain hope that the younger generations growing up in the community would shift entirely from a tradition of violence and alcohol abuse, yet it seems to persist.  We can all hope for a safer 2014.  

2.    Finding a cure for HIV

Dr. Deborah Persaud of Johns Hopkins Children’s Center made headlines this spring when she and her colleagues announced the first functional cure for HIV in an infant.  The news was widely covered, but also a particular revelation to the Indo-Caribbean community who had not heard of Dr. Persaud before this. Dr. Persaud has been an active pediatric HIV researcher for over two decades and is seen by many as a leader in the field.  Time magazine named Dr. Persaud to the world’s 100 most influential people, perhaps the first Indo-Caribbean to ever make the coveted list. 

Dr. Persaud was born in Guyana and moved to Brooklyn, NY at age 16.  She received her medical degree from the NYU School of Medicine. 

1.    Bringing “Coolie” Back

Author Gaiutra Bahadur’s Coolie Woman: The Odyssey of Indenture has received critical acclaim from around the world although it was only released at the end of the year.  This seminal work for Indo-Caribbeans uses a feminist lens to examine the role of her grandmother and by extension other women, played during indentureship.  Her careful research and captivating narrative allows for an unprecedented revelation of this history, culture and identity perhaps like none other before it.  As the work continues to receive critical acclaim, the previously concealed stories of Indo-Caribbean indentureship are finally getting out. 

Gaiutra is an author, journalist, and book critic of Guyanese origin.  She studied literature at Yale University and journalism at Columbia University.  

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Please let us know if we forgot something. Share your feedback, add to the list and/or repost.

The list is only meant to spark discussion and reflection. In the interest of full disclosure, we explained our participation in different events while we intentionally excluded ICA's core initiatives to offer an objective perspective.  

Our Board Secretary, Odessa Devi Despot, wrote this wonderful piece on Indo-Caribbean women migrants for the South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA):  

Read more on SAADA's website: http://www.saadigitalarchive.org/tides/article/20131008-3188

Student activists in our Youth Leadership Program made this public service announcement in response to the increasing use of hookah in South Queens, and in New York City. They were shocked to learn some of the side effects and thought more people should be made aware of them. The video was written and directed in late 2012 by these students with the help of ICA program advisors.

To learn more about Hookah, visit www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact­_sheets/tobacco_industry/hookahs

We are now offering FREE SAT Classes for the June 1st exam. Our program includes 8 sessions of private instructional classes in Math, Writing, and Critical reading as well as 3 practice exams.  Classes start March 16th and registration is required by March 14th.  Send an email to [email protected] to sign up!  Location will be provided upon registration.

Check out this video from our SAT Class

ICA is proud to offer basic Hindi language classes in Richmond Hill. Classes will start Wednesday, March 13th and will recur every Wednesday until the end of June 2013 from 6:30 - 8:30pm. To register email us at [email protected]. We recommend a donation of $25 for the entire program.

Here is a video from our Hindi class: