Brooklyn, NY: The Guyana Cultural Association of New York announced its 2010 Guyana Folk Festival awards for the 9th year on August 10, 2010. The Awards recognize individuals, organizations and businesses whose work of excellence in Guyana and the Diaspora demonstrate Diversity in Our Villages, Harmony in Our Culture. We salute the contributions by youth and, especially, we acknowledge individuals from village communities who enrich Guyanese society.

In concert with our theme, our honorees have excelled across a wide range of disciplines including the arts, community development, medical care, sports, and education. Our Lifetime Achievement award goes to Joseph “Reds” Perreira, and the Exemplary recipient is Gem Rohlehr, who are stalwarts in sports and music, respectively. We are particularly proud that all honorees have shown cultural attributes that Guyanese admire, honor or preserve.

The award ceremony is on Thursday, September 2, 2010 at Borough Hall in Brooklyn, New York. Space limitations require that invitations be issued to Awardees and their special guests.

HONOR LIST

•  Harold Banarsee -- Community Development

•  Ivor J. Benjamin, M.D. -- Medical Care

•  Buxton Fusion School of Music -- Arts

•  Michael Charles -- Arts

•  Tennicia De Freitas -- Arts - Youth

•  Chelsea Edghill -- Sports - Youth

•  Aliza Fatima -- Community Development - Youth

•  Muriel Glasgow -- Community Development

•  Hampshire Reunion Organization -- Community Development

•  Carl Hazlewood -- Arts

•  Andrew Hillman -- Medical Care -Youth

•  Peter Jailall -- Education

•  Chuck Mohan -- Community Development

•  Fitzpatrick Nedd -- Community Development

•  Joseph "Reds" Perreira -- Sports - Lifetime Achievement

•  Eric Phillips -- Community Development

•  Shaundel A. A. Phillips -- Education

•  Lisa Richmond -- Arts - Youth

•  Gem Rohlehr -- Arts - Exemplary Award

•  Cynthia Rutherford -- Arts - Youth

•  Desmond Saul -- Community Development

•  Roy Singh -- Cultural Enabler

•  Marguerite Thompson-Alleyne -- Community Development-Youth

•  Genevieve Whyte - Nedd -- Education & Community Development

Details about 2010 Folk Festival events are available on the GCA website www.guyfolkfest.org. Our Cultural Director, Claire Goring can be contacted at telephone number 718.209.5207.

Ronald H. Lammy
Co-Chair, Guyana Cultural Association Awards Committee

Introduction of 2010 GCA Awardees

At the core of the annual presentation of the Guyana Cultural Association of New York Awards is a service strategy and it shows itself in a defined operating infrastructure. Both are in support of the organization's mission. What success looks like for the considered approach can be seen in the announcement of the 2010 GCA Guyana Folk Festival Awards. We recognize individuals and entities for their work, much of it selfless, in Guyana and its Diaspora. We salute the contributions by youth and, especially, we acknowledge individuals from village communities who enrich Guyanese society. Our honorees have excelled across a wide range of disciplines including the arts, community development, medical care, sports, and education.

A theme for each year's events is voted on by members; in 2010 it is Diversity in Our Villages, Harmony in Our Culture. Nominations are submitted in the most open process related to contemporary "things Guyanese". Selections are made based on criteria, developed to best-in-class world standards, as described here.

All honorees have demonstrated by their individual or organizational efforts a sense of purpose in promoting positive Guyanese traditions. Their work met the distinction of being exemplary models that can inspire others. Each contribution has the characteristics that Guyanese can admire and emulate.

Youth awardees are above average in their scholastic and extra curricular accomplishments. Similarly, the individual adults and the leaders of organizations portrayed high levels of skill in an array of positive deeds. Some of the activities were conducted for decades, unsung.

The Lifetime Achievement awardee, Joseph "Reds"� Perreira, has an indomitable spirit, overcoming many obstacles to make significant achievements in life. He has lived his dreams in sports as his recent autobiography confirms. His talents and accomplishments internationally, under personal struggles, show a character that personifies the ideals of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Exemplary Award honoree, Gem Rohlehr has recorded superior accomplishments in music from childhood and is dedicated to a career in education. She has combined a passion for singing with the discipline of scholarship. Her pedagogical philosophy and teaching practices are as noteworthy as being judged "Overall Champion"� at the 2009 Guyana Music Festival.

All of our honorees have been described by superlatives, as well. These Guyanese, with highly impressive credentials, make their compatriots proud and by their example, inspire others. There are groups of us who should feel moved to step out of our enclaves or cocoons. We are in places like Boston, Queens, Toronto, and London, for example. More of us should cross over self-imposed boundaries to expand the flow of excellence that we can all celebrate. The Guyana Folk Festival Awards, through its open processes, offers all Guyanese the opportunity to participate in identifying, nurturing and celebrating the best of ourselves.

Ronald H. Lammy,
Co-Chair, GCA Guyana Folk Festival Awards Committee