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Ph.D. Candidate, Leah Persaud, Pursues Groundbreaking Cancer Research at Lehman College

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Born to Guyanese parents,  Bronx native Leah Persaud, is a Ph.D. candidate in biology at the CUNY Graduate Center at Lehman College. Since 2015, Persaud has been conducting research in the lab of Moira Sauane, a professor in Lehman’s Department of Biological Sciences, that she hopes will ultimately lead to new cancer therapies and drug treatments.

“The Lehman campus was always my first choice,” said Persaud, who expects to earn her Ph.D. by the summer of 2019. “It was a great feeling to come full circle and return to the Bronx to finish my formal education by working on a Ph.D. And of all the labs I’ve worked in, this is the best. Sauane is super personable and supportive, very hands on. When there were new experiments and techniques I needed to get acquainted with, she was there for me.”

Persaud’s preference for the Lehman lab—and for the College overall—came out of her first-year research rotation experience working with Sauane. “Leah has consistently demonstrated exceptional talent, dedication, and commitment as a young scientist,” said Sauane. “In the course of her work in my laboratory, she has independently planned and executed challenging research goals.”

Persaud, who grew up in the Wakefield section of the Bronx and now lives in Riverdale, first developed an interest in science as a student at Brooklyn Technical High School. As as undergraduate at the University of New Haven, she was preparing for a career as a forensic scientist, but an internship in Germany “reignited” her interest in scientific research. She discovered that much of her work in forensics was transferable to the biology research lab.

Her current work is closely involved with Sauane’s research on gene therapy and developing anti-cancer therapeutic agents for treatment. She has done extensive work with Interleukin 24, (IL-24) a tumor-suppressing protein molecule found in the human body’s immune system. Several studies have shown that cancer cells die when exposed to IL-24. This new treatment is currently in phase II clinical trials.

Persaud’s work with Sauane and others on this subject was recently published in The Journal of Molecular Cancer Research. Earlier this year, Persaud presented the results of these experiments at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference and is awaiting publication of an article in the periodical Cancer Journal.

Outside of the lab, Persaud teaches microbiology at Lehman and for the past two summers, she has mentored local high school students as part of the College’s STEM Research Academy.

“I always remind my students that you’re always learning,” she said. “Sometimes experiments don’t work, so you have to deal with disappointment and failure. But when you get amazing results in an experiment, it inspires you to do more.”

 ORIGINAL STORY….

Ph.D. Candidate Pursues Groundbreaking Cancer Research in Lehman Biology Lab

When Bronx native Leah Persaud, a Ph.D. candidate in biology at the CUNY Graduate Center, was deciding what lab to work in, she came to Lehman College. Since 2015, Persaud has been conducting research in the lab of Moira Sauane, a professor in Lehman’s Department of Biological Sciences, that she hopes will ultimately lead to new cancer therapies and drug treatments.

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Guyanese Actress, Letitia Wright plays “Fierce” Princess Shuri in Upcoming Black Panther Movie

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The much anticipated Marvel Studios’ Black Panther movie is just 2 weeks away from hitting theatres on February 16th, and we’re so proud see one of our very own light up the big screen.  Last night stars turned out for the Black Panther world premiere at L.A.’s Dolby Theatre and Letitia Wright was a red carpet favorite. The 24, who was born in Guyana and raised in London,  plays the role of Shuri the technologically proficient princess from the land of Wakanda.

“It feels like such a huge blessing and a dream come true!”

In an interview with eonline, Letitia said she’d been dreaming of a role like this since she was a teenager and it’s something she’d “always” kept in mind.  “It’s a privilege to be able to have such a character that a young girl can look back on, watch this film and be like, ‘Hey, I might want to be a scientist. I want to be in technology,'” she said. “Yeah, I think that’s amazing.”

Letitia weighs in above on her character Shuri being a role model for young girls.

Letitia on the red carpet of Black Panther premiere.

Migrating to London with her mother from Guyana at the age of six, Letitia first fell in love with acting at her Finsbury Park primary school when she got the opportunity to play a young Rosa Parks onstage.  She got her start on TV in the British series Doctor Who, Cucumber and Chasing Shadows and later had a key role in Steven Spielberg’s“Ready Player One.  She  is known for her roles in Glasgow Girls, My Brother the Devil and Urban Hymn.  Letitia also plays the role of  Irene “Rene” Watson, on season 2 of the AMC Sci-Fi Drama Series “Humans.”   Letitia also played the role of  Irene “Rene” Watson in the AMC Sci-Fi Drama Series “Humans.”

Letitia is staring alongside Hollywood powerhouse actresses Angela Bassett,  Lupita Nyong’o  and Phylicia Rashad.

“Playing Shuri was so refreshing. She’s strong, and she can kick butt. She’s intelligent, she loves Wakanda, and she loves creating technology to protect her people. But you see when she’s scared, when she’s frightened, when she’s afraid for her family. Even with some of the male characters [in the movie], you see moments when they are weak. Shuri was the sort of character I went home and studied to find out the reason she does things.”

“I’m excited for what Black Panther is about to do, not just for young black boys and girls, but for everyone. There’s a black superhero, but then we’re going to have more Asian superheroes and more from India. The solution to the problem being: We don’t have enough of this so we’re going to make more. I’m excited ” ~ Letitia Wright

According to mobile ticketing company Fandango.com advance ticket sales has surpassed the 2016’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and is currently the #1 daily ticket-seller although its still 16 days away from opening day.

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She Rocks! Meet Rashada Harry – Award Winning Tech Enthusiast, Founder of Your Future Your Ambition, UK

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Rashada Harry is the Co-Founder of  Your Future Your Ambition,  a social enterprise she created in 2012 with her business partner Tunji Akintokun, which aims to encourage people from Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority backgrounds into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related careers.  The social enterprise has been recognized for its excellence and the directors as leaders and role models in STEM.  Rashada was motivated to help start YFYA after seeing the lack of ethnic minority women in the technology industry when she joined the industry as a graduate trainee.

“I was the only black female in Europe within my graduate course,” she said. “Women from ethnic minorities are still very much under-represented in technology and we want to change that. The purpose of Your Future, Your Ambition is to make people aware of what’s out there.”

Through YFYA, Rashada helps to bring together big corporations and provides them with a platform to educate, inform, inspire, encourage and motivate young people from the age of seven to 23 years into an array of career options in STEM. Since its launch 5 years ago, over 3000 students have attended the YFYA annual event, and 620 students have also participated in the YFYA mentorship programme. YFYA has invested significant finance into community programs which included charities such as 100 Black Men of London, AbleChildAfrica and Street Child Africa.

By day Rashada is a National Account Manager responsible for enterprise sales at Vodafone Global Enterprise. She possesses a strong track record of new business development, account management, and consultative selling into Enterprise client organizations offset against aggressive sales targets (in excess of €50m). Prior to joining Vodafone she spent nearly 10 years with Cisco where she worked as a global business development manager for EMEAR (Europe Middle East Africa & Russia).  She was the only black female on the highly competitive Sales academy program which was spanned across Europe. She was selected as one of the top 10 graduates in the UK from over 8,000 applicants.  It was during this program that she believed more needed to be done to bring more diverse talent into the organisation. With this in mind and in her spare time she then helped to form and co-lead the Cisco Black Professional Employee Network EMEAR- (CBP) which focussed on promoting inclusive leadership, inspiring and empowering its members to achieve their potential.

Through this work Rashada was asked to sit on the board of the global CBP employee group where she led the community pillar advising on different ways to engage the local communities in technology activities.  Rashada was twice promoted during her 9 years at Cisco and worked as Global Business Development Manager covering the EMEAR (Europe Middle East Africa & Russia) region before leaving Cisco in late 2013.

In 2014 Rashada was a STEM leader finalist in the British Black Business Awards as an inspiration model for the next generation of business leaders for her work with Your Future Your Ambition in STEM.”  She was also  a nominee for the 2015  National Diversity Awards.

In 2015 she was awarded a top tech rising star award by WeAreTheCity and in 2017 she won the 2017 Women in Technology from Women For Africa Awards, when she represented Guyana.  She was also listed as a top 30 future leader by EMpower and the Financial Times in the UK. She was also named one of the 2017 Top 30 Ethnic Minority Future Leaders.

Rashada is very passionate about diversity in STEM and will continue to drive and lead the wider annual YFYA initiative in 2018. In addition YFYA Meets a new arm of Your Future Your Ambition which seeks to give students work experience in STEM fields will also be piloted in 2018.

2018 is set to be an exciting year for YFYA when Rashada alongside the team and Stakeholders return to the Emirates stadium in October to continuing the success of the 2017 annual event in inspiring young people to realise their potential and meet the role models and mentors who want to support them on their STEM journey.

Website: www.yfya.co.uk

Twitter/instagram: @yfyauk

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She Rocks! Middle Distance Runner, Andrea Foster, named “Woman of the Year”

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Future Olympian, Andrea Fosters, recently added another award to her outstanding resume when she was named “Woman of the Year” by the New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women!  The middle distance runner is the first Guyanese student to receive this distinguished honor. This annual recognition is awarded during the month of February in honor of the 32nd anniversary of National Girls & Women in Sports Day; a national observance celebrating the extraordinary achievements of women and girls in sports

Andrea Foster named Woman of the Year

In 2017 Andrea was  named the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I Cross Country Women’s Athlete of the Year – Atlantic Region, the first such honor in cross country for an Essex student-athlete. She was also named the Cross Country of the Year athlete for 2016 and Essex County College Women’s Cross Country Most Valuable Runner for the 2016/2017, and Essex’ 2016/2017 Women’s Cross Country Academic Scholar.

Andrea started running when she was 13 and continues to excel. She was a double bronze medal winner in the 800 and 1,500 meters at the 2016 CARIFTA (Caribbean Free Trade Association) Games. She also represented Guyana at the 2015 World Championships held in Beijing, China.  

It’s no surprise that Andrea has had success as an  athlete. Her mother Alisha Fortune, a massage therapist and body builder, has also competed and won several gold medals for Guyana and  in the 100, 200 and 400 meters race categories.

“This is a quite an honor, I thank my teachers, my coaches and my family. This award reflects all the support they have given me as I achieved my academic and athletic goals.”

Andrea earned a scholarship in 2016 to attend Essex County College in New Jersey, and  is a straight ‘A’ student studying General Science.   She garnered inspiration from 2008 Summer Olympian, Marian Burnett, who is also Guyanese, and an Essex College alumna.

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Women in History: Gertie Wood – Pioneer Women’s Rights Activist

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Meet Gertie Wood: Pioneer Women’s Rights ActivistGertie Wood’s name has appeared at fleeting moments on the periphery of scholarship on the Guyanese women’s movement. As such not much has been said or published on the significant volume of work and activism she undertook for women and girls in British Guiana. Social worker, women’s rights activist, accomplished concert artist, and politician, Wood was sometimes the sole female voice articulating for women and equitable conditions of work in the period of her greatest activity, the 1930s. She was vigorous, sustained and varied in her progressive activism on behalf of women in an age where women’s voices and activity outside of charitable work were seen as subversive.

There were women, before and after, who openly addressed and were proactive on gender, political and trade union issues. But in many respects Wood was a pioneer before her more prominent successors in the women’s movement.

Wood preceded in activism some of the more prominent names that followed in her footsteps. The work of Hazel Woolford and Roberta Kilkenny, among others, has identified these early pioneering women of social activism including Frances Stafford, Marie Bayley, Gertrude Collins, Johanna Harris, Governors’ wives, and of course the even more recognized names such as Jessica Huntley, Janet Jagan and Winifred Gaskin.

But for the 1930s, one name stood out, Gertie Wood.  Read more about this amazing activist by clicking the link below.

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Guyanese Dawn Iona Fox Win Prestigious OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards

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Reproduced from Face2FaceAfrica.  Germaine Djuidje Kenmoe from Cameroon and Dawn Iona Fox (extreme right) from Guyana have won the prestigious OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World.

Cameroonian and Guyanese win prestigious prize for women scientistsThe high-profile award aims to recognize the scientific and career achievements of women from developing countries in five regions: Latin America and the Caribbean, the Arab region, Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South Asia, and East and South-East Asia and the Pacific. The theme for 2018 was physical sciences, including chemistry, mathematics and physics.

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Filmmaker Romola Lucas is Commited to Showcasing Guyanese & Caribbean Movies

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 It was out of the need to connect with Guyanese who were interested in seeing films by Guyanese and Caribbean filmmakers that the Timehri Film Festival was born three years ago, according to Romola Lucas, one of its founders. And while the business community and the government

And while the business community and the government have not fully bought in to the festival financially, Lucas is heartened by the response at the community level, in places such as the juvenile centres and the prison.

An attorney by profession, Lucas was fed up of looking at movies “made in Hollywood and tired of seeing movies with stories bearing no relation to my life experience.”

She took matters into her own hands and with the assistance of another first formed the Caribbean Film Academy (CaFA) and later the local film festival that not only showcases Guyanese films but those from other Caribbean countries.

“I’m Guyanese and I love film. I felt very sure there were other Guyanese who love film and wanted to see films by Guyanese and Caribbean filmmakers. I wanted to connect with those people, and watch films with them,” Lucas told Stabroek News in a recent interview.

She had also hoped that there were people in Guyana who wanted to become filmmakers, who would use the festival to explore their interest and be inspired by the work of other artists.

Apart from being involved with the festival since its inception, Lucas has been promoting Caribbean film for the past five years in New York and always wanted to bring films to Guyana in a meaningful way.

Lucas is an accomplished attorney as well and according to her website she has a broad range of experience in transactional matters. Her areas of experience are estate planning, probate and administration, and non-profit law corporate law. Her clients include individuals, senior, small businesses, artists – filmmakers, dancers, writers – and members of the LGBTQ community.

As to what is next for the Timehri Film Festival, Lucas said they plan on expanding the screenings to more remote parts of the country, having more schools participate in the screenings, continuing to bring great Caribbean cinema to Guyanese audiences, and offering a full complement of filmmaking classes/workshops.

As to the motivation behind the name of the festival, Lucas said she never liked the fact that the name of the country’s main airport was changed from Timehri to the name of a person, (Dr Cheddi Jagan) even a former president.

Click here to view original article at www.stabroeknews.com

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Nazima Raghubir is the First Woman Elected to Guyana Press Association

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SHE was recently elected the first woman president of the Guyana Press Association (GPA), shattering the glass ceiling that existed for seven decades.

Although excited for her new role, Nazima Raghubir is ready to hit the ground running with plans to have the GPA offer more training for its journalists.

Guyana's first woman press association president thinks big“There is a high turnover of media workers, journalists in Guyana. A lot of us aren’t trained and we don’t have a journalism programme at our university. A lot come in after being trained in public relations and, to give an example, we have the oil and gas industry that is proving to be a major sector and a lot are not trained to understand the very basics. We recently had an issue with the Government and ExonMobil and the media came under criticism for not dissecting the contract the way we ought to have done. Part of that has to do with being under-resourced and the fact that media houses across the region have the same constraints, in that you’re here today at a feminism conference but when you go back you may have to cover a fire, the business chamber, a presentation on investment. A lot of us are not trained in specialised areas and so training has to be sustained,” Raghubir said.

Her other plans include transforming the GPA into a project-based body, supplying particular services as a media association and generating it’s own income. She also intends to focus on broadening the GPA’s base as a press association and has proposed to have some amount of constitutional reform to ensure more people in the profession are represented.

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She Rocks! Meet Rochelle Porter, Founder & Creative Director of RPD LifeStyle Brand

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Rochelle Porter has never met a blank surface she didn’t want to draw on. A lifelong lover of global design traditions, the Atlanta-based artist takes cues from the breezy hues of her Caribbean roots, the stark simplicity of Scandinavian prints and the bold geometrics of West African weaves to create vibrant, eye-catching textiles for the home décor and apparel markets. Her travel-inspired patterns feature joyful, unexpected burst of color and classic motifs with a fresh, modern twist.

Founder and Lead Designer, Rochelle Porter
Founder and Lead Designer, Rochelle Porter

Upon learning of the unethical and environmentally hazardous labor practices of today’s globalized “fast fashion” industry, Rochelle nearly abandoned her dream of becoming a designer. That is, until she figured out that style could also be sustainable. Combining her passion for patterns with her commitment to social responsibility, she formed Rochelle Porter Design (RPD), a lifestyle brand specializing in thoughtfully made, eco-friendly home and fashion accessories.

RPD colorful eco-friendly products
RPD colorful eco-friendly products

True to its tagline, “Design for abundant living,” the company believes everyone along the value chain should have the chance to live well—from the farmer who picks the pesticide-free organic cotton for its textiles, to the customer who puts them on her sofa. RPD prioritizes fair pay, environmentally safe manufacturing, and the use of allergy-free and organic materials whenever possible. Additionally, a portion of the company’s proceeds go to organizations that help human trafficking survivors and displaced families rebuild their lives.

RPD zipper pouch

The talented designer’s journey began in Georgetown, Guyana where she was born. Her parents both grew up in West Coast Berbice; her mother is  from Yeovil, and her father is from Lovely Lass Village.  Rochelle shared the following about her childhood years in Guyana and beyond.

“When I was one-year-old, my parents emigrated to London, where my dad was a University student, for a short period. During that time, I lived with both sets of grandparents. I was the first grandchild on both sides of the family. Both of my parents come from huge families, so I was spoiled rotten by my many aunts, uncles, cousins, and family friends.  After  my parents returned from England, we moved to Linden where my father held a job as a civil servant for GuyMine. At 5 years old, I moved with my parents and 18-month old sister to Brooklyn, New York.”

RPD Pillow Covers
RPD Pillow Covers

Rochelle has been featured on Caribbean Life, In Her Shoes, Black Southern Belle, Emory University News, and on mybrownbox.com’s Brown Girl Boss Owned Businesses to Support in 2017 and Beyond list. She was recently selected at the featured artist for the High Museum of Art’s celebration of the MAKING AFRICA: A Continent of Contemporary Designexhibition. RPD’s playfully sophisticated products have been sold at West Elm, on Zuvaa.com, and in local boutiques.

RPD Wall Decor
RPD Wall Decor

To learn more about Rochelle’s designs, visit rochelleporter.com

Instagram, Twitter, Facebook: @roporterdesign

www.linkedin.com/in/rochelleporter

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She Rocks! Meet Honorable Assemblywoman Alicia L. Hyndman, NYS 29th District

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Assemblywoman Alicia L. Hyndman was elected to the New York State Assembly on November 10, 2015 in the 29th AD, encompassing the neighborhoods of Laurelton, Rosedale, St. Albans, Addisleigh Park, Hollis, Springfield Gardens and Jamaica. The daughter of Guyanese  immigrants, Assemblywoman Hyndman emigrated to the U.S. from London, England as a young child. She spent her formative years growing up in Hollis & South Ozone Park attending public schools, PS 34, IS 109, JHS 226 & John Adams High School.

Prior to being elected to the State Legislature, Assemblywoman Hyndman worked closely with community stakeholders as an active member of Community Boards 12Q, and 13Q, serving as a member of the Boards Education Committees, and also as a regular participant of the Rosedale Civic Association. Additionally, Assemblywoman Hyndman served on the NYC Department of Education’s Community District Education Council 29 (CEC 29) for ten years, the last four years as President. Leading the advocacy for the 36 elementary and middle schools in the district, through collaborative leadership, she was able to bring in $30 million in capital funding for technology upgrades, facilities improvements, playground rehabilitation and other amenities to enhance the quality of education for students.

Assemblywoman Hyndman’s professional career spans over a decade and a half with the NYS Department of Education as a Senior Professional Conduct Investigator, overseeing trade and vocational schools. She previously has held many positions in the fields of education and higher learning including but not limited to: Counselor for the Brooklyn College Talent Search Program; Director of Minority Affairs at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of NYIT; Assistant with the New York State Education Department Office of Higher Education. Assemblywoman Hyndman also helped create the Long Island Barber Institute which graduated hundreds of Queens residents, allowing them to obtain jobs and become entrepreneurs, and opening dozens of establishments throughout the Borough.

As a longtime community education advocate, Assemblywoman Hyndman will focus heavily on bringing resources and information back into the community to support youth and senior services, alleviate flooding, grow small businesses, and provide access to living wage jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities. She will continue her advocacy in Albany as a tireless fighter for residents of the 29th Assembly District.

Assemblywoman Hyndman holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Framingham State College, Mass. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She currently resides in Rosedale, Queens with her two lovely daughters Nia and Nyla.

Assemblywoman Hyndman is up for re-election this coming November.   To learn more about her work visit:  http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Alicia-Hyndman   Click HERE to support her Campaign.

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Five Guyanese Sisters Dominate Kansas City Hair Scene with Unique “Bubble Braid” Technique

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A family that braids together stays together!  The braiding technique developed by the talented Smith sisters has made them a household name in Kansas City, Missouri and earned them a well-deserved feature in the May issue of Allure Magazine.  Originally from Linden, the five sisters (Glynnis, Shelly, Rhonda, Alecia and Leslyn Smith) are the powerhouse stylists at “Braid Heaven” Hair Salon who have perfected the “bubble braiding” technique.  Here’s their story by Allure Magazine. They rock!

How Kansas City\'s Braid Heaven Perfected the \

Photographed by Fumi Nagasaka

Before the three-month waitlists and clients from both coasts, there were just the five Smith sisters, who moved from Guyana to Kansas City. That was over 25 years ago, and the oldest, Glynnis, was beginning to play with a new form of braiding hair. A bubble braid, she’d call it. Her brother’s girlfriend begged her to braid her hair in the same style, and demand zipped through the neighborhood. Glynnis soon found herself braiding for 10 to 12 hours a day, six days a week, and still had to turn away clients. In 2006, she opened Braid Heaven, a five-chair salon on Kansas City’s Lloyd Street.

How Kansas City\'s Braid Heaven Perfected the \

Glynnis Smith has only ever shared her bubble-braiding technique with her four sisters (one of whom sees clients out of her Dallas home) and one niece; they remain the salon’s only employees. So what exactly is this family secret?

How Kansas City\'s Braid Heaven Perfected the \
Photographed by Fumi Nagasaka

Instead of just pulling their clients’ natural hair into braids, the Smiths braid human or synthetic extensions into the hair in such a way that the natural hair rests, protected, underneath the braids. If you don’t totally follow, it’s OK — we don’t, either. But the secret wouldn’t be much of a secret if they gave us any more information. What we can totally grasp: The technique lets women toss their braided hair up into a ponytail or switch the part without revealing tracks or wefts. It also allows the bubble-braiders to work with hair that has different curl patterns.

How Kansas City\'s Braid Heaven Perfected the \

The first appointment can take four to six hours, but the technique lasts a month longer than a traditional weave.

“With natural black hair, there is no uniformity on a single head,” says Shelly Smith. “With our technique, we can add in several different textures of hair, and that inconsistency makes it look real.” Bubble-braiding, very simply, creates the illusion of a full, fluffy head of natural hair. It’s so dramatic that if you were this Allure editor, you’d have to stop a woman in a restaurant to find out where she got her hair done. (And during your two-minute conversation, another stranger would interrupt to ask the same thing.) There’s word of mouth, and then there’s full-on phenomenon.

Five Guyanese Sisters Dominate Kansas City Hair Scene with Unique \

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Former Miss World Guyana Finalist, Marva Langevine, Receives Queen’s Young Leaders Award

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On Tuesday June 26, 2018, Queen Elizabeth II presented Guyanese Marva Langevine with a Queen’s Young Leaders Award at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London.

Marva accepting her award from Queen Elizabeth II

According to her bio published on www.queensyoungleaders.com, Marva is transforming the lives of bereaved, sick and underprivileged children and families in Guyana. She is the founder of the Guyana Golden Lives Organization, which she has used to open up a national conversation about the loss of a loved one in childhood.  The organisation provides financial and psycho-social support services for bereaved children, job opportunities for widows, and food hampers and building materials for low income families.

Marva’s official invitation to Buckingham Palace

Marva has also created Camp Golden, a camp for bereaved young people, which provides counselling, food, shelter and educational opportunities. In addition, Marva is a founding member of Den-Amstel Dynamic Network, a youth group focused on restoring the cultural art forms for which her home village of Den-Amstel was once famous.

Marva during an interview with BBC World News

The Queen’s Young Leader Award recognises and celebrates exceptional people aged 18-29 from across the Commonwealth, who are taking the lead in their communities and using their skills to transform lives. Winners of this prestigious Award will receive a unique package of training, mentoring and networking, including a one-week residential programme in the UK during which they will collect their Award from Her Majesty The Queen. With this support, Award winners will be expected to continue and develop the amazing work they are already doing in their communities.

2018 Queens Young Leaders

Two years ago, Marva was a finalist of the 2016 Miss World Guyana Pageant,  and won the “Beauty With A Purpose” segment of the Pageant.  Following the competition she posted the following very touching statement to her Facebook Page.

“As a finalist in the MissWorld Guyana 2016 pageant and the eventual winner of the Beauty With A Purpose award ,I was able to use my voice to spread awareness of Childhood bereavement through various initiatives. I worked with an amazing team to create the first “grief camp “in Guyana which provides support through mentoring for children who lost a parent or loved one. With Support from my generous sponsors, friends and family, assistance was also provided for financially burdened bereaved families. Giving grieving children a chance to cope, grow and succeed has definitely changed my life !” 

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen nor touched, but are felt in the heart, hope is grief’s best music.Grieving allows us to heal, to remember with love rather than pain.” ~ Marva Langevine

Marva proudly displays the Guyana Flag.

In the future, Marva hopes to hold ‘grief in the classroom’ workshops for teachers and community outreach initiatives on bereavement.

She Rocks! Groomer Luanna Pierre Will Transform Your Pet From Rags to Riches

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Luana Pierre is the owner of Pawsome Pets Guyana, a new pet grooming business located in Georgetown. Pawsome Pets Guyana is the only professional pet grooming service in the country. Mrs. Pierre has more than 25 years of experience in animal health and 10 years of pet grooming experience.

Luana has been one of my best friends for more than thirty-five years. She was the friend who made me laugh with her dry humor, but she was also honest and always showed grit and support when I needed her advice. I remember that Luana was always surrounded by pets while growing up with her parents and two brothers in Georgetown. That led to her interest in a career in animal health at the Ministry of Agriculture in Guyana working initially as a livestock assistant at the government livestock farm. She then went on to work at REAHA as an Animal Health Assistant and she continued to work with Veterinarians at the Ministry of Agriculture. Luana made her first foray into entrepreneurship when she started a chicken farm with more than 9000 birds!

When Luana’s husband, Mark Pierre, started a Veterinary practice in 2008, she saw the need for grooming as an additional service for local owners and their pets. Luana attended the University of Guyana and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture while continuing to provide the local community with pet grooming services on a part-time basis. Seeing a unique business opportunity, she started Guyana’s first grooming parlor, Pawsome Pets Guyana, in 2016. Luana sees her work as a wonderful daily adventure. “I especially get excited when I have to transform a client from what I call “rags to riches” – when a client comes in with matted, greasy hair and they leave looking like a whole new pet,” she says.

“It’s never been about the money for me. I enjoy having full days transforming every animal possible. As the days are almost over, I still feel energized.”

In September 2016, she travelled to the International Pet Grooming Exposition in Pennsylvania with financial support from the Small Business Bureau. There she received additional technical training and expertise as well as international exposure. When she opened the professional grooming business at the Giftland Mall the response to her service was enthusiastic and immediate success. Dogs and sometimes cats from all over Georgetown and other areas have been visiting the salon for grooming and more since it opened. In addition to pet grooming the salon offers other much needed services such as microchipping, deworming and vaccines and retail products. She also makes which party cakes for dogs available to order. They provide livestock consultations to local farmers and business entrepreneurs. Luana and her husband, Mark Pierre, are parents to three children who love animals just as much as they do. The children are actively involved in various aspects of the business from social media to helping to manage the retail store within the salon. This is truly a family effort by a family who loves animals, especially dogs.

This Guyanese Girl truly rocks!

For more information about Luana Pierre and Pawsome Pets visit:
Pawsome Pets Guyana – www.pawsomepetsgy.com
Facebook – Pawsome Pets Guyana
Twitter – Pawsome Pets Guyana
Instagram – @pawsomepetsguyana

She Rocks! L.Y.F.T.S. Founder Keshia Adams Is On a Mission To Reduce Poverty

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It’s said that true charity begin at home and Keshia Adams is determined not to keep it there.  The Brooklyn-Based Executive Director/Founder of Lifting You For Tomorrow’s Success (L.Y.F.T.S) is on a mission to break the cycle of poverty for families in her community and in Guyana.  L.Y.F.T.S. is a  non-profit organization that tackles many social problems like poverty, at-risk youth, and hunger. Another passion of Keshia is the The Adams Project (T.A.P.); a subsection of L.Y.F.T. that is dedicated to her grandmother (Winifred Adams), who had a strong philanthropic spirit.  Inspired by her grandmother’s natural love for human rights, Keshia became a social activist and is determined to help people in need and make a positive impact on their lives.  Here’s Keshia’s story.

Keshia Adams, Executive Director/Founder at LYFTS

“I found my purpose in life at the tender age of 9 with charitable works. I assist my aunt with her givebacks twice a year, her birthday and Christmas. After migrating to the United States I worked as a Teen Ambassador at Brooklyn Public library (Brownsville) while in high school; my responsibilities were assisting with homework, Anti- Gang intervention and working with the library’s’ outreach program.  While in college I have joined various social clubs where its main mission is to assist the needs of the urban and African American community.  We have hosted countless drives, fundraising and give backs for numerous charitable causes in low-income neighborhoods across Brooklyn.

I was born in Guyana and my family and I moved to the United States in 2003.  I attended  Berkeley College and in 2014 graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice.  That same year, I travelled to Guyana and immediately noticed that it had changed.  I witnessed the effects of poverty and I was dismayed of the lack of education for young people. Although, Guyana is a free public education system, many families are unable to send their children to school because the cost of living is high. Families were forced to forego the additional expense such as school uniforms, books and other school supplies.  The majority sent their children to work at local markets and as street vendors. I became inspired after this and began the setup of my own nonprofit organization, Lifting You For Tomorrow’s Success (L.Y.F.T.S).

LYFTS provides support to families, men, children and women living on or below poverty. We have been able to provide at least 950 students with school supplies, toys, food hygiene products and support workshops.   L.Y.F.T.S. continues with annual fundraising via material and monetary donations.  LYFTS has also supported children residing at the Tilden Family Shelter by providing them with Christmas toys as well as a parallel event in Guyana sponsoring an end of term Christmas party for the recipients of the back to school drive as a reward for their hard work and efforts during the school year.

Participants of L.Y.F.T.S Summer Saturday Stem Program

Under the LYFTS umbrella I have brought social awareness to my community, I’ve hosted annually women’s empowerment Panel Event (Targeting Young Women of color), Know Your Rights: immigration Forum to inform the community on their rights, Building Community Wealth: Finding community equity and Summer stem programming at Family shelters, Feeding with our hearts (aim to feed 100 men across Brooklyn), Financial Literacy workshop, and #1000carepackages campaign( where we aim to give out a 1000 care packages by the end of 2018. For the last 20 years I have been committed to community work, and this is just the being in my journey to help each person that needs my assistance. I am grateful for the few opportunities I have received to serve my community and I looking forward to exploring many more.

Apart from my community service, I also serve as Central Vice President and Co-chair of the Women’s Caucus for Brooklyn Young Democrats, we are committed to impact young people and be a catalyst for the blue wave; committed to the anti-Trump movement by assisting qualified candidates in their respected races. Along with my active political activism, I serve on two community board committees, Public Safety and Youth. I am also a proud member of Guyana Unity Movement (GUM).

Keshia during interview with Channel 67 about homelessness in NYC

I am currently working in the Social Service industry, I serve as the Criminal Justice coordinator at Help USA, which provides services to homeless individuals whom in which are on parole/probation and help many of my clients reclaim their lives.  I am also currently pursuing my Master’s in Public Policy and Administration at John Jay University.

My end goal is to become the better version of myself than I was yesterday.

She Rocks! Dr. Latoya Gooding is A Beacon Of Hope For Cancer-Stricken Patients in Guyana

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Dr. Latoya Shonell Gooding is a beacon of hope to many cancer-stricken patients in Guyana. She goes above and beyond to ensure they receive the best care as they battle this deadly disease. Her kindness has touched many families and helped most of her patients through those dark days. She was compelled into the field of medicine, specifically Oncology, following the death of her grandfather to prostate cancer. According to Dr. Gooding, he was given no form of treatment for the disease during his attendance at the clinic for two years.  A woman of few words, Dr. Gooding is very passionate about her patients and families, making sure that they are not faced with the same fate as her late grandfather. A proud resident of Bartica Region 7, she is the fourth of seven siblings and credits her large family for her success.

Dr. Latoya Gooding

During her early years, Dr. Gooding attended St. John the Baptist Primary School in Bartica but left her hometown and her family to attend high school in the city. As a student of Central High School, she was unsure of her place in the world but had a fair idea of what she wanted to do in life. At age 17, she started working at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation but resigned after obtaining a scholarship to study Medicine in Cuba.  Upon her return, Dr. Gooding continued working under the healthcare system but this time as a medical practitioner. This wife and mother is currently pursuing her masters in Oncology in Brazil and is working assiduously with the Giving Hope Foundation, an organization she founded, to help raise awareness and funds for treatment for persons living with cancer.

Dr. Gooding is the perfect example of the quote, “be the change you want to see in the world.” Through her foundation, she has helped many families including children who lost their parents to cancer to cope and adjust. She even formed support groups for cancer patients and survivors to motivate and encourage each other throughout their struggle.  Earlier this month her foundation wrapped up a five days Bereavement Camp at Madewini for children who lost their loved ones to both cancer and suicide.

GGR caught up with this dedicated humanitarian to chat about her personal journey as an oncologist.

Through your work you wear several hats.  What are some of the roles you play in your community and beyond.

I am a Medical Practitioner in the field of Oncology, President and Founder of Giving Hope Foundation, Medical Director of Beacon Foundation, and Pageantry as the Assistant Franchise Director of Miss Earth Guyana Pageant.

What motivated you to pursue a career in Medicine?

 I’ve always had a passion for helping others, however due to the death of my grandfather, the late Mr. James Gooding to prostate cancer, I was compelled to pursue a career in medicine, specializing in Oncology.

Dr. Gooding & First Lady of Guyana, HE Sandra Granger (center) with participants of the Giving Hope Foundation 2018 Bereavement Camp

We all know that the cost of medical care can be quite expensive, preventing many from seeking medical care.  What inspired you offer free screenings to the community?

The fact that my grandfather received no form of treatment for prostate cancer during the 2 years he was attending clinic, also seeing too many young women being diagnosed with late stages of cancer and dying (especially breast and cervical cancer), I started conducting free monthly cancer screening across Guyana.

Giving Hope Foundations at the 2018 Health Expo in Georgetown

What would you say is your proudest accomplishments to date?

I’m proud of a few accomplishments.  First, my son, Master Tyron Stephens.  Next, achieving my degree in Human Medicine at age 24, being the Founder and President of a non-profit organisation at age 27 and now pursuing my masters at age 29.  I was also awarded by Ministry of Public Health for my outstanding performance in the visual inspection with acetic acid (via) in 2017.  

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in life?

To be the change I want to see. Don’t wait on anyone to create that change because I may wait for eternity.

Who are  mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are?

My father, Mr. Franklyn Gooding. He was always there to support me.  I can recall many nights when I am up very late studying for CXC exams, he was up just sitting there or sleeping in the chair as my company.

What challenges, If any, have you encountered during your journey to becoming an oncologist?

The challenge of being bullied into the business stream, but I pushed back and was accepted into the science stream. I was told there is no oncology department at the hospital and that I was going to waste my time and potential, that I will only be seeing five (5) to (6) patients per day since they are no patients. I stood firm and said that I am not going into another specialty.  Today we have a very active oncology department where we (the doctors) attend to over fifty (50) patients per day.

I was also told by a supervisor “you are just a GMO (government medical officer), so you cannot make certain decisions, nor rally for improvement of patient care and better work environment.  Due to my advocacy we now have a very functional department, patients have better patient care, receive their treatment in comfort and privacy instead of previous inadequate examining rooms and work space.

What advice would you give a young girl/woman who wants to pursue a similar career?

If the dream is big, the details don’t matter.  It really doesn’t matter where you come from, with hard work and determination you can achieve your dream.

What would you say is the essence of a woman who rocks?

The essence of being a woman who rocks lies in her ability to motivate others and to inspire people positively.  A woman who rock is also a person who has achieved beyond her circumstances and the expectations set by society.

What’s next for you or what are you most looking forward to?

I look forward to completing my Masters in Oncology degree, followed by a Ph.D  in Oncology and increasing the size of my family.

When asked what one word describes her, Dr. Gooding proudly said “Phenomenal” and we concur.  This phenomenal woman has found her true calling in her commitment to helping others regardless of their circumstance.  She definitely rocks!


She Rocks! Sara Golan’s Passion for Real Estate is Built on Empathy & Trust

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A mother, an investor, and an Associate Broker with THE SERHANT TEAM of Nest Seekers International, Sara Golan knows that the foundation of any successful relationship comes from empathy and trust. It is why she treats each of her clients—whether they be a first-time home buyer, a private seller, or a multi-million dollar developer—as a genuine partner, using her vast wealth of knowledge and experience to guide them in a way that makes sense for their diverse lifestyles and goals.

Real Estate Broker, Sara Golan

Sara reigns from Rose Hall Town, Berbice and was raised by her mother, an educator, who taught at Rose Hall Primary and later years in NYC Board of Ed.  Though originally from Guyana, Sara was raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn.  While it was the picturesque townhomes and row houses of this neighborhood that first sparked her interest in real estate, her professional journey in the industry began 20 years ago as an assistant for a real estate developer/investor. Working in Brooklyn and Queens, she gained valuable experience in construction, management and sales. From there, Sara honed her knowledge of home financing and mortgages by working in the lending industry for 5 years, and followed that by co-owning a real estate development office.

Sara on the job.

Since 2012, Sara has been focusing on residential sales in Brooklyn—including neighborhoods like Bed-Stuy, Bushwick, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Crown Heights, and Flatbush—as well as parts of Queens. She co-manages Ryan Serhant’s Bedford-Stuyvesant office with her husband, Joshua, and together they work with local developers to customize, market, and sell newly renovated properties. As a brownstone specialist, her expertise in design and construction management and her ability to sell for above market prices are invaluable assets. Sara is more than comfortable working with people of all backgrounds and professions, and is well-versed in both buy-side and sell-side transactions.

In those rare moments when she isn’t showing homes or prepping a new listing, Sara can likely be found traveling abroad, spending time with her family and pug, or volunteering at the Boro Park location of Masbia, a soup kitchen that serves over 2 million meals a year. In those even rarer moments when she isn’t doing any of that, she is without a doubt doing Pilates, yoga, or Kathak. Together, Sara and Joshua own several investment properties in Bushwick and Bed-Stuy and are investors in Olmsted, a Michelin-rated eatery in Prospect Heights.

Sara with Ryan Serhant and Team on the cover of The LifeStyle Magazine

Despite her success in the US, Sara still feels a deep connection to her homeland. “As a Guyanese immigrant, I’ve done my best to fulfill my potential so that my mother’s efforts to give her children the American opportunity would not go to waste.   I do remember Guyana as my home, amidst the chaos, I still feel a sense of serenity in it’s nature. I am still in touch with my school friends, family and colleagues. My dream would be to go back and help move the country forward- there is still so much work to be done!” Sara shared.

You may contact Sara  at  www.nestseekers.com

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She Rocks! Elisabeth Knights Will Inspire You With Her Personal Story of Love, Pageantry & Business Success

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By Ronald J. Daniels

Elisabeth Knights invites you humbly to join her as she navigates her journey as a wife, mother and successful business executive from her humble beginnings in East Ruimveldt Squatting Area, Georgetown Guyana to her business platform across the United States of America, where she currently resides and operates. Liz, as Mrs. Knights, is affectionately called, fancies it rather important to begin this journey by thanking God and her mother for cultivating in her the core characteristics of the woman she has matured into.

Liz drew her first breath, like innumerable Guyanese, at the Georgetown Public Hospital on October 25, a collection of years ago. Yes, you have guessed correctly, Liz still holds dear that familiar notion that women ought to be guarded about their age. If it suffices as consolation, she offers that her rather mature mind in encased in a delightfully youthful body. Liz’s father was unprepared for the demands of fatherhood and departed her tender life. Her mother, though emotionally moved by this decision, remained undeterred and subscribed her name on Liz’s birth registration form, naming her Elisabeth Jackman. Her mother has always placed a high premium on building a close relationship with God, and has always impressed upon young Liz the virtues of a good education. She articulated to Liz that these are the keys which would guarantee her entry through the doorways of a positive and productive life. Young Liz internalised these lessons.

Though her mother invoked ceaseless smiles throughout her childhood and adolescent years to mask the material hardship they experienced, young Liz was able to discern her mother’s concealed pain for not being able to provide the material stability she preferred for Liz. Liz observed her mother’s commitment to hard work. This triggered in her a tug of war of emotions as she celebrated her mother’s unwavering maternal commitment on the one hand, while being agonised on the other hand by the hardship her mother confronted.

Liz’s mother encouraged her to pursue the talents she possessed beyond the confines of academia. Her conditions were that the expressions of Liz’s talents must be appropriate, and the environments in which her talents were expressed must be safe. Liz loved pageantry and participated in a series of pageants from age nine to nineteen years old. For her, pageants were more than an occasion to change outfits and look pretty; they facilitated opportunities to converge the confidence she was developing being in her skin and a demonstration of her rapid intellectual maturity. Liz prevailed in virtually every pageant she entered. One of her most memorable pageantry experiences was being crowned Queen in the Ms. Republic Pageant. She had her sights trained on entering the Ms. Guyana Pageant but abandoned this pursuit just before the onset of the pageant after her sights were re-directed to the man who knighted her and quickly ferried her away from Guyana. More on this as the journey progresses.

Abiding by her mother’s support and encouragement, Liz also pursued acting. She has appeared in a collection of plays at the National Culture Centre and has had the good fortune of acting alongside renowned actor and comedian, the late Henry Rodney. Liz was fully immersed in the arts. She represented the National School of Dance in several competitions and also trained other dancers for school competitions.

Liz distinguished herself at Richard Ishmael’s Secondary School, and graduated with honours from the Excel Masters Academy. Thereafter she attended the Critchlow Labour College where she was a straight ‘A’ student pursuing Business Administration. However, she migrated prior to the completion of her course of study.

Liz migrated to the Bahamas in 2005 where she married her husband Colin Knights. There is hardly anything that animates Liz the same as talking about her husband. The earth stood still for Liz when Colin approached her at a Bar-B-Que. He appeared as the manifestation of the man she had been praying to God to have as a husband. She emphasises that she had been rather deliberate in her prayers about the composition of the man she wanted to be her husband. She references the devout religious commitment she inherited from her mother. This inspired in her the confidence that once her prayers aligned with God’s will for her life he would persist in his record of answering her prayers. She articulates her meeting with her husband as love at first sight. They had their first date at Selina’s Restaurant which is perched on the Seawalls. Shortly after their first date Colin returned to the United States of America where he lived. He returned to Guyana four months after and at Selina’s where they had their first date, Colin proposed to Liz.

Four months after saying her first ‘I do’ to Colin, Liz migrated to the Bahamas. Colin operated a small construction company in Miami, Florida. He visited Liz in the Bahamas weekly. In March 2006 in a private romantic ceremony on one of the sprawling beaches of the Bahamas, Colin Knighted Liz. They began living together in the United States in December, 2006 when Liz moved permanently to the US. Liz naturally missed her mother, her brother and her home back in Guyana. She found comfort in the fact that she was united in a permanent way with her husband and her amazing daughter whom Colin had before meeting her. She also interpreted the opportunities at her disposal in the US as an opportunity to furnish her mother and her brother with the quality of life they deserve.

Liz was pursuing Business Administration at Critchlow Labour College because she had envisioned herself being the owner of her own business. Colin, having regard to this ambition, encouraged Liz to avail herself of the array of educational opportunities to which she now had access. He cautioned against their introduction, at that juncture, of a biological child of their own and championed the wisdom of family planning. Colin reminded Liz of her mother’s insistence of the pursuit and acquisition of quality education. Liz enrolled in the South University and four years later graduated Suma Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Her impeccable academic record and permanent placement on the President’s List procured for Liz an invitation to become a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She has served as the Vice President of her university’s chapter of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She is also a lifetime member of the Society and a mentor and occasional tutor to high school and current college students.

Like her mother, Liz is no stranger to working hard. While at University, she juggled two part time jobs, at a bank and at a department store respectively. Liz also simultaneously attended a separate institution through which she acquired a real estate licence qualifying her as a real estate agent. Liz and Colin had a revelation that they should start their own real estate company. This, they perceived, would allow then the twin benefit of business ownership and the liberty to travel. They engaged in a second marriage; they unified Colin’s business wits, construction background and experience with Liz’s newly acquired real estate and business knowledge. Together these tools and other unique skills they each brought to the table, gave birth to Aklipse Asset Management Inc. Colin and Liz started their company with little by way of material resources. Today Aklipse has grown in assets totalling in excess of five million US dollars. Through Aklipse, they purchase and renovate properties which they then resell or rent at very competitive prices. They also manage their own properties once rented. This is very much a direct to consumer approach. It’s a unique niche in the real estate industry that they are pioneering, which is to only market properties own by them/the company. They are committed to offering their customers properties of the highest quality. They pride themselves in providing their customers with exceptional services. Customer satisfaction is the hallmark of their business. Aklipse services the residential markets of Georgia, Florida, Kentucky and Alabama currently. Colin and Liz’s objective is to tap into the commercial property market and offer services to the residential and commercial real estate sectors across all the states of the US. Since they enjoy the freedom of meandering across the US and enjoy living a life of having a constant change in scenery, they have been inspired to secure for themselves six personal houses that they interchangeably call their home. Liz contends that instead of building themselves a mansion with a multiplicity of rooms, she prefers to spread out her rooms across the country, hence their collection of personal houses, located in the states of Georgia, Florida, and Kentucy.

Both Liz and Colin have an abiding commitment to and passion for Guyana. They aspire to build a foundation to collaborate with the government of Guyana to construct, furnish and staff facilities which provide opportunities for children whose dreams are to become entrepreneurs and business innovators, but who lack the wherewithal for such pursuits. Liz recalls her own upbringing- the strong religious and other values her mother instilled in her from a tender age. She impresses upon us generally, and the youths especially, that achieving your dreams and living a life characterised by emotional and social stability, and notable financial success is not restricted to people who have the good fortune to be born into affluence. Such quality of life is achievable by anyone who is prepared to work hard, work smart, subscribe to faith and believe in himself/herself. Elisabeth commends her own life to you as an example. She closes by thanking you for the coveted opportunity to share her story with you and hope that you end this reading by feeling inspired to pursue your dreams to the fullest extent and to dream beyond the barriers of your current circumstances.

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Lawyer Ayana Fable Shares Her Story of Sacrifices and Success

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Guyana Chronicle, October 21, 2018

AYANA Alexis Fable, brimming with joy over her recent admission to the Guyana Bar Association, is confident that her decision to put aside all distractions while pursuing her studies is largely responsible for the kind of success that she is enjoying at the moment.

Had she not decide to heed her father’s advice to stay thoroughly focused on her goals, the 23-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she would not have made it.

Focus reaps success | Lawyer, Ayana Fable tells her story

She’s now a parliamentary counsel working in the legislative drafting department of the Attorney General Chambers at Carmichael Street, Georgetown, under the supervision of Attorney General Basil Williams and Chief Parliamentary Counsel Charles Fung-a-Fatt.

Just a few days ago, Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall heard Ayana’s application in the High Court where family and friends converged to share in the joyous event. Today, she too is offering the same advice she received from her father. “Stay focused and keep on that path. There are people who are going to distract you. You have to put them aside and that’s how you’ll achieve whatever you want in this life,” she expressed.

ARTS STREAM?

Ayana, who describes herself as a very motivated, respectful and determined young woman, was born and raised in Georgetown and attended Stella Maris Nursery, Comenius Primary and Tutorial High School. She completed the Sixth Form at St. Joseph High and pressed on with her education at the University of Guyana and Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago.

Initially, she wanted to become a paediatrician but after being placed in the Arts Stream, she decided to shift her focus. “In Fourth Form, I started debating and that’s when I realised I had a passion for Law so I decided to give it a try. I wanted to be in the science stream but I didn’t fight it. I just let it go,” she said. Meanwhile, others made a point of asking to be transferred to other streams.

Incidentally, one of the requirements for Law is history which is taught in the Arts Stream, so things eventually worked out well for Ayana. Upon completing the Sixth Form, though, she was still unsure about which path she wanted to pursue because she was having difficulties with Law at CAPE. “I thought it was really hard but then I decided to just give it a try and after receiving my results for CAPE Unit Two, I realised I was ranked number six in the Caribbean for CAPE Law. So after I realised I actually did so well, I decided to pursue my studies at UG.”

The rating she secured in the Caribbean motivated Ayana to push ahead with the goal of becoming a lawyer. “I had worked for the distinction and I actually achieved it. So the moment I saw that, I said that I can achieve anything that I want to and that once I put my mind to it, I’m going to get it. And that is exactly what I did,” she said.

Apart from this, Ayana recalled that she had to make other huge sacrifices to be able to remain focused on her education. While at the UG, for instance, she had to work very hard. “I had many late nights but whenever I became frustrated, I prayed a lot. I would always become calm after praying and then I would continue studying,” she said. Furthermore, Ayana also had to spend two years away from family and friends to be able to remain and study abroad. But the sacrifices were all well worth it, she expressed. “I’m elated that I have reached this far but I know this is not the final stop. I still have to reach higher heights; set more goals and achieve them,” she said.

SUPPORT SYSTEM
She is grateful to her parents for their constant encouragement. “My mom has always encouraged me and has always pushed me. Both my parents worked tirelessly to ensure that I got whatever was needed; the best education and opportunities that I could’ve received.”

Ayana with her dad and stepmom, Martin and Karen Fable (on her right) and mom and stepdad, Patricia and Kevin Langevine

Ayana wants other young persons to know that not achieving a top school after exams does not mean that they cannot be successful in life. “I did not allow the school that I attended to define me; I did not allow it to limit me. So do not allow the school that you come from to define you. Set your goals and work hard to achieve them,” she said. Ayana is also thinking about becoming a musician as she enjoys playing the piano, singing, and dancing.

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She Rocks! Meet Lleuella Morris, Personal Growth Expert & Managing Director of AMZ Consulting Company Limited

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Lleuella Morris is no stranger to courage and determination, and overcoming the odds. She is a multitalented businesswoman, an avid volunteer, a committed Christian, and a mentor who is passionate about the development of people.

She is the eldest of three children born to Colin Morris and Maureen Semple in the village of Hopetown in Berbice, Guyana and named to honour both sides of her family heritage. The unassuming Ms. Morris is a quiet self-starter and pioneer and an exemplary citizen. While her life was not all roses, she has successfully grown herself through the adverse experiences of life and makes it all look easy and effortless.

Lleuella always showed great potential as a child which continued throughout. For example, at the age of 15 when she became the only vegetarian in her family while still attending high school. That same year, she overcame a major depressive episode, and while preparing to sit 8 subjects in the sciences at her CXC examinations, she taught herself Social Studies in addition to the 8 other subjects she sat and passed with grade ones.  At the age of 16, Lleuella got the opportunity to return the favour when she taught Social Studies and Caribbean History at secondary school. Later in 2010, only three years after graduating from university when she became unemployed she didn’t let it get her down. She reinvented herself and pursued a lifetime dream of hers to design exquisite ladies’ watches. She took her last TTD$100 (USD15) and invested in supplies and designed her very first watch which started the L&N brand. The brand is named for her and her sister Neosie. By 2015, at the age of 32 when she took up the challenge to serve on the board of the Association of Female Executives of Trinidad and Tobago, she was one of the youngest women to serve on the board at that time.

Ms. Morris is a Personal Growth Expert, the Creator, and Managing Director of her Personal Development Company AMZ Consulting Company Limited; a Masters Thesis Consultant & Coach; and the CEO & Creative Director at L&N Accessories, a company that designs bespoke ladies watches and reinvents old ones.

Over the past 8 years, through her webinars, workshops, and private one on one coaching and advising, she has helped close to 100 graduate students successfully complete their research proposals, masters theses, Ph.D. dissertations, and abstracts for international conferences. She has created her own tools and frameworks which help students clarify their thoughts and ideas and make thesis preparation easy and stress-free.

When she is not doing that, she is conducting workshops and writing on personal growth and working with people to grow themselves. She has a superior understanding of people and is a master at identifying where they are stuck and precisely what is required to get them unstuck so they get where they need to go in life. She blogs over at https://theartofgrowthandofeverything.wordpress.com/ and has appeared in the Trinidad Newsday Newspaper and belleworks blog, and has written for the Good Men Project, and Leaders in Heels Australian Women’s Leadership Magazine.

Though she can be seen volunteering with meaningful initiatives especially with interest to the blind and visually impaired, her more significant volunteer work includes: serving as the Director of Programmes on the board of the Association of Female Executives of Trinidad and Tobago (AFETT) NGO in 2015; working with the Miss T&T differently-abled Queen Show 2013 helping to train, support, and build the capacity of the contestants; volunteering with United Nations online volunteers platform (UNV online) supporting the work of international agencies in India and Spain; sitting on the Children’s Ministry Advisory Committee of the South Caribbean Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in Trinidad; and working as a mentor in the British Gas Trinidad and Tobago (BGTT) Mentorship Programme 2013. She continues to maintain her relationship with her mentee.

Human Development Work

This year, through IHSED (Investing in Human, Social & Economic Development- a subsidiary of her company) she has embarked on an initiative to develop the human capital and give back to her village of Hopetown, and by extension her country, by running skills development programmes to mentor and build the capacity of the children and the community. The non-profit initiative is in keeping with SDGs 8,4, and 1, and pulls together an array of impressive experts to impart various skills including STEM, entrepreneurship, innovation, critical thinking, leadership, social media etiquette, design, craft, and social skills.

As she continues to mentor others, if she could tell them one thing it would be to follow your vision and let it light the path you must walk on, it’s powerful enough.

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Alainn Pompey Looks Back On Her Olympic Journey

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THE ADVERTISERS TRIBUNE, NOVEMBER 18, 2018

As a young Guyanese girl growing up in New York City from the age of 14, Aliann Pompey had no idea that her undiscovered talent would lead her to four consecutive summer Olympics, beginning in Sydney and ending in London. Medalling in two commonwealth games, gold in 2002 and silver in 2010, and competing at World Championships, are just some of many achievements Aliann has attained over the years; her accolades mounting her as Guyana’s most prolific female athlete. Despite years running the 400m event, Aliann’s stomach still shrinks on competition day, allowing room for just a cup of hot tea and a slice of bread before a morning competition and twice the occurrence for evening competitions. A routine that is simple but critical for each athlete to be mentally and physically ready to run a race you have spent the remainder of the year preparing for. Each ritual Is different for every athlete and for Aliann, she executes five steps when facing an evening race on competition day. Wake up early, eat, stretch, hydrate and then go back to sleep.

Once Aliann finished college and was ranked as 12th in the world, she began to attract the interest of two national Olympic teams, the United States and Guyana. The decision was an obvious one for Aliann, an idea she was sold on by a Guyanese coach.

“Representing USA, I would be one of many, USA already had a legacy, but I would be making a much bigger difference competing for Guyana,” Pompey said.

The South American nation of Guyana, as well as her family and loved ones, have always expressed gratitude, support, and love for Aliann. However, the nation was oblivious to the physical and mental battles, Aliann fought every year, deciding to quit after each season, yet returning to preseason year after year because her love and passion for the sport always won the battle.

In the world of athletics, you are bound to face new challenges as you embark in new territory. In 2012, Aliann qualified for the London Olympics and got through the first round, but not in her usual comfortable fashion. She had spent most of the season struggling; injuries were becoming more prevalent than ever, recovery time taking twice as long as she was used to; all of which took its toll on her body and mind. Aliann took her final career steps on her way to a local English bar after leaving her belongings in the warmup area of the track. As she turned her back to her possessions, she didn’t dare look back. This time it just felt right, it was time for her. With feelings of contentment and satisfaction, she knew she had done it all and there wasn’t anything else left for her to do as a track and field athlete.

Tiffin University student Markella Suka (left) with Guyanese Olympian Alainn Pompey

All work and no play? That is not the case for Aliann Pompey. A joyous journey that marks out two sides of a road for on and off the track will forever be memories and emotions she treasures. From the countless conversations from meeting new people to the cultural events scattered throughout the day in the streets of Beijing. From the weight-gain of tasty lamb to the bewilderment of the number of people and deafening noise that greeted her in the city of Sydney, leaving her frozen in her steps. From capturing scenic views through the lens of a camera and educating herself on the city’s cultures, are all memories wrapped up neatly in a bow for her safeguard?

“One thing I didn’t take for granted was, I may not ever be able to come back, I don’t know how long it will last, so I don’t want to pass up the opportunity of experiencing those places,” Pompey said.

Aliann remains heavily active and involved in the sport she loves. In the last three years, Aliann has always had an idea to create an international track competition known as The Aliann Pompey Invitational, however putting the plan into motion was harder than she thought. Underestimating the work needed to be done and the time to implement plans would’ve stalled anyone’s actions and risen doubt, but Aliann persevered to the end just as she persevered in her athletic career even when injuries and doping allegations against her opponents cost her higher rankings in her races. Perseverance, hard work and being honest with oneself are all traits Aliann has exhibited from a young age. Since its inception three years ago, The Aliann Pompey invitational has featured world-class athletes and nurtured local talent who have also gone on to represent Guyana in major events. Aliann and her colleagues have witnessed an improvement in the level of athletes that they have produced internationally especially from their home-base. Success stories range from world championships silver medallist and Commonwealth champion at the junior level. With a competition such as this, aspiring athletes do not have to dwell on the what-ifs and the cost-issue of traveling afar to experience high-level competition. The Aliann Invitational, the only one of its kind, provides that for homegrown athletes and the showing experience for Guyanese fans right at their doorstep. The last meet to take place featured Olympic and World Champion, Kirani James of Grenada.

“It doesn’t get more competitive than that,” she said.

Consequently, with the addition of the Aliann Pompey Invitational, it certainly has helped change the dynamics and the face of the sport in Guyana and provide a backbone for further success in the future. The next rising star may just also have the great honor of being the flag bearer for Guyana in a major event like Aliann experienced on more than one occasion.

What can we expect from Aliann Pompey moving forward? She guarantees to be at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles in some capacity, whether in an official capacity or a spectator, the run of attending the last five Olympics will not end come 2028. There were never any mottos or mantras that Aliann practiced or rehearsed in her competing years, but there is one she loves to share, that become very clear to her towards the end of her career: “Sports is a metaphor for life, everything that happens in the field of play, plays out in real life in terms of how you deal with situations and the kind of effort you put into each attempt”.

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