Caribbean Life management and writers heaped high praise on retiring editor Kevin Williams on May 1 — his final day on the job — after about two decades of dedicated service to the paper, the parent company Schneps Media, and the Caribbean community in general.
“We wish Kevin all the best in his retirement,” Joshua Schneps, CEO and co-publisher of Schneps Media, told Caribbean Life. “We are very grateful for his many years of excellent service to the Caribbean community of New York City as the associate editor of Caribbean Life. He brought a steady leadership and helped foster many wonderful writers, making Caribbean Life a must-read.”
A reception was held for Williams on April 30 at Jack’s Wife Freda on Whyte Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Schneps urged Williams, a Grenadian native who will be returning to his homeland soon to spend his Golden Years, to “enjoy the days ahead.”
“You have a legacy for good news,” Schneps said.
At the same event, Clifford Luster, Schneps Media and Caribbean Life’s chief operating officer, told Williams: “You’re the easiest, calmest person I’ve had in the newsroom. Nobody will complain,” he said. “You did your job quietly, but you did it excellently.”
“All the employees [and] freelancers respected Kevin, and nobody had a negative opinion, and he put out a paper for 21 years — never late, always on time, very good quality,” Luster added.
On behalf of Caribbean Life and Schneps Media in general, Ralph D’Onofrio, Schneps Media and Caribbean Life’s chief revenue officer, presented Williams with a plaque featuring Caribbean Life’s banner and the caption, “Ah Gone!” — a reference to Caribbean lingo.
“I appreciate you for everything you did,” D’Onofrio said. “You always get it done. It was a real pleasure working with you,” he added. “I wish you the best in your retirement.”
Vinette Pryce, who was among a handful of writers for Caribbean Life when it was founded in 1990, was in disbelief when Williams informed the paper’s writers about his impending retirement in an April 23 email.
“Oh no! Kevin, say it isn’t so,” she exclaimed. “Retiring so early? I remembered when Kenton (Kirby, the late former editor) told me about your arrival at Caribbean Life. It seemed only a few years ago.
“It’s almost unimaginable you are throwing in the towel,” Pryce added. “Whatever you do, I wish you all the very best. I pray your departure is not a May Day warning. God bless and keep you. Thank you for your dedicated service, and I hope retirement will enhance a healthy and prosperous lifestyle.”
In his announcement, Williams wrote, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your tremendous contribution to Caribbean Life newspaper over the years. Your contributions and dedication to journalism, and to promoting Caribbean news and events, have made the newspaper one of the most outstanding in New York.
“Continue the great work, and the paper will grow from strength to strength,” Williams urged.
Tangerine Clarke — another senior writer at Caribbean life, who was instrumental in obtaining proclamations and citations on Williams’s retirement from Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, Council Member Rita Joseph and Assembly Member Stefani Zinerman — said it was “an honor and a pleasure” working with Williams for the past 21 years.
“I credit Kevin for always publishing my articles, without knowing ahead of time what my assignments were,” she said. “I commend his incredible demeanor. He was always kind and professional.
“I will forever be grateful for the patience he showed me throughout his tenure at Caribbean Life,” Clarke added. “On many occasions, I would call him to say, ‘Kevin, the issue is magnificent, I love the coloration and the layout.’ He would quietly say, ‘Thank you, Tangerine.’
“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Kevin for his talent, skills and outstanding knowledge of media,” Clarke added. “He always navigated the most efficient way to get Caribbean Life on the newsstands in a timely manner. He would forego an event, saying, ‘I can’t make it, I must finish the paper.’”
Georgetown, Guyana-based veteran journalist Bert Wilkinson said he worked with Williams for the entire time he was editor, and that he was delighted to submit stories to “a senior journalist who is from the Caribbean Diaspora in New York, as he clearly understands the region and its intricacies.”
Wilkinson recalled sending messages several times to Williams about breaking news events on a weekend and that, on each occasion, Williams “raised himself out of relaxation, edited the piece, posted it, and called or messaged me to inform me that it was up on the website.
“This type of communication between editor and writer helps in daily journalism,” he said. “That I shall miss.”
Wilkinson also said that Caribbean Life’s website is “increasingly becoming a go-to source among academic graduate students worldwide.
“This is testimony to the growing importance of the website, as journalists and editors are increasingly using it as a reference, because I contend our stories are published in a timely manner, sometimes beating established news agencies like the AP (Associated Press) and CMC (Caribbean Media Corporation),” Wilkinson added.
“I have every confidence that replacement editors going forward will continue the noble practice of the ‘Kevin years.’ keeping the paper’s contents fresh, relevant and a source of knowledge, information, and for entertainment purposes,” he continued. “This is as I wish Kevin the best in his new endeavors, as he commences a new life chapter.”
Milette Millington, who has been writing for Caribbean Life for almost four years, said, “it has been wonderful” having Williams as editor for that period, adding that “working with him has been great.”
“Since having a story early on, that needed editing, I’ve learned to make sure to do a check through all my stories for anything that needs editing before sending it in, and that’s thanks to Mr. Williams for his leadership and assistance, with edits for stories of mine when needed,” she said.
“Thank you, Mr. Williams, for all you’ve done,” Millington continued. “Sending blessings for you in this new season of your life as you step into retirement.”
Orlande Fleury thanked Williams for bringing her on board three years ago.
“He gave me the opportunity to become a published journalist, and that has meant a lot to me,” she said. “He was great to work with, very professional, kind and personable.”
Tracey Khan, one of the newer writers at Caribbean Life, said it was “a true pleasure working with Mr. Williams.”
“He is one of the most patient, understanding, and supportive news editors I’ve had the opportunity to learn from,” she said. “While it’s sad that we won’t be working together anymore, he has more than earned this time to relax and enjoy what’s next. I’m truly grateful for everything I’ve learned under his guidance and wish him the best,” Khan added.
Veteran print and broadcast journalist Dr. Nelson A. King, who began writing for Caribbean Life in the fall of 1990 during his senior year at Brooklyn College, lauded Williams for his taciturn and sheer dedication to his craft.
“Kevin was very professional, fair and deeply committed to his work,” King said. “You could not have asked for a better editor. I will miss him immensely.”
“Enjoy your Golden Years, my brother, and I wish you and your family the very best in health, strength, energy, and your pursuits. God’s richest blessings always!”
In his subsequent retirement letter to management and writers, Williams said he was “stepping into retirement with deep gratitude.”
“Caribbean Life was my first and only job in the US, and I remain thankful to the late managing editor Kenton Kirby for opening that door and giving me the opportunity to serve our community through journalism,” he said. “His trust and leadership shaped much of my journey.
“I also extend sincere thanks to Schneps Media for allowing me to continue in this role following its acquisition of Community News Group,” he added. “That period came with challenges, but it also offered invaluable opportunities to grow, adapt, and learn new skills and technologies.”
But Williams said none of this work would have been possible without “the many dedicated and dependable freelancers across New York and the Caribbean.
“Your commitment and professionalism strengthened every story we told,” he said. “I encourage you to continue your important work in keeping the Caribbean community informed about developments both in the US and across our region.
“It has been an honor to be part of this mission,” Williams added. “Thank you all for the support, collaboration and memories over the years.”
At the reception at Jack’s Wife Freda in Williamsburg, he said: “It was a nice run. I’m thankful for the freelancers who worked along with me over the years. They’ve given me good stories.”
