The newly-elected president of the Brooklyn-based West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) Dr. Jean Joseph last week hosted the President of Dominica Charles Savarin and First Lady of Dominica, Clara Savarin at a “meet and greet” with “prominent members” of the Brooklyn community, according to Joseph.
Joseph, a Dominica native and certified public accountant (CPA), told Caribbean Life on Sunday that the event took place at her East Flatbush, Brooklyn, home.
Savarin was in New York primarily to address the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Debate.
Joseph said Savarin was also accompanied by Loreen Bannis Roberts, Dominica’s ambassador to the United Nations.
She said the long list of distinguished guests included: Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke and her mother, former New York City Councilwoman Dr. Una S.T. Clarke; Frank Seddio, Esq., Kings County Democratic Party Leader; Deputy Brooklyn Borough President, Ingrid P. Lewis Martin; representatives from Brooklyn Assembly Member Jamie Williams’s Office, the Mayor’s office, the State and City Comptroller’s Office; judges from the local judiciary; Drs. Roy and Eda Hastick; and WIADCA members.
The president was presented with a citation from Williams and a proclamation from Clarke, Joseph said.
“The president discussed the impacts of climate change and the future of renewable energy in Dominica,” she said, adding that Savarin also gave a progress report on post-Hurricane Maria Dominica.
“The guests were appreciative of the discussion on climate change,” Joseph said. “It was an informative and fun evening.
“I feel honored and privileged to host the president of Dominica,” she added, disclosing that she had previously hosted the late president of Dominica, Dr. Nicholas Liverpool, at a similar reception in Brooklyn.
“Not very often one gets the opportunity to be the host of the Head of State of a country,” Joseph continued. “I thank the ambassador and government of Dominica to give me that opportunity to do so.”
