The 90-degree temps on Sunday, June 11, was the perfect atmosphere for the Guyana Unity Movement Inc. to bring down the curtain on its massive charity fundraising Guyana Unity Day concert at Jefferson School Football field in Brooklyn, to celebrate Guyana’s 51st Anniversary of Independence, that began with a weekend of events on June 9.
Hundreds of Guyanese waved flags, and danced to music by Guyana Baboo – Terry Gajraj, Menes de Groit and the Shanto Rhythms, Chronicle Atlantic Steel Orchestra and many others, during the hours-long presentation put on by organizers of the nonprofit group.
The infectious vibes that got First Lady of Guyana, Her Excellency Mrs. Sandra Granger on her feet to show-off her dance moves to Machel Montano’s popular hit, Champion, also gave Attorney General Basil Williams an opportunity to groove, while Consul General Barbara Atherly joined the fun much to the delight of the crowd of colorfully dressed nationals.
Other Ministers of the Guyana Government in the US for the event, not present were Khemraj Ramjattan, Second Vice President and Minister of Security, David Patterson, Minister of Public Infrastructure, Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, and Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ali,
First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger and a delegation including Jaycelyn Thomas, James Richmond and Consular of the Consulate, Beverly McDonald visited the 911 Memorial at the World Trade Center. Some of the government officials later attended a Unity & Soul Black Tie Gala, a Guyana Unity Link-up, and made visits to the offices of Brooklyn Attorney General Eric Gonzalez and Mayor Bill De Blasio, as well as church services in Brooklyn.
The weekend concluded with a Mayoral Forum. In attendance were Mayor of Rose Hall, Guyana — Vijay Ramoo, Mayor of New Amsterdam, Guyana — Kirt Wynter, and Mayor of Linden, Guyana — Carwyn Holland.
First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger and Attorney General Basil Williams, as well as Consul General, Hon. Barbara Atherly, congratulated the organizers for their outstanding presentations planned to engage the Guyanese Diaspora in New York.
President of Guyana Unity Movement (GUM), Sherif Fraser Barker thanked the Guyanese delegation headed by H.E First Lady Sandra, and Basil Williams for traveling to the United States to participate in the activities.
Barker thanked some of the organizations’ presidents including the president of Prevention of Teen Suicide (POTS) who raised funds at the event. Most of the proceeds went to charities sponsored by First Lady Mrs. Granger who work diligently to ensure that children, the elderly, and youth receive the education and social services they need.
President Fraser Barker invited Mrs. Granger to return sometime later, to give an in-depth presentation, and pledged to continue raising funds for charities in Guyana, adding that GUM has a very diverse agenda that they intend to fulfill while maintaining its hallmark of transparency and accountability.
Barker thanked attendees and called on the hundreds in attendance to join the Unity Movement.
The non-profit is committed to fostering growth and development within Guyana and the betterment of Guyanese, irrespective of their residence.
Executive Officers, Sherif Fraser Barker, president; Ervin Washington, vice president; Doris Rodney, 2nd vice president; Stanley Harmon, treasurer; Kevin Charles, Asst. treasurer; Leslyn Grant, secretary; Burgette Williams-Forde, sargent at arms, and a group of hardworking members planned the events.