The Guyana Independence Celebration Committee, New York, said on Thursday, April 9, that several outstanding Guyanese nationals will be bestowed United States Congressional Awards during the New York celebration of Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee (60th) Anniversary of Independence.
The committee said the celebration will comprise several events from Friday, June 5, to Sunday, June 7, 2026, inspired by the theme, “Feel The Riddim Of The Nation @ 60.”
In honor of Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee of Independence, the committee said it has nominated Guyanese who have given “exemplary and distinguished service to Guyana and the international community to be bestowed with United States Congressional Awards.”
The committee said the top two honorees are Baroness Valarie Amos, former leader of the British House of Lords, former Minister of Overseas Development in the British Government, and current Master of the University College of Oxford; and Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, former Chancellor of the Judiciary of Guyana and Chief Justice-designate of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Other honorees include: Dr. Shamir Ally, recognized for diplomatic service as former Guyana Ambassador to Kuwait; Dr. Rose October, honored for her leadership as director of the Guyana Cultural Association; Maureen Walker, acknowledged for her role as former Comptroller of the City of Mount Vernon; Dr. Riaz Rupnarain, valued for his combined work as a Guyana Parliamentarian, University of Guyana lecturer, and former Queens College teacher; Jayden Adrian, celebrated for being Guyana’s top Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) student for 2025; Bishop Dr. Michael Clarke, distinguished as senior pastor of Redeemer Tabernacle in Brooklyn; Ira Pile Lewis (Lady Ira), appreciated for community activism and humanitarian efforts; Indra Jainarinesingh, recognized as owner of Tota’s Bakery on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn; and Omotolo Golding, acknowledged for contributions as a youth coach and mentor.
The other honorees are: Onoja Atta Onoja, businessman and president of the African Caribbean Chamber of Trade, Commerce and Industry; Dr. Dr. Terrence Campbell, Member of Parliament of Guyana and entrepreneur; Rhonda Binda, attorney, Former Deputy Queens Borough President and Guyanese community leader; Remmy Kulsum, assistant principal at Waterside School for Leadership MS 318, Far rockaway, Queens; and Dr. Sandra Harte, educator and former member of the Irvington Town Council, NJ.
“In all of the planned events, the diamond jubilee celebration engenders national pride for every Guyanese, as we reflect on the evolution of our heritage, history, culture, and nationhood,” the Guyana Independence Celebration Committee New York said.
“Our celebration is choreographed to highlight to the nation and Diaspora, Guyana’s journey from slavery to social transformation and the path to modern development,” it added. “The celebration theme, ‘Feel The Riddim Of The Nation @ 60’, captures the mood of the Diaspora as we approach this historic milestone.”
The committee said the commemorative events include an Independence Thanksgiving Church Service on Sunday, May 31, 2026; a flag-raising ceremony at East Orange City Hall, New Jersey, on Friday, June 5; and a soccer competition and awards dinner on Saturday, June 6, in Brooklyn.
The grand finale will be the annual Guyanese Independence parade and unity concert on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
The parade assembly point is Church and New York Avenue, Brooklyn and will conclude at 1450 Utica Ave. and Glenwood Road, Brooklyn, the tentative venue of the concert.
The parade assembly point is Church and New York Avenue, Brooklyn and will conclude at 1450 Utica Ave. and Glenwood Road, Brooklyn, the tentative venue of the concert.
For more information, call the Guyana Independence Celebration Committee New York at (347) 292-8551 or email: Guyanaindependencecomnyc.com
