Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, on May 29, thanked nationals for serving the borough as first responders, teachers, healthcare heroes, frontline workers, and community leaders during his administration’s inaugural Guyana Independence commemoration and awards ceremony in the historic Helen Marshall Cultural Center, located in the lower level of the municipal building.
He went on to commend Rhonda Binda, a Guyanese national who, he said, helped to build “this house as my first Deputy Borough President as the First Deputy Brough President.”
“I want to thank her for her incredible work. Like Helen Marshall, the first Black Queens Borough President, we honor the contributions of the Guyanese community,” said the politician.
“We love and respect the Guyanese culture, and tonight, we are putting that culture on the pedestal it deserves. This is a community that is rich in pride and patriotism. Just walk down Liberty Avenue, and you will see. That is the beauty of this entire community that we want everyone to experience.”
“We come together tonight to say no matter what, we will not allow our immigrant community to be demonized by anyone. Here in Queens, diversity is our strength. Our seismic investments, which include the Phil Rizzuto Park and Richmond High School, where millions of dollars were invested, are deeply appreciated.“
As we spread our capital budget across the borough, we want to make sure that every community is seeing and feeling that investment as well,” said BP Richards.
“Our Guyanese roots are deep in Queens. That is how much this community is important to our borough, he said, before extending Happy Independence Day greetings to the packed audience that celebrated their homeland’s 59th Anniversary of Independence,
“Congratulations to all our honorees who do this work, not because they are looking for accolades, but who come together and help us build a stronger foundation in Queens County and across this city,” he added.
The honorees are Aminta Kilawan-Narine, a community organizer and social justice activist. She is the co-founder of Sadhana Coalition of Progressive Hindus, a non-profit that merges the values at the heart of Hinduism.
She works as a Senior Legislative Attorney in the City Council, drafting and negotiating laws ranging from women’s rights to housing to access to public benefits. In October 2024, Aminta gained her proudest title — mother to Tushaan and Nanda.
Ashook Ramsaran is the president of Ramex, Inc., a family-owned communications manufacturing company he established in 1988. He is also the President of the Indian Diaspora Council International and the Executive Vice President of the Queens Civic Congress.
Candace Elizabeth Prince-Modeste began her public service career in 2008 as a Grant Coordinator for the NYC Mayor’s Office, overseeing an $800 million Homeland Security grant portfolio. She is the founding Board Member and Civic Engagement Chair of the South Queens Women’s March, Vice Chair of the Social Concern Committee of Springfield Gardens, treasurer of the NextGen Alumni Leadership Council, and chair of the Queens Empire State of Top Ladies of Distinction.
Jessica Balgobin is a licensed social worker based in Queens. She is a Community Initiatives Manager at Chhaya CDC, where she led the activation of a local Richmond Hill Park to widen accessibility to public space and art and spread awareness of the resources needed in overlooked communities.
Latchman Budhai is a member of the Interfaith Center of NY and the Federation of Hindu Mandirs. He has collaborated with late Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, Mayor David Dinkins, Council Speaker Gifford Miller, and Deputy Borough President Karen Koslowitz. He is an alumnus of the Queens General Assembly under the leadership of Susie Tanenbaum and the founder of Maha Lakshmi Mandir Hindu Temple in 1994.
Mohamed Q. Amin is an LGBTQ+ rights activist who transformed personal trauma into advocacy by founding the Caribbean Equality Project in 2015. The organization amplifies the voices of Afro and Indo-Caribbean LGBTQ+ immigrants, focusing on racial justice, mental health, immigration reform, workers’ rights, and civic engagement.
Amin leads the Phagwah Social Justice Collective and is the executive producer of Caribbean Queer. This short film explores the intersectionality of queer joy, Caribbean culture, and belonging within the diaspora.
Shivika Rajkisore is a dedicated educator and community leader. She has been a prominent advocate for the Indo-Caribbean community.
Since 2008, she has been a public school teacher within the Department of Education, focusing her efforts on a transfer high school that supports students who are overage and under-credited.
Vikash Narine is the chief of Staff and Operations for District 28, overseeing 36 schools and more than 24,000 students. He leads the district’s implementation of the Department of Education’s AI curriculum, driving innovation and enhancing educational outcomes.
He co-founded the charitable organization World Heart Caregivers, which provides free cardiac services, including heart transplantations, to underserved populations.
The exciting presentation, celebrated with dance and music cultural presentations, was well received, as noted by thunderous applause.
Decked out in colorful, intricately designed costumes and finished with pretty face make-up, the young dancers from the Saraswati Dance Academy delivered stirring choreography that thrilled the audience.
A dance medley of Soca, Bollywood, and Chutney featuring traditional and modern dance styles, performed by the Queens College Guyanese Student Association, also brought joy and celebration to the stage to showcase Guyana’s rich multicultural heritage.
Rhonda Binda, who skillfully guided the event during her illustrious duties as emcee, thanked compatriots for joining her to celebrate Guyana’s legacy and future.
“On behalf of BP Richards, “thank you for your love, your energy, and your community spirit. Happy 59th Independence Day, Guyana,” expressed Benda.
