More than 10,000 people filled the streets of Brooklyn earlier this month as the Guyana Independence Celebration Committee New York staged what organizers described as a historic Diamond Jubilee Independence Parade and Unity Concert marking Guyana’s 60th anniversary of independence.
Committee Chairman Rickford Burke said the June 7 festivities drew thousands of Guyanese from different generations in a display of national pride and cultural unity.
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“This celebration was historic,” Burke said, noting that young people joined older generations as the parade transformed Church Avenue into a sea of Guyanese colors. The procession later expanded along Linden Boulevard and Rockaway Avenue, with participants waving flags, dancing to music from five sound trucks, and creating a carnival-like atmosphere before culminating at the concert venue in Canarsie.
The Unity Concert featured performances and appearances from prominent members of the Guyanese and Caribbean communities. New York-based vocalist Cherryann Hislop opened the event with the United States national anthem, followed by singer Lisa Punch with a rendition of Guyana’s national anthem.
Burke delivered welcoming remarks before introducing grand marshals Yvette Clarke and student achiever Jayden Andries. Several elected officials, including New York City Council members and state legislators, also addressed the gathering.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries received enthusiastic applause as he reaffirmed his commitment, alongside Congresswoman Clarke, to advocating for the interests of Guyanese Americans and supporting Guyana’s development.
Entertainment throughout the day showcased Guyana’s multicultural heritage. The AYAM Entertainment Group presented performances celebrating the country’s ethnic diversity, while drummers Jermaine Fifee and Akoyaw Rudd performed folk songs that resonated with the audience.
Reggae performers including Pablo G, Ras Redemption and Zebulun De Counselor shared the stage with several dancehall artistes before the event shifted into a high-energy soca segment. Trinidadian star Trinidad Killa energized the crowd with his hit collaboration with Nicki Minaj.
Guyana’s two-time Soca Monarch champion Brandon Harding also delivered a crowd-pleasing performance, but organizers said the highlight came when seven-time Guyana Soca Monarch and former Byron Lee and the Dragonaires lead singer Jumo Primo, popularly known as “Rubber Waist,” brought the evening to a memorable close.
Hosted by popular DJ Red Rum and Nekita Luke, the celebration concluded without incident. Burke praised attendees, especially young Guyanese, for turning out in record numbers and helping make the event one of the largest Guyanese Independence celebrations ever held in New York.
“Our young people showed up and represented Guyana and our culture with unprecedented pride,” he said, thanking supporters for the organization’s continued success.
