Caribbean-American Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke and Guyana’s top Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) performer for 2025, Jayden Adrian, have been selected as grand marshals for the Guyana Diamond Jubilee Independence Parade in Brooklyn, New York.
The announcement was made by the Guyana Independence Celebration Committee New York as preparations intensify for the observance of Guyana’s 60th anniversary of Independence under the theme, “Feel The Riddim of The Nation @ 60.”
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According to committee chairman Rickford Burke, Clarke’s selection reflects her longstanding advocacy on behalf of Guyanese and Caribbean-American communities throughout her political career.
“Since her ascendancy to elected office, whether in the New York City Council or the United States Congress, Yvette Clarke has been an indefatigable defender and fighter for the rights of Guyanese and other Caribbean Americans,” Burke said. “She is an integral part of our Brooklyn community, and it is an honor to have her serve as Grand Marshal alongside young Jayden Adrian.”
Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants and current chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, has represented Brooklyn’s 9th Congressional District for nearly two decades and remains one of the most prominent Caribbean-American elected officials in the United States.
Joining her as Grand Marshal is 17-year-old Jayden Adrian, whose exceptional academic performance earned regional recognition across the Caribbean. Adrian sat an unprecedented 27 CSEC subjects while attending Queens College and achieved 21 Grade One passes, placing him among the Caribbean’s top-performing students.
Burke described Adrian as “an exceptionally brilliant young man” whose accomplishments exemplify academic excellence and serve as an inspiration to young people throughout the Guyanese diaspora.
The Independence Parade is scheduled for Sunday, June 7, beginning at Church Avenue and Utica Avenue in Brooklyn at noon and is expected to attract thousands of Guyanese, Caribbean nationals, and supporters from across the New York metropolitan area.
As part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, several distinguished Guyanese nationals and diaspora leaders will also receive United States Congressional Awards in recognition of their contributions to public service, education, culture, business, and community development.
Among the top honorees are Valerie Amos, former Leader of the House of Lords and current Master of University College Oxford, and Yonette Cummings-Edwards, former Chancellor of the Judiciary of Guyana and Chief Justice-designate of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Other award recipients include educators, business leaders, elected officials, religious figures, community activists, and youth mentors whose work has strengthened Guyana and its diaspora communities.
The weeklong observance will feature a range of commemorative activities, including an Independence Thanksgiving Service, a flag-raising ceremony at East Orange City Hall in New Jersey, a community soccer competition, and an Awards Grand Gala at Da Mikelle Palazzo in Queens.
Organizers said the Diamond Jubilee celebrations are intended to highlight Guyana’s historic journey from colonialism and slavery to nationhood, economic transformation, and modern development.
“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 committee stated.
The organization added that the celebrations seek to unite Guyanese at home and abroad while showcasing the nation’s achievements and aspirations as it marks six decades of independence.
