NY Consulate tap into Diaspora

NEW YORK, February 7, 2011 - The Consulate General of Grenada in New York has embarked on a campaign to encourage more first and second generation Grenadians to return home as often as possible and assist in National Development.

The Consulate has created a skills database of nationals living in the Tri-State area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and is spearheading the efforts of the Diaspora Consultative Committee in New York.

Consul General Derrick James said that some progress has been made and the registration will be ongoing to include other Grenada events in the metro area.

Mr James was delighted about the patriotism among nationals during the activities held to commemorate Grenada’s 37^th Anniversary of Independence. He pointed to the acceptance of an invitation by the Parliamentary Opposition to attend the Dinner and Awards Gala on Saturday.

Senator Denneth Modeste, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development was government’s representative while Senator Dwight Horsford represented the Parliamentary Opposition.

“Independence is all about reflecting on the struggles, resistance and resiliency of our forefathers and the future economic and social development of our country,” he said.

Among the first and second generation Grenadians at the Dinner and Gala were New York City Council Member – District 45, Jumaane Williams; Broadway Musical cast member, Oneika Phillips and popular WABC-TV Eyewitness News Reporter, Carolina Leid.

“I want to thank our press officer, Michael Bascombe for making contact with Ms Leid and providing us with the background. This is part of our outreach programme in the communities,” James said.

Carolina’s mother is from the Dominican Republic and her father, Jonathan Paul Leid is from Sauteurs, St Patrick.

Before joining Eyewitness News, Carolina worked in Cleveland as a general assignment reporter and fill in anchor. There, she broke the story of a homeowner's association management company pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars in association funds across northeast Ohio without homeowners being the wiser.

Prior to working in Cleveland, Carolina worked as a general assignment reporter in Orlando and fill in anchor in Spanish. She covered four hurricanes in a row and practically lived in a satellite truck for the 2004 hurricane season.

Formerly a featured member of Abdel Salaama’ Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, Oneika’s theatre credits include the workshop, FELA! A New Musical, “Anita” in the 50^th Anniversary International Tour of Jerome Robbins’ West Side Story, directed by Joey McKneely and nominated for the West End’s Oliver Award for Best Musical Revival, winning the Theatergoer’s Choice Award in the same category.

Council Member Williams also presented four city council citations to Derek Ventour, Cecily Mason, Gloria Rennie and Gracelyn Harris for their contribution to the Grenadian community.

The Independence activities were organised by the Consulate General of Grenada in New York in collaboration with the Grenada Independence Anniversary Committee, headed by Merle Clarke.