Toronto Caribbean Carnival Celebrates Another Spectacular Year

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News Americas, New York, NY, August 5, 2024: Revellers transformed Lake Shore Boulevard into a dazzling spectacle of feathers, embellished costumes, and dancing on Saturday, August 3rd, as the city celebrated the Toronto Caribbean Carnival’s Grand Parade. The parade capped off a month of festivities celebrating Caribbean culture.

North America’s second Largest Caribbean Carnival takes over the exhibition grounds. (Nick Lachance/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Mayor Olivia Chow helped kick off the parade, dancing with revellers Saturday morning in a vibrant purple and pink feathered costume. “Every part of my body is moving,” said Chow from the parade sidelines.

Toronto Caribbean Carnival took over the exhibition grounds. (Nick Lachance/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Toronto’s 57th annual Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade drew crowds to Lake Shore Boulevard, including Mayor Olivia Chow. The parade marks the climax of a month-long celebration of Caribbean culture and emancipation, the end of slavery.

A fan celebrates at the 57th Toronto Caribbean Carnival on august 3, 2024. (Nick Lachance/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Toronto boasts the largest carnival in North America, with organizers expecting nearly a million attendees this year. Carnival is a significant cultural event celebrated across several countries in the Americas and the Caribbean.

Amber Wilson, a seasoned participant, described playing mas in the parade as “pure happiness.” She explained that participants choose a musical band to join, which then designs their elaborate costumes. “Putting them on is a very skilled and time-consuming process,” Wilson told the Toronto Star. This year, she paraded with Saldenah Carnival, one of Toronto’s longest-standing and most successful bands.

Faith Roberson (left) and Imani divinity (right) show off their regalia. North America’s Largest Caribbean Carnival takes over the exhibition grounds. (Nick Lachance/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Karissa Singh, another Saldenah participant, told the Toronto Star she started getting ready at 5:30 a.m. “But it feels like it’s all worth it to come here on the stage and party with everybody we love,” she said.

A reveller at North America’s second largest Caribbean Carnival takes over the exhibition grounds. (Nick Lachance/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Faith Hilliman-Foster emphasized the cultural significance of playing mas. “It’s a chance to take part in my culture and express it through my city,” she told the Toronto Star. Kadiaja McCalla, parading alongside Hilliman-Foster, highlighted the inclusive nature of the carnival. “Regardless of body type, everyone is encouraged to participate,” she said. “In our culture, we celebrate you anywhere.”

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also attended the Grand Parade. Though not in costume, Singh, who has been attending the festival since he was 19, praised the event. “This is one of the premier events for the City of Toronto,” he told the Toronto Star. “The vibes, the energy, the people.”

The carnival’s history dates back to 1967, when founding member Maurice Bygrave and his group organized what they thought would be a one-off event. Its success led then-Mayor William Dennison to request it become an annual festival.

The Toronto Caribbean Carnival continues to be a vibrant celebration of culture, unity, and community spirit, bringing the Caribbean experience to the heart of Toronto.

Jamaican Flag Raised In NYC Ahead Of 62nd Independence Anniversary

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News Americas, New York, NY, August 5, 2024: The Jamaican flag was proudly raised at Bowling Green in New York today, ahead of Jamaica’s 62nd Independence Anniversary tomorrow, August 6th. New York City Mayor Eric Adams delivered remarks at the ceremony, alongside Alsion Wilson, Consul General of Jamaica in New York, who expressed heartfelt sentiments about the significance of the day and the resilience of the Jamaican people.

Mayor Eric Adams, r., and Consul General Alsion Wilson lead a flag-raising ceremony in honor of Jamaica’s independence at Bowling Green, NYC. (Arthur Piccolo/Bowling Green Association image)

CG Wilson emphasized the symbolic importance of raising the black, green, and gold flag, celebrating the indomitable spirit of Jamaica that has resonated since gaining independence on August 6, 1962. This year’s theme, “One Love to the World,” highlights Jamaica’s global influence through its music, culture, and unwavering unity.

Consul General Alsion Wilson and Caribbean roots NYPD officers at the Bowling Green, NYC flag raising on August. 5, 2024. (Arthur Piccolo/Bowling Green Association image)

Addressing the diaspora, Wilson urged never to forget their roots, especially in times of need, as demonstrated by the collective support following recent hurricanes. She invoked Marcus Garvey’s words on the importance of historical and cultural knowledge, emphasizing Jamaica’s motto, “Out of Many, One People,” as a testament to unity and love.

Mayor Adams followed, reflecting on the profound impact of Jamaica and its people both on the island and in New York City. He highlighted the legacy of figures like Bob Marley and the importance of cultural and national pride. Adams celebrated the contributions of immigrant communities to the American Dream and acknowledged the resilience and determination of the Jamaican diaspora.

Adams also addressed the historical challenges faced by Caribbean immigrants in America, commending their perseverance and success. He emphasized the importance of public safety and the dedication of law enforcement and public service members, many of whom come from Caribbean backgrounds.

As the ceremony concluded, the flag of Jamaican independence was raised, symbolizing the enduring spirit and unity of Jamaica.

Simone Biles’ Mom’s Belize Connection

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News Americas, New York, NY, August 5, 2024: Simone Biles’ adopted mother, Nellie Cayetano Biles, was in the stands at the 2024 Paris Olympics, alongside her father Ronald Biles and Simone’s husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, as the gymnast, 27, walked away with four medals.

Family members of Simone Biles of Team United States, (L-R) her husband Jonathan Owens and parents Nellie and Ronald Biles look on prior to the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Team Final on day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Nellie Biles was born Nellie Cayetano in Belize City, Belize. She is the daughter of former Belize Senator and well-known businessman Silas Cayetano and Evarista Cayetano, a teacher and grocery store owner. At 18, in 1973, Nellie left Belize to attend nursing school at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. Until then, she had never seen a television in person, used a phone, or flown on a plane.

In 1976, she met Ron, who was stationed at Randolph Air Force Base outside San Antonio. They married in January 1977. At the time, Ronald was serving in the Air Force, and Nellie was in nursing school. She became a nurse and co-owned multiple nursing homes in Texas, while Ron became an air traffic controller.

Nellie Biles is technically Simone Biles’ biological grandmother, but she and her husband adopted Simone at age six after she and her siblings were placed in foster care by Ronald Biles’ daughter, Shannon, who is Simone’s biological mother. Shannon had four children, including Simone, but struggled with addiction. The siblings were placed in foster care when Simone was about three years old. She and her sister Adria were eventually adopted by their grandparents, while her two other siblings, Tevin and Ashley, were adopted by their great aunt and raised in Cleveland, Ohio.

In “Simone vs. Herself,” Nellie shared how she prayed for bonding after bringing the girls into her home. “You wake up one day, and you realize that you would do anything for these children and that you would die for these children,” said Nellie. “And when that feeling comes, that’s when you know you are truly a mother.”

Ron and Nellie raised Simone and Adria as their own and enrolled Simone in gymnastics at age six upon her request. A daycare trip to a gymnasium revealed Simone’s talent, and coaches encouraged her parents to get her lessons. Nellie noted in a 2016 interview that Simone “never missed a practice,” even when sick.

The parents haven’t missed any of Simone’s competitions, except for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to COVID-19 restrictions, and continued to support her after she withdrew from the games to focus on her mental health.

Simone holds Belizean citizenship through her adoptive mother and considers Belize her second home.

ABOUT BELIZE

Belize, located on the eastern coast of Central America, boasts stunning Caribbean Sea shorelines to the east and dense jungles to the west. Offshore lies the expansive Belize Barrier Reef, dotted with hundreds of low-lying islands called cayes, teeming with rich marine life. Belize’s jungles are home to remarkable Mayan ruins, such as Caracol with its towering pyramid, the lagoon-side Lamanai, and Altun Ha, just outside Belize City. Belize is part of the Caribbean Community, CARICOM.

Approximately 16% of Belizeans live abroad, while immigrants make up about 15% of Belize’s population. Many Belizeans seek job and educational opportunities in the United States rather than in former colonizer Great Britain due to the U.S.’s closer proximity and stronger trade ties with Belize. Belizeans also emigrate to Canada, Mexico, and English-speaking Caribbean countries.

Canada is urging nationals to exercise a high degree of caution when traveling to Belize. The government specifically advises avoiding non-essential travel to Southside Belize City, south of the Haulover Creek River, due to gang and drug-related violence, including murders and shootings.

Caribbean Athletes Shine At Paris 2024 Olympics

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News Americas, New York, NY, August 5, 2024: St. Lucian born sprinter Julien Alfred and Dominica-born Thea La Fond made history for their individual countries on August 3rd in Paris while uniting Caribbean nationals globally in joy and celebration as other athletes kept the small region shining at the Paris 2024 Olympics and in the winning circle.

Gold medalist Julien Alfred of Team Saint Lucia celebrates on the podium during Women’s 100m medal ceremony on day nine of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 4, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Kevin Voigt/GettyImages)

St. Lucian born sprinter Julien Alfred is now the fastest woman in the world, winning the finals of the women’s 100-m and besting the much-touted American runner, Sha’Carri Richardson at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis.

Gold medalist Thea Lafond of Dominica gestures during the women’s triple jump medal ceremony on Day 9 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 4, 2024 in Saint-Denis, France. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

La Fond, meanwhile, produced her gold winning leap on her second attempt, adding to her triumph at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow earlier this year while erasing the disappointment at last year’s World Championship in Budapest when she finished fifth. The 30-year-old produced a new national record 15.02 metres in the women’s triple jump, to also clinch her country’s maiden medal at an Olympic Games and spark similar euphoria in Roseau.

ALFRED

“It feels amazing to be honest. After waking up this morning I wrote it down: Julien Alfred – Olympic champion,” Alfred told reporters after the win. “So I think just believing in myself and trusting that I could do it is what really mattered to me. I’m going through the motions right now – it hasn’t sunk in yet. I had to go out there, trust myself, trust my coach and most importantly trust God.”

Alfred won in a time of 10.72 to Richardson’s 10.87. American Melissa Jefferson took bronze (10.92). For her home country, it’s the first Olympic medal of any kind. Alfred, 23, also set a new national record of 10.72 s. She is coached by Edrick Floreal, the man behind the rich athletic careers of athletes like Rhasidat Adeleke and Leo Neugebauer.

Born in the south Castries community of Ciceron, Julien Alfred attended Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School in Saint Lucia from 2013 to 2015, and then moved to Jamaica at age 14 where she attended the St. Catherine High School from 2015 to 2018. She then pursued a bachelor’s degree in Youth & Community Studies at the University of Texas in the United States, balancing her academic and athletic commitments.

St Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre celebrated Alfred’s achievement, posting on his Facebook page: “Today is great day for OECS member states and the people of the Caribbean! In one day Saint Lucia and Dominica have created history by winning our first Olympic medal and bringing home the GOLD. 

“Congratulations to Saint Lucia’s very own, Julien Alfred for winning gold in the Women’s 100m …”

LA FOND

“This season wasn’t easy but we did it when it mattered and that’s what counts,” La Fond said. “All that matters is what happened tonight.”

Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit was quick to congratulate La Fond on the behalf of a grateful nation.

“Your outstanding accomplishment on the global stage fills our nation with immense pride and joy,” he wrote on his Facebook page. “We celebrate your success and hope that your dedication and perseverance will inspire future generations of athletes in Dominica. Thank you for always representing our country with such grace and dignity. Your triumph in Paris stands among our proudest moments as a nation!”

JAMAICA

Silver medalist Shanieka Ricketts of Team Jamaica celebrates on the podium during Women’s Triple Jump medal ceremony on day nine of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 04, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

While Jamaican fans globally were stunned by news that three-time Olympic gold medallist, Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Shericka Jackson, the reigning World 200 metres champion, had pulled out of their races, fans still had something to cheer about both on August 3rd and August 4th.

On August 3rd, Shanieka Ricketts measured a season-best 14.87 to finish with silver in the triple jump while Rajindra Campbell took bronze in the men’s shot put with a mark of 22.15 metres.

AGONY

Kishane Thompson of Jamaica reacts after the Men’s 100m Final on day nine of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 04, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Christian Liewig – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

There was anguish for Jamaican fans again on August 5th when Kishane Thompson of Jamaica came agonisingly close to capturing gold in the men’s 100 metres at the Paris Olympics ahead of the boisterous American Noah Lyles.

In one of the closest ever finishes in the event in Olympics history, Thompson and Lyles both clocked 9.79 seconds in a pulsating final that had to be determined by a photo finish.

Lyles’ teammate Fred Kerley won bronze in 9.81 seconds.

Initially, it appeared as though the burly 23-year-old Thompson had crossed the line first. However, following the use of the photo finish technology, Lyles (9.784) was declared the winner ahead of Thompson (9.789).

Lyles, who together with Thompson watched the big screen anxiously as they awaited the winner to be announced, raised his hands in triumph before taking off for a lap of honour around the track when the decision was made.

A dejected looking Thompson could only look on in disbelief. He was hoping to become the first Jamaican man to win the event since Usain Bolt in 2016, got off to a fast start and led the field after 65 metres.

“Honestly it’s not just that I didn’t win the gold, it’s that I didn’t better myself in that sense,” a devastated Thompson said after the final.

GRENADA

Lindon Victor of Grenada celebrates after the men’s decathlon of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Photo by Li Ming/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Grenadian Lindon Victor pulled out the stops to also clinch bronze in the men’s decathlon with 8711 points to put his country on the medal table as of press time on August 5th.  He is just the second athlete – behind Kirani James – to win a medal for Grenada at the Olympics.

His outstanding achievement was recognized by Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, who described Victor as “one of the greatest athletes in the world.”

“The Government of Grenada congratulates Mr Lindon Victor, OBE, on his amazing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Government expresses its deepest gratitude to Mr Victor for his continued stellar representation of our nation on the world stage,” a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office stated.

“Once again, Lindon Victor has shown that he is one of the greatest athletes in the world by copping bronze in the decathlon, giving Grenada its first medal at the Paris Olympics.

“His determination and perseverance embody the Grenadian spirit and its testimony to his dedication and persistent pursuit of excellence,” it added.

CUBA/DR

Arlen Lopez Cardona (blue) of Team Cuba during the Men’s 80 kg preliminary round match in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at North Paris Arena on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France. Cardona won the match. (Photo by Mustafa Ciftci/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Arlen Lopez landed Cuba its first medal of this Olympics, taking bronze in the Men’s 80 KG Boxing competition while Yunior Reyes and Cristian Javier Pinales of the Dominican Republic, also placed their country on the medals table, winning bronze in their Men’s 51 KG and Men’s 80 KG boxing matchups.

Cristian Javier Pinales of Dominican Republic celebrates after winning the Men’s 80kg Quarterfinal match against Gabrijel Veocic of Croatia during the Men’s 80kg Quarterfinal match on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at North Paris Arena on August 2, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pixsell/MB Media/Getty Images)

Billal BENNAMA of France (red) and Yunior ALCANTARA REYES of Dominican Republic (blue) during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games – Day 9 at North Paris Arena on August 4, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

As the Olympics continue until August 11th, the Caribbean region proudly celebrates the achievements of its athletes on the global stage.