The Guyana Cultural Association Of New York Turns 25

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Reported By Allison Skeete

News Americas, New York, August 19, 2025: As summer winds down, many in the diaspora turn to cultural gatherings that keep traditions alive. In Brooklyn, the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, (GCA), is preparing to host its 25th Annual Folk Festival, a milestone Silver Jubilee celebration dedicated to preserving Guyanese heritage while passing it on to new generations.

The Guyana Cultural Association of New York is turning 25.

Founded 25 years ago, GCA has become a leading voice for celebrating Guyana’s history, culture, and artistic contributions at home and abroad. Its annual Folk Festival has grown into a community hub – a place for families to reconnect, alumni associations to relive school rivalries, and children to experience traditions for the first time. From maypole plaiting to arts and crafts, masquerade stilt-walking, folk dancing, and storytelling, the festival immerses young and old alike in the essence of Guyanese identity.

Highlights of the event include Kwe-Kwe Night, where families dramatize pre-wedding rituals through song and dance, and Family Fun Day on Sunday, August 31st, featuring Guyanese food, music, games, and entertainment in the park. Over the years, the festival has also introduced global audiences to Guyanese beauty queens like Arti Cameron and Lisa Punch, along with designers such as Michelle Cole and Roger Gary.

This year’s Silver Jubilee will be marked with a Gala Awards Dinner at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach, New York, on Wednesday, August 27th. Tickets are available for $150 via guyfolkfest.org, where a full schedule of events can also be found.

Each year, the GCA recognizes individuals and organizations advancing Guyanese heritage. Awards include the Godfrey Chin Prize for Heritage Journalism, honoring writers who deepen understanding of Guyanese culture, and the Derry Etkins Memorial Prizes, spotlighting excellence in music composition, performance, preservation, and community music education.

Now celebrating 25 years, the GCA Folk Festival continues to serve as both a reunion and a renewal – a space where Guyanese abroad honor their past, celebrate their present, and invest in passing their traditions to the future.

12-Year-Old Ignites With Bounty Killer & Richie Stephens On New Reggae Single

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. Aug. 19, 2025: Jamaican Canadian rising star Jazmin Headley is turning heads with her latest reggae release “The Fire Inside,” featuring none other than dancehall legend Bounty Killer and reggae icon Richie Stephens.

At just 12 years old, Jazmin is proving she’s a voice to watch. Her new single pairs youthful fire with seasoned artistry, blending Stephens’ soulful vocals and Bounty’s commanding delivery into what the Warlord himself calls a “musical masterpiece.”

“When you carry a fire inside, no one can shatter your dreams,” Bounty shared while in Toronto, marking his first visit to the city in 20 years. Stephens added: “It’s a powerful song filled with emotional depth and an empowering message.”

The track follows a milestone year for Jazmin, who made her film debut in MGM’s The Fire Inside, the critically acclaimed biopic of boxing champion Claressa Shields. Starring Ryan Destiny and directed by Academy Award-nominated cinematographer Rachel Morrison, the movie gave Jazmin her first taste of the global spotlight—now extended through music.

Released via VPAL Music, the single is already resonating with fans for its uplifting lyrics and cross-generational collaboration, bridging the gap between Jamaica’s musical past and its future.

Watch the Official Video Here: YouTube

Headley is a Canadian singer, actor and voice-over artist who just completed a successful run as Judah Joseph’s brother in ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream coat.’ She is also a cast member of the CBC Kids Series Ukulele U.

ExxonMobil’s $42.5M Deepwater Gamble In T&T

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News Americas, Port of Spain, Trinidad, August 19, 2025: Once the undisputed energy powerhouse of the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago is now betting big on a deep water revival – with ExxonMobil leading the charge.

The U.S. oil giant has committed US$42.5 million upfront to partner with Trinidad’s state-owned Heritage Petroleum, marking a bold return of confidence in the twin-island nation’s hydrocarbon sector. For Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, it’s more than just another deal — it’s a signal that Trinidad is ready to reclaim its role as a regional energy leader.

“This partnership strengthens our position in the deepwater space,” Exxon’s vice president for exploration, John Ardill, said during the signing, while admitting there are “no guarantees” the projects will match Guyana’s colossal oil discoveries.

Trinidad has watched for nearly a decade as Guyana, its smaller neighbor, surged to global prominence with Exxon’s 11 billion barrels of recoverable oil. Production declines, fiscal pressures, and dwindling gas supplies have chipped away at Trinidad’s economy which has also seen a shortage of US dolars. Now, deep water exploration is being framed as the country’s best chance at reversing its decline.

The stakes are high. Exxon will operate three blocks — 25a, 25b, and 27 — in Trinidad’s Atlantic waters, focusing on natural gas that could feed the nation’s LNG plants and petrochemical industry.

Persad-Bissessar has promised to slash red tape, modernize licensing, and create a more investor-friendly climate to ensure success. For Trinidad, the challenge is clear: turn this gamble into a comeback before Guyana leaves the region’s oldest producer permanently in the shadows.