The observances, scheduled for Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 7, 2026, will unfold under the theme “Feel The Riddim Of The Nation @ 60.”
According to organizers, the celebration is designed to bring together Guyanese at home and across the diaspora in reflection and pride. The release stated:
“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. Our celebration is choreographed to highlight to the nation and diaspora, Guyana’s journey from slavery to social transformation and the path to modern development. The celebration theme: ‘Feel The Riddim Of The Nation @ 60’ – captures the mood of the diaspora as we approach this historic milestone.”
Major Events Planned
The multi-day observance will feature a series of cultural, civic and community activities, beginning with an Independence Thanksgiving church service on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
A flag-raising ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 5 at East Orange City Hall in New Jersey, followed by a soccer competition and awards dinner in Brooklyn on Saturday, June 6.
The celebrations will culminate on Sunday, June 7 with the annual Guyanese Independence parade and unity concert. The parade will assemble at Church and New York Avenue in Brooklyn and conclude at 1450 Utica Avenue and Glenwood Road, the tentative venue for the concert.
Congressional Honours for Outstanding Guyanese
As part of the commemorations, a number of Guyanese who have demonstrated exceptional service locally and internationally will receive United States Congressional Awards.
The top honorees are:
- Baroness Valerie Amos, former leader of the British House of Lords, former UK Minister of Overseas Development, and current Master of University College, Oxford
- Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, former Chancellor of the Judiciary of Guyana and Chief Justice-designate of the Turks and Caicos Islands
Other honourees include Dr. Shamir Ally, Dr. Rose October, Hon. Maureen Walker, Dr. Riaz Rupnarain, Jayden Adrian, Bishop Dr. Michael Clarke, Ira Pile Lewis, Indra Jainarinesingh, Omotolo Golding, Onoja Atta Onoja, Dr. Terrence Campbell, Attorney Rhonda Binda, Remmy Kulsum, and Dr. Sandra Harte.
Community Engagement and Participation
Organisers also announced the production of a commemorative journal highlighting Guyana, the work of the committee, honorees, and Guyanese-owned businesses both locally and in the diaspora.
Businesses and individuals interested in being featured in the journal, or in participating in the parade with music trucks, are encouraged to contact the organising committee.
A Milestone for the Nation and Diaspora
The Diamond Jubilee celebrations are expected to draw significant participation from the Guyanese diaspora in New York and surrounding areas, underscoring the enduring cultural ties and national pride shared by Guyanese worldwide as the country marks 60 years of independence
See full statement below:
BARONESS VALERIE AMOS, JUSTICE YONETTE CUMMINGS-EDWARDS, DR. TERENCE CAMPBELL, ATTORNEY RHONDA BINDA, AMBASSADOR SHAMIR ALLY AMONG OUTSTANDING GUYANESE TO BE HONORED BY THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AT THE NEW YORK CELEBRATION OF GUYANA’S DIAMOND JUBILEE ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE – FRIDAY, JUNE 5 – SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2026
The New York celebration of Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee (60th) Anniversary of Independence will comprise a series of events from Friday, June 5, to Sunday, June 7, 2026, inspired by the theme “Feel The Riddim Of The Nation @ 60.”
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. Our celebration is choreographed to highlight to the nation and diaspora, Guyana’s journey from slavery to social transformation and the path to modern development. The celebration theme: “Feel The Riddim Of The Nation @ 60” – captures the mood of the diaspora as we approach this historic milestone.
The commemorative events include an Independence Thanksgiving church service on Sunday, May 31, 2026, a flag raising ceremony at the East Orange City Hall, New Jersey, on Friday, June 5, as well as a soccer competition and awards dinner on Saturday June 6 in Brooklyn. The grand finale will be the annual Guyanese Independence parade and unity concert on Sunday, June 7, 2026. The parade assembly point is Church and New York Avenue, Brooklyn. The parade will conclude at 1450 Utica Avenue and Glenwood Road, Brooklyn – the tentative venue of the concert.
Also, in honour of Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee of Independence, the committee has nominated Guyanese who have given exemplary and distinguished service to Guyana and the international community to be bestowed with United States Congressional Awards. The top two honourees are Hon. Baroness Valarie Amos, former leader of the British House of Lords, former Minister of overseas Development in the British Government and current Master of the University College of Oxford, and Hon. Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, former Chancellor of the Judiciary of Guyana and Chief Justice -designate of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Other honourees are: Dr. Shamir Ally, former Guyana Ambassador to Kuwait; Dr. Rose October, Director of the Guyana Cultural Association; Hon. Maureen Walker, former Comptroller of the City of Mount Vernon; Dr. Riaz Rupnarain, Member of Parliament of Guyana, lecturer at University of Guyana and former teacher at Queens College; Jayden Adrian, Guyana’s top CSEC student for 2025; Bishop Dr. Michael Clarke, Senior Pastor of Redeemer Tabernacle, Brooklyn; Ira Pile Lewis (Lady Ira), Guyanese community activist and humanitarian, Mr. Indra Jainarinesingh, owner of Totay’s Bakery, Utica Avenue, Brooklyn; Mr. Omotolo Golding, youth coach and mentor; Onoja Atta Onoja, businessman and President of the African Caribbean Chamber of Trade,Commerce and industry; Dr. Dr. Terrence Campbell, Member of Parliament of Guyana and Entrepreneur; Ms. Rhonda Binda, Attorney, Former Deputy Queens Borough President and Guyanese Community leader, Mr. Remmy Kulsum, Assistant principal at Waterside School for Leadership MS 318, Far rockaway, Queens and Dr. Sandra Harte, educator and former member of the Irvington Town Council, New Jersey.
There will be a celebration journal which will highlight Guyana, the work of the Committee, our honourees and Guyanese businesses at home and in the diaspora. Individuals who wish to highlight their businesses in the journal may contact the Committee at 347-292-8551 or Guyanaindependencecomnyc@gmail.com.
Organizations or businesses that wish to place a music truck in the parade on June 7, 2026, may also contact us at 347-772-1723 or Guyanaindependencecomnyc@gmail.com.
