BARONESS VALERIE AMOS, JUSTICE YONETTE CUMMINGS-EDWARDS, FORMER QUEENS DEPUTY BOROUGH PRESIDENT RHONDA BINDA, AMONG OUTSTANDING GUYANESE TO BE HONORED BY US CONGRESS AT GUYANA’S DIAMOND JUBILEE INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION IN NEW YORK
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 honor 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 honorees 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 honorees 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 Tota’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 honorees 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 347-292-8551 or Guyanaindependencecomnyc@gmail.com.
