Caribbean L 12 ife, June 7–13, 2019 BQ
Caribbean Americans in the spotlight
and we’re proud our city
is a beacon of hope for
immigrants from around
the world,” Stringer told
patrons before bestowing
the honors. “In fact,
more than one-third of
all New Yorkers today —
3.2 million of our neighbors
— are immigrants.
And right here in Brooklyn,
from Canarsie and
East New York to East
Flatbush, Caribbean-
American New Yorkers’
fierce work ethic, strong
community and entrepreneurial
spirit have
become part of our very
fabric.
“Our nearly 1 million
Caribbean-Americans
have made this city what
it is today – immigrants
from all over the Caribbean,
including Jamaica,
Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados,
the Virgin Islands,
Guyana, Haiti, and so
many more,” he added.
“You’ve helped build our
boroughs, you’ve lifted
up our neighborhoods,
and you’ve served New
Yorkers as nurses, doctors,
police officers, lawyers,
firefighters and
entrepreneurs.
“You’re our neighbors,
friends, colleagues and
family members,” Stringer
continued. “You’re also
the linchpin to our city’s
economic success.”
Among other things,
he said the “large and
growing” Caribbean-
American community in
New York “shares their
food, music and art that
has opened the eyes of so
many to vibrant cultures
across the region.”
“Your communities
have had so many successes
and made our
city a better place for
everyone,” he said, stating
that he is “working
hard to make sure every
New Yorker has a fair
and fighting chance to
make it in the city, such
as fighting to protect
and expand affordable
housing, promote development
on vacant lots,
and expand Minority and
Women-Owned Business
(MWOB) participation in
our economy.
“But we can’t do it
alone,” he acknowledged.
“If we want to achieve
success, we need strong
community partners.
And that’s why today,
we’re honoring three
leaders in the city’s Caribbean
American community,
who have worked
to create real change and
made a lasting impact on
people’s lives.”
The New York City
Comptroller lauded the
Jamaican-born couple
Karl B. and Faye A. Rodney
for founding the New
York Carib News 38 years
ago “to fill a recognized
void in communication
of the growing Caribbean
American community.”
“Carib News was
designed to provide consistent,
timely, accurate,
and reliable information
of the Caribbean region
and the Caribbean-American
communities in the
United States,” he said.
“Additionally, their mission
includes assisting in
the assimilation process,
and promoting the values
and contributions of the
community.”
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