The Great Mossaic
‘An Island Boy’s Story’: Dr. Kendall Stewart
By Nelson A. King
Vincentian-born podiatrist
and former New York City
Councilman, Dr. Kendall Stewart
has written his first book,
recapping his life growing up
on Union Island, in the southern
St. Vincent Grenadines,
to becoming a New York City
elected official.
“I wrote it because I wanted
individuals to understand
some of the struggles I went
through to achieve my goals
and encourage readers to not
let barriers hinder them from
reaching greater heights,” Dr.
Stewart, who served in the City
Council from 2002-2009, told
Caribbean Life about “An Island
Boy’s Story: From Union Island
to New York City Council.”
He said the book highlights
“the challenges I had in living
on a small island, St. Vincent,
Trinidad, as I migrated to
the US, while grasping at limited
opportunities within the
context of setting my goals of
becoming a professional.”
In the preface of “An Island
Boy’s Story,” Dr. Stewart —
who was defeated in 2009 by
Jumaane Williams, the son of
Grenadian immigrants, now
New York City public advocate,
as representative for the predominantly
Caribbean L 38 ife, JUNE 11-17, 2021
Caribbean 45th
Council District in Brooklyn
— writes that “many things
go through our minds, as we
reach retirement age, but one
thing that is universal is we
want to share our story with
younger generations.
“We want for them to know
it all — the good and the bad;
the triumphs and the failures,”
says the Brooklyn resident.
“Pride gives way to a more
urgent desire — the desire to
be truly known.
“You are holding my story,”
he adds. “But it’s more than
that; this is a story of progress
— a love letter to my home
island and the greater Caribbean.
“My story is evidence that
no matter how remote or humble
our beginnings, this world
has endless opportunities for
us all,” Dr. Stewart continues.
“And that, we must always,
always, remember where we
came from.”
The 221-page book features
28 chapters, including information
on Union Island; the
Stewart clan; his wife, Selene;
high school days; preparation
for migration to the US; early
skirmishes and political fights;
his re-election battle; lasting
community achievements; and
culture, carnival and steelpan.
It is also loaded with photos,
with, among others, Stewart
on the front cover; Stewart and
former US President Barack
Obama shaking hands on the
back cover and on the last page;
Stewart and former US Secretary
of State and Presidential
Candidate Hillary Rodham
Clinton on the first page; Stewart
with current and former
New York City elected officials;
and views of Union Island.
“From a very young age,
I’ve always been a very hard,
focused and dedicated worker,
with a driving ambition to be
successful,” Dr. Stewart writes
in “An Island’s Boy’s Story.”
“As an immigrant from the
Caribbean, I’ve had first-hand
knowledge of what it takes to
move forward, the sacrifices
necessary and inherent fortitude
in making a new home
in an adopted homeland,” he
adds.
Dr. Kendall Basil Stewart,
born on Oct. 7, 1950, was educated
at the St. Vincent and
the Grenadines Boys Grammar
School in the Vincentian capital,
Kingstown, from 1965 to
1970.
On graduation, he attended
the Caribbean Union College
(CUC) in Trinidad and Tobago,
where he earned an associate’s
degree.
In pursuit of higher learning,
Stewart migrated to New York
in 1973, where he obtained a
certificate in computer programing,
between 1973 and
1974, at Albert Merrill College
in Manhattan.
In 1976, he obtained a Bachelor
of Science degree from the
City University of New York
(CUNY), and, in 1981, earned
his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
(DPM) degree from New
York College of Podiatric Medicine,
where he was voted “Outstanding
Young Man of the
Year.”
Dr. Stewart said he began
practicing podiatric medicine
in 1981, and also tutored students
working towards their
high school equivalency examinations
between 1979 and
1981.
Dr. Kendall Stewart on front
cover of ‘An Island Boy’s
Story.’ Photo by Nelson A. King
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