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Caribbean L 8 ife, FEBRUARY 5-11, 2021
Cicely Tyson, enjoying the spotlight at Gracie Mansion, during the celebration
of the 50th Anniversary of the West Indian American Carnival, at Gracie
Mansion in 2017. Photo by Tangerine Clarke
Caribbean community mourns
loss of actress Cicely Tyson
By Tangerine Clarke
The Caribbean community paid tribute
to legendary American actress, Cicely
Tyson who died on Thursday, Jan.
28. She was 96.
The award-winning stage and screen
star, whose parents were born on the
island of Nevis, talked
about her life on Ryan
and Kelly Show which is
chronicled in her memoir
“Just As I Am,” two days
before her passing.
This reporter was fortunate
to photograph and
feature Tyson, a recipient
of three Prime Time
Emmy Awards, four Black
Reel Awards, and a Screen
Actors Guild Award.
She was the honored
guest at the 50th Caribbean
American Carnival
Association’s celebration,
hosted by Mayor Bill de
Blasio and his wife, Chirlane
McCray at Gracie
Mayor Bill de Blasio and
wife Chirlane McCray,
presenting a Proclamation
to legendary actress,
Cicely Tyson at
the 50th Anniversary of
the West Indian American
Carnival celebration,
at Gracie Mansion
Mansion, on Aug. 29,
2017, proclaimed Cicely
Tyson Day by the politician.
This was followed by the presentation
of a Proclamation, before de Blasio in
his address, called Tyson, an extraordinary
in 2017. Photo by Tangerine
Clarke, File
actress and many times a trailblazer,
opening doors for hundreds of
thousands of actors and actresses, he
added, and recounted her 60 plus years
on screen and stage.
De Blasio, told Tyson she was the
greatest actress to ever grace the stage
of Gracie Mansion, a compliment, that
garnered loud applause for the late
beloved iconic Hollywood star, who was
also honored with the Medial of Freedom
from President Barack Obama.
Tyson, who had lit up the stage in her
colorful ensemble, spoke of her parents
whom she said, had taken her to every
West Indian event when she was growing
up.
“I wish my mother was
here’” she said. “I came
here through a mother
and father from the Island
of Nevis. I spent my entire
life steeped in West Indian
culture, and there was
never a time when I didn’t
attend a West Indian
function with my family.
I listened to every single
West Indian Calypso,” she
quipped.
“ The next three generations
of my family can
tell you everything about
taking pride in being a
West Indian. It is important
to know why you are
here, and why you were
placed on earth to perform,”
Tyson said.
“People wonder why I
am here so long. I wonder
myself why I am here so long. I am the
sole member of my immediate family
alive. God has me here for a reason,
and I am willing to stay.” she said, back
in 2017.
Former Prime Minister of Saint Kitts,
Sir Kennedy Simmonds in a Facebook
statement said he was “saddened to
hear of the passing of the legendary and
iconic Hollywood actress, Cicely Tyson.
Cicely Tyson was born to Nevisian parents
and was extremely proud of her
Nevisian heritage.”
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customers, has stayed the same for 100 years.
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