From left, Lynette Shelborne-Barfield, director of strategic partnership, workplace of NY Metropolis Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Romeo Hitlall, 1st vice district governor of the Brooklyn & Queens Lions Membership, Demetrius Crichlow, senior vp of the New York Metropolis Transit Division of Subways, Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., fifteenth Senate District, Assemblyman David I. Weprin, District 24, and Lynn C. Schulman, metropolis council member, District 29, and Vijah Ramjattan pose after unveiling the “Welcome to Little Guyana” plaque within the mezzanine of the Lefferts Boulevard A-train station.
Picture by Tangerine Clarke
It was a crowning second for Guyanese Individuals on March 22, when the MTA unveiled the symbolic “Welcome to Little Guyana” plaque within the mezzanine on the Lefferts Boulevard A-train station in Richmond Hill, Queens.
The bustling metropolis the place the most important Guyanese inhabitants in NY city dwell, personal small companies, and showcase prosperous Indo-Caribbean tradition, in 2021, celebrated the co-naming of the identical intersection of Lefferts Blvd./Liberty Avenue, Little Guyana, and additional advocated for the subway signage.
Demetrius Crichlow, senior vp of the New York Metropolis Transit Division of Subways, joined Senator Joseph Addabbo, Councilmember Lynn C. Schulman, Assemblyman David Weprin, Tim Minton, communications director, MTA, Lions Membership President Romeo Hitlall, and group leaders, to formally honor the numerous event.
Critchlow, a longtime New Yorker, who began his profession with the MTA in 1997, praised Little Guyana for its heat and vibrancy, noting, the MTA values variety in communities, their staff, and in management. It’s an excellent second to have fun right here,” he stated.
He alluded to Guyana’s various inhabitants, of many cultures, that come collectively, like New York, a melting pot of communities, household, and associates.
“This location is particular, we celebrated Guyana’s Republic anniversary in February, and Holy is that this weekend. That is the right time, and place to acknowledge Little Guyana, through the spring season of heat, colour, and vibrancy, that Little Guyana represents.”
Critchlow spoke of the symbiotic relationship between transportation and communities that the MTA serves. “Each group that’s surrounded by transportation thrives in it.”
He stated persons are tied to places, they usually take possession of their transportation selections.
“Little Guyana you’re taking possession as part of the group, my staff help the group. They’re on the lookout for one of the best location to get ‘pepper pot’ and ‘cassava bread,’ he stated, referencing Guyanese meals, and mused, “I wish to have some too.” He then congratulated the group, which advocated for the signage.
He assured that conductors will probably be inspired to announce, ‘Welcome to Little Guyana, when the practice arrive on the Lefferts Boulevard cease.
Senator Addabbo welcomed the stakeholders, together with, Romeo Hitlall, and famous that the signal is a logo of the cultural heritage of the Guyanese group, and the a long time previous contributions they’ve delivered to the group, whereas elevating the financial system with small companies alongside Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Blv’d.
He applauded the immigrants and their households noting the variety of the group that has been rising through the years, in essentially the most various borough on the earth, within the metropolis, and state, and nation. “That’s the reason America is the best nation on the earth,” Addabbo said.
“The signage additionally represents the immigrants who got here right here earlier than, so whereas the Welcome to Little Guyana signal will welcome new guests, we should be reminded of the immigrants, who’ve been right here for many years,” stated Sen. Addabbo, a life-long resident of the environ.
“I’m glad to be part of Little Guyana, however it takes all of us to make it possible for the variety works, and we are able to welcome everybody right here,” stated the politician.
Romeo Hitlall, 1st vice district governor of the Brooklyn & Queens Lions Membership, expressed gratitude to the MTA and Sen. Addabbo, noting the historic unveiling was a partnership effort between elected officers, the Richmond Hill South Ozone Park Lions Membership, and the group, including that the signal will welcome thousands and thousands of tourists passing via the subway station and Little Guyana.
“I wish to proceed working with companions to do higher and higher issues in our group, thanks very a lot,” stated Hitlall.
“That is one other recognition within the Guyanese group that has made a serious contribution in Queens and NY city. We have now so many various occasions right here in in Richmond Hill that we’re so happy with, and we’re very happy with the register Richmond Hill” stated Assemblyman David Weprin.
Metropolis Councilmember Lynn Schulman additionally applauded immigrants, noting that she was proud to be a part of the historic unveiling of the register Little Guyana.
“This group has been right here for the reason that Nineteen Seventies and 80s when Guyanese had been coming into Richmond Hill and Ozone Park, it is a image of the variety of our borough, essentially the most various on the earth. The Guyanese group is a giant a part of our group we must always have fun everybody, daily.”
She thanked the MTA, noting “it’s superb that when she takes the subway, she is going to see an indication that claims ‘Welcome to Little Guyana.’ I’ve all the time felt welcomed right here and now everyone goes to see what variety is, and the way wealthy this group is. Thanks very a lot,” stated Schulman.
Additionally in attendance, had been Berkley VanTull, captain, commanding officer of the 16 Precinct, Lynette Shelborne-Barfield, director of strategic partnership, workplace of NY Metropolis Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, and Group Chief, District 31, Richard David.
The memorable occasion was celebrated with music from the Unique Takeover Tassa Dumming Ensemble, and the waving of Guyana’s Golden Arrowhead and American flags of freedom.
