FREE www.caribbeanlifenews.com BROOKLYN/STATEN ISLAND EDITION April 8-14, 2016 WINDIES HAT-TRICK West Indies pride restored in international cricket The West Indies team celebrates with their trophy on the podium after defeating England in the fi nal of the ICC World Twenty20 2016 cricket tournament at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India, Sunday, April 3, 2016. Associated Press / Saurabh Das By Nelson A. King Kolkata, India. triumph in their maiden Twen- against the wall in the penul- bean’s pride and silence critics The West Indies Twenty20 Sunday’s amazing victory ty20 finale. Just a few months timate over — needing 19 runs within and without the region. squad on Sunday defied all brought much joy and pride ago, the West Indies Under in the last over — all-rounder Brathwaite had only scored odds by beating England by to all Caribbean people, as the 19 men’s team clinched the Carlos Brathwaite, in his first a mere aggregate of 25 runs in four wickets in a nail-biting fin- women’s team earlier on the 50-over title from India for the World Cup finale, blasted four four prior Twenty20 interna- ish in the International Cricket same day mesmerized three- first time. consecutive sixes, in the first tionals over 4 ½ years, with a Council’s (ICC) grand finale in time champions Australia to With their back heavily four balls, to restore the Carib- Continued on Page 6 e Brooklyn Elder e Serve Th ly And Adu W lt nity In A Comfortable, Compas mmu sionat o e C , ring, Cultural En Ca viro g, nm in v en o t L Accepted Managed Services k a C e Care Programs: p r e We Provide: S o e l Aetna e W Community Trips Agewell New York Alpha Care Pastoral Care Centerlight Center Plan For Healthy Living Daily Ethnic Foods Elder Serve Health Beauty Salon Services (River Spring Home) Free Door To Door Elder Plan Extended Transportation Fidelis Social Activities Guildnet Integra Birthday Celebrations Independence Cultural Activities Care System Senior Health Partners Computer Classes Senior Whole Health Of New York ESL Program Vns Choice Concerts Village CarEmax Wellcare Entertainment Medicaid Managed Care Program Assistance We Are Open 7 Days A Week, Two Shifts Daily !VENUE.s"ROOKLYN .EW9ORK Call us: (718) 513–1818 2 Caribbean Life, April 8-14, 2016 B Making NYC First Lady headlines Community College women awards tuition free By Nelson A. King Brooklyn Assemblymember Rod- neyse Bichotte has introduced Assem- bly Bill A9254, originally sponsored by Senator James Sanders (S6597), which provided a waiver of tuition for community college for two years or up to two years of career and techni- cal education. Bichotte, who represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn, said this makes New York State one of at least 11 other states that have pro- posed similar legislation. A national version of the legislation was introduced by members of Con- gress, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Rep. Robert “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) entitled America’s Promise College Act of 2015 soon after President Obama’s announcement and includes Historically Black Colleges (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institu- tions (MSIs). Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke presents award and proclamations to First Lady Chirlane McCray, with Mayor DeBlasio. They are fl anked by Assemblywomen Latrice Walker and Diana Richardson, and Assemblyman Nick President Obama and the White Perry. Photo by Nelson A. King House made policy indicating that all 50 states should implement free com- munity college tuition. By Nelson A. King registered nurse at Mt. Sinai St. Luke’s and $850 million program to bring “I answered the president’s call,” New York City First Lady Chirlane Organization; Dr. Roxie V. Irish, youth more services, better services and serv- Bichotte said. “President Obama McCray, who traces her roots to St. minister at the Miracle Temple Min- ices that are easier to access to New understands how education can be Lucia and Barbados, on Sunday head- istries in Brooklyn and president and Yorkers. a pathway to opportunity. Economic lined the “Women Celebrating Women” founder of the United Vincie Cultur- The first lady lamented that many standing should not be a litmus test gala Award Ceremony at Tropical Par- al Group of Brooklyn; Dolsy Lewis- are unable to find jobs because of men- as to whether one can get an educa- adise Ballroom on Utica Avenue in Wilkinson, registered nurse at SUNY tal illnesses. tion.” Brooklyn. Downstate Hospital; Marilyn D. Mosley, “And all mental illnesses are treat- Bichotte noted that, in 2015, the McCray was among 17 extraordi- a public school advocate; Lisa G. Wel- able,” she said, adding: “We’ll be rolling Executive Office of the President nary women who were honored by the lington, a physician assistant at Mon- out the initiative all this year. All of us released the America’s College Prom- Brooklyn-based Progressive Democrats tefiore Einstein Hospital; Dr. Inyong can sign up anyone. The class is free. ise: A Progress Report on Free Com- Political Association (PDPA), headed by Asibong, a physician and member of the We want to connect people for the first munity College report. former New York City Council Member Medical Association of Nigeria; Leslyn time.” The report’s findings indicated the Dr. Una S-T. Clarke. Stewart, a registered nurse and widow In addition to mental health, McCray makeup of the America’s community The event, which was attended by of slain NYDP detective Dillon Stewart; said she has lent her voice and posi- college’s student bodies. Mayor Bill de Blasio, was in recognition and Allison Williams, owner of Marie tion to furthering the administra- In regards to the racial makeup of of Women’s History Month, Dr. Clarke Elanne,Inc., an accessories and cloth- tion’s efforts to expand early childhood community college students, roughly said. ing line. development and support survivors of 50 percent identified as minority and The other honorees were: Michelle The honorees also received procla- domestic violence. 57 percent as women. Akyempong, vice president of Legisla- mations from, among others, Congress- Additionally, McCray said she is As far as age, 47 percent of stu- tion and Political Action of the Social woman Yvette D. Clarke and Council- “proud to serve as chair of the Mayor’s dents were 21 and younger, while 41 Service Employee Union, Local 371, DC man Jumaane Williams. Fund to Advance New York City.” percent were 22-39. 37; Tanika Allen, a licensed occupation- The first lady of New York City said The goal of the fund is ensure that The Executive Office also stated al therapy practitioner; Debbie Almon- she has been a writer and advocate all all New Yorkers have access to the that “[t]he country’s more than 1,000 taser, founder and former principal of her life. programs and resources they need to community colleges are places that Khalil Gibran International Academy; This past year, she played a central achieve their full potential. welcome everyone through their Nohemi Anderson, owner of Creaciones role in the de Blasio administration’s McCray said the fund’s work is doors - 40 percent are first-genera- Beauty Salon; Paulette Bermingham, successful efforts to establish universal focused on health, education, commu- tion college goers; 30 percent have educator, minister and matriarch of the pre-kindergarten and after- school pro- nity empowerment and social justice. dependents, and 38 percent receive Haitian Seventh-Day Adventist Com- grams for all middle school students. As chair, McCray said she brings Pell grants.” munity; Dr. Zulema Blair, director of As first lady, McCray said she is “a together leaders in the private and pub- “These facts are real and the need the Freshman Program and assist- fierce advocate for high quality and lic sectors to support Mayor Bill de Bla- for free community college tuition ant professor at Medgar Evers College; accessible mental health services.” sio’s progressive agenda. is real,” Bichotte said. “The Bill Ingrid Leer-Charles, a PDPA member She said that, “for far too long, New The public can learn more about her strengthens an obvious fact, which and qualified disaster response techni- Yorkers experiencing mental health work at FLO.NYC, where she shares her is that New York will be built to lead cian; and Dr. Keicha Gosling, the direc- challenges have been left without the stories, poems, photos and videos. when everyone has the opportunity tor of the Northeastern Conference support and services they deserve.” McCray invited New Yorkers to help to access a community college edu- Adventist Community Services. She is spearheading the city’s efforts her “make the greatest city in the world cation. The others were: Pamela Grannum, on mental health, including ThriveNYC, even greater.” BQ Caribbean Life, April 8-14, 2016 3 Updated daily at www.caribbeanlifenews.com CARIBBEAN ROUNDUP THE NEWS FROM BACK HOME Antigua The Antigua and Barbuda’s new ambassador to Iraq is to make a prepay- ment for 50 Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) passports. A release said the government will have approximately US$5 million in its possession with an additional US$10 million advance payment on 50 CIP applications from Ambassador Ahmed Abbas Oleiwi Al-Hassan. According to the release, the entire US$15 million has already been ear- marked to go towards the Cruise Port Development Project in St. John’s. The country’s ambassador to Iraq is said to also be bringing a proposed project for the develop- ment of approximate- ly 93 acres of land at Pensioner’s Beach. The release said the devel- opment will comprise a hotel, luxury housing, a water park and an in-door mall with a contained movie-theatre and will employ thousands of Antiguans and Barbudans.