Sonje' Productions

Date: Friday April 20, 2012

Location: Marriott Waterfront Hotel, Baltimore, MD

Honorees: 

Raymond V. Haysbert Award recipient – Hassan Murphy

David M. Sampson Corporate Award- Cordish Companies

Rising Star Award Recipient- Andrea Jackson

Whitney M. Young 2012 Award Recipients: 

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings- Blake, City of Baltimore

Andrew Bertamini- Regional President of Wells Fargo

Larry Young- WOLB Radio Host

Produced by: Sonje’ Productions

Alex Barron, Regional Director of Walmart, and wife; J. Howard Henderson, GBUL President; and me.

Our Master of Ceremony, Doni Glover.

Hassan Murphy

Andrea Jackson and GBLA President, Eric White.

Cordish Companies

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake

Andrew Bertamini

Larry Young

Sinbad did a great job!

Qream invades new boutique Lovelace Toujours for the day….

Owners Kyra and Dara were as cute as ever.

Pretty n’ Pink Cupcakes of course.

DJ Angelbaby spinning! Such a cutie.

Time to start pouring

Qream lovers

Time for some shopping too. Great finds!

Capturing the Qream moment…

Krissy from Salon Rache was getting her shop on.

Love me some Qream…

My Qream Queens!

Got crunk real quick…

Kyra enjoying her Qream cupcake..

Fab Empire came through and got to pouring….:)

Great times! Make sure you check out their boutique at 1201 Light Street!! Support each other!

It had been 30 years since I had step foot back on my homeland of Guyana. Many people may not know where Guyana is, often confusing it with Ghana in Africa, when I mention the name. Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America and it borders Venezuela, Suriname, and Brazil. It is below sea level so there are no beaches, just 80% of untouched rainforest.

After stepping off that 5.5 hour flight, I was curious to see and discover my heritage and culture. My parents and grand parents had talked of what Guyana use to be but because of political reasons they migrated to America for a better life. Growing up in Queens, little subcultures were only glimpses of what Guyana really was; a country of 6 different races mixed all together through their food, music, and people.

Walking the chaotic streets surrounding Starbroek Market, with horns continuously blowing and aggressive vendors pitching their products, you see beautiful exotic brown people hustling for a dollar. Even though it can all be confusing and hectic, it still gives a visitor an idea of what everyday life was for the common working folk. It showed the state of poverty of the country but it also showed the inner hustle of the average person to put food on their family’s table. No one seemed unhappy, they had just adjusted to the circumstances.

Next stop was the house I grew up in New Town, which is a neighborhood in Georgetown, Guyana. It didn’t jog many memories but it definitely touched a nerve because remnants of my family were still present in the neighborhood, like a bridge named after my great-uncle, Cecil Hinds. I was proud that we were still a part of Georgetown even though many years have passed.

We then decided to tap into our adventurous side and go to the rainforest. There is beautiful resort called Arrow Point which is located in the “interior” of Guyana. It is run by the native Amerindians in the area and you are able to partake in kayaking, cycling, fishing and swimming in the creek.

Being at Arrow Point was definitely a highlight of my homecoming. The guides, the service, and experience was a starch contrast to the bustling city. It was serene and the best place for anyone who is a nature lover.

A week was definitely not enough time to take in all the culture, food, and towns of Guyana, but it was just enough for the moment. It allowed  me to better understand my mother, my father, my great-grandmother, and my upbringing. There were certain values and morals that were instilled in me which has conflicted sometimes with society. I still carry those with me and now understand the place it derived. I understand why my parents left and why it was important for them to want to provide more for their one daughter at that time. Guyana has changed because of politics and other derivatives but it is still a place of beautiful people with a rich culture. I was happy I was able to take the journey to appreciate my family history and see pieces of me still very much part of Guyana.