Jamaican, Barbadian crowned Mechanics Order Inaugural Juneteenth Monarchs

Jamaican and Barbadian nationals on Sunday were crowned the inaugural Juneteenth Monarchs of the Brooklyn-based Grand Council of the Independent United Order of Mechanics (IUOM), Friendly Society of North, Central & South America, Islands of the Seas and the Entire Western Hemisphere, Inc.

Jamaican Wayne A. Wiles and Barbadian Betty Thorpe were crowned King and Queen, respectively, during the IOUM’s Annual Luncheon, celebrating Juneteenth, at Nazareth High School, 475 East, 57th Street, Brooklyn.

New King Wayne Wiles with Deputy Grand Master Glenver Jones. Photo by Nelson A. King

Wiles, who competed with just one male contestant, and Thorpe, who vied with seven competitors, received the judges’ nod after they correctly answered a series of questions, before 300-odd patrons, which focused on Caribbean culture, customs, food and lifestyles.

Besides Jamaica and Barbados, the nationalities of the other contestants were: the United States (South Carolina), Panama, Guyana, Aruba, Belize, and St. Lucia.

New Queen Betty Thorpe with some IOUM Executive Committee members of the Grand Council. Photo by Nelson A. King

Some of the questions asked included: The naming of a famous Trinidadian cuisine; the four main languages spoken in the Caribbean; the ingredients for the famous Barbadian dish Cou-Cou; the body of water that surrounds the Caribbean; the Caribbean country famous for the “Oil Down” dish; the island that is famous for jerk chicken; one of the “beautiful Baths” in St. Lucia; and one of the oceans that connects with Panama.

“This was the first time I felt bold enough to stand in front of an audience doing something like this,” Thorpe, a Brooklyn resident, who has two children, told Caribbean Life afterwards. “It was all for fun. The questions overall were ok, related to the Caribbean.

“I learned a lot about other Caribbean islands,” added Thorpe, who works in child care. “And although I didn’t get to answer my favorite questions, I am elated to be crowned queen of the event.”

Wiles, a US Navy veteran, who has four daughters, currently works for the General Service Administration (GSA) as a Smart Building Specialist.

“I was elated winning the Juneteenth King in this year’s event,” he told Caribbean Life subsequently. “And I look forward to attending next year as a brother of Moses.”

The event also featured a “Freedom Dance” by Millicent Bailey and a Juneteenth Cultural/Fashion Show.

Millicent Bailey performs “Freedom Dance.”Photo by Nelson A. King

Ven. Amando Cardew, a retired US Army Staff Sergeant, presented the US Flag; Rt. Hon, Winston George, executive grand prelate, offered the invocation; and Trinidadian Sis. Shirley Carmino, a former school teacher in her native land, gave the welcome remarks.

Hyacinth Robinson-Goldson, IUOM’s Jamaican-born community liaison, who coordinated the Juneteenth segment of the Luncheon, described the event as “an extraordinary and historical undertaking.

“The committee worked very hard, and boldly entered into unchartered waters with the Juneteenth celebration and recognition,” she said. “With the blessing of the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Rt. Hon. Errol G. Collins, and members of the Executive Committee of Grand Council, and the awesome support from our many guests, including families and friends, this was a very humbling experience, especially for me a Jamaican, who did not study American history.

“The Juneteenth cultural aspect of the program also forced me to do my own research on what led up to the declaration of the Juneteenth Holiday, and the struggles and sacrifices that were made among our own people of color in the United States of America, Robinson-Goldson added. “I feel extremely honored to have been given the opportunity to serve and coordinate this project with my fellow Committee members.”

Commissioner David Williams, center, with organizing committee members. Photo by Nelson A. King

The Most Worshipful Grand Master, Rt. Hon. Errol G. Collins – who was introduced by Grand Deputy Master Rt. Hon. Glenver R. Jones – thanked all the participants of the Juneteenth Cultural Show, and congratulated the King and Queen.

He also expressed his gratitude patrons for their support of the event.

In this “post pandemic era” he said; “I am very happy to know that people in general are getting back to some form of normalcy, and coming out to enjoy themselves”.

Jamaican-born Collins said he was “very pleased with the result of the event”, and thanked the Chairman, Rt. Hon. David Williams and his committee members for doing “such a wonderful job.”

He also thanked and recognized all members of the Executive Committee of Grand Council, who were in attendance; the District Grand Masters from the various District Grand Jurisdictions and special guests, including Rev. Father George Bonner, a member of the Order and Rector of the St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Canarsie, Brooklyn; and the judges of the Cultural Show,  including former Consul General of Barbados, Lennox Price, who were responsible for selecting the 2023 IUOM Juneteenth King and Queen.

Williams, the Grenadian-born commissioner/chairman of the IOUM’s Resource and Finance Committee, which organized the annual Luncheon, said he was “just grateful for the support received by family; friends; members of the Order; Fr.  George Bonner and members of The Saint Albans Episcopal Church Brooklyn; Bishop Dr. Carlos Jesse and guest; former Council General of Barbados to New York Lennox Price.

“With deep appreciation from The Grand Council of the Independent United Order of Mechanics Friendly Society, Resource and Finance Committee, thank you,” he added.