Kings Plaza Mall marks Caribbean American Heritage Month with honors and carnival revelry

Kings Plaza on Wednesday June 26 brought the colorful and exciting spirit of the Islands to Center Court on Level 1 of the shopping mall to salute its annual Caribbean American Heritage month celebration and awards ceremony.

The carnival style event with the participants of young masqueraders from Sesame Flyers who got the audience on its feet to wave flags and revel to infectious carnival music, was hosted against the backdrop of a costume display, and flags representing the Islands.

St. Lucian national, and General Manager of Kings Plaza, Emma Dawson spoke of coming together as a community from the beautiful Islands with unique treasures, and thanked guests for coming out.

“I’m happy to be here. As you know we celebrate different events during Caribbean American Heritage month, and we incorporate all the different islands. We hope you recognize that and acknowledge that and enjoy the festivities with us whenever we may hold them. I would like to especially thank all the elected officials, you are our partners, we appreciate your support throughout the year.”

“To all our honorees, we thank you for your contributions to the community. It’s very important that we partner, thank you for doing your part, and to the rest of us, may we find our calling to be good communities stewards. I hope you continue to visit Kings Plaza,” said Dawson.

Six residents of the district were honored with plaques and bouquets. They are Calvin Sennon, Shamila Pantaleon, Dr. Melony Samuels, Judge Inga O’Neal, Kathleen LeBlanc, and Gardy Brazela.

Tristan Massalay-Ellis, vice president, corporate and legislation of Kasirer, who executed his emcee duties with precision, as infectious soca music by DJ Selectah Spadez played in the background, called the first honoree, Trinidad-born Calvin Sennon owner of TriniJam BK and founder of Visit Canarsie, a platform that “’Celebrate Canarsie”.

The entrepreneur accompanied by his Jamaican-born wife, Latoya, was nominated by Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse.

Caribbean nationals revel at Kings Plaza Annual Caribbean American Heritage Month celebration on Wednesday, June 26. Photo by Tangerine Clarke

“Thank you for showing the passion for the community I love,” said Narcisse, noting the areas that encompass the district. “As a former business owner, I see the passion that you have, to make sure Canarsie is relevant when we talk about the city of New York.”

“Thank you, Calvin, well deserved, said Councilmember Narcisse, to the immigrant who also leads the Canarsie Merchants Association, and whose initiative is about restoring the once growing and vibrant flow of visitors from around the city and the world to a Canarsie, a neighborhood rich with culture, heritage, and natural beauty.

Senator Roxanne Persaud thanked Dawn Simon, senior, area manager of marketing, Kings Plaza Mall, for always putting on a great show for Caribbean Heritage American month, and in a glowing tribute to Trinidad-born entrepreneur Shamila Pantaleon, said.

“I had the honor of nominating a fabulous person. Shamila, is one of those people, that if you call her, whatever she has she will give to support any community event, without asking for anything in return, whether its participating and giving her all to the Lions Club, or giving anything in the community, she has done so. Shamila does it from the heart, that is why I nominate her,” said Senator Persaud.

President of the Canarsie Lions Club, Jean Joseph, nominated Judge Inga O’Neil, an Antiguan national, born to Grenadian parents.  She was lauded by Joseph, who said despite O’Neil was the past president of the Brooklyn Canarsie Lions, she never stopped showing her support for the organization. Judge O’Neil was honored for her continued community service, and her exceptional contribution to the judicial system.

Little masqueraders from Sesame Flyers junior mas band enjoyed massing with the audience, while waving their flags at Kings Plaza Annual Caribbean American Heritage Month celebration on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Photo by Tangerine Clarke

Judge O’Neil, in her acceptance speech, noted that she truly appreciates the honor from Kings Plaza. “I am touched. I grew up in several Caribbean islands but spent most of my life in Grenada. The Caribbean shaped me into the person I am today,” she said.

“My parents instilled in me and my brother, a strong work ethic and the importance of a good education, as well as a deep commitment to service,” said O’Neil, which she continues to uphold as a member of the Lion’s Club.

Dr. Melony Samuels, founder, and executive director of The Campaign Against Hunger (TCAH, formerly Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger), a community-based service organization in Brooklyn, N.Y., was nominated by Senator Kevin Parker for the prestigious award.

As the Executive Director, Dr. Samuels, of Jamaican heritage, is responsible for daily operations, vision planning, and resource management for TCAH.

Wearing a beautiful red dress, Kathleen LeBlanc, born to Haitian parents, the owner of Luxe LeBlanc Styling Co., a blogger, and educator, was nominated by Councilmember Farah Louis. She was honored for her outstanding commitment to helping others dress their best.

The ‘Wardrobe Therapist,’ who believes “we are all celebrities in our own right, and we deserve to look and feel our best,” is a multi-passionate “mompreneur” who is obsessed with helping people feel like they can conquer the world. As a personal stylist, LeBlanc looks forward to helping people showcase “the amazing person you are inside through your wardrobe.”

Gardy Brazela, the well-known president of 69th Precinct Community Council and the founder and president of Friends United Block Association (FUBA), the largest social services provider in Canarsie, Brooklyn, was nominated by Assemblymember Jamie Williams.

Brazela, who was appointed a Community Board 18 member in 1997, and later named chair of its public safety committee, in 2019, became board chair. The community leader played a big part in providing help for hurricane victims, and distributed face masks and food to those in need during the coronavirus pandemic. He is a community stake holder and partner.

Thanking Kings Plaza and Assemblymember Williams, for the honor, Brazela noted that he has also worked hand in hand with Senator Persaud for the betterment of the community.

“We Caribbean people are very supportive, we have made great contribution to the State of New York, without us, I don’t know where the state would be. We need to give ourselves a big round of applause,” he said.

“I would like to thank Senator Roxanne Persaud, and Assemblymember Jamie Williams from the bottom of my heart,” said Haitian-born Brazela, who was accompanied by his wife.