Sesame Flyers honors Anita Taylor with Community Builder Award
In celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month, the Brooklyn-based non-profit cultural and educational group Sesame Flyers on June 26 bestowed special honor on Anita Taylor, the Brooklyn district director for Caribbean American Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.
Sesame Flyers said it honored Taylor, with its Community Builder Award, during a gala ceremony at the luxurious El Caribe Country Club on Strickland Avenue in Brooklyn, describing her as “an exceptional individual who generously and tirelessly has striven to make our neighborhoods and our people better, stronger, safer and more empowered.
“You are a bright light walking among us who knows the value of giving back – and the importance of preserving history and culture as we move forward,” said Sesame Flyers at its annual Caribbean Essence Awards and Showcase Benefit.
During the gala, the group also awarded “well-deserving, college-bound high school seniors” with scholarships in recognition of their academic merit.
In accepting the award, Taylor reflected on her life and expressed gratitude for “all the blessing upon me.
“You see, yesterday was my best friend, Mary Bishop’s, 60th birthday, who is no longer with us,” said Taylor, about Trinidadian Bishop, who had served as Clarke’s community liaison. “Never in a million years have I ever thought that I would be standing in a room without her.
“I am pleased, honored and humbled to accept this Community Bridgebuilder Award,” she added. “I have joined past and present recipients, who I have long admired and respected. Special thanks to Sesame Flyers for selecting me why I can still smell the roses.”
Taylor thanked her family for “loving me and supporting me through all these years, especially on those late nights and weekend work activities,” as well as Clarke’s staff for their hard work and for supporting her “to make sure that we can deliver the best results to the community we serve.”
She reserved special thanks to Clarke for “believing in me when I did not believe in myself” and allowing her to serve the community.
“Service is what I do, service is what I know, and service is what I will continue to do,” Taylor affirmed.
Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, said: “Any individual who has had the privilege of knowing my dear friend and longtime colleague Anita Taylor understands what a dedicated, fearless advocate she is for our Brooklyn family and Caribbean community.
“Her well-deserved award follows a lifetime of selfless service on behalf of a people so close to her heart, and I would like to extend her my most sincere congratulations,” she added. “May our community continue to uplift those who truly embody the spirit of #CaribbeanAmericanHeritageMonth.”
