Yvette Clarke named grand marshal for Guyana Diamond Jubilee Independence Parade in Brooklyn

The Guyana Independence Celebration Committee New York has named Caribbean-American Democratic Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke and Guyana’s top CSEC student for 2025, Jayden Adrian, as grand marshals for the Guyana Diamond Jubilee Independence parade in Brooklyn, New York.

CSEC stands for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate that is issued by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC). 

Rickford Burke, chairman of the Brooklyn-based Guyana Independence Committee New York, told Caribbean Life on Monday, Jun. 1, that Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, “has always stood with the Guyanese community.

“Since her ascendancy to elected office, be it in the New York City Council, or in Congress, Yvette Clarke has been an indefatigable defender and fighter for the rights of Guyanese and other Caribbean Americans whose interests she advances in Congress every day,” he said. 

“She is an integral part of our Brooklyn community,” added Burke about Clarke, who is also chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. “It’s an honor to have her to serve as Grand Marshal of the Guyanese parade, along with young Jayden Adrian.”

He said that Adrian, 17, wrote an unprecedented 27 subjects at the CSEC examination, while attending Queens College, including 21 Grade Ones.

“He was one of two top performers in the entire Caribbean region,” said Burke, adding that Adrian is “an exceptionally brilliant young man with a mountain of ambition, including a desire to become an aeronautical engineer.”

He said the committee “wanted to ensure the world knows about his brilliance and stellar academic accomplishments at such a young age. 

“He is an example to other youth who is worthy of emulation,” said Burke, urging all Guyanese and friends of Guyana to “come out and celebrate Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee of Independence in unity.”

He said the celebration theme is “Feel The Riddim of The Nation @60.”

Burke said the celebration commences with the Guyana Independence parade on Sunday, Jun. 7, 2026, starting at Church and Utica Avenues in Brooklyn at 12:00 noon.

He also said several outstanding Guyanese nationals will be bestowed United States Congressional Awards during the New York celebration. 

Burke said the committee has nominated Guyanese who have given “exemplary and distinguished service to Guyana and the international community.”

He said the top two honorees are Baroness Valarie Amos, former leader of the British House of Lords, former Minister of Overseas Development in the British Government, and current Master of the University College of Oxford; and Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, former Chancellor of the Judiciary of Guyana and Chief Justice-designate of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Other honorees include: Dr. Shamir Ally, former Guyana Ambassador to Kuwait; Dr. Rose October, director of the Guyana Cultural Association; Maureen Walker, former Comptroller of the City of Mount Vernon, New York; Dr. Riaz Rupnarain, Member of Parliament of Guyana, lecturer at University of Guyana and former teacher at Queens College, Guyana; Jayden Adrian, Guyana’s top Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) student for 2025; Bishop Dr. Michael Clarke, senior pastor of Redeemer Tabernacle, Brooklyn; Ira Pile Lewis (Lady Ira), Guyanese community activist and humanitarian; Indra Jainarinesingh, owner of Tota’s Bakery, Utica Avenue, Brooklyn; and Omotolo Golding, youth coach and mentor.

The other honorees are: Onoja Atta Onoja, businessman and president of the African Caribbean Chamber of Trade, Commerce and Industry; Dr. Dr. Terrence Campbell, Member of Parliament of Guyana and entrepreneur;  Rhonda Binda, attorney, former Deputy Queens Borough President in New York and Guyanese community leader; Remmy Kulsum, assistant principal at Waterside School for Leadership MS 318, Far rockaway, Queens; and Dr. Sandra Harte, educator and former member of the Irvington Town Council, New Jersey.

“In all of the planned events, the diamond jubilee celebration engenders national pride for every Guyanese, as we reflect on the evolution of our heritage, history, culture and nationhood,” the Guyana Independence Celebration Committee New York said.

“Our celebration is choreographed to highlight to the nation and Diaspora, Guyana’s journey from slavery to social transformation and the path to modern development,” it added. “The celebration theme, ‘Feel The Riddim Of The Nation @ 60’, captures the mood of the Diaspora as we approach this historic milestone.”

The committee said the commemorative events include an Independence Thanksgiving Church Service; a flag raising-ceremony at the East Orange City Hall, New Jersey; as well as a soccer competition in Brooklyn and an Awards Grand Gala on Saturday, June 6, at Da Mikelle Palazzo in Woodside, Queens, New York.

The Guyana Independence Celebration Committee New York invited Guests of Honor include David Lammy, M.P, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Leader in the United States Congress; Charles Schumer, Minority Leader of the United States Senate; Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York; Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City; Caribbean-American Democratic Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke,; Baroness Valerie Amos, former leader of the United Kingdom House of Lords and current Master of the University College of Oxford; and Yonette Cummings-Edwards, former Chancellor of the Judiciary of Guyana and Justice Designate, Turks and Caicos Islands.