Famous People of Guyanese Heritage
Here is a list of some famous people of Guyanese heritage that has been compiled by Kelvin Mahadeo, aka “Crazy Kelvin”, a Toronto-based artist and web designer, of Guyanese parentage. Check out his bio at his website at www.crazykelvin.com
Of course this is just a partial list. If you know of other famous Guyanese, you could contact him at: ck@crazykelvin.com
Music Artists (8) Leona Lewis *UPDATED* Rihanna *UPDATED* Eddy Grant Deborah Cox
Dave Baksh Sol RayeKen “Snakehips” Johnson Melanie Fiona *NEW* Actors (6)Sean Patrick ThomasDerek Luke *NEW*Marc Gomes *NEW* Ram John Holder *NEW* Norman Beaton *NEW* Guy Wellman *NEW*Actresses (7)Maureen Bunyan *NEW* Dawnn Lewis *NEW* Flora Cheong-Leen *NEW* CCH Pounder Jessica Caesar Carmen Munroe *NEW*Rhona Fox *NEW*Politicians (2)Valerie Amos Bernie Grant *NEW*Athletes (12)Priscilla Lopes-Schliep *NEW*Corinne Van Ryck de Groot *NEW*Nicolette Fernandes *NEW*Dwayne De Rosario *NEW*Phil Edwards *NEW*Marcus McKoy *NEW*Troy Ross *NEW*Dennis Andries *NEW*Sean Foley *NEW*Howard Eastman *NEW*Martiza Correia *UPDATED*Ezekiel Jackson *NEW*Models (3)Shakira Baksh Nicole Narain Janice E. Moorgen *NEW*Writers (3)Dr. Mike Philips E.R. Braithwaite John Agard *NEW*
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GUYANA PERSONALITIES – 1970-1971
Also look at this extensive list of Guyanese in an earlier time – in 1971 …… that was contained in a publication of Caribbean Personalities ….. Go to:
http://guyaneseonline.wordpress.com/2012/03/27/guyana-personalities-1970-1971/
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NEW WRITER: NARAINE DATT
BOOKS PUBLISHED:(1) A LONELY VOICE (50 POEMS OF LIFE, LOVE, POLITICS, WOMEN AND THE ENVIRONMENT)
(2) DRINK FROM MY CALABASH (50 POEMS)
E R Burrowes is better known as an artist
Ivan Van Sertima (Historian – Archeologist)- They came before Columbus
Jan Carew – Writer, Historian
Walter Rodney (Historian) – How Europe Underdeveloped Africa
George James – The Stolen Legacy
Forbes Burnham – Politician
Cheddie Jagan – Politician
Hubert N Critchlow – Trade Unionist
Norman Beaton – Actor
James Wren Gilkes – Athlete (Sprinter)
George Cummerbatch – Cyclist
Clive Thomas – Economist
Lennox Beckles – Athlete (Boxer)
Lennox Blackmore – Athlete (Boxer)
Andrew (Six head) Lewis – Athlete (Boxer)
Martin Dias – Athlete (Weight Lifter)
Hugh Ross – Athlete (Body Builder)
June Griffith – Athlete
Rocky McPherson – Athlete – coach
Marc Holder – Musician
Eddie Hooper – Musician
Ken Corsbie – Theatre Personality – story Teller
Henry Motoo – Theatre Personality – story Teller
Marc Mathews – Theatre Personality – story Teller
Matthew Allen – Radio personality
Pat Cammeron – Radio and philanthropy
Dave Martins – Musicain
Edgar Mittelholzer – Writer
Lionel Luckhoo – Lawyer, statesman
Archibald Leonard Luker – Lyrics of the National Anthem
Robert Potter – Music for the National Anthem
Martin Carter – Poet
Rohan Khanai- cricketer – once no one batsman in the wold
Lance Gibbs- Cricketer – once the highest wicket taker at the test level
Cilve Lloyd – Cricketer – once the most successful captain in international cricket.
i leave space fr others to contribute.
MAHADEO SHIVRAJ – ACTOR ,PLAYWRIGHT,COMEDIAN
The late Edward Louis Chesterfield Broomes, M.D. was born to Mr. & Mrs. Charles Broomes in Mabaruma, North West District, Guyana on November 17, 1913. He came to the United States from Guyana, South America on September 19, 1935. He was Guyana’s Consul General for the Midwestern States. He lived in East Chicago, Indiana.
-1939 Bachelor of Science – Howard University
-1942 Doctor of Medicine – Howard University
-Interned at Homer G. Phillips Hospital, St. Louis
-Residency at St. Mary’s Infirmary
-Opened his office for the practice of medicine in East Chicago February 1, 1945
Sunrise, November 17,1913 – Sunset June 25, 1999
more information would be added as it becomes available.
Guyanese people are the greatest, even with limited resources we manage.
We are smarter, than we get credit for, I was born a Guyanese and will die one. I love my country. If only there were more opportunities for people that have lived in the U.S,A. to take our experiences and knowledge to our country and educate the younger generation, I will be on the band wagon.
I have lived here in the USA for 35 years, I am sure I will be offer my experience to help the younger generation.
MY GUYANA
The land of many waters is my Guyana
Sandwiched between Brazil and Venezuela
We live on the flat coastlands
From Point Playa to Springlands
My Guyana is for all the six major races
Amerindians who made the first traces
The sons and daughters of the blacks
Who came after camouflaged attacks
Of the slaves uprooted from Africa
To build the plantations of the bakrah
And the East Indians shipped from India
My Guyana belongs to the farmers
The cane cutters and pork knockers
Able Policeman and patriotic soldiers
Firemen, road gangs, pupils and teachers
My Guyana is cricket also man!
With Basil Butcher and Soloman
The star batsmen from Berbice
When Guyana was at real peace
Rohan Kanhai in cricket held the spot
With his famous falling hook shot
My Guyana is Ted Braithwaite as a teacher
With his novel, To Sir with Love as a writer
Sydney Poiter’s portrayal of kids bad and loud
Ted’s English experience made us very proud
I’m a Guyanese to the bone
And love my cassava pone
Also I relish my tiga duff and cassava
Born at Nabaclis village in Demerara
Lived in Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice
I still relish my black-eye rice and peas
I can still lash down my dholl, rice and bhajee
And I’m king for the day with a good metagee
I still love a juicy Buxton spice mango
Worked at Anna Regina in Essequibo
I seldom complain hardly fuss or fret
And a damn proud Guyanese! you bet
In your distribution list of famous athletes, you have missed a remarkable professional soccer player (Canada) by the name of Charmaine Hooper.
Hello everyone, my name is Thomas Pickering. I am so disturbed by so many of the things that continue to happen in that once beautiful country of ours, that it hurts. I would like to contribute a short peom (one of the many I’ve written)to this site. I would like to take the liberty to say, that if and whenever this poem is read, many of the older Guyanese, would appreciate what I’ve written.
LETS THINK ABOUT TOMORROW
Lets think about tomorrow and not just for today
Lets think about our future in a much different way
All we’re doing now is just called surviving
But lets project a country, thats just, strong, and thriving
Our children today, all they see is anarchy
But if we really love them, lets teach harmony
When we were all young, it was never like this
So lets teach them the things, that we truely miss
We’ve accomplished nothing since this nonsense all started
Cause civility and morals have long since departed
Years from now, could you imagine what will be
The very thought of this, scares the hell out of me
So united we stand and divided we fall
Cause what we doing now, it aint working at all
Most people are depressed, with pain and deep sorrow
But if we dont change things now, we’ll have no tomorrow
I would be amiss if I did not include this name: C.G.H. Bryan. From the Buxton/Friendship area, one of the greatest of educators. He served in the old Lusignan School, way back among the Lusignan cane fields in the 1940′s and then retained his stewardship at the Lusignan Anglican School, Lusignan Front, from the early fifties to 1961.
This educator was not recognised for the genius that he was. He produced some of the top qualified scholars from Buxton, Lusignan, and Mon Repos. As they say a “Prophet is not recognised in his own country”.
I firmly believe that C.G.H. Bryan would have administered the famous QC with one eye closed, and I am glad that he didn’t, otherwise I would not be qualified to write this piece. And, ……., oh, oh, oh, oh, ……… he was an astute athlete. He coached the Lusignan School’s cricket team to victory after victory, after victory, and his expertise in coaching left an indelible imprint that made Lusignan the most successful team even after his departure.
Hi folks, the editor of this website is Cyril Bryan, the BRILLIANT son of C.G.H. Bryan, they were both my teachers, with C.G,H, being my headmaster for a long time.
Have you ever heard of Kojo Nnamdi, cited by the Washington Post as Washington’s best radio interviewer? Cyril Bryan knew him as Monty Paul.
How about “Reds” Pereira cricket commentator (now in St.Lucia) and Aubrey Bryce cyclist now residing in Toronto Canada and is I think a trainer for the Canadian cycling team?
What about Pundit Reepu Daman Persaud, M.P. J.P Hindu Religious Leader,Liscenced Hindu Marriage Officer, Counsellor, Self Educator, Community Priest, Sanskrit and Hindi Scholar, Expert in reading Yagnas and in explaining the philosophy of the Bhagwat Gita and the life of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna.
re the entry for E R Braithwaithe. His Christian names are given as Eustace Adolphe.
Every where else I have checked says Edward Ricardo.
Have I got the right person?
I am of the view that those famous persons listing can be added upon by those with institutional memories and who are alive today. The name Wilfred Chinapen of Albion Wilds was a headmaster of the Tagore High school in Berbice and later after retirement became the Principal of the Maha Sabha High school in Georgetown Guyana during the period 1964- 1969.
Mr. Satya P Sawh, principal and Educator of the Muslim Education Trust in Brickdam Georgetown, now resident in Canada was responsible for many students being successful at the O and A levels. His students selection criterion was second to none,in Georgetown at that time 1960-1975.
Mr. Shruti Kant of the Guiana Oriental College, Thomas Street, Georgetown was an economist who did very well in the tutorship of students for both the College of Preceptors Exam and the London GCE, at O and A levels.
Mr. Halvidar Singh, Guyana Scholar who taught A level Chemistry at the Muslim Ed Trust during the sam era as Mr. Sawh was a very Brilliant and famous Tutor and Educationist. He was loved by all his students and many of his fellow Guyanese.
Mr.Richard Ishmael, Principal of the Indian Education Trust, in Lamaha Street Georgetown was also the leader of the Trade Union Man Power Citizen’s Association that represented the Sugar Workers at that time 1960-1964. This union was one that lent its support to the 80 days general strike that culminated in the great arson of Georgetown in 1962 and the arrival of her Majesty’s Troops to stationed in Guiana for almost 5 years.
Dr. Balwant Singh, the National Pathologist and President of the PSA and the Maha Sabha of Georgetown. He later resigned from the Presidency of the Maha Sabha , the famous Hindu Organisation and he as president of the Public Service Association voted for the general strike that lasted 80 days.
Mr. Balram Singh Rai, a former Minister of Home affairs in the era 1961-1962 era. He formed the Justice party and fought the general elections of 1964, under Proportional Representation.He was among seven other political parties that fought the 1964 general elections and lost his deposit.
Mr. Peter D”Aguiar of the famous D’Aguair Imperial House or DIH and leader of the United Force is the leader who with 12% of the votes in the general election of 1964 under PR was able to create history by uniting with Forbes 40% and creating a Government of 52% in 1964.thus allowing LFS to rule for 28 years more. Independence came to Guyana in 1966. Jagan’s 48% was confined to the opposition benches for 30 years.
The former speaker of the house of Parliament in Guyana Mr.Sase Naraine an attorney at law and a speaker for 25 years was also the President of the Guyana Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha. The tenure of his speakership was not without its humourous moments as hanzard has recorded that Cheddi Jagan then Leader of the Opposition in an angry mode grabbed the Mace and hurled it at the Speaker to vent his anger at not being allowed to speak. Recently Mr. Granger said that more than two generations of Guyanese do not know who Cheddi and Burnham were. It is by writing small anecdotes like this one that young people will get to know about the past history of the Guyanese people especially after 1961. Some writers have denied Guyana the political history of the events that happened leading to our Independence in 1966. Incidentally this 26th of May will be our Independence Celebrations and so I take this opportunity to greet our host Mr. Cyril Byron and all our compatriots! Happy Independence! God Bless Guyana and all our people!
Professor, the late Dr. Walter Rodney, a former historian at the UWI, and visiting Prof of African Studies to several Universities in Africa, was the leader of the Working Peoples Alliance head quartered in Georgetown Guyana. His passion for freedom and his belligerence cost him his life as he was brutally killed by a strange walkie Talkie testing device outside the jail in Camp street Georgetown. A brilliant, devoted and freedom lover was no more with the people of Guyana. His political opponents called it a day. I cannot recall if any commission of enquiry was engaged into by any government of Guyana into such a high profile and mysterious circumstanses that killed the Professor.
Mr. Miller was the headmaster of the Campbellville Government School on Sheriff Street, Campbellville during the years 1952-1966. He was also a national sportsman and athletic. He excelled as an educator and sportsman and later migrated to Ghana in Africa where he continued to teach the skills he acquired in his life time. He has tutored many prominent people of Campbellville, Kitty and surrounding villages at that time, including yours truly and he could not stand the political and social degradation of the society he once built through the engagement of those fertile minds under his care.
Mr Harry Prashad, an investor and private entreprener from the Mahaicony creek area of Eastern Guyana has been credited with the development of the lands formerly of the Booker Estate and now called Prashad Nagar in Greater Georgetown. He later donated the Freedom house to the PPP and later became a foundation member of the United Force. Mr Prashad has had the development of Prashad Nagar into a type of middle class development for people who could afford this in the years 1956 and onward. He also donated a parcel of land for the early erection of a cultural centre in 1958 but this project never got off the ground.Mr. Harry Prashad migrated to the UK in the years of Political turmoil post 1962-1966 and remained there leading a peaceful and quiet life. His younger son, Muni Prashad and I attended the GOC in Thomas Street Georgetown for some 3 years after which we all migrated elsewhere. Mr. Prashad is noted for his generosity and Public spiritedness and for wanting to see a develpoed Guyana under the late UF-PNC axis but this dream never materliased.
Miss Pamela Lord, a runner up to the Miss World Beauty Contest in UK in 1968 hailed from Charity on the Essequibo Coast. She brought recognition and added charm to the Guyanese people when she paraded for the International Beauty Pagent Organizers on stage at Marlborough House in London in 1968. She has migrated since and lives in the USA. In 1967, Miss Pamela Lord was crowned Miss Deepavali before a massive crowd on stage on the grounds of the then EICC grounds, Eve Leary and during the said year she was also crowned Miss Guyana. She in fact represented Guyana at the Miss World Contest in London of 1968!