Thompson honors Keizs, others at Caribbean heritage and Culture celebration

Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. honored five distinguished guests at his Caribbean heritage and Culture celebration, and presented a Lifetime Achievement award to Monty Alexander, the acclaimed pianist, band leader and arranger.
“New York simply would not be New York without the Caribbean American communities that flourish here. Throughout the city, the traditions and culture of Barbados, the Bahamas, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, and all of the islands, are alive and well, ” said Thompson.
Honorees were:

Dr. Marcia V. Keizs is indigenous to Jamaica and President of York College. Dr. Keizs has over 30 years experience in the CUNY system as both an administrator and a professor. Under Dr. Keizs’ leadership, York College has strengthened its academic programs, raised its admissions standards, boosted its student recruitment and retention, and raised its faculty grants by 80 percent. She is the founding editor of the New York Carib News, and has published articles in her area of specialty, Afro American literature.

Gardy Brazela, native of Haiti and founder and President of the Friends United Block Association in Brooklyn.

Dr. David Collymore is the Medical Director of the Soundview Healthcare Network.

Felicia Persaud, born and reared in Guyana, is founder of the news, public relations and advertising agency, Hard Beat Communications.