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October 19, 2024
The Trinidad and Tobago Female Police Band performs at The Sunshine Awards today.
The 36th Annual SUNSHINE Awards celebration, a global event, is scheduled for today, October 19, 2024, at the Robert Treat Hotel, 50 Park Place, Newark, New Jersey. The program will begin with a cocktail reception from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, an Awards Presentation, and a live show featuring the Trinidad and Tobago Female Police Band.
Among today’s Awardees are:
Samraj “Rikki Jai” Jaimungal (Trinidad & Tobago)
Samraj “Rikki Jai” Jaimungal (Trinidad & Tobago) is a Cultural Icon and Musical Ambassador–with a career spanning over three decades. His musical journey began in 1986 with the Indian orchestra Naya Andaz, followed by a stint with Triveni from 1988 to 1990. He started a solo career, releasing his debut calypso single “Sumintra” in 1989. Since then, he has consistently produced hits, showcasing his unique sound and style, establishing himself as a fusion master, blending traditional Indian music with modern styles like chutney, calypso, soca, and reggae.
His performances continue to inspire new generations of musicians and fans, solidifying his legacy as a true icon in the music world. Rikki Jai has received multiple recognitions and awards, including the prestigious National Humming Bird Gold Medal 2012. In 2023, he received a doctorate in Fine Arts from the University of Trinidad and Tobago, a testament to his enduring impact on the music industry. Rikki Jai will receive The 2024 Sundar Popo SUNSHINE Award for contributing to the Performing Arts.
Matthew Whitaker (United States)
Matthew Whitaker’s musical journey began at age 3 with a keyboard gift from his grandfather. He is now captivating audiences globally and appearing on notable T.V. shows like Showtime at the Apollo, the Today Show, Ellen, and a feature on 60 Minutes. Whitaker is a versatile artist, starring, producing, and scoring the All-Arts Emmy-nominated documentary “About Tomorrow” and scoring the film “Starkeisha,” which is currently streaming on Hulu. Matthew made his musical director debut for the award-winning “Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For,” a musical on the life of pianist and composer Billy Strayhorn, premiered in Pittsburgh, PA, in the fall of 2023.
Whitaker has had guest soloist appearances with orchestras and symphonies, including the Aspen Chamber Symphony, under the baton of guest conductor Marin Alsop, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, C.N. Matthew, a three-time ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award winner with three studio albums, believes that music connects us all and that every child should have access to music education. Beyond music, Matthew advocates for persons with disabilities, sensitizing companies to improve accessibility features. Matthew will receive The First Vincent A. Huggins SUNSHINE Award for Contributing to the Performing Arts.
Herman Bekele (Ethiopia)
Heman Bekele is a young innovator who saves lives and improves the world. His passion for biology, chemistry, research, and science helped to facilitate his remarkable invention at 14 years of a soap infused with cancer-fighting chemicals that target and kill cancer cells while being safe for regular use. His research and science were the winning entries at the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge, considered one of the top science and engineering competitions for fifth through eighth graders. His invention makes cancer treatment more accessible and affordable, particularly in underprivileged communities. Heman’s work has gained significant attention for its potential to revolutionize cancer care, showcasing the power of youth-driven innovation in addressing critical global health challenges. Heman will receive The 2024 SUNSHINE Award for Contributing to Science and Research.
Edwin Yearwood (Barbados)
Edwin Yearwood, a natural-born entertainer affectionately known as “The General” and often described as the undisputed “King of the Groove,” started his musical career in the late 1980s. He captured his fans around the world with many hits such as “Handle ya Bizniz,” “Nah Missing Me,” and above all, his signature song, “Pump Me Up,” with the band Krosfyah. In 1995, Edwin became the first artist to win all three Titles, the Party Monarch, Road Monarch, and Calypso King, at the Crop Over festival in Barbados. In 2007, he won the Best Soca Compilation with Bunji Garlin, “All Board” at the Broward Centre for Performing Arts in the United States. Edwin has been regaling worldwide audiences with his unique style and showmanship. In 2018, the City Council and Senator from Atlanta, Georgia, presented Edwin with a Proclamation and Certificate of Commendation for his outstanding Contribution to Entertainment. In July 2023, he performed at the Rise Up NY Concert Series hosted by The Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams. Edwin will receive The 2024 Lord Kitchener SUNSHINE Award.
Jallim Eudovic (Saint Lucia)
Jallim Eudovic is a sculptor, goodwill ambassador, and Caribbean Laureate from Saint Lucia. His work, wood, bronze, and marble sculptures, are rooted in the Saint Lucian/Caribbean culture but enjoy international appeal. He created sculptures for public spaces in several Chinese cities and erected seven monumental sculptures. His recent works include a government-commissioned public monument for the Castries waterfront in St Lucia entitled “All In” to commemorate the island’s independence. Eudovic is a wholly indigenous talent and has been featured in numerous international publications such as Ebony (April 2015), International Kreole Magazine (August 2015), Garage and ARC (August 2014) magazines, China Sculpture Magazine, Upscale Magazine —television programs such as PBS -The Travel Writer, NBC- The Voyager.
Eudovic’s ability to use and articulate native traditions has resulted in his being a featured speaker at symposiums at home and abroad. He gave the “Up/Rising Lecture” at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (St. Lucia) in February 2019 and a unique address as the keynote speaker at the 2019 Prime Minister’s Ball. Eudovic was awarded the ANSA Caribbean Laureate Award (2020)–the Caribbean’s most prestigious award–in Arts and Letters, and most recently, in 2023, his work has been accepted into the permanent collection of the prestigious Americas Museum of Arts (AMA) in Washington DC, USA. Eudovic will receive The 2024 SUNSHINE Award for his Contribution to Visual Arts.
Kettly Maars (Haiti)
Kettly Mars is a wife and mother born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, into a black middle-class family. She is a cultural activist and has had a career as a writer since the early 1990s, writing novels, poems, and short stories. She is a significant voice in Haitian literature. Through her books, short stories, and poems, she puts fiction at the heart of life and campaigns to bring about political and social change in Haiti.
Kettly enjoyed a happy childhood, sheltered from the tentacles of the savage dictatorship that reigned in Haiti from 1957 to 1986. Much later, she wrote her seminal novel “Savage Seasons” (translated into six languages), which accounts for the scars dictatorship leaves on society. In 1996, she won the Jacques Stephen Alexis prize in Haiti for her short story “Soleils Contraires.” A few years later, she won the Senghor Prize for literary creation in Paris for her novel L’heure Hybrid, and in 2011, she received the Prince Claus Prize in the Netherlands for Culture. In 2015, she received the Ivoire Literature Prize in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, for her novel “Je Suis Vivant.” Then, in 2016, she received the Plume d’Or prize in Haiti. Kettly is the author of a considerable body of work and has published two collections of poems, four short stories, and twelve novels, some of which have been translated into several languages. Kettly will receive The 2024 SUNSHINE Award for her Contribution to the Humanities.
Edson (Ajama) Mitchell (Grenada)
One of the Caribbean’s top entertainers, Edson (Ajama) Mitchell, comes from the island of Grenada, known worldwide for its large variety of spices. Ajama’s music reflects the variety of spices and musical art forms prevalent in Grenada and the Caribbean. He is adept in Calypso, Soca, Parang, and Reggae. AJAMU is a multi-talented entertainer who began his singing career in 1983. Once he arrived on the calypso scene, fans welcomed this breath of fresh air and dubbed him “KING AJAMU.” The Calypso King of the World, the Mighty Sparrow, and the Calypso Queen of the World, Calypso Rose, often describe him as a gifted, talented, top-class Calypsonian. The Mighty Sparrow said he reminded him of himself when he started his calypso career.
AJAMU won Grenada’s Calypso Monarch eight times and has written, arranged, and produced for several top Grenadian calypsonians. In 1997, he received the SUNSHINE Award for “Male Vocalist of the Year” and was featured on many occasions in Billboard Magazine. In 1998, he was recognized by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II with the prestigious title “Member of The British Empire” (MBE) and is also recognized as a Reggae performing artist. His first reggae CD, “Jah Is My King,” thrilled audiences worldwide. That CD was followed by another 2005 CD titled “Living Water,” he is now regarded as one of the Caribbean’s most recognized cultural ambassadors. He has performed for many sold-out audiences in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Ajamu will receive The 2024 Dr. Slinger Francisco (the Mighty Sparrow) SUNSHINE Award for Contributing to the Performing Arts.
Carl Fraser (Guyana)
Carl Fraser was born and raised in Guyana. His passion for African folk music started at seven after his first experience at a Queh Queh celebration. Queh Queh is a pre-wedding ceremony in Guyana that originated in Africa and is a part of African-Guyanese tradition. It is a celebration that involves family and friends gathering to honor the couple with songs, dances, rituals, and other traditions. This event, combined with other cultural celebrations such as Emancipation and Ghana’s Independence Day, helped to develop his passion for African Folk Music. Ghana’s Day in Guyana originated from Ghana’s Independence in 1957, a pivotal moment for colonial countries striving for self-determination. News of Ghana’s Independence ignited enthusiasm and solidarity in then-British Guyana. The air was filled with vibrant melodies and rhythmic beats deep into Carl’s heart. The cultural celebrations expanded his curiosity and ignited a spark of creativity, making him sway to the African rhythm. Carl often describes those experiences at such a tender age as unlocking a hidden part of his soul, filling him with a new-found sense of purpose; they facilitated his over 40 years of recording African Folk Music.
Carl’s brother, Terrence Nelson Fraser, sang in England then and had several hits. He returned to Guyana in 1970 and set up a recording studio and pressing plant. Carl worked with his brother, navigating an unforgettable journey with Guyanese African Folk Music. In 2006, Carl established Dem Village Inc. and the Fanoko Singers. Fanoko Singers is a Queh Queh band that performs at Queh Queh ceremonies. The band also performs Lumbay music, combining Queh Queh and folk songs with contemporary beats. In November this year, the Dem Village Inc. family will travel to Ghana on an ancestral trip. Today, Carl will receive The 2024 Dr. Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool SUNSHINE Award for Contributing to the Performing Arts.
Donric “Lord Funny” Williamson (Trinidad and Tobago)
Donric Williamson, better known as “Lord Funny,” is a celebrated calypsonian from Trinidad and Tobago renowned for his witty calypsoes, often featuring social commentary on Caribbean life and politics. Lord Funny had a unique style that blended humor with insightful observations, making him a beloved figure in the calypso community. His repertoire includes hits such as Sweet, Sweet Trinidad, Farmer Brown, How You Feel, Ding Dong, Soul Chick, Florie, and many more. In 1989, he received the Keys to the City of Port-of-Spain; in 2000, he received a SUNSHINE Award for his contribution to the Performing Arts; and in 2018, he was awarded the Trinidad and Tobago Hummingbird Medal (Silver) for his contribution to Culture. Over his career, he contributed significantly to the cultural landscape of the Caribbean, creating a legacy in the world of calypso music. Donric, the Lord Funny, will be inducted into The 2024 SUNSHINE Awards Hall of Fame.
Rhonda Maingot & Rose Jackman (Trinidad and Tobago)
Living Water Community is a Catholic Ecclesial Community founded by Rhonda Maingot and Rose Jackman in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 1975. This organization caters to the poor, the sick and disabled, the elderly, abandoned children, hospice programs for AIDS patients, as well as treatment and counseling for young women and those with substance use disorders. These two extraordinary women have been a testament to compassion, dedication, and unwavering service for many years. Their work has been a beacon of hope and humanity in a divided world. Through countless acts of kindness, they have brought comfort to those in need, strength to the weary, and dignity to the overlooked. Their commitment has changed lives and inspired others to join in the noble cause of serving the most vulnerable. Their legacies of love and care will be remembered forever for the numerous lives they have touched. The SUNSHINE Award Organization recognizes their tireless efforts and enduring impact. Rhonda and Rose will receive The 2024 Dr. Dom Basil Matthews SUNSHINE Award for their Contribution to Humanity.
Carlene Davis (Jamaica)
Carlene Davis is a world-renowned gospel recording artist with a career spanning over four decades. She was born and raised in Jamaica by her parents and grandparents and began her singing career at 14. She became known as the Songbird of the Caribbean, singing the ‘songs of love and freedom.’ She is spiritually grounded and uses her God-given talent to motivate, uplift, and make the world a better place. Carlene believes God has anointed and appointed her to affect this generation through the music ministry. She testifies, in song, to the powerful message of God’s love flowing through her, bringing hope and healing to the hearts of listeners. She has recorded over 15 albums, with hits such as “Winnie Mandela,” “Welcome Home Mr. Mandela”, “It Must Be Love,” “Going Down to Paradise,” “Santa Claus Do You Ever Come to The Ghetto,” “Stealing Love on The Side,” “Dial My Number,” “This Island needs Jesus, Praising God, my forever Friend, and “Like Old Friends Do.”
In addition to her string of hits that brought her national and international acclaim, she has toured extensively in Japan, North America, South America, Europe, Canada, and the Caribbean. She has performed with world-renowned performing artists such as Shaggy, Donnie McClurkin, Toby Man, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Peter Tosh, Dennis Brown, Third World, Marcia Griffiths, The I Threes, Freddy McGregor, Maxi Priest, Beres Hammond, and Cee Winans. A diagnosis of breast cancer in 1996 was a significant turning point in her life and led Carlene to a “transformed life in Christ.” Today, she is an ordained minister with a PhD in Pastoral Counseling from Trinity Theological Seminary of South Florida and a Ron Kenoly Academy of Praise graduate. She is one of Jamaica’s most dynamic and consistent recording artists and music ministers. In 2007, she was honored with the Order of Distinction from the Government of Jamaica for contributing to music and community development. Carlene will receive the 2024 SUNSHINE Award for her Contribution to the Performing Arts.
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The 36th Annual SUNSHINE Awards celebration will begin with a cocktail reception from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, followed by the presentation of awards and a live show. For more information, please contact the SUNSHINE Awards office at 201-836-0799. The program is partly sponsored by Alizé, National Staffing Associates, All Star Motors and Essex County Towing, Trini Breakfast Shed of Brooklyn, New York, Limin’s Café of New Jersey, and TAXKO/Fraser, CPA.