Forming Global Community Alliances — Guyanese-American Business and Professional Council Launched

By JOHN AARON

In picture above Roy Thomasson, CEO of YABT, Dr. Thomas Auer, Shanie Persaud, Hon. Ralph Ramkarran, President Helen Marshall, Lata Singh Vasconcellos, Don Marshall and Dr. Vincent Adams

The recent launching of a network group named the Guyanese-American Business & Professional Council in New York is a welcome sign for a shrinking world where humankind is becoming ever so interdependent. The saying that a man is not an island could not be more apt, with the launching of GABPC at the Crowne Plaza LaGuardia a week ago. Global warming, increasing food shortages, the current fuel crisis, the internet, geo-politics and our quest for basic survival, places all of us firmly in situations where we must form alliances and pursue networking opportunities, as never before done.

The GABPC is catalyst movement in an environment made smaller with the proliferation of the World Wide Web and the speed of communication via such media. What is different about the GABPC is that which is embodied in the very name of the organization. The GABPC is truly a microcosm of the society in which we live, where Guyanese cannot be dependent upon Guyanese alone, but the broader Diaspora demands that we form bonds for survival. The "marriage" of Guyanese and non-Guyanese-American professionals in the formation of the GABPC is indicative of the much-needed interdependency of our global society.

Headed by Guyanese Leyland Hazelwood, President and Shanie Persaud, first Vice-President, the five-member executive board is rounded out by one African-American Emmett Peabody, Treasurer, and two Anglo-Americans Dr. Thomas Auer, second Vice-President and Judith Balfe, Secretary. What is even more interesting is the diverse business and professional backgrounds of these individuals and the remaining seven directors of the extended board. Those seven directors are Ken Subraj, Val Williams, Lata Singh-Vasconcellos, Darshan Chickery, Paul Cheong (Guyana), Edgar Henry and Dr. Vincent Adams.

Among the charter board members are entrepreneurs, medical doctors, accountants, cultural affairs and marketing managers, a high-ranking Federal government executive, a Wall Street stockbroker and a college professor. Together this group represents dynamic sectors of the business and professional communities, which can be of immense value to the South American nation of Guyana, thousands of miles away from the United States, but drawn so much closer via ideas, concepts and support generated by such a vibrant and energetic organization as the GABPC.

The gala inaugural event at the Crowne Plaza was attended by more than 200 guests who were entertained by a live band and an impromptu piano recital by well-known Guyanese pianist Dr. Keith "The Professor" Proctor. The piano virtuoso rendered a selection of Guyanese and American folk and traditional rhythm and blues songs, much to the delight and generous appreciation of those gathered.

A highlight of the evening was the inaugural recognition award presented to Queens Borough President Helen B. Marshall, a Guyanese by parentage, who recently visited Guyana for the very first time.

Sponsored by several non-traditional Guyanese support businesses, the event took on a feeling of a Guyanese-American Chamber of Commerce, with a mix of mainstream commercial, community-service businesses and private and public sector professionals. Of note was the solid support of the medical and community health organizations present at the event. Clearly, the GABPC has identified community health as one of the areas in which they may play a significant role in helping Guyana.

Recognizing the 42nd independence anniversary of the Republic of Guyana, Speaker of the Guyanese House of Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, delivered a message that encouraged those present to explore the eco-tourism of the only English-speaking country in South America. The Speaker also noted that Guyana’s 2007 Gross National Product (GNP) had risen by 5% and that the nation was creating initiatives aimed at taking advantage of several growth sectors, including information technology, and aqua and agricultural expansion. He noted that the Caricom nations import US$9Billion annually, stating that was money leaving a region that can be more self-sustaining. He added that there was an agriculture conference being held currently in Guyana, and he was optimistic that such activities, along with the completion of the Takatu Bridge connecting Guyana and Brazil, trade between northern Brazil and southern Guyana would enhance and help to develop that region of South America.

Dr. Roy Thomasson, CEO of the Young Business Trust of America remarked, " . . . our business world is usually seen in ‘isims,’ but is now seen simply as survival." The keynote speaker lauded the GABPC for "having the vision to help others see opportunities, not problems." He added that the alarming statistic of 55% of the youth in Guyana, who see their career goals as getting to the USA, was indeed unfortunate. Urging Guyanese to use the organization to the advantage and betterment of the Diaspora, he suggested the development of a 21st century business model for young people, as a way of uplifting them from poverty, while building self-esteem.

The former Organization of American States employee who has traveled on several occasions to Guyana, urged the GABPC to develop initiatives for young people, aimed at their very survival. Using his visit to a church in Barbados, Thomasson cited his amazement at sitting in on the church service and noting that all of the parishioners were probably 70 years or older. He thought to himself that if the church did not expand its base to include younger people soon, the church would not be around in 20 years.

Dr. Thomasson’s observation is seen as the backdrop against which an organization such as the GABPC can play a significant role in helping the growth sectors of the Guyanese community develop, with the support of so many generous American businesses and humanitarian professionals.

The Guyanese-American Business & Professional Council should be complimented, not only for putting together an amalgamation of talent and expertise to govern the organization, but also and more importantly for developing the passion for others to follow, while making a significant contribution to the business, social and economic sectors of the Guyanese society.