The SUNSHINE Awards Press Release

The SUNSHINE Awards Organization
Releases 2014 Nominees
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New Jersey. The SUNSHINE Awards Organization today announced in New Jersey, the nominees for the 2014 SUNSHINE Awards. The 26th Annual SUNSHINE Awards Program is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, at the AXA Equitable Center, 787 Seventh Avenue in New York City. The black tie event will begin at 6:00pm with a cocktail reception followed by the presentation of awards at 8:00pm. Live performances from Africa, the Caribbean, Central America and South America will punctuate the presentation of awards. World renowned legends such as the Calypso King of the World, The Mighty Sparrow, steelpan soloists, Liam Teague, Dane Gulston, the last Mambo King, Orlando Marin, African Guitarist, Abdoulaye Diabaté and International dancer, Dheeraj Gayaram are among the performers.

Dr. Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool, who earned his Doctorate from the University of Michigan and chairs the Nomination Network Committee said, “This year was one of the most challenging periods of our history of awarding persons in the Performing Arts and Education, owing to the fact that nominees for the awards came from places far and wide, including some remote areas of Africa. In addition to the many nominees, discussions among members of the Awards’ Committees reached at times to heated but knowledge-spreading debates, all to the benefit of our organization. The search for persons to be awarded and the system of rigor employed to reach decisions endorses the SUNSHINE Awards for its nobleness and respectability.”

The Nominee for the 26th Annual SUNSHINE Awards include:

Orlando Marin – Puerto Rico– Contribution to the performing arts.
A man of Puerto Rican heritage and a unique musician often described as “The Last Mambo King.” This man’s music is appreciated not only by people of Latin descent but also by millions around the world. He is recognized as a pioneer of Mambo music pushing it way beyond recording studios. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VUgiArq6BU

Abdoulaye Diabaté – Mali, Africa – Contribution to African Music. He has over twenty years of experience in contemporary and popular music. He has toured the entire continent of Africa and many parts of the world as a singer and guitarist. In 1996, he relocated to New York City and has since taken part in many cultural events as leader of the re-formed Super Mande group. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fufLFRBTjc0

Jocelyne Mayas – Haiti – Contribution to Humanity. Jocelyne Mayas is the founder of Empowerment Centre for Caribbean Immigrants formerly (Queens Empowerment Centre for Haitian Immigrants) a Community based organization whose goal is literacy and civics as the way to empowerment. For over a decade, she has prepared immigrants to become US citizens by conducting monthly immigration workshops and weekly radio information broadcasts on immigration. She has served Haitian refugees in many capacities including their release from Carmichael Detention Center in the Bahamas and GITMO in Cuba.
http://www.gnp2009.gnpcharity.org/2007_jocelyne_mayas.html

Dheeraj Gayaram – Guyana – Contribution to the Performing Arts & Indian Culture.
Dheeraj Gayaram, born in Georgetown, Guyana, started dancing at the age of 9. At that age he won his first prize in both classical and pop dancing. Since then, Dheeraj has performed in over 5000 shows locally and internationally and has won over 150 dancing competitions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeG0-Z-qZKM

Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne – Trinidad & Tobago – Contribution to Education, Technology and Science. Dr. Alleyne has dedicated her 19 year career to advancing the areas of aerospace and space technology development, and most recently in the areas of space technology application for international development and global science and space education for girls. She has served in several technical management roles with increasing responsibility both at NASA and the US Department of Defense. She also led the integration of all international space education programs across the United States, Japan, Russia, Europe and Canada. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teAraTjKLWs

Professor Liam Teague – Trinidad & Tobago – Contribution to Education and the Performing Arts. Known as the “Paganini of the Steelpan,” Liam Teague currently serves as the Head of Steelpan Studies and Associate Professor of Music at Northern Illinois University. He has received many awards from various organizations and won a number of notable competitions such as the Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband Festival Solo Championship. His commitment to demonstrating the great musical possibilities of the steelpan has taken him all over the world. http://liamteague.com/

Sister Rosario Hackshaw- Trinidad & Tobago – Contribution to education and humanity. Sister Hackshaw is a member of the Catholic nunnery who used her Catholic upbringing and her love of the poor to bring Catholic primary and secondary education to the forgotten fishing village of Matelot in North Trinidad. Her interest in and commitment to education for all raised eyebrows and like the historical Robin Hood, she led the rich to give to the poor. She has displayed throughout more than fifty years of dedication to education, a Jesuit-like approach whereby she strove to face all her challenges with the cross, image, and purpose of her creator. This recognition is in memory of that great pioneer, Dr. Basil Matthews who changed education in Trinidad and Tobago, and by extension, the Caribbean.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/woman-magazine/A_nun_on_a_mission-194424291.html

The Nominee for the 26th Annual SUNSHINE Awards Hall of Fame are:
Winston Bailey – Trinidad and Tobago – Life-long contribution to the calypso art form. Known to the calypso world as, the Mighty Shadow. He began his calypso career in the 1960’s and quickly soared to stardom with mega hits like “Bassman in Meh Head” “Stranger”, “I Come Out to Play” and “What Is Life”.
http://www.ncctt.org/50years/index.php/108-calypso-music/17884-the-mighty-shadow

Lancelot Layne (Deceased) hails from Trinidad & Tobago. Founder of Rapso music. He began his singing career in the early 1970s. He is often described as the founder of Rapso music and his 1970 song “Blow Away” was the first rapso recording, although the term was not coined until 1980. Many of his most remembered songs were not recorded, including the song “Strike Squad”, which he composed for his local football team. “Get off the Radio” was a protest song about the imbalance of radio airplay between local and foreign works. http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/5186add7-7dda-4471-b791-ecbda9fc05ec

Hillary “Baga” Rezende-Trinidad and Tobago. Life-long contribution to steelband music. His involvement in the steelband movement dates back to the 1930’s… He was described by the Trinidad Express Newspaper earlier this year as “the Enduring Panman.” Today, in his 80’s, he continues to make his contribution by often reflecting on his journey with the Pan Movement for recognition of the steelband as an instrument capable of playing all forms of music. He recently called on Universities and Research Institutions around the world to reassess the present status and the continued development of the steelband. http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sunday-mix/The-enduring-panman-272387751.html?m=y&smobile=y

Cecil Ward – Barbados – Life-long contribution to steelband music. Now 93 has been involved in the steelband movement for virtually all his life. He thrilled judges during many performances at competitions and coached many steelband soloists including the legendary panist, Sonny Roach. http://www.trinbagopan.com/steelpan/ward.htm

The 26th Annual SUNSHINE Awards “Friend of the Arts” will be presented to the National Action Cultural Committee (NACC) – Trinidad & Tobago – for its contribution to various Caribbean art forms. NACC is the cultural arm of the National Joint Action Committee and has been involved in the various Caribbean art forms and carnival since the 1970s. NACC is also credited for designing and developing many training and development programs for young performing artists. In fact, many veteran calypsonians today have benefited from its development programs. NACC also promotes the National Young Kings and the Calypso Queen competitions. The organization also plays an active role in the African Liberation Day and the Liberation Day celebrations. http://www.njactt.org/national_action_cultural_committee.html

The 26th Annual SUNSHINE Awards “Corporate Award” will be presented to National Staffing Associates (NSA) of the United States. Incorporated in West Orange, New Jersey, National Staffing Associates brings over twenty years of experience to its core specialty, the provision of quality supplemental health care staffing in diverse disciplines throughout the spectrum of the health care industry. The company has been accredited by the New Jersey Commission on accreditation for Home Care since 1999. NSA is passionate in its support for other Caribbean businesses as evidenced by its active membership and participation in the Caribbean American Business Association (CABA), an organization dedicated to the expansion and success of Caribbean businesses in the tri-state area. NSA is also an active supporter of cultural and artistic activities throughout Caribbean-American diaspora. https://www.nationalstaffing.org/

The SUNSHINE Awards was founded to recognize excellence in the performing arts, education, science and sports. Over the years, the program has expanded with the global view to include the Africa, the Caribbean, Central America and South America and India.

The 26th Annual SUNSHINE Awards is sponsored in part by the United Airlines –“the preferred airline for the SUNSHINE Awards”, The Kobrand Corporation/Alizé, National Staffing Associates, All Star Motors and Essex County Towing, VMS Consulting, T & T Express Shipping and Trini Breakfast Shed. For further information and tickets call 201-836-0799 or info@sunshineawards.com