New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. with honorees and co-sponsors at his Caribbean Heritage celebration at New York City College of Technology in Brooklyn on September 14, 2005. Photo credit Marla S. Maritzer.

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. last night honored seven city leaders at his Caribbean Heritage event on Wednesday, September 14, 2005. The event was co-sponsored with Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Caribbean Women’s Health Association, Caribbean American Center of New York and West Indian American Day Carnival Association.

Addressing more than 400 people gathered at the Klitgord Auditorium of the New York City College of Technology in Brooklyn Thompson took a moment to acknowledge the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

“Our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones or who fear they may have, and with the survivors who are struggling every day,” Thompson said.

Thompson collected a number of items at the event as part of a Hurricane Katrina Relief Drive. The items will be shipped south in the coming weeks.

Thompson continued, “We are also celebrating the strong bonds of friendship between our city and the island nations of the Caribbean. With shared communities, shared histories, and shared dreams, New York and the countries of the Caribbean enjoy a special sense of fellowship that holds strong in good times and bad.”

Thompson presented the Creative Artists Image award, the first of the evening, to Slinger “The Mighty Sparrow” Francisco, whose voice has delighted audiences for decades. Slinger, born in Gran Roi, a fishing village in Grenada, emerged at the age of 20 as a leading Calypsonian with his record-breaking hit, “Jean and Dinah,” which was later covered by Harry Belafonte. With more than 70 albums to his credit, including the recent hit “The Supreme Serenader,” The Mighty Sparrow has delighted audiences around the world.

“The Mighty Sparrow has a truly inspiring voice and a highly original approach to music that makes him a living international treasure. His work has brought a greater appreciation of Caribbean musical traditions to listeners in many countries,” the Comptroller said.

The next award went to Rennie Bishop, the Program Director of WWRL 1600. Mr. Bishop spent 12 years in his native Trinidad as music director, producer and on-air personality for the Trinidad Broadcasting Company. For 10 years, his show, "The Rennie Bishop Experience," was ranked No. 1 in audience and revenue.

“Mr. Bishop has provided outstanding service as a journalist, covering a wide range of vitally important issues,” Thompson said.

Dr. Lois Blades-Rosado, Dean and Executive Director of the State University of New York’s Brooklyn Educational Opportunity Center, received the third award of the evening. The daughter of Barbadian emigrants, she is involved in numerous community and professional organizations, including the Kappa Delta Phi Education Honor Society, New York State Continuing Education Association, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation.

“Over the course of her career, Dr. Blades-Rosado has initiated a wide range of programs addressing a host of important issues,” the Comptroller said. “She is a builder of bridges and an inspiration to all in the community.”

Barbara Monica Foster, president of F & R Installers Corporation of Brooklyn, was the fourth honoree of the evening. In addition to running her company, Ms. Foster is involved in numerous community and professional organizations. She is a member of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, serves as chair of the New York State Association of Minority Contractors, and as 2nd Vice President of the Board of the National Association of Minority Contractors. She also is Vice Chair of the Downtown Brooklyn Advisory and Oversight Committee of MetroTech.

“A native of Jamaica, Barbara Monica Foster has pursued her entrepreneurial dreams with talent, dedication, and success, and has given generously of her time to community endeavors,” Thompson said.

Dr. Howard Bradnock, Chief of Gastroenterology for the Brooklyn and Queens Divisions of St. Vincent Catholic Medical Centers, Director of Gastroenterology for Mary Immaculate Hospital and Assistant Professor of Medicine at New York Medical College, received the next award of the evening.

Dr. Bradnock came to New York at age 16 from Kingston, Jamaica. He was appointed Chief Medical Resident at Cornell University Medical College/North Shore University Hospital and now serves as a volunteer Attending Specialist at North Shore University Hospital, Franklin Hospital Medical Center, and Parkway Hospital. Thompson noted that Dr. Bradnock donates services and supplies annually to Kingston Public Hospital.

“Dr. Bradnock has reached great heights as a gifted care provider, researcher, and community leader,” the Comptroller said.

The next honoree, Florence Bonhomme Comeau, has a long and distinguished career as a radio personality and media presence. She is a co-host of the programs Radio Pa Nou and Diaspo TV, an announcer on Radio Soleil d’Haiti, and CEO of the Intertlink Translation Services, a company that provides service to businesses and individuals here and in Haiti. Ms. Comeau is Chairperson of Haitian Women Foundation and a Board member of Haitian Women Organization to Protect the Rights of Women and Children Laborers. She also sponsors numerous needy children in Haiti, providing them and their families with support.

Thompson presented the award to Ms. Comeau “in recognition of her tremendous accomplishments, leadership, and community service.”

The final honoree was Dr. Thomasine WatsonSmith. Dr. WatsonSmith, who was born in Barbados, joined Builders for Family and Youth/Catholic Charities in 1989 as an Employee Relations Specialist. She became the Head Start Delegate Director in 1994. In that capacity, she oversees 23 Early Childhood programs and provides assistance, support and guidance to the Early Childhood Project Directors and Program Managers.

Dr. WatsonSmith also has served as an Adjunct Professor at Borough of Manhattan Community College, teaching Caribbean History and Literature, and has been an Administrator for Local Union 144, where she was instrumental in developing articulation agreements for health care workers.

Thompson praised Dr. WatsonSmith as a “social service leader,” for her “tremendous accomplishments, leadership, and academic achievements.”

The CASYM Steel Orchestra provided the entertainment portion of the evening.

To receive photographs, please contact Marla Maritzer at (212) 669-2597 or at mmaritz@comptroller.nyc.gov.

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