Dominican music pioneer, Gordon Henderson, was among eight outstanding Caribbean nationals who were honored at the 22nd Annual Caribbean American Heritage Awards (CARAH) on Friday, Nov. 20 in the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
Gordon Henderson, who is based in Paris, is the first Creole Musician to sign a major French label, and is known as the Godfather of Cadence-Lypso.
He received the Trailblazer award at the awards gala in the presence of hundreds of Caribbean -American nationals including representatives of the Rebuild Dominica organization based in Washington.
Henderson dedicated his award to his homeland Dominica and the “Rebuild Dominica” post Tropical Storm Erika recovery efforts.
“You may be aware that Dominica was devastated by a tropical storm whose name we will not forget, Erika,” he said. “I feel very emotional when I think of Dominica these days because we were struck heavily and my wife and I we live in Paris, so you would imagine after Erika in Dominica you know what happened in Paris recently. I wish to thank an organization based in Washington DC called ‘Rebuild Dominica,’ for doing everything possible for me to be with you tonight to receive this award.”
The Caribbean American Heritage Awards began in 1994 as the annual signature fundraising event for the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) honors those who have made outstanding contributions to the US society, promoted Caribbean culture and interests in the United States as well as friends of the Caribbean.
This year’s honorees were recognized for their extraordinary contributions and philanthropic efforts in the Caribbean, American and other communities.
“Each year, ICS is honored to profile and highlight the amazing stories of our Caribbean-American brothers and sisters in the Diaspora. Over the years, we are pleased that CARAH has become the premiere event where Caribbean-Americans’ gather to celebrate and learn about each other,” said ICS President and Founder Dr. Claire Nelson. “More importantly, CARAH is where the accomplishments of Caribbean-Americans are on display for the wider American community to learn how we are lending our skills to our adopted home.”
The other awardees at Friday’s gala included Barbara Hutchinson for Excellence in Medicine; Lt.Col. Shawna Rochelle Kimbrell, the first female African -American fighter Pilot received the Vanguard Award; Magdalah Racine-Silva, walked away with the outstanding Entrepreneurship Award; Miguel Southwell received the Outstanding Public Service Award; Michael Thompson received the outstanding community service award; Beverly East received the Forerunner award, while Jamaican Reggae star Max “Maxi Priest” Elliott received the Luminary Award.
Proceeds of the awards gala go towards supporting ICS projects and programs including Caribbean American Heritage Month, LifeSEED, and youth empowerment and entrepreneurship program.
Since its creation in 1993, the CARAH awards have honored more than 100 Caribbean-Americans.
Past honorees include Susan Taylor, former editor-in-chief of Essence magazine; Rita Marley, reggae matriarch and philanthropist; musician Jimmy Cliff, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder; Earl Graves Sr., publisher of Black Enterprise; Congresswoman Barbara Lee and former ambassador the Honorable Andrew Young.
To learn more about CARAH, visit caribbeanheritageawards.org.
See photos below from the event.
Well deserved Gordon,you have worked very hard in the music field and still working.Congratulations to you and your family.
For what kind of music? Oh my. I don’t think his “music” is Music. But, aiy…
As it is said, “a prophet is never honoured in his own land”. Here in Dominica you were refused what is duly yours but now you have been taken to the INTERNATIONAL plane!!
Can’t keep a good man down. Big up!!
HOTEP!
Gordon for Prime Minister. One thing I learned dealing with Dominica and one thing I’d like to pass on to those who are in positions where victimised…… no point fighting the Government. Walk away instead of taking the stress, because when you leave, you have a much brighter future!!! I always had someone telling me … ‘Me, nobody making me leave, they come there after me, they not making me leave’ What I say, no point taking the stress, when you can be much happier the faster you leave. Gordon you stand like a real man!! Ten times better than the little award! And more to come!
Gordon, you have earned your keep my brother, well done! I hope other artists will try and follow Gordon’s path of perseverance and resilience.
congratulations Mr. henderson. You make us proud.
Congrats to you you Gordon Henderson. Well deserved!
Gordon congrats. Yes yes. Yes. shannon is stunning! she makes you glow!
Congrats Mr. Henderson.
I have to say your wife is Glowing. I love how shannon Vigilant takes care of herself. she can still go up for Queen. Wow wow I want to know her secret.
A clean heart is better than a house full of awards.
Skerrit and company can’t keep a good man down.Gordon is rising, but Skerrit is falling!
Who needs a poccy Dominica national award!
in the mean while Roosevelt try to minimize the man. What a bunch of fools in this administration
My deepest and most profound congratulations to one of the real trailblazers and modern thinkers of our time. May you continue to be successful and patriotic. To borrow freely from the late civil rights leader, Dr Martin Luther King Jr, I have a dream that one day our nation will rise up and recognize all our heroes regardless of creed, color, class, or political affiliation; that our politicans will follow the Constitution and live up to their inaugural oaths and serve all nationals without fear or favour; and that we will all live up to the words of our National Anthem ” All for each and each for all.” Congratulations again Mr Henderson.
Congratulations Gordon well deserved award
that better than de koshonie skerrit playing heavy to give u… more respect to you
Hats of to you Mr.HENDERSON,where is Piper and the incompetent leader now,your in the history books,congrats.