GUSDA Celebrates Diaspora Excellence at Annual Folk Festival Awards Ceremony
The 25 May Awards Ceremony at Norbury High School recognised outstanding contributions across the Guyanese diaspora, presented by Guyana High Commissioner Dr Rajendra Singh. Honourees included June Givanni, Sybil Phoenix MBE, Reverend Canon Emeritus Ivelaw Bowman, Guyana SPEAKS, Xavier Alexander and the Guyana (UK) Kwe Kwe Group.
GUSDA celebrated diaspora excellence at its Annual Folk Festival Awards Ceremony, held on 25 May at Norbury High School for Girls, Thornton Heath.
The awards, reintroduced in 2023, recognise exceptional contributions made by individuals and organisations within the Guyanese diaspora. This year's ceremony was presented by Guyana's High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Rajendra Singh.
The 2024 Diaspora Award was presented to June Givanni, the acclaimed Pan-African cinema curator and BAFTA honouree, in recognition of her outstanding work preserving and championing Guyanese and African diaspora film heritage.
The 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sybil Phoenix MBE, accepted on her behalf by her son Woodrow, honouring a lifetime of service to the community.
An Award of Excellence was presented to Reverend Canon Emeritus Ivelaw Bowman, and the Diaspora Heritage Award went to Guyana SPEAKS, accepted by Rod Westmaas and Dr Juanita Cox.
The Youth Achievement Award recognised 14-year-old Xavier Alexander for his remarkable contributions at such a young age, and the inaugural John David Memorial Award was presented to the Guyana (UK) Kwe Kwe Group, led by Dr Michelle Yaa Asantewa.
Our congratulations to all of this year's honourees — your work continues to inspire the entire community.
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