Tribute to Pan Caribbean revolutionary
Don Rojas, actor Danny Glover and Karen Rojas.
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Caribbean L BQ ife, May 3–9, 2019 13
Author Ta-Nahisi Coates and
Sir Hilary Beckles, vice chancellor
of the University of the
West Indies (UWI) are expected
to headline a fundraiser for St.
Vincent born journalist Don
Rojas who is ailing and beloved
by an extended New York community.
The pair along with a long
list of illustrious luminaries
readily committed to paying
tribute to the dedicated multi
descriptive St. Vincent born
Caribbean national on May 11
in Brooklyn.
Among them Inez and
Charles Barron, city and state
legislators, Dr. Ron Daniels,
Herb Boyd, author and educator,
Revs. Herbert and Karen
Daughtry and an even longer
list of intellectuals, progressives,
associates and Caribbean
colleagues.
As a matter of fact, many
agreed that they would travel
from Brooklyn to Baltimore,
any of the five boroughs and
even to the Caribbean, Europe
or Africa to deliver personal
testimony of the reputation of
the acclaimed Pan-Caribbean,
Vincentian, revolutionary, journalist,
activist, advocate, innovator,
intellectual immigrant
who migrated to the United
States and is making a significant
imprint on the entire
community.
According to Boyd, “Rojas
has been a revolutionary freedom
fighter for justice and
equality.”
The Harlem-focussed documenter
of African American
history said he is compelled
to leave his comfort zone of
Harlem to travel to the county
of Kings because throughout
his career Rojas included him
as a travel partner on trips of
discovery.
While Rojas is deserving
of a tribute at any juncture,
the principal reason for next
month’s assembly is to raise
funds to ensure “that spirit
remains undaunted as he
wages a battle against multiple
myeloma, an aggressive form
of bone cancer.”
Boyd explained that “his
treatment includes chemotherapy,
infusions of steroids and
bone marrow transplants.”
He explained that “not only
is the treatment debilitating,
but the cost is also taking a
financial toll on him and his
family.”
To that end a tribute committee
mobilized and has been
actively engaged in raising
funds.
This fund-raising benefit will
feature poetry by Tali Kweli an
ensemble led by Ahmed Abdullah
and guest speakers to help
defray Rojas’s “increasingly
large expenses.”
The fact a knight has signed
on to testify is no small investment.
Sir Beckles, who in addition
to being tasked with UWI
activities, is also chairman of
the Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) Reparations Commission.
Fifteen countries comprise
full membership in CARICOM,
five associates and eight observer
nations, encompassing 38
dialects and languages in the
region. However, in response to
this urgent health emergency
Sir Beckles is invested.
Part of the reason is that
Rojas served as communications
advisor and helped design
and launch the UWIs TV network.
Another is that Rojas is
deserving of a testimonial.
Slated to be held at the
House of the Lord Pentecostal
Church in Brooklyn, the
event is expected to add to the
historic legacy the church has
established.
Catch You On The Inside!
Inside Life
By Vinette K. Pryce
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