VINCI prez salutes current, past members
Members of VINCI with honorees and dignitaries at the group’s awards ceremony. Photo by Nelson A. King
Brooklyn students benefit from Black College Expo
Caribbean Life, OCTOBER 18-24, 2019 3
By Tangerine Clarke
Thanks to New York State Senator,
Kevin Parker, and the National College
Resources Foundation (NCRF) for the
Black College Expo New York, hundreds
of high school college bound students
received, necessary information to get
them ready for higher learning, during
a Sept. 28 presentation at Medgar Evers
College in Brooklyn.
According to Sen. Parker, the exposition
facilitated the interaction of students
with college recruiters to plan
for their future in higher education.
Families, he said were able to discuss
the college admissions process, scholarship
opportunities, and what attending
a historically black college means to
their academic success. Additionally,
students and parents had the opportunity
to particpate in several workshops
from test preparation tips for the SAT
and ACT to resume writing sessions.
Sen. Parker who represents Brooklyn’s
ethnically diverse 21st Senate District,
that comprises sections of Flatbush,
East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas
Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace and
Park Slope, co-sponsored the event, as
well as paid a $2,000 scholarship to an
attendee heading to college next year.
The politician noted that it can be
difficult at times for parents and students
to navigate the college admissions
process, as such, this event helps
by focusing on both accessibility and
affordability for students of color. Parker
said that this was his fourth year
collaborating with the Black College
Expo, and that he was proud of how well
planned and informative the exhibition
has been for community residents.
“I am thankful to the National College
Resources Foundation for being
such a critical resource for students of
color here in New York State and across
the country,” he said.
Dr. Theresa Price, founder of the
National College Resource Foundation,
said every year the foundation works
to bring college resources to children
of color nationally. She noted that the
foundation was grateful, and thanked
Senate Kevin Parker for his commitment
and partnership in New York.
“He has been a great support in making
sure we reach students throughout
Brooklyn and the outer boroughs. We
are additionally grateful for his donation
to our scholarship fund,” she said,
pointing out that there are people, who
run for office to be in power, but there
are powerful men who use their power
to uplift and build our community.
“This is what Senator Parker represents,
and we are so honored to partner
with him and the Brooklyn community,”
said Dr. Price.
By Nelson A. King
In reflecting on the contributions
of current and past members of the
Brooklyn-based Vincentian-American
National Charities, Inc. (VINCI), president
Wayne Ragguette says that the
organization, on a whole, has contributed
significantly io improving “the
lives of many in our community.”
“We celebrate many of our past and
current members who have contributed
tirelessly to advancing the work
of our organization,” said Ragguette,
a political consultant in Brooklyn, in
addressing VINCI’s 36th Annual Gala
and Awards Ceremony and St. Vincent
and the Grenadines Independence
Anniversary Luncheon at EL Caribe
Country Club in Brooklyn on Sunday.
“We express our sincere appreciation
to our current members for their dedicated
work in the organization, and we
acknowledge those members who have
since passed on but have left their mark
by the consistent contributions they
have made to VINCI for many years,” he
added, noting that VINC this year lost
“two of our longest serving members,”
both of whom were former presidents,
who went to the Great Beyond.
Ragguette regretted that Vincent
Bacchus and Augustus McMillan are
“not here to join us at this independence
celebration, but we know they
would have been proud of this milestone.
“As an organization, we continue to
build and transform, putting in place
long term goals that, hopefully, will last
decades after many of us have moved
on,” he said. “We want to ensure that
the legacy of VINCI remains strong and
true to its mission, as the organization
moves forward.
“It is our hope to leave a solid foundation
for others who come behind us
to build upon, so they would be enabled
to carry on the work this organization
has done,” he added.
“As we celebrate our country’s 40th
independence anniversary, we are
proud of the resilience of our fellow
citizens and the work our government
is doing, advancing our nation and
people,” Ragguette continued, citing as
examples the results of the education
revolution; the modern, state-of-theart
international airport; new smart
hospitals; and recently, St. Vincent and
the Grenadines’ election, as the smallest
nation, to serve on the United
Nations Security Council.
“We celebrate all that our country
has accomplished.,” he said. “As always,
I believe that faith in God gives meaning
and purpose to life, and the greatest
gift is service to humanity.”
Ragguette urged patrons to continue
supporting the work “we do as
an organization and donate, so VINCI
can contribute even more greatly to
projects that will benefit the Vincentian
communities in St. Vincent and
the Grenadines and right here in New
York City.”
“As one of the oldest Vincentian
charitable organizations in New York,
which has worked diligently over the
years to fulfill its mission of helping Vincentians
and other Caribbean nationals
in the United States, St. Vincent and
the Grenadines, and the Diaspora, who
are most in need of assistance, VINCI is
determine to uphold its motto and mission,”
he said, stating that the organization’s
motto is: “Where Need Exists,
We Pledge to Assist.”
Senator Kevin Parker, left, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, Satyla
Brandon, scholarship recipient, Assemblywomen Diana Richardson and
Dr.Theresa Price, founder of the National College Resource Foundation.
Kevin Parker