Brooklyn Grand Lodge no. 1 honors six
Brooklyn group honors Downstate physicians
Caribbean L BQ ife, May 10–16, 2019 3
By Nelson A. King
The Brooklyn-based Trinbago Progressive
Association (TPA) recently honored
Downstate University Hospital/Brooklyn
Health Disparities Center physicians at
TPA’s 25th Annual Awards Luncheon.
The event, which also served as TPA’s
Inaugural Scholarship Awards Ceremony,
was attended by more than 300
guests.
Dr. Moro Salifu, who served as keynote
speaker and an honoree, “emphasized
the importance of the organization’s
mission to serve those who are unable
to secure adequate medical services and
supplies,” according to Brooklyn Health
Disparities Center.
Also honored was Dr. Monica Sweeney,
“who eloquently spoke of sharing one’s
talents and gifts with others,” the center
said.
Dr. Salifu recognized the presence of
team members of the Brooklyn Health
Disparities Center for which he serves
as director and Dr. Sweeney serves as a
member of its Program Advisory Board.
BHDC said that it focuses on healthcare
research and is a joint venture of
SUNY Downstate Medical Center, the
Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health,
and the Brooklyn Borough President’s
Office
Founded in 1989, TPA is a non-profit
organization that provides services to
individuals and families in the New York
Metropolitan area, while also aiding to
the islands of Trinidad and Tobago in
areas such as health, education, and
social welfare.
TPA aid will conduct its 11th medical
mission to Trinidad and Tobago in
July 2019.
By Nelson A. King
The Brooklyn District Grand Lodge
No. 1, of the Independent United Order
of Mechanics (IUOM), on Sunday honored
six outstanding members at its
85th Anniversary Luncheon and Awards
Ceremony at Antun’s Catering House
on Springfield Boulevard in Queen’s
Village.
The gala event also marked the
Lodge’s Pre-Mother’s Day ceremony.
Derek Ventour, a pre-eminent Grenadian
born entertainment promoter in
Brooklyn, also presented citations to
the honorees on behalf of Brooklyn’s
Caribbean American Congresswoman
Yvette D. Clarke, Democratic representative
for the Ninth Congressional
District.
The honorees were: Guyanese Myrthland
Ince and the Rev. Hazel Barbara
Barker; Barbadian Jeffrey Smith; Grenadian
Daniel Roden; and Vincentians
Elizabeth Chambers and Judith Cyril.
David Williams, the Grenadian-born
Rt. Worshipful District Grand Master of
the Bedford-Stuyvesant-based Brooklyn
District Grand Lodge No.1, told Caribbean
Life afterwards that the honorees
were “duly qualified to be recognized
for the hard work and commitment to
our jurisdiction.
“With great enthusiasm and responsibility,
they carry a heavy load for the
survivability of our district,” he said.
“They serve as a beacon in the physical
and spiritual growth in the mystic art of
our fraternal order.
“With love and gratitude, I was happy
to be a part in making those presentations,
keeping our chain strong in the
bond of friendship, truth and love,” Williams
added.
Ince, who was born in Georgetown,
the Guyanese capital, was initiated
in the noble order in March
26, 2002 as a member of King Solomon
Lodge No. 5 under Brooklyn
District Grand Lodge No. 1.
As a member of King Solomon Lodge
No. 5, he was elevated to the rank of
master mechanic, where he served as
trustee, sr. deacon, deputy master and
illustrative grand.
After serving two terms as illustrative
grand, in 2006, Ince was appointed
to the Brooklyn District Grand Lodge
No. 1 as a District Grand Steward,
where he served two terms.
He then went on to hold the offices
of District Grand Trustee and District
Grand Treasurer, the office he currently
holds.
After completing her secondary
school in Guyana, Rev. Barker migrated
to London, England, studying nursing
at the Old Church Hospital in Romford,
Essex and later at Frien Barnett Mental
Hospital.
From the latter, Rev. Barker was
recruited by the Montreal Neurological
Hospital and moved to Canada ending
her years there at the Jewish Hospital
Psychiatric Unit.
In 1983, Rev. Barker migrated to
the US, where she Edgar Craigg and
became an initiated foundation member
of Rachel Chapter No. 5 under the
jurisdiction of Brooklyn District Grand
Lodge No. 1.
Throughout the course of 22 years,
Rev. Barker has served in various offices,
including first senior deacon of Rachel
Chapter, first prelate of Saint Theresa
Grand Christian Encampment, illustrative
matron of Rachel Chapter No. 5 for
two consecutive terms, secretary for
two consecutive terms and deputy for
two consecutive terms.
She is currently serving as the prelate
of the Past Illustrative Matron’s
Conclave, deputy eminent commander
of Saint Theresa’s Grand Christian
Encampment and treasurer for Rachel
Chapter No. 5.
Smith was initiated into the Independent
United Order of Mechanics,
Friendly Society, Western Hemisphere
Inc. in April 1990 as a member of
Brooklyn Pride Lodge No. 8, under the
jurisdiction of the Brooklyn District
Grand Lodge No. 1.
While working in the Fellow Craft,
Smith was appointed to act as assistant
secretary and, thereafter, as financial
secretary, an office he held n his lodge
until 2000, when he was appointed as a
District Grand Steward.
Smith has held various offices within
the Brooklyn District Grand Lodge No.
1, such as inner guard, trustee and
treasurer.
Roden was initiated into the order
in 2001 by members of Brooklyn Pride
Lodge No. 8 under the jurisdiction of
Brooklyn District Grand Lodge No. 1.
He quickly moved through the ranks,
while serving in almost every office
within the lodge.
Roden was Illustrative Grand of
Brooklyn Pride Lodge No. 8, and was
extremely instrumental in the growth
of the lodge during his tenure. For
services to the lodge and the district, he
was rewarded with the Past Illustrative
Grand Degree.
Guyanese-born Most Worshipful Grand Master, Walter L. Benjamin presents
award and citation to Elizabeth Chambers. Photo by Nelson A. King
Drs. Moro Salifu and Monica Sweeney (4th and 3rd from the left) are pictured
with Stephen Isaac, president of Trinbago Progressive Association
(4th from the right) other Downstate Medical Center and Brooklyn Health
Disparities Center physicians and team members and at El Caribe Country
Club in Brooklyn. Brooklyn Health Disparities Center