ARTISTS OF COLOR
“It’s always important to
represent our culture,” added
the registered nurse. “We unite
every year to celebrate our
pride in being women who are
decendants of king and queens
from the Motherland. Showcasing
traditional garb keeps the
legacy alive.”
From the rousing applause
and smiling faces, Roberts-
Griffin said the models were,
unmistakably, “a big hit with
the crowd.
“Many commented afterwards
on how much they enjoyed the
models and the fashions,” she
said. “The models felt great
about strutting their stuff.
“There is an extra joy and
pride when you wear African
outfits,” she added. “Everyone
felt like royalty wearing the
beautiful fashions.”
The models were presented
by attorney Melanie Okpaku,
whose father is Nigerian, and
mother is Jamaican Registered
Nurse Ingrid Baptiste, who was
among the models.
Besides, Baptiste and Roberts-
Griffin, other models included
Registered Nurses Emilda Prosper,
Claudette Shake, Elaine
Mills-Ford, Cora Kobel, Claudette
Gordon, Virginia James
and Hopina Quammie-Samuel.
Over the years, Roberts-Griffin
said nursing models showcased
their own hats and hats
made by a local milliner, and
fashions from several designers,
local and international.
Caribbean L 42 ife, OCTOBER 18-24, 2019
“We also did ‘Fashion through
the Decades’,” she said, stating
that the models wore styles from
the 1920s to the current decade,
“while music and historical data
applicable to each decade were
highlighted.”
Roberts-Griffin said “Black is
Beautiful” was also a modeling
hit.
“Black cocktail dresses and
brightly hued accessories were
modelled, while music and
quotes of affirmation by strong
black women were recited,” she
said. “This was to showcase the
outer and inner beauty of black
women.”
this year. As a United States
Musical Ambassador, Maimouna’s
lyrical prowess coupled
with her commitment to activism
and social justice has taken
her around the globe as a musician,
thought leader and facilitator.
She has shared the stage
with Black Thought, Sting, Nas,
Common, Dave Chappelle, Lauryn
Hill, Erykah Badu, Femi
Kuti, Fred Yonnet, and hastraveled
across the world as
a supporting vocalist for legends
such as Congolese Vocal
Acapella group Zap Mama, Late
night Jimmy Fallon’s band, The
Roots, and Common.
“During a time in America
and the world in which many
of us feel impotent against the
oppressive forces of the state,
art enables us to respond, to
speak truth to power, to resist
and to attempt to transform.
The time is now and the doors
to the Harlem Stage Gatehouse
are open” said Patricia Cruz,
executive director of Harlem
Stage.
Monique Martin, director of
programming, said “This season
Harlem Stage will continue
to be a ‘Sanctuary Space’ for
dialogue, bridge building and
transcendent theater, music
and dance. Artists from down
the block, around the way and
across the globe will present
bespoke programs to ignite our
imaginations, pose disrupting
questions and ground us in our
collective commitment to a
world that honors everyone. We
look forward to holding space
with you and honoring our collective
humanity.”
Baltimore native Maimouna
Youssef is of Choctaw, African
American, and Muslim heritage
who was born into a family
of exceptional artists deeply
rooted in healing, spirituality
and activism. She began singing
traditional indigenous and
African songs at four years old
and began her music career at
16 years old. Throughout this
evening you will be immersed
in sounds of A Capella and
musical elements to honor her
ancestors. This timely healing
concert will leave you transformed
and uplifted. it will be a
musical journey amplifying the
soulful soundscapes that reflect
the experiences of Maimouna’s
rich heritage.
Harlem Stage is proud to
present this concert in recognition
of “400 years of Inequality”
in observance of the anniversary
of 1619, when the first Africans
were brought to Jamestown
and sold into bondage;
‘Stolen Hands, Working Stolen
Lands.’
Continued from Page 41
Nursing models who participated in the during the 24th Annual Vernese Weekes Scholarship Luncheon at Eastwood
Manor on Eastchester Road in the Bronx. Photo by Nelson A. King
Continued from Page 41
Grammy nominated Singer Maimouna Youssef.
Caribbean nurses strut stuff in African outfits