Thank you for your participation over the past FOUR years. Its that time of the year again, when we think about the less fortunate and extend ourselves to offer some assistance.

Carisafe, together with TTADC, SDot Productions, and CultureFest, hold our annual Turkey Drive for families within the Caribbean Community of the DMV. Thanks to the generosity and kindness of people like you, for the past four years, we’ve been able to support hundreds of families with Thanksgiving turkeys.

This year, we’re aiming even higher—with a goal of providing 300 turkeys to families, and we ask you to join us in making this possible. Your support will go directly toward helping us reach this goal, and bring comfort and joy to those who may otherwise be in need.

Please consider making a donation TODAY and join us in spreading the spirit of giving. Together, we can make this Thanksgiving a memorable and uplifting holiday for those who need it most. Donations should be made by Monday November 18th.

DONATE HERE - https://www.ttadc.org/event-5933474

Giant Foods is supporting us with the cost of the turkeys, and Metropolitan Seventh Day Adventis Church, located at 6307 Riggs Road, Hyattsville, MD 20783 is facilitating the distribution to the families.

Thank you for your continued support and generosity,

For more information, please call 240-765-3663 or 301- 602-8415

DONATE HERE

We hope this message finds you well. On behalf of The Women's Round Table Action Platform of Trinidad and Tobago (WRAPTT), we are thrilled to invite you to participate in our upcoming event, The Elimination of Violence Walk.

Date: November 30th, 2024

Theme: Unite and Empower: Eliminate Violence Towards Women and Girls

This impactful event aims to bring together individuals and communities to stand against violence towards women and girls. Our walk will not only raise awareness but also inspire action towards creating a safer and more equitable society for all. We will be walking in Maryland, New York, Florida, California and Trinidad and Tobago.

To join us on our walk we simply ask that you purchase a T-Shirt or Hoodie. A percentage from this walk will help us to support

REGISTER

BECOME A MEMBER

    DV-2026 DIVERSITY VISA (GREEN CARD) LOTTERY

The Department of State has published the particulars for the 2026 Diversity Visa (Green Card) Lottery Program. Applicants must submit registration entries electronically at dvprogram.state.gov, between Wednesday, October 2, 2024, 12:00PM, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), and Tuesday, November 5, 2024, 12:00PM, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5). Individuals who submit more than one entry during the registration period will be disqualified.

Each applicant must meet the minimum criteria listed in the instructions and submit a timely on-line application along with a 1in x 1.38 in color photo (22mm x 35mm) (passport size) during the application period. Photographs must be recent (taken within the last 6 months) of yourself, your spouse, and all derivative children included with your entry.

For DV-2026, natives of the following countries are not eligible to apply, because more than 50,000 natives of these countries immigrated to the United States in the previous five years:

Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, The People's Republic of China (including mainland and Hong Kong born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Venezuela, and Vietnam. Natives of Macau SAR and Taiwan are eligible.

Please note there is no cost to register for the DV program. However, selectees who are scheduled for an interview will be required to pay a visa application fee prior to making their formal visa application where a consular officer will determine whether they qualify for the visa. Also, beginning this year, there is a small fee for processing the photos for registrations. The proceeds will benefit the IOSC’s legal immigration services.

If you know anyone who may be interested in filing, they can access information from the links below. They can also reach out to IOSC as indicated below. Please note: the registration entry links provided will not be activated until 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, October 2.                             

Contact Info: Owen Charles - Phone (WhatsApp and Messenger) - 410-207-5937 Email: Piseao@aol.com

Links to DV-2026 instructions and the online registration:

DV-2026 Instructions  - DV 2026 Plain Language Instructions and FAQs.pdf (state.gov)

Department of State web link - Diversity Visa Program - Submit an Entry (state.gov)

E-DV 2026 Online Entry web link - Electronic Diversity Visa (state.gov)

The registration entry portal will not be open until 12: Noon on Wednesday, October 2

The Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago wishes to share the following information with you.

Howard University and the University of Havana announce their commemoration of the 80^th Anniversary of Eric Williams’ ground-breaking book, Capitalism and Slavery (1944). This publication has had a tremendous impact across the globe and as such the celebration,  is sponsored by the Center for an Equitable Economy and Sustainable Society (e2s2) at Howard University.

This celebration comprises a bi-national conference in two parts. The first, ‘From Columbus to Castro’, was held at the University of Havana, Cuba, from September 17-21, 2024. It takes its name from Williams’ 1970 book of the same name.  The second, ‘Capitalism & Slavery’, will be held from September 26-28 at Howard University’s Medical School (Seeley-Mudd Building, Red Room Auditorium from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm) in Washington, DC, where Eric Williams joined the faculty in 1939 as a Professor of Political and Social Science, upon earning his doctorate at Oxford University.

For more information, please contact:
Erica Williams Connell, The Eric Williams Memorial
Collection Research Library, Archives & Museum
P.O. Box 561631, Miami, FL 33256-1631, USA
Fax: (305) 271-4160
Website:www.ericwilliamsmemorialcollection.org

We also take this time to wish you a Happy 48^th Republic Day, on behalf of the Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

When Panmasters Steel Orchestra arranger Roger Greenidge got the call to arrange Olatunji's  'Inventor' for the 2024 NY Steelband Panorama from the leader of the Philly Pan Stars Steel Orchestra, Rondell Pompey, he immediately told him, "I am in."  Subsequently 15 players from Panmasters agreed to join their arranger to play in the competition. Philly Pan Stars and Panmasters have had a longstanding symbiotic relationship over the years, as both steelbands have supported each other, playing for their respective Steelband Jamborees. 

Logistically, the dissemination of this music required Roger to present the music to Philly Pan Stars' drill master, Kristian Paradis who scored the music and posted it on a group chat. This was necessary because there were players who were coming from several states including Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, California, Maryland and DC. This included Roger teaching the local Panmasters players at their Panyard in Washington DC.  The mission required additional practice days weekly. The rehearsal schedule was very hectic and sometimes frustrating for the new players to the panorama experience. However, with the guidance of the more experienced players, the first timers were able to overcome the intensive drilling jitters, and perfect the tune. During the three month period leading up to the big night, a contingent of Panmasters players including Mr. Greenidge drove to Philadelphia to rehearse with Philly Pan Stars. This was to ensure that both groups were playing the same musical phrasings, crescendos etc.

Eventually, on August 24 th the entire Panmasters band drove to Philadelphia for a full band rehearsal. It was an amazing event!  The camaraderie among the players was palpable and everyone made sure that their respective sections played all parts as presented by the arranger and drill master.

On August 31 st. at 3:00pm, the day of the NY Panorama, the entire band assembled on Union St, between Classon and Washington Avenues to perfect their performance.  They played the tune nine (9) times at various tempos to an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. Eventually the pans rolled on stage in position number FOUR. The announcer introduced Philly Pan Stars and arranger Roger Greenidge counted the tune at 120bpm.  The band was off to an electrifying start and put down an epic performance. At the end of the performance, Philly Pan Stars with its contributors from The Panmasters Steel Orchestra of Washington DC received a standing ovation from the audience. When the judges scores were tallied, the band was awarded 274 points, placing them THIRD, just a single point behind SECOND place winner, Metro Stars and four points behind the winning band Pan Evolution.

Competing against big time arrangers, namely Andre White who arranged for the winners, Pan Evolution, Terrence 'BJ Marcelle who arranged for the second placed  Metro Stars and Carlton 'Zander' Alexander who arranged for the fourth placed D'Radoes,  Roger has proven to be a very capable of competing against quality arrangers.

It was a worthwhile effort and Panmasters is looking forward to a repeat of this alliance next year, hoping to be bigger and better.  They extend kudos to their arranger Roger Greenidge, for presenting such a fiery and excellent arrangement of 'The Inventor'. VIEW PERFORMANCE

From left to right in the picture are: Roger Greenidge (arranger); Miranda Martin (Bass) and Dr. Lennard Jack founding member of Panmasters (Tenor).

TTADC and entire Trinbago Community in the DMV extends congratulations to the band for their performance and contribution to this momentous effort. Well Done guys!