By St. Paul’s News Team
November 1 2026 | Making Strides
Standing-room-only gathering honours generations of Antiguans and Barbudans whose contributions continue to shape American society.
The national flag of Antigua and Barbuda flew proudly over New York City Hall on Monday, October 26, as members of the Antiguan and Barbudan diaspora joined government representatives, community leaders and cultural performers in a special ceremony celebrating the nation’s 45th anniversary of independence.
The 2:00 p.m. flag-raising ceremony attracted a capacity crowd, with the venue filled to standing-room-only, reflecting the strong connection between Antiguans and Barbudans living in the United States and their ancestral homeland.
Held in recognition of the country’s independence anniversary on November 1, the event celebrated not only Antigua and Barbuda’s national identity but also the achievements, sacrifices and enduring contributions of generations of its people who have made the United States their home.
More than a ceremonial display of national colours, the occasion served as a reminder that the diaspora remains an integral part of the nation’s identity and development.
“The diaspora is not on the outside looking in; it is an extension of the nation itself.”
That message resonated throughout the proceedings, which placed particular emphasis on recognising the experiences of first-generation immigrants while celebrating the accomplishments and aspirations of second- and third-generation Antiguans and Barbudans.
The programme opened with an invocation by Evangelist Patricia George-Ralph, followed by remarks from Mr. Arthur Piccolo, Chairman of the Bowling Green Association, and Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador Plenipotentiary to the United Nations, Dr. Walton Aubrey Webson.
A particularly moving contribution came from Ms. Cayandy O’Garro, a second-generation Antiguan and Barbudan who reflected on growing up in New York City with Antiguan parents and the influence of her upbringing on her professional journey in healthcare.
Her account highlighted the importance of family, cultural identity and the values instilled by parents who migrated in search of opportunities for their children. Her experience demonstrated how the traditions and principles of Antigua and Barbuda continue to shape the lives of descendants making their own contributions to American society.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Donna Elam, a third-generation Antiguan whose family history offered a remarkable connection to the struggles for freedom and the immigrant experience in the United States.
Dr. Elam shared that her grandfather had been freed at Bowling Green, a historic location associated with her family’s journey from Ellis Island. Her reflections brought a deeply personal dimension to the occasion, linking the experiences and sacrifices of earlier generations with the opportunities and achievements enjoyed by their descendants today.
Her story reinforced the importance of preserving family histories and ensuring that the contributions of Caribbean immigrants remain recognised within the broader American narrative.
Dr. Dave Ray, US Diaspora Liaison Official for the Government and People of Antigua and Barbuda and chief coordinator of the ceremony, delivered a charge encouraging members of the diaspora to maintain meaningful connections with their homeland while continuing to contribute to the development of the United States.
He emphasised the importance of preserving cultural traditions, embracing national identity and remaining actively involved in civic, professional, economic and cultural life.
The gathering also highlighted that being American and being Antiguan and Barbudan are not competing identities. Rather, successive generations can embrace the opportunities of their adopted country while remaining deeply connected to their ancestral roots.
For older members of the diaspora, the ceremony recognised decades of sacrifice, perseverance and community building. For younger generations, it offered an opportunity to appreciate their history and understand the cultural inheritance passed down by their parents and grandparents.
The defining moment came when Ambassador Webson led the ceremonial raising of the national flag, symbolising the pride, resilience and enduring presence of Antigua and Barbuda’s people on American soil.
The cultural programme added a distinctly Caribbean flavour to the celebration.
The Barbuda Brass Ensemble, headed by Trevaughn Thomas, presented a musical selection featuring four trumpeters, bringing the distinctive musical traditions of Barbuda to the gathering.
Carl Edwards of the City South Steel Orchestra also contributed steelpan music, introducing the unmistakable rhythms of the Caribbean and adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
The performances underscored the importance of music and cultural expression in preserving national identity, particularly among communities living thousands of miles from home.
Mrs. Joy Wehner of the Consulate General served as host, guiding the proceedings and bringing together the diplomatic, historical, ceremonial and cultural elements of the programme.
As Antigua and Barbuda approaches 45 years of independence, the New York City Hall ceremony served as a powerful reminder that the nation’s identity extends far beyond its geographical boundaries.
Across generations, Antiguans and Barbudans have contributed to American society through professional achievements, entrepreneurship, public service, cultural expression and community involvement, while maintaining strong connections to their homeland through family, food, music, faith and traditions.
The event also underscored the importance of engaging younger generations to ensure that Antigua and Barbuda’s cultural inheritance remains a living part of the future rather than simply a memory of the past.
The distance between home and abroad may be measured in miles, but national pride knows no borders.
The successful ceremony celebrated the accomplishments and resilience of the Antiguan and Barbudan community in the United States while reaffirming that, wherever they may reside, they remain part of the story, identity and future of Antigua and Barbuda.
As the nation celebrates its 45th Independence anniversary, the message from New York was clear: one flag, one heritage and one people, united across generations and borders.
Add the byline and story dateCondense repeated diaspora themes