Features
Corey Connelly
The TOBAGO Empowerment and Alliance Mission (TEAM) has hailed the celebration of Tobago Day as a resounding success.
The ninth edition of the event, which attracted hundreds of customers, was held on August 18 in the courtyard of Nazareth High School, 475E 57th Street, Brooklyn, New York.
It featured various elements of Tobago’s cultural heritage: music, dance and food.
The Chief Secretary of the Tobago Assembly, Farley Augustine, addressed the gathering. He was accompanied by a contingent consisting of THA officials, tourism stakeholders and some of the island’s leading artists.
Among those who performed were veteran calypsonian Lord Nelson (Robert Nelson), Tobago’s Heritage Monarch Garve Sandy, Roxborough Police Youth Club, Jay Smooth, Burton Toney, Prince Unique (Jeffrey Thomas) and others.
Pro Angela Cooper of TEAM told Newsday, “Based on what we saw and the feedback we got, I think the event was very successful. In fact, the event was truly one of the best so far.
“What we saw on Sunday is what Tobago Day was really made for. This means raising awareness of the island’s heritage.”
Cooper said the organization believes events such as Tobago Day also promote a sense of self and belonging.
“It’s our contribution to help preserve our culture and one thing that’s important to maintaining the kind of diversity we have in Tobago.”
Tobago Day, she added, is intergenerational.
“By embracing our culture and understanding where we came from, we, as Tobagonians, can see our uniqueness as we lead with a stronger sense of self.
“As a PRO for the team, I really believe in that. So when you believe in those things and put your best foot forward, I think what we saw on Sunday is what happens.”
Cooper said the event, because of its location in New York, also serves as a channel through which people can be encouraged to visit Tobago throughout the year.
Alluding to the high number of murders and other issues plaguing the island, Cooper said Tobago Day also serves as a platform to rekindle a sense of family and unity.
“There’s a hole in the soul of our beautiful island right now, and events like these help bring back what I think is important.”
She said Tobago Day is not a big lime, but an experience that can lead to growth and greatness.
“As a diaspora group, we really want to preserve the integrity of our island in any way possible. I think from that massive crowd that showed up there on Sunday in that threatening weather, I think we’ve proven that we can now have a seat at the table and express our help for some of the needs that we see and hear.
Cooper said TEAM is not just about Tobago Day.
“There are other things we want to do. We want to start projects in Tobago and we can do that by having events like this to raise our funds because it’s hard to get here.”
For example, she said the organization learned that many young boys on the island are illiterate.
“So we want to see where we can help with that. I think it’s so important and critical that we really be part of the conversation and say what we can do to stem what’s going on and get people to where they really need to be.”
Saying that TEAM is the only Tobago diaspora group in New York, Cooper added, “We can’t do it all, solve it all. But when we can do something to make a difference, I think that’s where the TEAM really wants to go.”
She called on people to join the organization and make a difference.
“We want people to come forward, serious people, productive people, positive people who can really make an impact.
“Let’s do this together because if we could gather all these people, most of the Tobagonians and their friends and come to a space and come together, you know we could do it as a people to each other.”
Cooper said grand plans are planned for the tenth anniversary of Tobago Day in 2025.
