Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

City and Mas Bands Getting Ready for Carnival 2022 Celena Seushai By Stephen Weir “The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is back,” exclaimed special events expert Petronilla Marchan, after she helped Mayor John Tory and City Council announce the return of Carnival and many other major festivals to the city. Mas Costumed models, the Face of the Festival and carnival festival organizers braved the cold to warm up the May 4th Nathan Phillips Square pressers. “ We were feeling the vibes at Friday’s Press Conference,” continued Marchan. “The beautiful Face of the Festival for 2022 Celena Seushai  was  stunning and warm in Hot Pink. Her official costume added to the beauty of the Toronto Carnival costumes presentation. The city is welcoming back all, and we are ready with open arms. Get ready because the party now starts.” Standing amongst a group of models in Carnival costumes, Mayor John Tory announced to the media the return of major festivals and events to Toronto’s streets, publi...

Birthright Programme Brings Jamaican Canadians Back Home For A Month Students will visit JA cultural sites - Coke Methodist Church By Stephen Weir Jamaica’s Grace Kennedy Company is once again offering 2nd and 3rd generation Jamaicans who have never actually lived in Jamaica the opportunity to spend a month next summer in the homeland. Every year four Jamaican Canadian university students are brought back to the island to learn about their heritage through Grace Kennedy’s Jamaican Birthright Program (JPB). “The GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright Programme is a cultural and professional internship geared at highlighting all aspects of Jamaican life while furthering the career goals of the selected candidates,” explains Petronilla Marchan, a JPB assistant here in Canada. “It is a programme that will give students a well-rounded Jamaican experience!” JPB provides round-trip transportation, accommodation, a stipend and an internship in Jamaica. The students will be on th...

Four  Jamaican Canadian University Students Can Spend 5 Weeks In Jamaica Free, Learning About Heritage By Stephen Weir Every summer four Jamaican Canadian university students are brought back to the island to learn about their heritage.   The deadline to apply for this free five-week programme is November 30 th . The Jamaican Birthright Program (JPB) is thanks to the  GraceKennedy Company  which seeks to reconnect second and third generation Jamaicans Canadians attending universities in Canada back to their cultural roots. It provides round-trip transportation, accommodation, a stipend and an internship in Jamaica. The students will be on island from July 1 to Aug 7th 2019.   Petronilla Marchan, one of the organizers of the programme in Canada, said, “students should apply soon. Candidates must be second or third generation Jamaicans, who have never lived in Jamaica for more than a period exceeding six months,” she sai...

. Jamaica Birthright Programme extends application deadline   By Stephen Weir  As seen in the Caribbean Camera newspaper Jamaican Canadian university students who have not lived in Jamaica can still apply for this summer’s Jamaican Birthright Programme.  Birthright, which includes round trip transportation, accommodation, a stipend and a summer internship in Jamaica is designed to reconnect  second or third generation Jamaicans to their cultural roots. “Students should note that the deadline to apply has been extended to December 6th” explained Petronilla Marchan, one of the Toronto organizers of the programme funded by the GraceKennedy Foundation. “GraceKennedy will host four Canadian university students for a one month Internship this summer” she said. “Candidates must be  second or third generation Jamaicans who have never lived in Jamaica for  more than a period exceeding six months.”   Stephen W...