Adrianna Younge to Be Honored Posthumously At Guyana Independence Celebrations in New York

NEW YORK, New York – The Brooklyn, New York-based Guyana Independence Celebration Committee New York (GICCNY) said on Saturday that it will honor murdered 11-year-old Adrianna Younge at Guyana’s annual Independence Parade and Celebration in Brooklyn on June 1.

Adrianna Younge was found dead in a hotel pool a day after going missing.The celebration, which marks Guyana’s 59th Anniversary of Independence, will comprise the Independence Parade on Church Avenue, Brooklyn, as well as the flag-raising and award ceremony, and the grand Guyana Independence Unity Concert in Brooklyn.

Younge was reported missing on April 23 and was found dead the following day in a swimming pool at a hotel.

GICCNY said her murder has rocked Guyana, and has inspired people from all walks of life, races, ethnicity and creed worldwide to come together for a common purpose – the pursuit justice and realize the aspiration of unity.

“The impact of her death will be momentous and indelible,” the committee said. “Consequently, Guyana’s Independence commemoration in New York 2025 has been dedicated to Adrianna Younge’s memory, and will include a powerful tribute to Adrianna, as well as the presentation of a posthumous US Congressional Proclamation for Adrianna in recognition of life and to celebrate her memory and legacy.”

Additionally, GICCNY said the annual Guyanese Independence Parade has been redesignated the Adrianna Younge Justice March.

“Therefore, we ask all Guyanese and friends of Guyana in the New York tri-state area and beyond to attend, and celebrate her life,” it said.

GICCNY said the parade/Adrianna Younge Justice March kicks off at noon, followed by a flag-raising ceremony and the Unity Concert. The ceremony will feature prominent Guyanese DJs, radio personalities and “a surprise Caribbean international superstar artiste,” GICCNY said.

It said it will present the customary Kaieteur Award of Distinction, as well as United States Congressional Proclamations to outstanding Guyanese at home and in the Diaspora, and others.

GICCNY said the 2025 honorees include Dr. Gregory Benn, M.D; Sookranie Dhanpat of the Office of New York City Mayor Eric Adams; Dr. Orin Douglas, M.D; Linda of Linda’s Restaurant on Church Avenue in Brooklyn; Sharon Barnwell, CEO of Caribbean International Shipping, Atlanta, Georgia; Guyanese Member of Parliament and Shadow Attorney General, Senior Counsel, Roysdale Ford; and Vice President for Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Atlantic Union Conference of Seventh day Adventist Dr. David McKenzie.

Others are: Guyanese Member of Parliament Nima Flu Bess; Adrianna Younge (posthumous); Brooklyn Mechanic Harry Hazle; Deputy Warden Duayne John, New York City Department of Corrections; Akira Mackel, general manager of the Newport Hospitality Group/Marriott Hotels, Greater Philadelphia; and Chelsea Grant, marketing and DSP relations manager, Rutgers State University of New Jersey.

“This celebration is the largest Guyanese celebration outside of Guyana, and the one of the largest for West Indian celebrations in New York City after the Labor Day parade,” said GICCNYG, stating that, each year, the celebration “attracts thousands of attendees, and over one million online viewers via our website and social media.”