Antiguan and Barbudan Community Group Celebrates 90 Years of Achievement, Resilience and Cultural Preservation
The Antigua and Barbuda Progressive Society (ABPS) proudly presents its 90th anniversary celebration, commemorating decades of service to the community and the preservation of Antigua and Barbuda’s cultural legacy. Headquartered in Harlem, New York, the ABPS is the longest surviving organization of Antiguans and Barbudans.
During the Harlem Renaissance, a historic period of cultural revival which began at the end World War I and ended just before the Great Depression, there was a proliferation of Black creativity in the arts, music and literature. Hundreds of Antiguans and Barbudans who migrated to New York City, were empowered as elements of their Caribbean heritage were infused into the fabric of Harlem, the “cultural capital of the world.”
The 90th Anniversary celebrations begin with a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday September 22nd at 10 am at St. Phillips Episcopal Church, 204 West 134 St, NY, NY. This will be followed by a retro-themed Black & White Cocktail Reception on Saturday September 28th from 6 pm – 10 pm at Antigua House, 12 W 122nd St, NY, NY. Tickets are $90 in advance and $100 at the door.
The event will highlight an important era that instilled a sense of pride throughout the black community and helped to give birth to the ABPS. Event-goers can look forward to a vibrant fusion of Caribbean-American culture that is synonymous with Harlem’s rich melting pot. The reception will feature food by Chef Murphy and Caribbean and Jazz music by Sax Man, Noel Haye and DJ Keg. There will also be a live auction featuring 5 dream vacation packages and other exciting prizes.
“This event will pay homage to the enduring spirit of our founders and members, as we continue our mission of empowerment, cultural preservation and positive change for generations to come. This promises to be an unforgettable evening that will raise funds to support our community programs. It will feature a delectable menu, lively Caribbean and jazz music and great prizes,” said Mercelle Mason, President of ABPS.
The anniversary celebration will attract elected officials from Harlem as well as Antigua and Barbuda. The ABPS was formed in 1934 during the Great Depression, under the inspirational leadership of Bishop James P. Roberts and 22 Antiguans who had a vision for community empowerment.
The ABPS is a 501(c)(3) not for profit entity, organized exclusively for charitable, religious and educational purposes. For tickets to the event contact Tel: 917-280-8564 | 917-691-3700 | 917-319-1904 or visit abpsociety.org.
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Before and during the Great Depression, there was a proliferation of Progressive Societies formed by Caribbean immigrants.
Even Monserrat had a Progressive Society. These progressive societies were a place where new and recent arrivals ( Caribbean immigrants) could visit get a meal and hear about rooms for rent or job opportunities. They even throw box hand which was the underlying activity that enabled many Caribbean people to purchase a home in Harlem
No different from the other immigrant benevolent groups, the Caribbean Progressive Societies were a place of refuge.
There is much history of the life and times of Antiguans and Barbudans throughout the years in New York that can be now found at The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, one of the world’s leading cultural institutions and Museum.
Antiguans and Barbudans stand proud not only is it the only Caribbean Progressive Society that remains with a home and Headquartered in Harlem, New York; but the ABPS is the longest surviving organization of Antiguans and Barbudans; as well as the only functional Caribbean Progressive Society.
This The 90th Anniversary celebration and Thanksgiving offer the opportunity for the current ABPS leadership to organize programs to attract from millennials to Gen Zs to to preserve and grow the organization.
The affiliated photo with this article has little to do with Antigua and Barbuda Progressive Society.
This photo is of “A Great Day in Harlem or Harlem 1958 is a black-and-white photograph of 57 jazz musicians in Harlem, New York, taken by freelance photographer Art Kane for Esquire magazine on August 12, 1958”
The Antigua and Barbuda Progressive Society has a similar photo that were gifted to the Shomburg Museum and can be easily found in the museum archives
CONGRATULATIONS!! All the best for the future.