Cloyette Harris- Stoute left Guyana over 30 years ago for the United States but connects and honors her childhood and culture through Guyanese Girls Rock Foundation (GGRF). GGRF was founded in 2018. Stoute recognized there was not enough representation of Guyanese culture online and in the community that specifically focused on celebrating Guyanese women and girls. The mission of the organization states:
Guyanese Girls Rock Foundation is dedicated to empowering Guyanese women and girls to create their own paths to success. At GGRF we believe in cultivating an environment where women and girls feel encouraged and supported to make a positive contribution in the world. Through our programs, we facilitate leadership training, workshops, community collaborations, access to scholarships and awards & recognition of exceptional female role models from the Guyanese community.
Cloyette Harris-Stoute serves as the Founder/President of GGRF. In 2009, after returning with her family from Florida, Harris-Stoute decided to start a blog highlighting Guyanese Women around the globe and their accomplishments. The reception online was so strong, she recognized there was a gap that needed to be filled. “The Guyanese community is the 2nd largest immigrant community in New York City, with Indo-Guyanese people predominantly residing in Richmond Hill and most Afro-Guyanese living in
Brooklyn.Guyana is often described as the “Land of Six Peoples,” highlighting its diverse cultural tapestry. East Indians form the largest ethnic group followed by the Africans, Native Americans, Chinese, Europeans (Portuguese), and mixed races, all
of whom contribute to the nation’s demographic and cultural profile, says Harris-Stoute.
GGRF has garnered the support of local community partners such as the Guyana Cultural Association (GCA) and Queens Public Library (QPL). The organization has hosted programming at the QPL Teen Center from January- June each year since 2018.
Currently the program operates on a hybrid schedule with one Saturday being virtual and one Saturday in person.
Dr. Rose October of GCA, who serves on the GGRF Cultural committee, volunteers and teaches participants about cultural practices and provides a platform to discuss cultural dynamics and 2nd generation Guyanese women growing up in New York
City. For example, Dr. October has led a portion of the programming teaching the Masquerade Dance.
In addition to its cultural enrichment programming, the organization loves to highlight Guyanese cuisines! In August of 2023, led by GGRF board member, Juneann George, the organization joined the Guyana Cultural Association for Caribbean Community’s featuring the food of Guyana under the theme “Exploring the Foodway that Connect Us.”
The organization also actively participates in events and activities that honor the multicultural fabric of the Queens community. These include annual Holi “Phagwah” and Diwali festivals, as well as ceremonies marking Guyana’s independence and emancipation anniversaries.
Guyanse Girls Rock Foundation has a motto they repeat in every class:
You are more than enough, and you were born to rock!
Cloyette Harris-Stoute identifies with her inner child through her work with young women. If she had the opportunity to speak to her ten year old self she says, “ I would tell her, your past does not define your future.”
The Guyanese Girls Rock Foundation is looking forward to expanding their cultural enrichment programming in 2024 by reaching out to form educational partnerships as well as alliances with youth development agencies. To learn more about the organization please visit: Guyanese Girls Rock Foundation.
