Harlem, NY: Hundreds of Caribbean nationals in New York packed Sylvia’s Also Lounge in Harlem, New York — just a few blocks from where Jamaican national hero Marcus Garvey once operated his Universal Negro Improvement Association, UNIA — to mark the third anniversary celebrations and awards ceremony of Caribbean Lifestyle TV. The gala event, which attracted the who’s who in the Diaspora was a spectacular evening of music, dancing and high fashion.

Special guest speaker at the event, veteran broadcaster David Lampel, president of Atlas News Media told the attendees how honored he felt to be associated with the Caribbean community for most of the 42 years he has been in the broadcasting industry. Lampel congratulated the CLM team for their outstanding media product. He also commended their passion for using the CLM platform to showcase successful Caribbean nationals across the Diaspora.

The CLM TV team, host Irwine Clare, co-producers Clement Hume, Anthony Turner, Andrea Bullens and editor Basil Wellington, presented awards honoring three members of the community who represent high levels of achievement within their respective fields. This year’s recipient of the CLM TV Person of the Year, Dr Howard Bradnock, MD was honored, for his exemplary contribution in the field of medicine. He was also acknowledged for his tireless work in the Diaspora and specifically with the Ardenne Alumni Association which has played a significant role in ensuring our students at home continue to set new standards in arts and science in the Caribbean.

Chris Roberts, CEO of The Door Restaurant was the recipient of the CLM TV Achievement Award for his philanthropy and business acumen while Patrick Maitland, publisher and editor of the New York-based Street Hype Newspaper was the recipient of the CLM TV Media Person for 2009. Maitland has a solid reputation for investigative journalism and for publishing hard hitting stories that address topical issues affecting the Caribbean Diaspora in NYC.

Maitland, in accepting his award said, “On behalf of the staff of Street Hype I appreciate the award and I pledge to continue serving the community with reliable and hard hitting stories. We attribute our success to the outstanding support and contribution from our readers and advertisers over the years.”

After three years on air, the team expressed heartfelt thanks for the warm greetings from well wishers and viewers who see CLM TV as one of the best produced programmes currently on the CIN platform. In addition to weekly profiles and discussions of issues relevant to the Caribbean Diaspora, the producers pledged to continue to use the network as a platform to raise funds for many charitable events, needy individuals and organisations like Haiti, Team Jamaica Bickle and Jamaican burn victim Sheneil Walcott who came to the USA to get medical treatment.

CLM TV airs on CIN TV, channel 73 (WNYC-TV) in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island and Queens and is currently available on Verizon’s FIOS and channel 26 in the NY tri-state area. The show has greatly enhanced the landscape of Caribbean culture and has been an effective tool in channeling positive messages from the region.

Among those celebrating the CLM TV milestone were magazine publisher and president of the Mitchell Advertising/ Publishing Group Steve Gross, businessman George Patsalos, Noel Mignott and Allison Ross, both executives of the PM Group, music executive Cassandra Goins, radio promotions guru Lynn Poole, formerly of Atlantic Records & Sony Music, Chris Dobson, JTB New York, Louis Grant of Irie Jam Radio, Felecia Persaud, Caribbean World News, Paulette Mullings-Bradnock, AIG executive, Jamaican fashion designer Michael Williams, Eye Collection Clothing, Bobby DeSouza, Trans Continental Shipping, Clive Williams publisher of Whereitsatmagazine, media marketing consultant Dave Rodney, engineers Henry Anderson and Esroy Bernard, Con Ed; singer Elvis D, reggae singer and Obama look-alike Ripper 1000, R&B singer/ songwriter Gerard Abdul and concert promoter Junior Forbes.

This year’s entertainment featured Ras Droppa & The Easy Skankin Band, the dynamic Kevin Bachelor, saxophonist Cedric ‘IM’ Brooks and DJ Dwayne who offered musical selections until the wee hours of the morning.