NYC Council honours Nelson King

In commemorating Caribbean American Heritage Month in the United States, New York City Council, on June 7, honoured Searchlight United States Correspondent for his work in promoting the Caribbean community.{{more}}

The honour was bestowed last Thursday night on Nelson A. King, who is also the US Correspondent for the Barbados-based regional news agency, Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), and senior writer for the Brooklyn-based Caribbean Life, the most popular Caribbean weekly in America, whose editor is Vincentian-born Kenton Kirby.

“It is with utter, sheer humility that I accept this most prestigious honour,” said King, who hails from the North Leeward town of Chateaubelair, on receiving the proclamation, at a standing-room-only gala ceremony at New York City Hall.

King, Searchlight’s first United States Correspondent, who, in January, re-established correspondence with the paper, started corresponding for CMC, formerly the Caribbean News Agency (CANA), in the very early 1980’s, while he was a teacher at the Petit Bordel Secondary School.

One of the first teachers when the Petit Bordel Secondary opened its doors in September 1976, King specialised in History, Geography and Spanish.

He later lectured History with the Ministry of Education’s Evening Classes Programme at the Grammar School, his alma mater, before migrating to the United States in December 1981.

King, who has been a journalist for almost three decades, complimented his compatriot wife, Dofflyn, a registered nurse, for her “unflinching love and devotion,” stating that he shared the award with her.

He also said he shared the award with all the media houses he represented, and continue to represent, over the years for giving him the “opportunity to promote the Caribbean community.”

King has represented numerous national, regional and international media houses throughout his long and distinguished career, serving primarily as St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ News and Sports Correspondent.

These included the defunct Radio Antilles in Montserrat and Caribbean Contact newspaper, the outlet of the Caribbean Conference of Churches; the state-owned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) in Barbados; Radio Free Grenada, during the reign of the People’s Revolutionary Government in Grenada; Radio St. Lucia; and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Black London.

In the United States, he also wrote for various publications, such as Carib News, The Daily News’ Carib Beat, and the Queen Chronicle.

King has reported for various radio stations and programmes in the New York metropolitan area, such as WLIB Radio; WNWK, Heartbeat of the Caribbean; and Vibes Caribbean on WNJR Radio in Newark, New Jersey, which was produced by popular Vincentian broadcaster, Ferrand “Randy D” Dopwell. He is also a certified cable television producer.

He has been writing for Caribbean Life for over a decade, covering the gamut of news stories and features, including politics, sports, human interest and, occasionally, entertainment.

King was high in praise for the direct and indirect support and cooperation he has received from several community boards he sits on, the groups he represents, and Vincentians and Caribbean nationals in general.

He expressed profound gratitude to his compatriot, Dr. Kendall Stewart, chair of the City Council’s Committee on Immigration, who recommended him for the award. Dr. Stewart, a podiatrist, is the younger brother of former New Democratic Party (NDP) Communications and Works Minister Glenford Stewart.

“As a poor, but proud, country boy in my native land, who has overcome numerous obstacles to be standing before you in these hallowed chambers, I will treasure this award for the rest of my life,” King said.

“And I hope it would inspire others to continue to reach for the stars, no matter what impediments may be in their way,” he added.

“Keep the faith, believe in yourself, and always stay positive!” he continued. “Hope is on the horizon. There is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Though he is renowned for his work as a journalist, King wears many hats. He is also, among other things, a political scientist, public administrator, public health employee, tobacco treatment specialist, community activist and Methodist Lay Reader.

A veteran of the United States Army, where he served for four years, rising to the rank of sergeant and specialising in Avionic Navigation and Flight Control, King received several military awards, including the Army Achievement and Commendation medals.

He has also been honored by several civilian organizations and entities, including the St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ New York Consulate General; the Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organizations, U.S.A. Inc. (COSAGO), the umbrella Vincentian group in the United States; Carnival Players International, a Brooklyn-based, Vincentian mas band; and the Grenada-New York Independence Committee.

King holds four degrees and several professional certificates, including a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Journalism from Brooklyn College; a master’s degree in Political Science also from Brooklyn College; and an Executive Master’s in Public Administration from Baruch College – all colleges at the City University of New York.