Keeping West Indian Association Afloat: Mount Vernon Hero

MOUNT VERNON, NY — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these everyday heroes.

This submission comes from Anne Rhea Smith of Brooklyn, who nominated Angela Sealy of Mount Vernon.

Name of the nominee:

Angela Sealy

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?

She is the longtime chairwoman and member of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association, and the "mother" of many of our projects, outreach and member support.

Not classified as an essential worker, Angela is a MTA retiree who mourns the loss of many of her fellow MTA workers. As an essential member, she has kept NY's West Indian American Day Carnival Association afloat and continues to spearhead our community give back programs that service many of the unjustly served in our community - youth and Senior citizens.

As a 'mature' member of society, she is quite young at heart and believes in 'Putting your money where your mouth is". She exercises with us, parties with us, travels with us and most of us prays with us as often as she could - she is our essential STABILIZER.

She currently has organized several partnerships for COVID Food distributions with 'WIADCA Cares' and intends on donating (by writing a check) to our surrounding hospitals in the Downtown, East Flatbush and Brownsville areas to help bridge the health care/system disparity gap.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?

She is the mother of largest Caribbean cultural community organization in North America.

Thank you for all that you do, Angela!

>> Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.