On September 5, 2024, the Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival (BCLF) honoured the Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Professor Sir Hilary Beckles. The prestigious award was presented by New York Major, Eric Adams who praised Professor Sir Hilary Beckles for his “outstanding contributions to the dynamic cultural landscape through his accomplishments as an author, educator, and historian.”

Established in 2019, the Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival (BCLF) has quickly evolved into a leading platform for celebrating the richness of Caribbean literature and the region's vibrant history of storytelling. By spotlighting both emerging and established writers of Caribbean heritage, the festival not only showcases the works of these writers, but also empowers the Caribbean community to share their stories on their own terms. As a platform, the BCLF is not just an ethical responsibility but a necessity in showcasing the power of a collective platform to reclaim the narrative and elevate Caribbean voices from the shadows of exclusion.

BCLF's capstone event offers the unique platform where the literary contributions of Caribbean writers are celebrated and amplified to a global audience. Consequently, this event has become an invaluable space for Caribbean authors to gain the recognition they deserve while preserving the region’s cultural and historical legacy through literature.

As part of his BCLF itinerary, Vice-Chancellor Beckles took center stage during the "Rebel Islands" segment on Friday, September 6, at the Weeksville Heritage Center. The conversation, hosted by Dr. Richard George, provided an engaging forum for Professor Beckles to share his insights on Caribbean history and culture, underscoring his longstanding commitment to education and intellectual empowerment.

Regarded as one of the most influential scholars in the Caribbean today, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles continues to inspire both in the region and abroad. Mayor Adams expressed this sentiment, noting that Sir Hilary has “engaged and inspired diverse people in New York and beyond.” He continued, “I look forward to the many ways you will continue to make a positive difference and strengthen our vibrant Caribbean American community as we take bold steps to #getstuffdone to forge a brighter, more equitable and prosperous future for our global city.”

In accepting the special honour bestowed upon him, Vice-Chancellor Beckles highlighted The UWI’s role in tackling the region’s challenges, saying, “The UWI has an eternal duty to provide literary and intellectual responses to the challenges we face. As a member of the community, I am committed to the agenda. We are always honoured when our stakeholders recognise the value of our contributions. I am grateful to Mayor Adams and the city.”