Sag Harbor resident Queen Angelique-Monet of Eti-Oni, the Queen Consort of the oldest cocoa plantation in Nigeria, returned to United States to host an event during the 67th Commission on the Status of Women with her United Nations supported organization New Generation In Action and the main initiative A.F.I. World Peace Initiative in a special program entitled “New Generation of Storytellers,” which took place on March 10 at the Salvation Army Auditorium.
The event, which received an NGO CSW NY “Highly Attended Session” ribbon, featured women advocacy speakers. This included former Chairman of Public Broadcasting and award winning filmmaking Princess Cheryl Halpern who delivered the keynote address while her award winning film “Holy Prostitution,” endorsed by the Ministry of Religion from Indonesia was screened during the event.
Queen Angelique-Monet and Princess Halpern also received service recognitions from the New York City Mayor’s Office, Mayor Eric Adams for the work both have done with their NGOS.
The Co-Director of the film, Princess Natasha Dematra received the New Generation In Action’s “Youth Lady of the Year 2023 Award” (Under 25 Years of Age) for her work as a filmmaker since age 11.
A Goodwill message was given by Ambassador (Dr) Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the First Lady of Kwara State, Nigeria and founder of Ajike People Support Centre in Nigeria. Representing the New York City Department of Social Services was the Director of Gender Equity Initiatives, Gregory Williams who also addressed the audience.
Additional highlights of the event included shining a spotlight on the Role of Indigenous Women Play in Society by Kayla Lookinghorse-Smith, a Native American Elder and Fashion Designer. J.D. Rose, a Studio News Director in the NYC Area, highlighted citizen journalism and smartphone cinema. James Lane Post Editor Jessica Macklin-Cipro gave insight into the publication’s work supporting women and the positive role media can play.
NGIA Youth Leader Jagrit Bajwa hosted the event while NGIA Global Events Coordinator, Edna Perkins introduced Amanda Greaves, the Director of Residential & DEIA Committee Chair of LIFESWORC and Natalie Longsworth, the VP of Human Resources, who gave a presentation and discussed the organization’s work for women and girls.
“It was truly rewarding and heart felt to host this event which is the first physical CSW since the pandemic. Partnering with the Visions of Peace Initiative and seeing the beautiful Art of Peace book presented by Co-Founder Princess Cheryl Halpern was also touching because her work is impacting thousands using the arts. It was also important during such a renowned event, we are able to place the focus on youths under 25 years of age and women, so our honorary board expresses warm congratulations to Princess Natasha Demantra for her work in the arts and peace since age 11. We are a global family and the arts brings us closer, one person at a time,” stated Queen Angelique-Monet.