Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Kimoto Rooftop Garden Lounge. Downtown Brooklyn.—Tuesday evening found me and my plus one on the rooftop of the Sheraton Brooklyn Hotel, attending a quaint gathering of VIP media professionals and creative talents. One could say the VIP Reception, hosted by Sun River Health, was the pre-game event to attend before the prestigious Caribbean Music Awards Show, which is returning on Thursday, August 28th, at the Kings Theatre.
Sun River Health is a non-profit network of FQHCs (Federally Qualified Health Centers – think of it like the Federal government’s healthcare safelist) that provides comprehensive, affordable healthcare services to underserved communities across New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley. Established in 1975 by four mothers based out of Peekskill, New York, Sun River Health formed from their shared mission to create a hub that delivers accessible, high-quality care to all individuals, regardless of their race, religion, income, health, or insurance status.
Presently, Sun River Health operates over 40 health centers and employs more than 2,000 healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and support staff. Sun River Health has doubled down on its efforts to reach the underserved Caribbean populations, offering a wide range of services that include, but are not limited to, primary care, dental care, women’s health, pediatrics, behavioral health, substance use treatment, HIV care, and much more.
More About Sun River Health & The Caribbean Women’s Health Association (CWHA)
Sun River Health includes the Caribbean Women’s Health Association, Inc. (CWHA), which has served individuals of Caribbean heritage since 1982. Today, CWHA operates under Sun River Health’s umbrella, offering broad social and wraparound services beyond typical clinical care. These include: Women’s health and prenatal care, HIV services, Immigration support, Domestic violence assistance, and community gathering spaces tailored for Caribbean people.
CWHA addresses unique health challenges and barriers faced by Caribbean communities in New York, concentrating on maternal/prenatal health, HIV prevention, immigration-related needs, and family safety.
The VIP Reception offered light-hearted mingling, toasts to good health, lite bites, an open bar, and an honorary NYC Council Citation was given to Caribbean music star, Keisha “Lady Lava” Harris from Council Member Rita Joseph for her outstanding musical contributions and dedication to culture and the community. Lady Lava’s single, “Ring Finger,” reached viral status with over 5 million streams on YouTube alone.
Other notable guests in attendance included “Queen of Afro Kreyol” Mickael Marabou, whose musical style fuses Haitian Kreyol with Afrobeats rhythms.
The Caribbean Music Awards is picking up traction this year as the show recently partnered with Multi-platform Media outlet, BET, to exclusively air the “CARIBBEAN MUSIC AWARDS 2025” in the US on September 12th at 8:00 pm EST. Live streaming for the Caribbean Music Awards Red Carpet Affair will stream live on BET.COM, YOUTUBE, Facebook, and the Caribbean Music Awards social media platforms.
