Caribbean Life’s senior writer, Nelson A. King, was honored by Central Brooklyn Lions Club, Inc. at its gala annual fall affair at Riccardo’s By The Bridge in Astoria, Queens on Nov. 12.
King, who has been writing for Caribbean Life for the past 17 years, almost as long as the paper’s existence, received the service organization’s Community Service Award for his unflinching service.
The freelancer, who a year ago became the group’s associate member, was one of three honored at the event.
The others were long-time Lions African American Mildred Hurlock, who also received the Community Service Award, and Secretary Ingrid Andrews-Campbell, who was born in St. Vincent and the Grenadines but grew up in Barbados. She received the Lion of the Year Award.
“I am very honored to receive this award for doing what I love doing best – serving the community,” said the Vincentian-born King, whose community service began soon after graduating from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Grammar School, considered one of the multi-island state’s top secondary schools, in the mid-1970’s. In his last two years at school, King, an avid sportsman and fan, was one of the school’s opening fast bowlers in cricket.
King launched his journalism career while he was a teacher at the Petit Bordel Secondary School, from 1976 – 1981, and was the first president of both the North Leeward Cricket Association and the Chateaubelair Football (Soccer) Association in his district. He was also very actively involved in other community and church groups in the North Leeward area.
“This award will serve as a great impetus for me to continue serving the community,” added King in his brief acceptance speech.
The award journal said while King wears many hats, “most of us are more acquainted with him through his journalistic exploits, in which he reports on myriad community activities – ranging from different perspectives, such as politics, cultural activities, community fairs, human interest stories, and sports.”
“He is considered a pre-eminent Caribbean journalist, with over 30 years of experience in that field,” it added.
“Having worked for a number of radio stations, newspapers and other media houses in the Caribbean and in the United Kingdom, including the BBC (Black) London, Mr. King has become a household fixture in Brooklyn for his objective and prolific reporting for Caribbean Life, the leading Caribbean newspaper in the United States,” it continued.
Besides journalism, King has been working in the health field in New York City for more than 17 years, holding several supervisory, managerial and administrative positions with New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center and University Hospital of Brooklyn. He has been a senior staff associate at Downstate Hospital for the past 2 ½ years.
“A devout Christian, Mr. King is a certified lay speaker at Fenimore Street United Methodist church [in Brooklyn,” the journal said.
King also sits on the community boards of area organizations, such as the Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation (CNR).
He was vice president, until a year ago, for five years, for the Brooklyn-based Vincentian Christian Charity Organization (VINCO), which raises funds to help sister Methodist churches in his homeland.
Over the years, King has been honored by a number of organizations for his journalistic and community services, including the New York City Council; the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consulate General; the umbrella Vincentian Group in the U.S., Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, U.S.A, Inc. (COSAGO); Dee Vee International Productions; and the Brooklyn-based Carnival Players International and Chateaubelair Development Organization.
“In all his educational pursuits, Mr. King’s greatest reward is to give back to the community in tangible ways to benefit his fellow man and the younger generation of today,” said the journal statement.
