Bailey returns to head WIADCA

After a leave of absence, Trinidadian Thomas Bailey has returned to his role as president of the Brooklyn-based West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) president.

WIADCA spokeswoman Jean Alexander said on Thursday that Bailey resumed the position two days before.

Over the past few months, she said acting president William Howard, an African American, “took the lead and carried out duties, with the assistance of WIADCA’s staff and board of directors, to accomplish 2014 programs and events.”

Alexander said WIADCA is “still reeling from the vivid display of pageantry that lit up this year’s Labor Day Carnival Parade, which was extremely successful due to the great support of the NYPD (New York Police Department) and senior officials.

She said WIADCA board of directors “has made great strides since their election to office in 2012 – expanding the five-day New York Carnival week through year-round community activities, which now include over 20 programs and projects from February through December – providing entertainment, arts, education, employment, youth and family services.”