Lokono boy beating the odds and representing the Amerindian community.
I remember last year, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs had its first virtual extravaganza heritage at the National Stadium – that is where I first met Calvin Roberts, also known as “the Lokono boy.”
He was kind enough to not only introduce himself and compliment my poetry. He also gave me a complimentary food package from his business “Calvin’s Indigenous Cuisines.”It was some delicious, mouth-watering pepper pot and cassava bread.
+ Less than one year later, I couldn’t help but notice the passion and drive that this young Lokono boy has in his heart.
Calvin Roberts, with roots from the Pomeroon River, is a 21-year-old Lokono son of the soil. He was born in Venezuela but at the tender age of two, migrated to this sweet land (Guyana) he now calls his home. He was raised in Zeelugt on the East Bank of Essequibo.
Calvin holds many titles being a business owner, an advocate, a debater, and as of recently the newly crowned Mr. Guyana Independence.
ABOUT THE LOKONO BOY
“I am from humble beginnings. Being the eldest child, I was tasked with the responsibility of taking care of my two siblings. At an early age, my mom taught me to be grateful and content with the small mercies and to work hard for whatever I wished to achieve. This I do even unto today.” Calvin shared with us.
Calvin is a man for his people, a force to be reckoned with, and a voice that echoes within the Amerindian community.
In 2018, he was selected to represent Guyana at the International Youth Assembly in New York.
“There I represented my Indigenous people on the international stage. My performance was well received by those in attendance. It dawned on me that if I can be an advocate for my people at the international level, then it is something I must do back at home In my community, and my country. I deliberated on how I can promote and upkeep my culture and keep my heritage alive which I believe is slowly dying and in doing so be an advocate for my people.”
In 2021, he launched his business “Calvin’s Indigenous Cuisines” which received great appreciation from the Amerindian Community and Guyana at large.
His Indigenous Menu, includes fish tuma, chicken tuma, deer tuma, labba tuma, and even the mighty fly.
Visit his business on Facebook ‘Calvin’s Indigenous Cuisines‘ or contact him on WhatsApp wa.me://5926025926.
His overall goal is to one day become a successful Indigenous businessman and to leave his footprints in the sand of time.
He wants to be remembered by the Indigenous community as brave and fierce and the one who was always ready to represent them at any given opportunity.
It is no doubt that Calvin will be remembered as such, he is a true representation of what it means to be an indigenous man.
I can safely say this because when you see Calvin, there is always something Indigenous on him, an accessory, a headdress, or something.
Personally, as an advocate as well, I hope to see more Indigenous young men take space and use their voices.
Take a page out of Calvin’s book.
I admire Calvin’s passion, there are rarely Indigenous men who are brave enough to speak and represent.
Calvin’s advice to other young Indigenous men who would like to follow in his footsteps is
“To that young person wishing to follow in my footsteps, my advice is to be your truest self. You are ambitious, you are talented, you are Intelligent and you are gifted. This is time for you to unleash your hidden potential and leave your mark. Be confident and believe in yourself when no one else does. Seize every opportunity, savour and enjoy every moment that may come your way to excel and live your dreams. For you may never get the same opportunity twice!”
