Felicia J. Persaud
Builder. Advocate. Pioneer.
"She grew up between sugarcane fields on the East Coast of Guyana. She entered Queens College at nine. She decided to stay in America in 1996. Everything else she built."
Guyana-born, U.S.-based award-winning journalist, entrepreneur, and advocate — founder and CEO of ICN Group and one of the most consequential figures in Caribbean American public life.
From the Sugarcane Fields of Enmore to the World Stage
Felicia J. Persaud was born in Georgetown, Guyana and grew up between Enmore and Paradise on the East Coast Demerara — sugarcane estate country, where the rhythm of life was shaped by the land and the community around it. She attended Enmore Primary School from age five to nine.
At nine years old, she entered Queens College — the top high school in Guyana — completing her secondary education in 1988. At sixteen, she enrolled at the University of Guyana, graduating in 1993 with a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications.
During her university years she was already working — as a reporter at the Guyana Chronicle and as a trainee announcer and producer at the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation, the only radio station in the entire country. She was eighteen years old.
After graduation in 1992, she joined Prime Time Advertising as an Account Executive. Then in 1993, she became Parliamentary Assistant to Dr. Rupert Roopnarine — leader of the Working People's Alliance, the opposition party founded by legendary Pan-African scholar and activist Dr. Walter Rodney.
"She didn't just work for the WPA. She organized Nights of Drumming to raise funds. She travelled the country listening to stories of the downtrodden. She learned what it meant to fight for people who had been deliberately made invisible — and never forgot it."
Top high school in Guyana — enrolled at age 9, 1983–1988
Bachelor's in Mass Communications — enrolled at age 16, 1989–1993
Trainee announcer & producer — the only radio station in the country, age 18
Reporter during university years — print journalism foundation
Account Executive, 1992 — post-graduation first role
Parliamentary Assistant to Dr. Rupert Roopnarine, 1993–1996 — party founded by Dr. Walter Rodney
In 1996, Persaud came to the United States for a conference at the United Nations. And decided to stay. No safety net. No institutional support. No roadmap. What she had was a journalist's instinct, an entrepreneur's vision, and an unwillingness to accept that her community deserved anything less than full visibility and respect in America.
No photographs survive from those years in Guyana. What survives is everything she built after.
Founder & CEO — 5 specialized brands spanning media, PR, investment & technology
Listed in the Speakers Database as an expert on the Caribbean
Weekly immigration columnist — one of America's oldest African American newspapers
Graduate with honors — Entrepreneurial Center program, 2025
The Caribbean Diaspora's Most Consequential Builder
Today Felicia J. Persaud is the founder and CEO of ICN Group — a portfolio of five specialized brands spanning media, PR, investment, and technology — and one of the most consequential figures in Caribbean American public life.
She is listed in the U.S. State Department Speakers Database as an expert on the Caribbean. She holds a weekly immigration column in the New York Amsterdam News. Her expertise has been sought by AP, CNN, BBC, CBS, FOX News, the New York Times, Reuters, the Washington Post, CNBC, the Guardian, Forbes, ABC 7, Crain's New York, and Yahoo Finance.
She is also a published author — her ebook Caribbean Curries, a collection of curry recipes drawn from her childhood in Guyana, is available on Amazon Kindle. The Hard To Beat t-shirt line and the Hard To Beat podcast — now in its fifth season — are extensions of the philosophy that has defined her life and career.
A Life of Building
Arrives in America — And Decides to Stay
Came to the United States for a conference at the United Nations. Decided to stay. Began building from nothing in one of the most competitive media markets in the world.
Pioneering Caribbean Digital Media
Founded the first daily digital newswire serving the Caribbean diaspora — launched as Hard Beat News, later rebranded as CaribWorldNews, today operating as News Americas Now. Syndicated on Google News, Apple News, SyniGate Media, and across 20 Caribbean news sites. Domain Authority 67.
CaribPR Wire — The Caribbean's Only PR Wire
Founded CaribPR Wire — the only PR wire service dedicated to the Caribbean region. Sealed a partnership with CISION PR Newswire, becoming the official distribution partner for Caribbean content globally.
Making History on Wall Street
Organized the first ever Guyana flag raising at Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan — the first time the Golden Arrowhead had ever flown over New York's financial district. NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg proclaimed May 26th "Guyanese Independence Day." In 2014, co-hosted the first ever Trinidad and Tobago flag raising alongside Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
2008 — Second annual Guyana flag raising at Bowling Green, NYC, featuring actor Marc Gomes
CaribID — Changing American History
Founded CaribID — the movement to get Caribbean Americans accurately counted in the U.S. Census. Over 12 years, lobbied Congress, testified before the U.S. Census Bureau, built a national coalition, and secured two congressional bills until the Census Bureau included a write-in ancestry option on the 2020 Census. Among the most significant but least recognized policy victories won by a Caribbean American advocate in U.S. history.
Invest Caribbean — The Investment Agency of the Caribbean
Founded Invest Caribbean when no dedicated private sector investment agency existed for the region. Has worked on projects across St. Martin, Antigua, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Anguilla, Honduras, St. Kitts, Turks & Caicos, Guyana, Belize, Bahamas, Barbados, and Jamaica. Lauded by Sir Richard Branson, former Royal Caribbean CEO Adam Goldstein, and former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio.
2014 — With Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar at the first T&T flag raising at Bowling Green, NYC
Celebrating the First Caribbean American VP
Organized a virtual Caribbean celebration for the inauguration of Vice President Kamala Harris — the first Caribbean American to hold the office. Invest Caribbean also partnered with the Ritzury Group to raise funds for communities devastated by the St. Vincent volcanic eruption.
2021 — With Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Caribbean American to hold the office
AI Capital Exchange — The Next Frontier
Founded the AI Capital Exchange — the world's first AI-powered debt capital platform connecting institutional investors, lenders, investment agencies, and qualified borrowers globally. Building on more than a decade of Caribbean investment matchmaking to solve the region's capital access crisis.
Nasdaq Milestone Circles Graduate & EmpowHER Award
Graduated with honors from the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center's Milestone Circles program — used to refine the AI Capital Exchange investor pitch. Received the 2025 Women in Leadership Achievement Award presented by Florida Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick at the EmpowHER Awards, chosen by over 75,000 public votes.
March 2025 — 2025 Women in Leadership Achievement Award, EmpowHER Awards, presented by Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
April 30, 2026 — Graduating with honors from the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center Milestone Circles program
The ICN Group Portfolio
Five brands. One mission. Caribbean diaspora visibility.
The #1 daily digital newswire for Caribbean diaspora and Black immigrant news. Syndicated on Google News, Apple News, and across 20 Caribbean sites. DA 67.
The only PR wire service dedicated to the Caribbean region. Official CISION PR Newswire distribution partner for Caribbean content globally.
The private sector investment agency of the Caribbean. Over a decade of matchmaking projects across 13+ Caribbean nations and beyond.
The world's first AI-powered debt capital platform connecting institutional investors, lenders, and qualified borrowers globally.
Full-service communications, PR strategy, and media relations for Caribbean and Black diaspora clients across the United States and globally.
Recognition & Awards
EmpowHER Awards — presented by Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick — chosen by over 75,000 public votes
Graduated with honors from the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center's Milestone Circles program — April 30, 2026
ICABA — recognizing transformative leadership in Caribbean advocacy and entrepreneurship
Inaugural nominee — Entrepreneurship and Business Excellence category
National recognition for achievement, impact, and entrepreneurial excellence
Listed as an expert on the Caribbean — available for speaking engagements on Caribbean affairs, diaspora, and immigration
Bowling Green Association of New York — for historic contributions to Caribbean representation at Bowling Green, NYC
Weekly immigration column — one of America's oldest and most respected African American newspapers
Media Appearances & Coverage
CNN International
BBC
CBS News
FOX News
New York Times
Reuters
Washington Post
CNBC
The Guardian
Forbes
ABC 7
Crain's New York
Yahoo Finance
Brian Lehrer Show
Miami Herald
South Florida Sun Sentinel
Jamaica Gleaner
Jamaica Observer
Barbados Advocate
Stabroek News
theGrio
NewsOne
BBC Caribbean
CUNY TV
New York Daily News
Radio Soleil
WLIB 1190 AM New York
WRFG 89.3 FM Atlanta
Connect With Felicia
For media inquiries, speaking engagements, investment opportunities, or partnership discussions.
Felicia J. Persaud is the Founder & CEO of ICN Group and publisher of News Americas Now.
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