Sheryl Ralph, Kirani James becomes only Carib winners of EVERYBODY'S Persons of 2023

Jamaican-American Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph and Grenadian Olympian Kirani James have been named EVERYBODY'S Persons of the Year for 2023. Ralph and James are the only two Caribbean personalities identified in the latest edition.

Everybody's is a Caribbean-American magazine which was launched in 1977 and has been highlighting individuals from across the region throughout its launch.

[caption id="attachment_65692" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Front page of the magazine[/caption]

The magazine referred to Actress Lee Ralph as a singer, producer, activist as well as 'Jamaican to the bone'. She is one of the most admired and respected women in the United States, it said.

"There was a time when Miss Ralph performed Lift Every Voice and Sing during the opening ceremony of 2023 Super Bowl, hundreds and thousands of Americans thought it was a new song," outlined Everybody's.

This song was written in 1900 by James Weldon Johnson, but people loved it more in Ralph's voice.

Talking about Grenadian Kirani James, the magazine said, "2023 was not his most successful year." It added that track and field historians will say that in 2012, James bagged a gold medal at that year's Olympic Games, but 2023 might not be his most significant year.

He secured gold in 2012, silver in 2016 and bronze in 2020 (21), and he competed in global premier track and field events in 2023 and also won the 400m dash in September 2023 at the Diamond League in China.

While revealing his future plans, the magazine said that James will compete in Paris, marking his 4th Olympian presence.

"His behaviour on and off the tracks, characteristics and greatness in his sport has made him a role model for the Caribbean youth," it said.

When James was told that he was the Person of the Year for 2023, he replied, "I will be honest, I am really surprised. It is an honour. Other people deserve it too; therefore, I represent them."

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture of Grenada also extended their congratulations to Kirani Zeno James.

"Kirani Zeno James shares Person of the Year with Jamaican-American Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph," said the Ministry and congratulated her too.

Notably, in recent times, another Grenadian, the current Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, was named "Person of the Year" by EVERYBODY'S Magazine.