Words by Ime Ekpo
Shutup and keep it movin’ on Rihanna Drive.
Bajan megastar Robyn Rihanna Fenty is admired for being a worldwide acclaimed pop star who never forgets about her roots. Rihanna’s consistent charity work in her hometown of Saint Michael, Barbados is largely appreciated and now the “Diamonds” singer is being honored in her hometown by having the street she grew up on renamed after her.
Formerly known as Westbury New Road, the street is now bound to become an eternal landmark as its new name Rihanna Drive will soon come into effect.
This past Friday, the Government of Barbados Ministry of Tourism announced, “The Government of Barbados will on Independence Day, Thursday 30th November 2017 officially change the name of Westbury New Road located in St. Michael to Rihanna Drive in honour of Barbadian superstar Ms. Robyn Rihanna Fenty who grew up in Westbury New Road.” as reported by Nation News.
On Barbados’ Independence day, Rihanna along with the Prime Minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart will be present for the two-hour ceremony to unveil the street’s new signage.
Rihanna takes out precious time to perform clever acts of kindness by making great contributions to charities that focus on matters such as children in need, disaster relief, donor needs and more. Named after her grandparents, Rihanna started the Clara Lionel Foundation Scholarship to help students in the U.S. who are from Caribbean countries attend college. She has also developed a modernistic center for oncology and nuclear medicine to diagnose and treat breast cancer at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown, Barbados. The Grammy award winner has honored her former street residence by naming her record label after it, Westbury Road Entertainment.
This is a timely well deserved earned honor for Riri which will simultaneously occur during the phenomenon of her makeup line Fenty Beauty and collaboration with Puma, Puma x Fenty.
