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GLVWIAA Founding Members of the Board

Our mission is to serve the diverse West Indies American community by mobilizing, supporting, and creating sustainable communities, empowering the next generation, and celebrating our cultures.

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Board President

Warren White

Jamaica

I am Warren White, Founding President of the GLVWIAA. I was born in St. Ann, Jamaica and migrated to the US at 11 years old. I am a veteran of the US Airforce and matriculated to Sacred Heart University CT. from which graduated with an MBA. A few years ago, I discovered the beauty of Las Vegas with it's almost perfect weather and great business opportunities and my soulmate. I've been in Las Vegas now for about 4 years. As I am a recent retiree, I am dedicated and committed to the success of the GLVWIAA for the benefit of our Caribbean families and friends in Las Vegas. Join me in this effort and let us positively impact our community.

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President

Dr. Michelle Giddings

Trinidad

Dr. Michelle Giddings-White is a board-certified psychiatric and family nurse practitioner,

educator, and community leader based in Las Vegas, Nevada. A founding member of the Greater

Las Vegas West Indian American Association, Dr. Giddings-White has dedicated her career to

promoting mental wellness and building stronger, more connected communities, particularly

among underserved and culturally diverse populations.
 

Her leadership has earned her multiple awards, including the APNA National Award for

Excellence in Practice and the Nevada State Award for Excellence, presented by the

American Association of Nurse Practitioners. In 2019, the City of Las Vegas honored her with

a mayoral proclamation recognizing her outstanding contributions to behavioral health.
 

As a proud Caribbean-American, Dr. Giddings-White believes deeply in the power of cultural

identity and community support. Through her work with the Greater Las Vegas West Indian

American Association, she continues to uplift and unite Caribbean-American families, providing

space for cultural celebration, mutual aid, and mental wellness.
 

Whether in the clinic, the classroom, or the community, Dr. Giddings-White brings empathy,

leadership, and an unwavering commitment to improving lives through connection and care.

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Board Secretary

Dr. Sandra Pierre-Louis
Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Dr. Sandra Pierre-Louis, proudly from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, serves as Secretary of the Greater Las Vegas West Indies American Association (GLVWIAA), a lively nonprofit founded in 2020 that celebrates and promotes the rich cultural heritage of the Caribbean. Under her leadership, GLVWIAA has effectively connected the West Indies and American communities by fostering civic, educational, and recreational activities that strengthen and unify the Las Vegas community and beyond. Dr. Pierre-Louis's dedication, professionalism, and cultural pride have greatly advanced the organization's community development mission and global influence.

 

Dr. Pierre-Louis is a dual-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over 14 years of advanced clinical experience. She is widely recognized for her commitment to high-quality patient care, mental health advocacy, nursing education, and community engagement. Her contributions have been acknowledged through various awards and recognitions in the field.

 

Dr. Pierre-Louis's academic journey is a testament to her excellence and dedication. She earned her BSN in 2004 with Dean's Honor Roll distinction, followed by her Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2010. In 2019, she furthered her scope of practice with a Post-Master's Certificate in Psychiatric-Mental Health from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Her academic journey culminated in earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 2022 and completing an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education from UNLV in 2024. Her leadership and impact were recognized when she was named a Top Nurse Practitioner in Las Vegas by TodaysNursing.org in 2025.

 

Dr. Pierre-Louis is deeply committed to providing care that is culturally responsive and actively working to reduce stigma associated with mental health. Her commitment to shaping the future of nursing is evident in her role as an Assistant Professor-in-Residence at the UNLV School of Nursing, where she mentors and educates the next generation of nurse practitioners and mental health leaders. Her leadership as Secretary for the Nevada Chapter of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) supports professional development and mental health policy reform, ensuring a bright future for the nursing profession. Whether caring for patients, educating future nurses, or contributing to her Caribbean-American community through GLVWIAA, Dr. Pierre-Louis embodies excellence, compassion, and purpose. Her work reflects a deep commitment to wellness, equity, and service.

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Chair of Membership

Alicia Blake

​Jamaica

Greetings, meet Alicia Blake. She was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. Alicia is the first of four children and attended one of the best high schools in Jamaica, known as Holy Childhood High School. She taught at her alma mater for one year before migrating to London, England, where she taught for 12 years and pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

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She currently resides in North Las Vegas, teaches Social Studies in the Clark County School District, and loves it. Since moving to Las Vegas, she has completed a Master’s Degree in Special Education and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.

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Alicia is pleased to be serving on the GLVWIAA board as the member responsible for recruiting new members to the organization. It gives her great satisfaction to serve where she can and when she can.

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Chair of Athletics Programs

Mervyn Penniston-John

Trinidad

Mervyn Penniston-John is a former professional boxer and community leader based in Las Vegas. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Mervyn began his athletic journey as a high school soccer player before
transitioning to boxing at the age of 17. He went on to represent Trinidad and Tobago on the national boxing team, competing at the regional and international levels. After moving to the United States, he pursued a successful professional boxing career in Las Vegas.

 

Now retired from the sport, Mervyn is a proud father of six and remains deeply involved in community development. He is an active member of the Greater Las Vegas West Indian and Caribbean American
Association (GLVWIAA), where he continues to give back and uplift Caribbean heritage and culture.

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Chair of Athletics Programs

Aneisha Peniston

Trinidad

Born on the vibrant island of Trinidad and Tobago, Aneisha Peniston is a passionate advocate for Caribbean culture and heritage. From an early age, she immersed herself in the rhythmic soul of her homeland, learning to play the steel drum—a central heartbeat of Trinidad's world-famous Carnival. This early connection to music and tradition ignited a lifelong love for sharing the rich, colorful spirit of the Caribbean with others.

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Now based in Las Vegas and serving on the board of the Greater Las Vegas American Association (GLVWIAA), Aneisha brings a taste of the islands to her community through her love of cooking. Known for her flavorful dishes and warm hospitality, she delights in introducing friends and family to the spices, aromas, and soul of Caribbean cuisine. Whether through music or food, Aneisha continues to celebrate her roots and inspire others to embrace the beauty of Caribbean culture.

Our Foundational Pillars

Activate
Provide a platform for the West Indian Community in the Greater Las Vegas area to connect and network through monthly mixers, webinars, panel discussions, and our annual flagship event which is our holiday Black Tie Gala at the end of each year, West Indies Day.

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Education & Scholarship
Create opportunities for mentorship, scholarships, and workshops for the Greater Las Vegas West Indian American communities. Cultivate and share West Indian culture within the greater Las Vegas area. Excited successful multi-ethnic business people celebrating marketing partnership.

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Exhilarate
Offer community resources in healthcare, family assistance, immigrant support, job
training, financial literacy, economic advancement support, and more.

Working together for the people


Community Health & Wellness Support
Designed to keep you healthy and mentally engaged, our community health and
wellness programs offer evidence-based self-management care for all our members.

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Financial Literacy
Our financial literacy programs are designed to equip members of our communities with the financial resources they need to make informed financial decisions.

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Homeownership Education
Our homebuyer education workshops, approved by the Las Vegas Real Estate
Professionals, aim to help those interested in purchasing their first home.

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Estate Planning & Wills
We realize that it's never too early to take the essential and necessary steps to ensure that your estate and all other assets are well-protected for your heirs.

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