Alphonso Theodore Roberts facts for kids

Alphonso (Alfie) Theodore Roberts (born September 18, 1937 – died July 24, 1996) was an amazing person from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. He was known for being a political activist who worked for change, and also a talented cricketer.

Early Life and Cricket

Alfie Roberts was born in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on September 18, 1937. He went to St. George's Anglican School and then St. Vincent Boy's Grammar School.

While at the Grammar School, Alfie was great at both soccer and cricket. A famous cricketer, Sir Everton Weekes, noticed his talent. Thanks to Sir Everton, Alfie got a scholarship to Queen's Royal College in Trinidad and Tobago.

It was during this time that he was chosen to play for the West Indies cricket team. In 1955–56, when he was only 18 years old, he toured New Zealand with the West Indies team. He played alongside legends like Sir Everton Weekes and Gary Sobers. This made him one of the youngest players ever to play international cricket!

However, Alfie Roberts became more interested in education and politics than in playing competitive cricket. By 1961, he stopped playing professionally. From 1958 to 1962, he worked for the government in St. Vincent. After that, he moved to Canada to study at Sir George Williams University (now Concordia University) in Montreal.

Making a Difference in Montreal

In 1965, Alfie Roberts joined with friends like Robert Hill and Anne Cools. They started organizing important meetings and events in Montreal. These events brought many smart thinkers and writers from the Caribbean to Montreal, like novelist George Lamming and C. L. R. James.

These meetings helped start many important political movements across the Caribbean. From this Montreal group, called the Conference Committee on West Indian Affairs, other groups grew. These included the International Caribbean Service Bureau and the Emancipation 150 Committee. These groups worked hard to show the social and political problems faced by people of African and Caribbean descent. They helped both locally in Montreal and around the world.

Alfie Roberts cared deeply about people who were struggling. His work took him to many countries, including:

• Africa (like Tanzania, Ghana, Uganda, Libya)
• The Caribbean (like Cuba and Martinique)
• Europe and the former Soviet Union

He also helped build strong Black community groups and activities in Montreal. He supported cricket, netball, and carnival events. Many of these groups still help the Montreal community today.

One of the many groups Alfie Roberts helped create was the St. Vincent and Grenadines Association of Montreal. Even with his international work, he always cared about his home country. Before Saint Vincent and the Grenadines became independent, he gave the government a detailed plan. He explained why "the Grenadines" should be part of the country's official name. He believed the smaller islands should be respected and not just seen as additions to St. Vincent. His idea was accepted, which is why the country is called St. Vincent and the Grenadines today.

Alfie Roberts loved to read and learn. He had a sharp mind and a great memory. He also taught and advised many people, including prime ministers in the Caribbean. He passed away on July 24, 1996, in Montreal, Canada, at the age of 58.

His Legacy: The Alfie Roberts Institute

To honor Alfie Roberts, The Alfie Roberts Institute was started in 2001. It is an independent group in Montreal, Canada. The Institute continues his life's work. It has a large collection of books and media about Africa, the Caribbean, and their people.

In June 2005, The Alfie Roberts Institute published its first book. It was called A View For Freedom: Alfie Roberts Speaks on the Caribbean, Cricket, Montreal, and C.L.R. James. This book is based on a long interview with Alfie Roberts from January 1995, about a year before he died.