Justice Minister Delroy Chuck has moved to clear the air on the issue of same-sex marriage in Jamaica, declaring that the Government does not, and has no intention of supporting the practice
Jamaica’s World and Olympic Champion ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce and Argentine soccer great Lionel Messi, have been named the winners of the Laureus World Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year, respectively. The honors were given at the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards in Paris on Monday, May 8.
It is Fraser-Pryce’s first time winning the award in her sixth nomination This victory follows her record-breaking season in which
Ambassador Marks pays tribute to
Lt. General Vincent
R. Stewart
she claimed her fifth world 100m title and her fifth Diamond League trophy
“This is the sixth time I’ve been nominated in this category, so to finally hold the Laureus Statuette in my hands is one of the greatest honors of my career,” said Fraser-Pryce “When athletes have the spotlight, it’s important the example we set is the best it can be ”
“We have a responsibility to influence the next generation in a positive way and that’s what the Laureus Awards are all about ”
Fraser-Pryce, the 10-time world champion ran a world-leading 10 62 seconds and a historic seven sub-10 70 races in the event this season That is said to be the most by any woman in the history of athletics
The US 400-meter hurdles champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Polish tennis player Iga Swiatek, Spanish footballer Alexia Putellas, US alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin, and US swimmer Katie Ledecky were the other five contenders shortlisted for the award
UN urges coun in the Americas t suspend expulsi of Haitians
Meanwhile, this is the second Laureus World Sportsman of the Year second win for Messi, who also received the honor in 2020 when shared the award with Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton
Messi is a 2008 Olympic gold medalist, who in 2022 led Argentina to its first men ’ s World Cup title since 1986 The 35-year-old played a key role in the team winning title He scored seven goals for Argentina throughout the World Cup, and two in the final against France
This year, Messi was up against several other sporting heavyweights for the illustrious Laureus World Sportsman title Also nominated were fellow Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe, Formula One world champion Max Verstappen, tennis legend Rafael Nadal, and NBA icon Stephen Curry
Chuck spoke to the issue on Tuesday during his contribution to the 2023-2024 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, where he disclosed that there has been an increase in the number of applications for same-sex marriages, despite the fact that such unions are not recognized in Jamaica
continues onA5 – No same-sex marriage
Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks has expressed sadness at the passing of retired Marine Corps Lt Gen Vincent R Stewart, a Jamaican American engineer, trailblazer, and unwavering supporter of Jamaica who passed away on April 28, surrounded by his family
Ambassador Marks, in paying tribute to this distinguished leader, noted that he was the first Marine and the first African American to lead the United States Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)
She pointed out that General Stewart was a born Jamaican, who, like so many others had adopted the United States as his home, excelled in the United States military, and had become a source of pride for Jamaica
Ambassador Audrey Marks said “Although Lt General Stewart migrated at a young age to the US, he maintained great affinity to the land of his birth and was passionate about Jamaica’s development This passion and his experience in security led him to champion Plan Secure Jamaica with valuable input in the area of cyber security ”
He was known for his mentorship and guidance, always seeking to share his experience and knowledge In addition, his dedication to fostering a more inclusive environment in the military and the wider engineering community was instrumental in breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for countless individuals
Lt General Stewart was pivotal in promoting the Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) This prestigious event recognizes the significant contributions of African American professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields He believed that he could inspire
the next generation of Black engineers to pursue their dreams by acknowledging and celebrating these achievements
Throughout his 38-year career, Lt Gen Stewart held numerous leadership positions He began his military career by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps, where he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a decorated officer with numerous commendations for his
service Not only being the first Marine Corps officer to become Director of the U S Defense Intelligence Agency but he also took charge of the Joint Functional Component Command for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance His previous positions included senior intelligence planner for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Director of Intelligence for Marine Corps
Headquarters and commanding general of U S Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace
Lt. Gen. Stewart received his baccalaureate degree from Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL He also earned master’s degrees in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College and National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University, Washington, D C
Ambassador Marks also expressed condolences to his family and friends on behalf of the government and the people of Jamaica
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has refuted claims circulating on social media regarding an impending state of emergency saying it is intended to cause panic among the population
Police Commissioner, Erla HarewoodChristopher, who on Tuesday had her tenure extended by one year, said she is aware of the existence of the voice note message being circulated on social media
She described the contents as “false news” and that the TTPS is unaware of any such information “and denounces the attempt to cause undue anxiety and panic among the population, with the circulation of the false information”
A police statement quotes the top cop as reminding members of the public to verify all information they receive before circulating messages via social media
“Citizens are also urged to pay attention to and stay updated via the official TTPS Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages for matters concerning policing, safety, and security,” the statement added
The United States Coast Guard says it has repatriated 259 Caribbean migrants, including 166 to Haiti and 66 to the Bahamas, following five interdictions off the coasts of Florida, Haiti and Cuba.
“The Coast Guard, along with Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast partners, maintains a continual presence with air, land and sea assets in South Florida, the Florida Straits and the Caribbean Sea, collaborating to protect safety of life at sea,” said the US Coast Guard in a statement
“With their combined multi-layered approach, they were able to interdict several illegal maritime migration events over the past week,” he added
The US Coast Guard said the Cutter Dependable had intercepted two Haitian vessels, Monday, about 40 miles north of Ile de la Tortue, Haiti
It said another Coast Guard Cutter, Hamilton (WMSL 753) stopped a vessel 30 miles north of Cayo Cruz Del Padre, Cuba
In addition, the US Coast Guard said Miami-Dade Police Department reported
that a recreational boat had been moored at Crandon Park with suspected migrants aboard
“Our highest priority is to prevent loss of life at sea Our Coast Guard crews, alongside Customs and Border Protection and our other mission partners across the Florida Straits, Windward Pass and the Mona Pass
collaborated to act expeditiously in saving these 259 lives and repatriating them back to their country of origin,” said Commander Ernest Brown, deputy incident commander, Operation Vigilant Sentry
Since October 1, last year, the US Coast Guard said its crews have encountered 6,537 Cuban migrants and 4,458 Haitian migrants
Jamaica’s south coast tourism offerings and experience are becoming increasingly diverse and expansive
This, according to Portfolio Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett, who says the region has undergone significant development and transformation over the years to become a “phenomenal” destination for travelers’ seeking warm hospitality as well as an authentic Jamaican experience
He was addressing journalists following a
Destination Assurance tour of several locations in St Elizabeth with Ministry officials and tourism stakeholders, on April 28
“As I went along the coast by boat and we looked at the development and we see the number of new and high-end villas that have now donned our shoreline, we are now satisfied that Treasure Beach is emerging as that highend high net-worth destination,” Mr Bartlett indicated
He also highlighted the activities of persons
operating small-scale establishments, noting that these form part of another program, “looking at little treasures that we have, dotting our coastline where we can bring a special type of visitor”
The Minister advised of plans to further highlight the south coast’s potential as a worldclass destination, noting that locations between the Great Pedro Bluff and Parottee Bay are prime for development
This undertaking will also reflect Jamaica’s
commitment to promoting sustainable tourism that benefits visitors and locals “It is about finding little areas of interest that will bring different demographics to Jamaica, and the south coast does provide that opportunity for that niche of the market So, we can, in short order, fully diversify the tourism experience that we can market to every demographic,” Mr Bartlett outlined
The Government of Guyana is continuing to pump billions of dollars to develop housing infrastructure across the country
The Department of Public Information (DPI) reports Minister Collin Croal disclosed that infrastructural works are ongoing in Region Five to the tune of $3 5 billion
The minister stated that some $4 billion has been exhausted to develop housing schemes in Mahaica-Berbice, including roads, drainage, electricity, and water
Infrastructural works are ongoing at Shieldstown to the tune of $2 billion, another $820 million is being invested at Burma, while $621 million and $500 million are being spent at Balthyock and Experiment, respectively
Meanwhile, there are ongoing infrastructure works in Region Six to the tune of $9 2
billion, for which contracts have already been signed
In less than three years, Region Six has seen the injection of over $10 5 billion for housing infrastructure development At No 75 Village, some $1 2 billion was spent, while $1 7 billion was invested at No 76 Palmyra Village is also undergoing groundbreaking projects worth over $10 billion
To date, close to 1,000 house lots have been
He told the House that “last year we issued 8,313 (marriage) licences and we provided the Minister of Finance or the Tax Administration Jamaica with $33,252,000 We are doing well, but we don’t mind more marriages so we can provide more money to the Ministry of Finance
“We enjoy when people come for their marriage licence because it means that a family will be created, hopefully, or at least husband and wife,” Chuck added
He also revealed that there has been an increasing number of marriage applications from the LGBTQ community
allocated in Region Five, while another 1,300 have been allocated in Region Six This is in keeping with the government’s aim to allocate 50,000 house lots within its first term in office
B u t , h e s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e Government will not be taking any steps to legalize such unions on the island
He said the Justice Ministry continues to provide Minister’s Marriage Licences for walk-in applicants, as well as those from hotels
“The ministry is able to complete the process within 24 hours for the majority of walk-in applicants,” he said
President of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Adrian Saunders, Tuesday welcomed St Lucia as a full member of the regional court that was established in 2001 to replace the London-based Privy Council as the Caribbean’s final court
In a statement, Justice Saunders said that the CCJ, which has both an Original and Appellate jurisdiction, had taken note that the Constitution of St Lucia (Amendment) Act had been assented to by the Governor General, Errol Charles
He said as a result, St Lucia has “ now officially acceded to the CCJ’s Appellate Jurisdiction” extending his “sincerest congratulations to the people of St Lucia on this
momentous occasion”
St Lucia now becomes the fifth Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country, joining Barbados, Dominica, Belize and Guyana, in becoming a full member of the CCJ, which also functions as an international tribunal interpreting the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governments the 15-member regional integration grouping
While most of the CARICOM countries are signatories to the CCJ’s Original jurisdiction, Trinidad and Tobago, where the CCJ is headquartered is among regional countries not full members of the court
Justice Saunders said statistics collated by the Court in 2022 reveal that in each Caribbean
state that has acceded to the CCJ’s appellate jurisdiction, “the volume of cases being heard by that country’s final court annually has at least doubled, thereby contributing to the dynamism of the country’s jurisprudence and considerably expanding access to justice for its citizenry
“We have no doubt that St Lucia too will have a similar experience,” he added
He said that the Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Dame Janice Pereira, and the President of the Saint Lucia Bar Association, Diana Thomas Hunte, have been written to advising of the readiness of the CCJ’s Registry staff to assist St Lucian court officials, litigants and counsel alike in the use of the CCJ’s electronic filing and case management portals
in order to facilitate access to the Court
“The CCJ looks forward to serving the people of St Lucia as we do all the states and people of the Caribbean Community and in particular, those of Guyana, Barbados, Belize and the Commonwealth of Dominica, whose final appeals we hear,” Justice Saunders said, adding “the CCJ looks forward to more CARICOM states accessing the CCJ’s Appellate Jurisdiction in the future”
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EMERITUS
centers, or serving prison sentences - these incidences are in the minority
In South Florida, there are great examples of single mothers raising children who have received much sought-after college scholarships and are/or excelling in top echelon careers
Dr. Garth A. Rose grose@cnweeklynews.com editor@cnweeklynews.com
There are millions of mothers worldwide, but special kudos go out this Mother’s Day to mothers, who although impregnated by men, are left to raise their child/children on their own. These single mothers are to be particularly honored, for the stiff challenges they often endure, and overcome.
Andrew Karim akarim@cnweeklynews.com
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Unfortunately, in Caribbean and Caribbean-American communities there is a trend of disappearing fathers These disappearing or absentee fathers, for a variety of reasons, are usually not around to assist in rearing their child/children
This incidence of absentee fathers, and the struggles of single mothers isn’t something new In the Caribbean this has been a historical sociological problem
In 1957, Jamaican anthropologist Edith Clarke published “My Mother Who Fathered Me,” a book highlighting the breakdown of the traditional two parent family in Jamaica, the high incidences of paternal absence in families, and the increase in maternal only families
Since then, the situation has not improved In 2005, a UNICEF report revealed over 45 percent of Jamaican homes were headed only by mothers This trend has not abated
This sociological problem is by no means unique to Jamaica and other Caribbean nations It is also prevalent here in America
Several studies indicate, especially in lowincome families where single mothers struggle financially, the male child is more likely to run afoul of the law Some of these young men,
despite the efforts of their mothers to raise them with strict discipline, are more likely to join their peers in antisocial behavior and criminal gangs, because of the absence of a father or father figure in the home It’s not that single mothers aren’t doing a good job, but there’s a special role father’s play in a boy’s life, which mothers cannot fill
Although it is commonly assumed girls are better able to cope with the absence of fathers in their lives, sociologists determine this to be not true Studies have found that some young women who grow up without fathers usually seek a male figure to bond with early in life, often resulting in unexpected and unplanned pregnancies
This is not, whatsoever, assuming single mothers have failed in their maternal responsibilities Absolutely not! Several single mothers through severe adverse circumstances have toiled, scraped and persevered to be mother and father to their children Ninetynine percent of single mothers will do anything to prevail with her responsibility of raising her child/children, the best way she can
In several communities there are outstanding cases of single mothers, who with great selfsacrifice, father their children to be successful citizens Despite incidences of youth from single mother homes being afflicted by early pregnancies - ending up in juvenile detention
The success these single mothers have achieved with their children cannot be praised enough As the economy becomes more difficult, more single mothers have to juggle multiple jobs to maintain the financial needs of the household Along with the pressure of working multiple jobs, they also have to maintain domestic responsibilities of providing meals, doing laundry and keeping clean, secure homes The work of a single mother, without financial support from her child’s father is often grueling and cruel, but, nonetheless, most of these women persevere
Despite these successes, it mustn’t be lost in the social conversation that it isn’t the role of mothers to father their children Several studies and various data indicate the role of a single mother, regardless of how dedicated she is, gets harder the older her child or children become, particularly during their teen years
This is where the role of mentors can be of significant value to single mothers The gap in a child’s life, created by the absence of a father, and the excessive burden on its mother can be bridged by mentors, male and female, who serve either as a supplementary maternal guide to the child, or a strong father figure where there are no fathers
There’s no role as meaningful as that of a woman who relentlessly, with unusual strength, successfully raises her children serving as mother and father This Mother’s Day praise goes out to all mothers, but special praise to single mothers who have prevailed against great odds
A United Nations committee has called on countries in the Americas and the Caribbean to suspend expulsions of Haitians facing a chilling wave of violence
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) estimated that 36,000 Haitians were expelled from other countries between January and March and expressed concern about measures taken “without an adequate assessment of the protection needs” of each individual
In a statement issued under an emergency alert procedure, the committee of 18 independent experts called for “suspending forced returns and taking measures to protect Haitians on the move ”
According to the committee, nearly 22,000 Haitians were repatriated between January and November last year, some 15,000 from the
Expulsions also accelerated considerably this year to 36,000 between January and March, 90 percent of them from the Dominican Republic
“Caribbean countries, such as the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, announced repressive measures against undocumented Haitian migrants ” At the same time, the United States presented in January a plan to allow accelerated expulsions of Haitians and other migrants to Mexico
The UN experts were concerned that Haitians are “victims of excessive use of force, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and racial profiling by the law enforcement agencies of some States ”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a report released Monday that “the
Haitian people are victims of one of the worst human rights crises in decades” and that “the death toll and the increase in the area controlled by armed gangs” in Port-au-Prince, the capital, are “comparable to those in countries in a situation of armed conflict ”
Between January 1 and March 31, the number of homicides on the Caribbean island increased by 21 percent over the previous quarter (815 vs 673) and kidnappings by 63 percent (637 vs 391), according to the report
“The alarming violence in the areas where the gangs are active, such as sexual violence in particular against women and girls, is emblematic of the terror that affects a large part of the population of Haiti,” where half of its 11 5 million inhabitants live thanks to humanitarian aid, said UN special envoy, Maria Isabel Salvador
The United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Volker Türk, says Haiti needs “urgent” support from the international community to stop the suffering of people at the hands of violent gangs, who have been shooting people at random and burning them alive
At the same time, the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) said in the month of April alone, more than 600 people were killed in violence in the country’s capital This follows the killing of at least 846 people in the first three months of 2023
BINUH stated that overall, the number of victims of killings, injuries, and kidnappings increased by 28 per cent in the first quarter of the year, with a total of 1,634 cases reported
The UN human rights office added that mob killings and lynchings of alleged gang
members are also on the rise, as “vigilantes take the law into their own hands” At least 164 such murders were documented in April
The latest OHCHR report and BINUH pointed to the emergence of vigilante groups, “following calls by some political figures and journalists for citizens to form self-defence organizations to fight gang violence”
Commenting on the findings, the UN rights chief stressed that vigilantism will only “fuel the spiral of violence”
The report noted that gangs use snipers on rooftops to “indiscriminately shoot people carrying out their daily activities” In some instances, gang members burst into neighborhoods on a killing spree, “burned people alive in public transportation vehicles” and executed “ everyone perceived to be opposed to the gang ”
The report also documented the use of
sexual violence, including collective rape, “to terrorize and inflict pain” on populations under the control of rival gangs According to a local human rights organization quoted in the report, at least 652 women and girls were “subjected to individual and collective rape in gangcontrolled areas over the past year ”
The UN rights chief underscored that poverty and the lack of basic services were among the root causes of the gangs’ stranglehold over the country
Earlier this year, the UN World Food Program (WFP) had warned that half the population of Haiti, or some 4 9 million people, were struggling to access food
Last month, the country was on the agenda of the Human Rights Council, which adopted a resolution calling for the appointment of an independent rights expert on Haiti
Sponsored by Haiti itself, the resolution called for “coordinated and targeted international action”
In line with the resolution, the duties of the new independent expert on human rights in Haiti, William O’Neill, include focusing on the situation of children and of human trafficking and providing advice and technical assistance to the Haitian government, national human rights institutions and civil society organizations to help promote and protect human rights
Independent rights experts appointed by the United Nations rights chief in accordance with the Human Rights Council resolutions are not UN staff nor are they paid for their work
Motherhood has been celebrated since ancient times. The ancient Greeks paid homage to Rhea, the Mother of Gods; and there are records of the ancient Romans worshiping a mother Goddess known as Cybele as early as 260 BC.
Tradition began in 1600s
Festivals took place in the spring which was the most fertile time of the year The more modern way of honoring mothers began in England in the 1600s where Mothering Sunday was observed on the fourth Sunday of Lent This day is also known as ‘Refreshment Sunday,’ the only day when you are allowed to eat or do whatever you have given up for Lent
Not surprisingly, families came together and took the opportunity to party with a big meal at which mother was treated as the guest of honor Traditionally, mothers were given posies of flowers and a cake
The term ‘Mothering Sunday’ has now fallen into disuse and has mostly been replaced by ‘Mother’s Day,’ which is used the world over
In the US, there were several attempts to introduce a Mother’s Day as a way to celebrate peace and heal the scars of war Julia Ward, who wrote the words to the Battle Hymn of the Republic, suggested the idea in 1872
But the idea didn’t really take off until Anna Jarvis campaigned for the establishment of a Mother’s Day to commemorate her own mother who died in 1905 Ward’s mother herself had tried to establish a similar holiday, Mother’s Friendship Day, to heal the pain of the Civil War
The first Mother’s Day in the US was held in 1907, when Julia Ward held a ceremony to honor her mother She then successfully campaigned for a formal holiday to honor mothers and by 1911 most states had taken up the idea This was followed in 1914 by a declaration by President Woodrow Wilson that Mother’s Day should be celebrated as a national holiday on the second Sunday in May The idea quickly spread to Canada and Mexico and many more countries throughout the world
The commercialization of Mother’s Day quickly followed, much to the disgust of Anna Jarvis who was arrested in 1923 at a Mother’s Day festival for trying to stop women selling flowers
Ironically Anna Jarvis campaigned for many years against the commercialization of Mother’s Day, the day she had worked so hard to establish
Although she had no children of her own, each Mother’s Day, Anna received hundreds of cards from all over the world Anna Jarvis died in 1948
Let’s be honest, every day should be Mother’s Day. Most of us have been lucky to be blessed with the presence of a strong woman in our lives It could be our own mothers, grandmothers, or a woman who stepped up and changed the course of our lives The term mother is flexible
In the Caribbean, mothers are especially important For many, mothers both provide for us and nurture us They put the clothes on your back and the food in your belly Some mothers pull double duty, running an entire household on their own Every May, stores hang up their discount signs and bring the dresses to the shop windows, and vendors patrolling the street armed with roses and donuts guilt trip you as you drive by, “You buy anything for your mother yet?”
There’s no wrong way to celebrate Mother’s Day, as long as you celebrate it Here are some ways we do it in the Caribbean
Mother’s Day brunch is a staple There’s no better way to show someone what they mean to you than through the gift of good food In the Caribbean, many hotels and caterers offer walk-in brunch buffets that include local favorites side-by-side with continental cuisines to give mom the very best
Music is a big deal in the Caribbean. For Mother’s Day, many promoters and organizers put together fun day events, complete with live bands performing covers of popular songs celebrating women This is a great treat for a Mom who loves music and entertainment
Throughout the Caribbean, local theaters and productions love to get in on the Mother’s Day spirit and often offer discounts on their plays Plays are an important part of Caribbean culture and oftentimes feature motherhood in a central role Art imitates life, after all
Sometimes the best way to celebrate Mom is by staying in Caribbean people treat every event as an opportunity to do some deep cleaning - Easter, New Year, Christmas On Mother’s Day, everyone pitches in so Mom can put her feet up, relax, and take a load off on her special day
We all experience moments of frustration and emotional overload This can cause us to experience anger and depression, which can negatively impact not just our relationships with others but also our mental health
This is why emotional awareness is important According to Mental Health America, emotional awareness is the process of recognizing and acknowledging your feelings, which can equip you to manage and improve your mental health While it’s common for us to act in ways that make us feel better when we ’ re sad, angry, or anxious, Mental Health America says allowing ourselves to experience our feelings as they occur rather than attempting to control them is a crucial part of managing our emotions
Mental Health America outlines the following positive ways in which you can express and manage your emotions:
Talking to others: One of the best ways to express how you feel is to talk to someone you trust. This can be your best friend, a relative, or a therapist. It’s important to have people in your corner who can support you emotionally
• Writing about your feelings: Write your thoughts down in a journal. Writing in a journal regularly is naturally beneficial for mental health, particularly when it is utilized for problem-solving as well as for venting
• Cry if you must: It’s common for people to suppress their emotions to avoid crying, but it can help you to acknowledge how you feel and to let out hurt and anger
• Release the tension: Use stress-reduction tactics, such as deep breathing, exercise, and engaging in other calming pursuits, when you find yourself becoming irate. You can prevent hurting other people and starting new problems by doing this
• Be mindful of how you communicate with others: Remember you don’t want to cause any more issues, so be careful about how you communicate your feelings to those around you. If you’re unhappy, get away from the conversation until you can explain yourself effectively
ByMoniqueRussellContributor
Imagine that you have been in a work environment for 12 years You started at an entry-level role and worked up to vice president You aspire for the senior vice president role, but despite knocking your performance reviews out of the park, you are constantly told you are not ready You can’t identify where to move because, in this environment, someone would need to leave their position for you to grow Does this sound familiar?
This was the scenario of a mother in leadership role who didn’t know what to do next, and could not figure out her subsequent move As a result, her options were to stay settled or choose to leave
A woman in leadership knows when she is ready to move to the next level Frequently, she is aware that her succeeding move must accompany next-level skills, but she may not know the skills or beliefs needed Here are three beliefs needed for mothers in leadership who want to continue to maximize their full potential
Embrace every role intentionally, and embody a mother in leadership identity that empowers you Have conversations with others experienced in what you are trying to achieve to assess your options from multiple perspectives Identify transferable skills of being a mother and woman in leadership to establish a personal and professional development plan
These skills include:
• Effective Communication
• Delegation
• Project Management
• Emotional Intelligence
Being a mother in leadership is not a handicap, but a superpower Develop continuous learning by listening to related podcasts and joining development communities When joining communities, assess whether the group can help you develop the skills you seek to grow. Only some communities are a great fit for you and your needs Use a decision-making filter to determine how the community environment can help you grow If these characteristics are absent, find another one until you discover the right one Too many times, women give up on community support because they were not a good fit Try again
Develop and nurture your support system Nurturing connections is often an afterthought, but as a mother in leadership, this intentional action is critical to your success Take time to carve out 15% of your week to proactively reach out to someone, make an introduction, share words of encouragement, or say hello It’s easy to take the people closest to you for granted, like family, friends, and life partners, because you know that no matter what, they will have your back However, these people should be high on your nurturing and gratitude list
Develop a quality sleep regimen. No matter how organized and prepared you are, if you do not get good quality sleep over the long term, you will struggle Fatigue will cause you to miss appointments, and feel stressed and overwhelmed That is not a good look for a mother in leadership Start with a good-quality mattress and pillow Empty the worries and concerns in your mind before you go to sleep Take a notepad and write out your concerns to remove them from your mind to the paper, so they will not disrupt your sleep flow You can even write out the questions you seek answers to, because when your body is resting, your subconscious mind will help you solve the problem while sleeping You may wake up the following day with a bright idea and the solution to an existing issue
Develop a good quality skin care system. The skin is the largest organ of your body. It often communicates to us when our internal body systems are experiencing disruption, alerting us to remedy it. For example, anytime one of my sons eats food with dairy, he experiences a rash on his body and has digestive challenges. Pay attention to
how your body communicates to you through your skin. Keep this organ healthy with water, fresh fruits and vegetables, protein shakes, and supplements
Because you make many decisions daily, identifying ways to reduce decision fatigue by enhancing time management and productivity is part of a winning formula. The way you optimize your life is unique to you. It doesn’t have to be any complex series of steps. It can simply start with using your tools to their full potential. I remember when I learned that a snooze button in the Gmail interface allowed me to snooze emails until a later date. I was over the moon excited about this new feature! I could clean my inbox and rely on technology to bring back the email when I would be more likely to address it. Optimizing your life can include outsourcing tasks, communicating goals with others, and reducing clutter
Develop routines for structure and consistency Years ago, my dentist decided to forgo calling to remind patients about their dentist appointments This was before he had the technology to automate reminders He’d have his administrative staff spend most of their day calling clients to remind them of their appointments When this stopped, he saw an enormous increase in no-shows because people forgot This caused more chaos, so they started reminding people again No matter how sharp you believe your mind to be, systems, structure, and routines are essential for you and your family This can be having a meal together daily or weekly, setting appointments for car maintenance, shopping, travel, or the like As someone who travels globally for work and play, I need to have a routine for when I travel, where I stay, how I keep myself healthy in other environments, and how I make decisions while traveling I would be remiss not to discuss the importance of securing mentors and embarking on coaching to strengthen your self-awareness This allows you to be a mother of integrity and build self-esteem by honoring yourself and being a person of your word
ByNicanorGordonCNWWriter
Pretty soon, Winthrope Wellington will have to start waking up at 4 am. The Jamaican sun takes no prisoners, and with the summer months approaching, Wellington, who is better known as “Throp”, is determined to outpace the heat Every day, the 39year-old head of Throp Media squeezes in a yoga routine and a run He credits this practice of regular running for helping him establish discipline and the determined mindset he brings to all avenues of his life
There’s a theme of motion throughout Wellington’s story Born and raised in New York City, he witnessed firsthand his father’s entrepreneurial spirit through both his thriving NYCbased taxi company and Travellers Beach Resort, which sits on the seven mile beach in Negril, Jamaica
Initially not content to follow in the family business, a young Wellington majored in finance and management at the University of Albany, where he made strides to reach the top of his field He soon qualified for a second round interview for a position at one of the leading investment groups, Morgan Stanley Caught up in a whirlwind, Wellington recalls the furious and fast pace of city life took its toll Slamming espressos, the pressure to find a job, balancing a social life, the anxiety of sending applications, the seemingly endless and rigorous interviews, were all a part of regular life “I had my moment of truth,” Wellington explains “I asked myself why I was doing this ” He needed to slow down
In 2006, he moved to his father’s native country, Jamaica, and began assisting with the Travellers Beach Resort “Not a lot of thought was put into the decision,” he admits, “But it seemed like the best opportunity for me and my life from a long-term perspective ”
It would be easy to assume that what came next was an immediate love affair with his new island home After all, to date, along with executive roles at his family-owned hotel, Wellington has also held the position of Negril chapter chairman for the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association, and is the founder of Throp
Media All of these jobs are about celebrating the potential and wonder of Jamaica
To fall in love with the country, he learned to see it through the eyes of others Friends would visit or move to Jamaica and he would marvel at how at peace they were He traveled around the island taking in everywhere from dense urban Kingston to serene, remote Treasure Beach Along with his two younger brothers, he took over the operations of Travellers Beach Resort, providing another vantage point for what the island could do for visitors and permanent migrants alike
“I realized this immense sense of gratefulness and gratitude,” recalls Wellington He’s convinced Jamaica is not just special, but will become a wealthy island “Man, I feel like I got in on Microsoft in the seventies,” he chuckles
In 2017, his youngest brother, Wingate Wellington, took over every aspect of running the resort Under his stewardship Travellers is thriving, earning rave reviews from visitors and guests While Winthrope Wellingston remains a managing director at the resort, he suddenly came into a surplus of free time His first plan was to become a travel vlogger, documenting his fitness journey on a quest to compete in the six major marathons across the world However, he hit his first snag “I discovered very quickly that nobody cared about my running,” he laughs On top of that, traveling costs quickly proved to be prohibitive
So, he recalibrated Instead of showing his journey around the world, he would showcase Jamaica, especially Negril, his adopted home. Now instead of leaving the island, he is going to do all he can to bring people to the island On his Youtube channel simply called “Throp,” he hosts a series of interviews with notable Jamaicans and foreigners who have invested in Jamaica Through a combination of compelling guests, high production values, and prolific output - sometimes releasing three interviews in a week - Wellington has managed to maintain a growing and passionate community he affectionately calls Throppers
Throp-X was the natural next step for his eager community, excited about investing and networking, and an affable host willing and able to put it all together. “I used the community to canvas different topics and questions,” he explains “I wanted to bring together these people the community already knew about, and have this parasocial relationship with ” Throp-X allows the community to see a podcast in person, and to interact with the experts they’ve come to know through Wellington’s videos
The annual event takes place in Negril at where else but the Travellers Beach Resort The event’s panel discussions are diverse and some surprising, with gregarious speakers sharing riveting insights into various disciplines, bucking what you might expect from a conference focused on entrepreneurship and investment Particular standouts include “Overcoming Bad Mind in Business” and “Cautionary Tales from a Jamaican Real Estate Lawyer ”
While several videos of the last event are already online, some are still making their way to the channel, Wellington notes
GRAMMY-award-winning artiste, producer, and songwriter Shaggy’s socainspired EP In the Mood is set to be released on May 12 The seven-track project kicks off a new partnership with Shaggy’s label, Ranch Entertainment, and VP Records
For In the Mood, Shaggy drew inspiration from the vibrancy of Caribbean Carnival celebrations and blended the fast-paced exuberance of Trinidad and Tobago’s soca music with modern dancehall and EDM
Led by the revelrous singles “Mood” featuring Trinidadian star Kes and “Don’t Run” with Vincentian singer Skinny Fabulous, the project is set to fuel parties and parades from Port of Spain to Notting Hill
In anticipation of the EP’s release, Shaggy has today unveiled a music video for “Mood,” directed by Maya Cozier It features Shaggy and Kes playing fun-seeking mechanics, people feteing in the streets, and the two artists performing at Kes’s IzWe Festival in Trinidad
In the Mood finds Shaggy enlisting talent from across the Caribbean and its diaspora to add to the magic; fellow Jamaicans Konshens, Future Fambo, and Noah Powa offer some dancehall edge, while Trinidadian sensations Bunji Garlin, Kes, and Patrice Roberts, as well as Skinny
Fabulous, help drive the project into pure soca splendor
Though Trinidad & Tobago Carnival has ended, Shaggy, managed by Martin Kierszenbaum/Cherrytree Music Company, envisions his latest project will keep the party going year-round: “From the start, I wanted to capture the Carnival experience in these
Pompano Beach Arts has announced that Grammy-nominated bassist and composer Kirk Green will take the stage for the next installment of the Live and Local Concert Series at the Ali Cultural Arts Center
Adept at an array of musical varieties, Green has worked with many local and international musicians, including the late legendary jazz trumpeter Melton Mustafa, the late saxophonist Grover Washington, bassist Victor Wooten, and countless others
seven songs, and while soca has historically been more seasonal, In the Mood won’t be limited to any one season Its hybrid sound can be played anywhere and anytime people want to enjoy themselves ”
In the Mood will be available on all streaming platforms on May 12 via Ranch Entertainment /VP Records
He has toured with recording artist Joss Stone and was the musical director for Lauryn Hill He has performed with Kelly Roland, Frank Romano of Matchbox 20, Damion and Kymani Marley, Lionel Richie, and many others As an acclaimed producer, Kirk has worked on and produced over 20 albums and was nominated for a Grammy for work done on the hit single “The Best Thing About Me Is You” on the double platinum album by Ricky Martin
Live and Local showcases all genres, including rock & roll, hip-hop, grunge, reggae, blues, classic pop, alternative, and more Green will be bringing his outstanding performance to Pompano Beach on Friday, June 16, 2023, at 7 p m , Tickets are $10 and are available at www pompanobeacharts org
The team behind Road Ready, the Caribbean’s #1 travel reality show and the first ever reality show themed around carnival in the Caribbean, is broadening their horizons and their audience Their new endeavor, Road Ready U College Tour 2023, is targeting campuses in five major cities: Orlando, Washington D C , Dallas, Houston, and Miami
The tour will start at the end of May and continue through October, stopping at
Caribbean carnivals being hosted in all five cities
Starting with Orlando, and partnering with the Florida Caribbean Student’s Association, six students will be selected as brand ambassadors to Road Ready TV Their cost to attend the carnival - costumes, band fees, etc - will be completely covered, with their fete journeys documented on social media The students will be hosted by familiar faces - cast members from
the original Road Ready reality show
By connecting with, as Moss puts it, “the next-generation of revelers,” Road Ready U looks to strengthen the carnival culture in the United States As a Caribbean transplant himself, Moss understands the challenges that come with existing between two cultures He sees Road Ready U as assisting Caribbean immigrants by bringing a piece of their home to them, and connecting second generation
immigrants to their parents’ cultures
Road Ready U will join the already successful Road Ready TV in showcasing carnival culture and how it intersects with the culture of the cities that celebrate it Season 2 of Road Ready TV, which will follow a familiar cast navigating carnival in Miami, is set to premiere in June, timed for Caribbean Heritage Month Shortly after, season 3, which set in Jamaica, will debut
Former West Indies cricket captain
Brian Lara has warned that without “the skills and resources necessary to succeed, some young people will turn to crime as a means of survival,” as he lamented the upsurge in murders in Trinidad and Tobago
The country has recorded more than 200 murders since the start of this year, following the record 603 murders last year
In a statement from India where he is serving as the head coach for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Lara, 54, said he was in “complete shock and dismay” at the killings in Santa Cruz that lies between the hills of the Northern Range where he grew up, including a triple murder just last week
Lara identified one of those murdered as a childhood friend
“I was in complete shock and dismay after watching video footage in which a childhood friend got killed whilst sitting watching basketball at a local bar in Cantaro, the once sleepy village I grew up in There is more to the video I rather not mention, but it pains me to see what was once the most beautiful village with cocoa and orange estates lining its outskirts, crumble under the burden of crime and relentless violence
“Like every kid back in the day, I helped myself to all the hanging fruits available, ignoring ‘No Trespassing’ signs to the detriment of my butt whenever my dad found out, but that was as far as it got,” Lara added
He said feuds were settled years ago “ on the field of play” with guns and that while there had been some notorious persons, people in the village focused mainly on sports
“We were in awe of all the greats representing us on the international stage, like Sir Viv Richards, Sir Gordon Greenidge, Claude Noel, Hasely Crawford Culture and beauty were also creating waves, the likes of the late Bob Marley, Sparrow, the late Kitchener and, of course, our beautiful Penny Commission,” Lara said
The cricketing legend said growing up was fun and that “most of the positive news we got via transistor radios stuck to our ears as one of our people from the Atlantic Archipelago achieved greatness”
He said he could never forget the excitement when Trinidad and Tobago’s first gold Olympic medalist Hasley Crawford returned to the island, saying “it was an
West Indies representative Natasha McLean struck 33 not out and teammate Rashada Williams hit 32 as Jamaica overhauled the Leeward Islands in a sixwicket victory in the opening round of the Women’s Super-50 Cup in St Kitts on Monday
The knocks by the two helped Jamaica to 121-4 to beat the Leewards who were dismissed for 120 at St Paul’s Sports Complex
Captain Stafanie Taylor struck 22 in a 44-run partnership of the third wicket with Williams
Terez Parker got 33 runs and her teammate Divya Saxena got 30, as Celina Whyte snared five for 31, earning her the Player-of-the-Match honors
emotional day watching one man celebrated as he put our small country on the map just by following the dream he had as a kid”
Lara said that Trinidad and Tobago, like many other countries, faces challenges with youth involvement in crime and that the issue of youth crime has been a concern for many years and is driven by a range of complex social, economic, and cultural factors
“Young people from low-income families may feel pressure to engage in criminal activities to earn money or support their families This invariably leads to involvement in drug trafficking, gang activity, and other criminal behavior
“Yes, I understand, but still I look back with a vivid memory of my first indulgence, stealing cocoa and oranges and quiver at the consequences if I was found out I had such big dreams that these small misdemeanors were quickly brushed aside because of my steadfast focus on my commitment to become someone my village and country would be proud of…the next Hasely Crawford of cricket,” Lara said
He said another factor is the breakdown of family structures, which can lead to a lack of guidance and supervision for young people
“The absence of parental figures or positive role models can leave young people vulnerable to negative influences and peer pressure, which can lead to criminal behavior I was blessed with two wonderful parents who kept all eleven of us in line and motivated to make something of our lives
“I don’t think there is a parent that wants a
Jhaniele Fowler’s West Coast Fever was toppled from top place in the Australian Super Netball Championship by surprise team Melbourne Vixens despite the Jamaican captain and ace goal shooter coming up big yet again
In a game played at the John Cain Arena on Sunday, the Fever lost by a solitary point, 73-74, after facing a two-point deficit, 35-37 at the half-time interval
It was their second defeat of the season
Jhaniele Fowler netted 48 goals from 49 attempts, while Mwai Kumwenda grabbed 45 goals from 50 attempts for the winners
Teammate Kiera Austin assisted with 23 goals from 29 attempts
Fever had trailed 16-18 at the end of the first quarter and were down by two points at the half time break, only to find their rhythm and go ahead by a point, 54-53, to start the fourth and final quarter
In another game played on Sunday at the Ken Rosewell Arena, Sunshine Girl Romelda Aiken-George was in sparkling form but her Sunshine Coast Lightning lost 63-67 to New South Wales Swifts
The Jamaican had 38 goals from 47 tries, while Helen Housby registered a perfect 15 goals from as many tries
Meanwhile, Cara Koenen netted 37 goals from 42 attempts for the Lightning, who had Sunshine Girl Kadie-Ann Dehaney on their roster
Meanwhile, outstanding Sunshine Girl defender Shamera Sterling helped Adelaide Thunderbirds restrict the Giants in a 54-50 victory which propelled them to the top of the points table
In another game played on Saturday at the Nissan Arena, the Queensland Firebirds edged Collingwood Magpies 73-67
life of crime for their kids but if you don’t pay attention to your offspring, someone will happily do so for you,” he added
Lara said the availability of guns was also a major situation in the crime situation here and “has become a symbol of power and status among some young people
“Without the skills and resources necessary to succeed, some young people will turn to crime as a means of survival,” Lara said, underscoring the importance of understanding the root causes of crime and addressing them
“Encouraging and investing in sports programs can help channel the energy and passion of young people into something positive, while also providing opportunities for personal growth and development It’s important for all members of society to come together to address this issue and work towards creating a safer and more prosperous future for Trinidad and Tobago,” Lara said
Meanwhile, defending champions Barbados brushed aside Trinidad and Tobago at Warner Park They were given 162 runs to win as West Indies all-rounder Aaliyah Alleyne punched 48 runs from 51 balls, while Kycia Knight added 37 from 66 balls, and her twin sister Kyshona made 35 from 61 balls
Shunelle Sawh top scored with 68 runs off 113 deliveries The teenager added 60 with Britney Cooper (32) to help her side recover from 27-3 after 12 overs
Pacer Allison Gorbon grabbed 4-36 and leg-spinner Keila Elliott snared 4-40 as the Trinidadians lost their last five wickets from a mere 26 runs
At Conaree, Afy Fletcher made 44 as the Windward Islands defeated Guyana by nine wickets
