Island Origins Magazine - Spring 2018

islandoriginsmag.com

1

2

islandoriginsmag.com

islandoriginsmag.com

1

ContentS Spring

|

2 018

Fall & 18| the riSe oF a hip hop rebel

the

embraCing breaStleSS beauty

22| gentriFiCation oF ganja

|6

mr.

FantaStiC

2

islandoriginsmag.com

|12

CreditS publiSher

Calibe Thompson brand Strategy

David I. Muir buSineSS development

Allison Hunte editor

Nikola Lashley art direCtor

Daryl Nagil Contributing WriterS

Hope Cunningham Carla Hill Bekim Betoni Rauseo Calibe Thompson

Culture

4. Committed to the Dream 10. Hidden Sounds of the Caribbean

Monique McIntosh Nikola Lashley Ghenete Wright Muir Sonia Morgan Claire A. Rene, MBA, Ed.D Sandra Spence David I. Muir

inveSt

16. A Studio in Your Pocket 28. Caring for Your Folks Without Going Broke travel

26. Take Some You Time health & beauty

30. Get Fit Caribbean Style

Contributing photographerS

Courtney Chen David I. Muir Robert Johnson on the Cover: The Entertainment Issue Haitian musician Wyclef Jean, poses for an exclusive photo shoot and interview with Island Origins Magazine, sporting the iconic guitar of Cat Coore from the Third World Band.

38. The List: Look Good, Feel Good inSpiration

32. Can I Trust Me? Style & deSign

34. Exquisite Curiosities taSte the iSlandS

40. Restaurant Review: Joy’s Roti

Copyright © 2018 by Island Syndicate. All rights reserved.

Island Origins Magazine is published by Island Syndicate.

This magazine or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a review. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at Island Syndicate, 1310 SW 2nd Ct #209, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. Printed in the United States of America.

42. Recipes: Bahamian Conch Fritters and Johnny Bread

iSland originS magazine

44. Restaurant Listing

Island Syndicate 1310 SW 2nd Ct #209 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 417-812-5663 | islandoriginsmag.com support@islandsyndicate.com

46. event Calendar 48. a Final thought

Find uS on:

islandoriginsmag.com

3

culture // Belén Pereyra-alem

Committed to the

DREAM

wrIter HOPE CUNNINGHAM

photography PAUL kOLNICk and ANDREW ECCLES

“THAT SOULFULNESS, THAT SYNCOPATION, SHE HAS A vERY INHERENT SENSE OF RHYTHM AND THE ABILITY TO MOvE HER BODY IN AN ARTICULATION THAT I THINk CAN ONLY COME OUT OF HER CULTURE. AND IT REALLY DOES INFORM HER DANCING.” Robert Battle (Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater) speaking on Belen

Of course in those early years, Belén faced her fair share of ups and downs. She graduated from the Boston Arts Academy as class It Is possIble she was born to dance.

valedictorian, but then endured a series of agonizing rejections from

They say the best dancers have a way of moving that grabs

dance schools she auditioned for before she tried out for Ailey.

you by the heart. The same is true of Belén Pereyra-Alem. Belén

“When I got rejected, I always concluded it just was not for me,

believes that on stage, dance, as an art form, has the power of

that something better is coming! I am a true believer that I manifest

transformation.

my reality with my thoughts, words, and choices, so I choose to stay

“It feels like the most organic, the most human of the genres,” explains Belén, “I feel I can speak a billion languages with my body - and I have A LOT to say!”

At the time though, she would sometimes question why, amid such disappointment, she continued to push herself so hard. For

Born in the Dominican Republic, the 29 year old Alvin Ailey dancer

her, dreams were not enough, and excuses were not an option.

wholeheartedly embraces her Caribbeanness, her movements

Dedicated to an unwavering work ethic, she prepared tirelessly so

reflecting resolute commitment to both her art, and her heritage.

she would be ready when the right opportunity was presented. Her

Professional dancing just sort of fell into Belén’s lap as a consequence of her mother’s love of the arts.

audition for Ailey was just that.

As Artistic Director Robert Battle attests, the sense of rhythm

“It was her idea,” says Belén, smiling. “It felt like I started dancing

informed by Belén’s culture was something that made Belén a

more for my mother’s enjoyment. My family, like many others, didn’t

standout in her audition for the ethnically diverse Alvin Ailey

think of dance as a real profession, it was more of a fun hobby.”

American Dance Theater. Once accepted, Belén says she felt like she

Growing up in Lawrence, Massachusetts, a diverse region with strong Hispanic influence, she became involved in local Peruvian folk dancing. As a young girl, the love she developed for the craft laid the groundwork for her transition into styles like modern and ballet.

4

positive.”

had finally come home, to a place that fully celebrated her creative expression.

“I was able to feel loved, supported, and gain the courage to believe anything was possible.”

After high school, she says, “I realized this was a dream I had to

Now that she’s living her dream, her life isn’t just about work

hold on to and pursue! I had the determination of a billion suns.

and positive thinking. As an ode to her Dominican home, she

Although I didn’t know where I would end up, I was determined to

occasionally allows herself to indulge in her favourite West Indian

die trying—I would dance. I had to dance.”

foods, like “rice, beans, chicken, and plantains!”

islandoriginsmag.com

•

ARTIST AS AN

ENTREPRENEUR INSTITUTE

BUSINESS SKILLS FOR THE MODERN CREATOR FOUR-WEEKEND SEMINAR

JUNE 2 - 23, 2018

REGISTER Broward.org/Arts/Events

CONTACT James Shermer 954-357-7502 jshermer@broward.org

LOCATION ArtServe 1350 E Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

Cultivate and advance your business skills over four consecutive Saturdays with AEI’s seminar.

This series of 20 classes is open to South Florida artists in all creative fields.

islandoriginsmag.com

5

feature // Breastless Beauty

embraCing

wrIter CARLA HILL

photography JOE WESLEY

EvERY DAY I SPEAk TO MY FEARS TO LET THEM kNOW THEY ARE NOT REAL. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT WELLNESS BEGINS IN OUR HEADS.

the best medIcal advIce I ever received was from my

barber to trim my hair into a close cropped buzz cut. Then I chose

surgeon, Frederick Moffat, at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer

a mastectomy without reconstruction - only the right breast. I was

Center. Before any surgery or chemotherapy began, Dr. Moffat

young, and I had just had the kidney transplant. I didn’t want to

would urge me to begin the healing process in my head - with my

risk my new perky breast becoming infected, and then possibly

thoughts. This is how I learned to think about and visualize myself

damaging my new kidney. For what? To fill out a victoria’s Secret

back to wellness.

bra?

In 2007, a mammogram helped me to find my second cancer.

a serIes of devastatIng dIagnoses

The first thing that crossed my mind was that if I needed another

As a young person, I did all the right things - I didn’t smoke,

kidney transplant, I’d have to be five years cancer free. I was only

I didn’t do drugs, and I took care of my body. One day in the

two years cancer free - with a second cancer! So in 2007, I had my

90s, my mother found me passed out on the bathroom floor after

second mastectomy.

exercising. Shortly after I was diagnosed with kidney disease. From what? Too many ab crunches? This led to a host of medications and treatments, including dialysis, and by 2000, a kidney transplant.

6

decIdIng to thrIve Social media makes us feel that everyone is enjoying a perpetual,

In 2005 I was getting ready for a cousin’s wedding. After

bottomless mimosa brunch. While Instagramming can be fun, if

flipping my then middle-of-my-back, fresh-from-the-salon, blow

you’re not careful, it can make you believe that what you’re going

dried hair, I felt a lump in my right breast and immediately became

through is not the “brunch” of life, but a mere microwaved egg

frightened. Luckily, I lived in a house with a mother who was really

sandwich - from the gas station!

progressive, and encouraged me to be aware of any changes in

My kidney transplant and cancer journey (WHEW!) has forced

my body. By this time she herself was a breast cancer survivor of

me to be more bold about the way I approach life. I sat in a state

nearly ten years. I found out that this lump was stage two cancer.

of disappointment and “why me” for many years. I wish I didn’t

I knew I had to take control, and not let this new health

have to go through these illnesses, but they’ve forced me to find

challenge overwhelm me. I found a boldness in myself I didn’t

courage and strength I would never have tapped into, had my life

know I had. First, I made a private appointment with my husband’s

been “normal”.

islandoriginsmag.com

beauty

islandoriginsmag.com

7

feature // Breastless Beauty

TO THOSE SURvIvING THEIR OWN PERSONAL BATTLES I SAY - YOU ARE MORE POWERFUL NOW THAN YOU EvER WERE BEFORE. CAUSE A BACCHANAL!

I’ve tried to put my experiences out of my mind so much that I’m

still girly, fashionable, sexy, without breasts or luxurious hair. How

always in shock to hear that someone is inspired by my story. Until

truly courageous am I to totally shun traditional beauty standards

very recently, I wanted to be unremarkable.

and define my womanhood in my way?

If you asked me how things were going, I’d reply that everything

Chemotherapy has left me and my husband without the

was great! In the Caribbean community you’re expected to push

prospect of having kids. We have decided aloud that WE are our

through all your challenges quietly, and with a smile. But anyone

family. If, how and when we choose to grow this family is no one’s

going through cancer or any other life changing disease isn’t and

business but our own.

shouldn’t feel happy about such a diagnosis. They deserve the

My carnival-loving extended family is from Trinidad and Tobago.

right to be upset, and to grieve their old body, lost hair and altered

Trinis like to use the word “Bacchanal”. This word can mean

sense of self, without judgement.

all kinds of things. Bacchanal can be a great time. It can be a

I’m a good Catholic girl, but I don’t believe that God punishes.

scandalous event. Somebody can actually be Bacchanal! I’ve used

I don’t think that I did something wrong and somebody up high

my culture to assess the events of my life and I’ve now embraced

is zapping me with cancer. I think we live in a world that’s filled

my personal bacchanal. I don’t alter my clothing or my carnival

with things that we can’t avoid, that aren’t necessarily good for us,

costumes to give the illusion of breasts. I don’t hide the transplant

and that we just have to deal with the best way we can. I have a

scar across my belly when wearing my scanty regalia at Trinidad

support system that’s fortified me enough to deal like a champion.

carnival. I now channel my bacchanal when I’m marching down the road there, and proudly parade in all of my breast-less glory.

embracIng @brstlssbeauty After my second mastectomy, I made the decision to live a

To those surviving their own personal battles I say - you are more

breast-less life. I named my new alter ego and social media handle

powerful now than you ever were before. Cause a BACCHANAL!

@brstlssbeauty. I’ve claimed my “beauty”. I have decided that I’m

8

islandoriginsmag.com

•

islandoriginsmag.com

9

culture // sounds of the cariBBean

hidden SoundS oF the

cARibbEAn

WELL BEFORE THE JUMPING, THE WAvING, AND THE CHIPPING ON THE ROAD WEARING

PRETTY COSTUMES DURING CARNIvAL SEASON, CARIBBEAN MUSIC WAS AN ExPRESSION OF OUR MOST HUMAN NEED - FREEDOM. wrIter BEkIM RAUSEO

photography SUPPLIED

to fully understand the orIgIns of Caribbean music is, first, to understand the region’s dark history.

creating guitar melodies seeped in the storytelling traditions of

During the 18th and 19th centuries, African freedom,

Africa. Twoubadou is melodic, lyrical and sinuous, with tones

throughout the islands, was strangled by the hands of colonial

that swirl over the tempo of the short slightly sporadic tapping

rule. But, in its firm grip writhed a strong and passionate people,

of drums.

discovering new forms of self expression.

10

its name from the word ‘troubadour’, a medieval poet-musician

Mento hails from Jamaica. It is a delightfully mellow music,

The horrors of slavery in the Caribbean can be traced back to

and is considered the founding beat of ska and reggae, with

a time from 1662 to 1807, when a generation was yolked by

audible similarities to Trinidadian Calypso. However, Mento’s less

foreign others. Yet, out of this pitch black, events like the Haitian

aggressive treatment sets it apart from other pre-calypso genres.

Revolution of 1789 set an amber blaze that lit a path to new life

Then there’s Zouk from the French Caribbean islands, and

surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. From this rigid and oppressive

Benna, a scandalous, call-and-response, calypso-type music

hold, a vibrant people gave birth to our earliest music sounds,

from Antigua and Barbuda that held the social power to topple

expressing hope, sorrow and joy.

politicians. Quelbe, also known as scratch band music, is the very

Rara, a type of festival music, was born out of the Haitian

heartbeat of the virgin Islands. Scratch bands perform pieces

rebellion. Twoubadou is another Haitian musical style that takes

with a briskly moving baseline, peppered on top with the delicate

islandoriginsmag.com

CARIBBEAN MUSIC INCLUDES AND GOES BEYOND THE DISCOGRAPHY OF kASSAv’, C DAvID RUDDER, BOB MARLEY, BARRINGTON LEvY, AND CHALkDUST.

tinkle of iron implements and the feathery sound of flutes.

cockpit country of Jamaica, and the deep green of Haiti during

Junkanoo, a passionate music from the Bahamas, is synonymous

the 60s and 70s, reinvigorating island music as we know it today.

with the intonation of the “rake and scrape” resting underneath

Caribbean music includes and goes beyond the discography

big band sounds of blurting brass instruments, like the trumpet

of kassav’, David Rudder, Bob Marley, Barrington Levy, and

and euphonium.

Chalkdust.

The sounds are strikingly similar yet pleasantly individual. All

The post-colonial music catalogue of the region and diaspora

these, amazing yet hidden sounds that inspired and uplifted a

stretches far into the corners of recent history. Even the

people from the darkest hours of our islands’ history.

contemporary sound of Drake, Tory Lanez and Diplo owes a debt

Despite their connected origins, the distinction of each

to the score of island music’s history. Despite its rich and treacle

genre in Caribbean music is defined by nuanced sound. Simple

past, most people understand the beginnings of Caribbean music

instruments were made by hand, often from found objects

as the pastiche parade of entertainment performed in songs like

gesticulated to create simple beats. Each island was populated by

Calypso Blues by Nat king Cole.

various European rulers. Their music was influenced by Africans

But if one were to pull back the beaded curtain for a less

from multiple tribes such as the Ashanti of Ghana, Yoruba of

obscured view, one would discover the true and hidden sound

Nigeria, Imbangala of Angola, and the Nyamwezi of Tanzania,

of the region. At house parties and other family functions, in and

bringing with them their unique customs and religions. Once

around carnivals, weddings, and christenings, you will still hear

forced into the perimeters of these tiny countries, this clash of

the faint sounds of yesteryear in the music of the day enjoyed by

cultures fused together in ways that none would have expected.

those closest to its heritage.

This melange of Dutch, French, English, Spanish, Chinese,

The rebellions and riots that inspired this artistic and extremely

Indians and Africans created a kaleidoscope of sonic color that

powerful form of resistance also transformed a people and the

continued to evolve as the music shaped the identities in each

celebrations they observe to this day. From Junkanoo parades in

country.

the Bahamas, held on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, to the

Pre-calypso Caribbean music is so much more than just songs

many iterations of carnival celebrated in Trinidad and Tobago,

about rum and coca cola, or Harry Belafonte twisting and gyrating

Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and Grenada (just to name a few), there’s

to the ping and pang of a steel drum. The decades following

no denying that today’s island music continues to resonate due

Emancipation were witness to the symbolic pongin’ and tinkering

to the jewels hidden for us in the closed fists of a people under

of the sound that was refined in the hills of Laventille Trinidad, the

pressure.

•

islandoriginsmag.com

11

inspiration // Shaggy’s Good Works

writer Calibe Thompson

photography Robert Johnson

Jamaicans love a great party, sometimes just for the sake of music, wine (the waist variety) and spirits. In the case of Orville Burrell, better known as shaggy, the diamond selling reggae artist, and his wife rebecca, the real fun comes after their annual celebrity bash, when they’ve made proverbial truckloads of money, then given it all away!

12

islandoriginsmag.com

Steve James

Steve James

The 2018 Shaggy and Friends concert, held on the lawns

Then, he met a man whose daughter was being kept alive by

of Jamaica House in St Andrew, Jamaica, was the sixth installment

one of the instruments he had donated. That man’s profound

of the lavish event. Every other year, it is hosted by the Shaggy Make

gratitude touched him so deeply, that he realized that there was a

a Difference Foundation (SMADF) to raise funds for the benefit of

much greater need than he alone could fulfill, and decided that he

the island’s Bustamante Children’s Hospital.

was not just able, but willing to do something about it. Together

Two-storey, white tents draped in luxurious fabric, with high

with his wife Rebecca, who is a production professional and the

ceilings, dripped with crystal chandeliers. The platinum area was

executive director of the SMADF, he pulled together the first Shaggy

heaving with partygoers. Jamaica’s elite, and a throng of well-

and Friends concert on January 3, 2009, only eight weeks after his

heeled guests, packed in tight, dressed to the nines and out in force

interaction with that grateful father.

for a great cause.

A lineup of international superstars including Sting, Wyclef Jean,

Building a Legacy

Third World Band and of course Shaggy himself, performed this

Shaggy’s charitable deeds have an ongoing prominence in his life.

year, with stars like Lauryn Hill, Eve, Damian Marley and Maxi Priest

Himself a child of humble beginnings, he speaks passionately about

lending their star power in years gone by.

giving back, now that he has seen fame and financial success.

The stage was breathtaking, with huge LED video walls and

He is a patron of organizations such as Food for the Poor and the

multiple levels. The production quality was on par with any

American Friends of Jamaica, who produce annual fundraising galas

internationally televised concert.

to raise money for good causes on the island. Food for the Poor also

For Shaggy though, it’s less about the glitz of the limelight, and

builds homes and teaches sustainable living practices throughout

more about attracting generous donors with deep pockets. He’s

the Caribbean and Latin America. They now provide the online

confirmed that his charitable work through the SMADF is far more

platform through which donors around the world can make their

important to him now than is his music. According to the megastar,

contributions to the SMADF.

“to be put in the same place as these people, where I can get them

Since that first concert in 2009, not only have the crowds grown,

to do amazing things with their wealth to benefit the poor ...I’m

but donations have increased significantly. At each event, the concert

going to take that opportunity.”

focuses on a particular funding challenge faced by the hospital.

The goal of the event was to raise US $1 million to fund ten new

From the combined funds raised in 2012 and 2014, SMADF financed

beds at the Bustamante Children’s Hospital intensive care unit (ICU).

the first Catheterization Laboratory and the first Cardiac Unit for a

Although Bustamante is the only full-service children’s hospital in

children’s hospital in the English-speaking Caribbean. Prior to the

the English-speaking Caribbean, until now they had only five ICU

2018 event, SMADF made contributions to Bustamante Children’s

beds.

Hospital to the tune of over 450 pieces of equipment, over 3500 treated children and over $1.6 million US dollars. According to the

How it all began

team, 100% of event proceeds goes to the hospital.

In 2001, during a visit to Bustamante, Shaggy came to learn

His commitment to the Bustamante Children’s Hospital doesn’t

just how underfunded the hospital was. For years after that, he

go unnoticed. Shaggy can now count the doctors and nurses, the

made his own private donations, sponsoring equipment and facility

children and their families among his adoring fans.

upgrades.

If you’d like to contribute to the cause, you can learn more at shaggymakeadifferencefoundation.org. #TeamShaggy4Kids

islandoriginsmag.com

•

13

feature // mario Pignard Jr.

in the

spot

light wrIter MONIQUE MCINTOSH

photography CONTRIBUTED

IF FILM IS A TALE TOLD IN LIGHT AND SHADOWS, THEN CONSIDER MARIO PIGNARD JR. THE MASTER ILLUMINATOR. for 15 years, this highly-regarded motion picture lighting

No stranger to creatively demanding projects, Pignard Jr. is known

technician has created the perfect ambiance for some of our favorite

for thinking way beyond standard techniques. The challenge that led

Hollywood blockbusters, including ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’, ‘The

to him becoming an industry leader though, was the need for a system

Amazing Spider-Man’ and the ‘Batman’ series, as well as popular Tv

that could recreate consistent natural light for sensitive shoots, and that

shows including ‘The Sopranos,’ ‘Boardwalk Empire’ and ‘Orange Is The

could be manipulated on location. His response to that challenge was

New Black.’

to invent the pioneering ‘lighting balloon system’ for lighting company, Sourcemaker.

14

islandoriginsmag.com

NO STRANGER TO CREATIvELY DEMANDING PROJECTS, PIGNARD JR. IS kNOWN FOR THINkING WAY BEYOND STANDARD TECHNIQUES.

The cutting-edge technology allows directors to mimic realistic

For young Caribbean-American creatives seeking to break into

sunlight and moonlight. The system is now widely used throughout

the film industry, Pignard Jr.’s advice is not to be afraid to make

the film industry.

your own way. Though his academic background and early filming

He most famously used it to generate 500 kW of balanced daylight, in rain created by special effects on the night set of the

experience focused on visual effects, that didn’t stop him from pushing the boundaries in another field.

2014, Darren Aronofsky film, ‘Noah.’ His innovative lighting also

“If you can’t afford to go to film school, that doesn’t stop you

came in handy for reenactments of the vietnam War in Steven

from making a movie,” says Pignard Jr. “Study whatever you can get

Spielberg’s recent film, ‘The Post.’ “I lit the scene up for him with

your hands on, and start your own projects. Don’t just talk about it,

four, ten-foot cube lighting balloons that had to be moved around

do it, because the film business is literally that. We are making films

the woods as a source of sunlight,” recalls Pignard Jr.

in rain, hail and snow. No matter what, this project is going to be

Creating day in the middle of the night for famous directors is

done. So don’t ever give up on your own ideas.”

just another day at the office for Pignard Jr., who is also a certified

•

member of The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) in New York, and a graduate of the International Academy of Design and Technology. “Troubleshooting is literally the job,” he explains, “We need to figure out the schematics of how to light a set, from the generator to the very last plug.”

Pignard Jr. credits his Caribbean parents for his enterprise and

bARRy JEnkins

ambition. His Haitian mother, who was born in Hinche, and his

Film Director

father, a native of the Dominican Republic, met and married in

Did you know that Miami-born filmmaker Barry Jenkins (director of the Oscar-winning

Port-au-Prince before migrating to New York to raise their family.

film ‘Moonlight’) is of Haitian descent? He

Though American-born, Pignard Jr. has a deep appreciation for

grew up in Liberty City, the youngest of

his Caribbean roots, particularly after attending school for four

three siblings. He studied film at Florida State University, first broke onto the scene

years as a child in Port-au-Prince. The experience, “was definitely a

with his 2003 student short, ‘My Josephine,’

tough transition,” notes Pignard Jr. “Back then, as a child, I didn’t

and made waves later on, with his first film,

really understand what my parents were doing. But as an adult, I completely understand.” In addition to becoming fluent in Spanish, French and kreyol, and making close friends on the island, “I know

‘Medicine for Melancholy.’

AyAnnA JAMEs Costume Designer

I am the person I am today because of Haiti,” he declares, “because

Jamaican-born and South Florida-bred, costume

Haiti showed me what struggle really is - why you should always be

designer Ayanna James has quickly made a name

appreciative of what you have.”

for herself composing looks for the small screen.

He trains in the martial art of Jui Jitsu to maintain the stamina for his physically demanding job.

Pignard Jr. recently completed work for Martin Scorsese’s next project, and will continue to work on the new season of ‘Orange Is The New Black,’ as well as Julia Roberts’ next film, ‘Ben is Back.’

A graduate of Florida A&M University, she serves as a personal stylist for the likes of Usher, Jidenna and B.o.B. She’s become most celebrated as the costume designer for HBO’s hit show, ‘Insecure.’

She works directly with showrunner Issa Rae on the characters’ distinctive looks, from the slick designer outfits worn by the show’s hot-shot lawyer, Molly, to the instantly viral t-shirts donned by the witty heroine, Issa.

islandoriginsmag.com

15

Invest // a studio in your Pocket

a Studio in

youR poCket

wrIter CALIBE THOMPSON photography JUSTIN ATkINSON

FOR ASPIRING MUSICIANS WITH LITTLE OR NO PRODUCTION BUDGET, ACCESS TO A ROSTER OF A-LIST PRODUCERS, RECORDING STUDIO AND vIDEO PRODUCTION FACILITIES IS THE STUFF OF DREAMS. ENTER, RECORDGRAM.

It’s an Ios (apple based) app that allows vocalists to

Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch Disrupt NY 2017, and they’ve

license beats from chart-topping producers like Timbaland, Will

been featured on the pages of Forbes and Billboard magazines,

I Am, Supa Dups and StreetRunner for as little as $1.00 per track.

and leading industry websites Medium.com and Crunchbase.com.

Using the app, you can then record original songs with multiple

The man responsible for developing the powerful technology

vocal tracks, and even create music videos, all from the comfort

behind the app is Grammy-winning music producer and DJ

of wherever you, and your iPhone or iPad, are. From within the

Winston “Blackout” Thomas, who in 2007 topped the worldwide

app, you post the masterpiece you’ve created to a social media

music charts with the record This Is Why I’m Hot in collaboration

platform of your choice, et voila! You’re on your way to super

with hip hop artist, Mims. The pair teamed up again to make the

stardom… theoretically anyway. Currently, the app is a $2.99 per

RecordGram app a reality.

month subscription, and music is licensed at a maximum of $5.00 per track.

16

According to Thomas, “Mims came to me with the idea of putting my beats into a mobile recording studio that would help

RecordGram Inc, the development team behind the app,

us discover new artists. I loved the idea but wanted to make it

recently raised $1 million in capital from funders including

bigger by bringing in other great producers, taking it worldwide,

Lightspeed venture Partners, one of the major investors behind

and getting artists excited about working with original producers,

SnapChat. They’ve won a number of pitch competitions, including

as opposed to recording on karaoke beats.

islandoriginsmag.com

“I had a background in website design, so I immediately started

Thomas got his start in music following in the footsteps of

putting together ideas of what the user interface (UI) would look

his Jamaican father, who was also a DJ. He recalls selling out of

like, and had the first draft of the front end done within a week. I

mixtapes in high school, touring nationally with artists like Jadakiss

went and Googled ‘how to develop an app’, then got to work. We

in the early 2000s, and working in radio, before a chance meeting

had to bootstrap, meaning work with a very limited budget. I was

with Mims in 2004 catapulted them both to global success.

up at all hours of the night with our guys in India for months to get the original version done.”

A growing number of monthly subscribers, as well as producers who also pay a subscription fee to list their beats, are currently using the app.

With their most recent round of funding, they’re developing a more robust version of the RecordGram app that also works on the larger android platform.

It’s been more than ten years since the worldwide success of their hit song. Now, they are once again poised to share their

Beyond developing the app, the duo of Thomas and Mims,

collaborative efforts with a global audience, this time with an app,

along with business partner Erik Mendelsohn, have begun to act

and they and their million dollar investors are very hopeful that the

in an A&R capacity. They’ve already discovered multiple acts who

team can hit the top of the international charts, one more time.

are gaining popularity through the app, and facilitated recording

•

deals with major record labels.

islandoriginsmag.com

17

Feature // Wyclef Jean

18

islandoriginsmag.com

midnight robber writer copyseed.com

photography courtney chen

When Wyclef Jean’s name hit the headlines back in 2010, in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake, we all sat up and paid attention.

“I made the decision to run for president of Haiti the minute I landed on the ground,”

in Kingston. That’s where Wyclef is at his best, on stage - philosophizing, prophesying, identifying.

said Wyclef. “I saw over 250,000 people under

For those of you familiar with carnival’s traditional

the rubble. I looked to the right and my wife

‘ole mas’ characters, Wyclef is the Midnight Robber

was picking up bodies. That puts everything into

of hip-hop, full of ‘robber talk’ or storytelling,

perspective.”

extempo style. But, unlike the Midnight Robber, he

Once we had adjusted our brains to the idea of a rapper and a beloved Fugee running for the

doesn’t carry a dagger or a sword or a gun in his hand. His weapon of choice is a microphone.

presidency of Haiti, we all collectively, said, OK, hey,

In 2010, when Wyclef Jean launched a bid for the

why not? And almost overnight his highly publicized

presidency of Haiti, he was a highly visible celebrity.

candidacy was met with international approval.

Half-way through the election race, he was kicked

But there was something more to it than that.

out due to a technicality.

Haiti was in serious trouble and needed a visionary,

Then, the rumours ensued. Wyclef and his non-

a unifier and a leader. We, along with Haiti’s

governmental organization became the subject of

majority youth population, decided the preacher’s

much talk, suggesting funds raised by his personal

son, raised in New Jersey but a child of the soil,

charity, Yèle, had been grossly mismanaged. The

was just the man for the job. Or so we all secretly

preacher’s son, bloodied by his brief brush with

hoped.

island politics, issued a statement, in which he

As a Grammy winning songwriter, producer and one-time political candidate, Wyclef Jean has

denied the claims laid against him, calling them “misleading, deceptive and incomplete”.

achieved great highs and suffered some pretty great

“Yes, I felt betrayed. Not by the Haitians on

lows, privately and professionally. But through it all,

the ground in Haiti, but by the Haitian diaspora in

he has never stopped doing what he does best -

America. I wanted them to fight for me. I wanted

making music.

them to stand up and protest on Brooklyn Bridge

It’s 11:30 AM and I’m talking to him on the

and say ‘you won’t do this to our guy.’” He chokes,

phone. He’s somewhere in Jersey, or it could

his voice disappears for a moment, the hurt still

be Jamaica, where a few days earlier, he wowed

sounds raw. “I felt like Martin Luther King Jr.,” he

crowds on stage at the Shaggy and Friends concert

adds, “When they stoned him in Chicago.”

islandoriginsmag.com

19

feature // Wyclef Jean

WYCLEF JEAN IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT, AND HIS CONFIDENCE IS HUGE. BUT THAT’S BECAUSE HE HAS A LOT TO BE CONFIDENT ABOUT. HE SURvIvED.

After that, Wyclef Jean sort of just - disappeared. That was almost ten years ago.

Then, just recently, out of nowhere, Wyclef came back. Like a robber in the night, with all his swagger and musical genius. He

a French word meaning the untying of a story plot to reveal the final resolution.

re-emerged from his hiatus to present Carnival III, the final album

“Yes, it’s like a three act play,” agrees Wyclef. The initiation,

in the Carnival Trilogy, to the world. Billboard dubbed it ‘Top 10,

the confrontation, then resolution. “Through this musical journey,

critically acclaimed.’ Download it, you’ll immediately understand

you see me discovering things. Every song represents discovery

why.

of myself, and where I am, and where I come from. Every song

If Carnival II was about the fall of a refugee, then Carnival III is,

represents a place in time.

without doubt, the resurrection of hip-hop’s philosopher king. “I

“In Carnival III after the whole political thing, I felt like I had

think that my strength and resilience is that I am a Caribbean man.

sacrificed my whole career to try and move my people ahead, but

I understand my African culture so it’s going to be hard to take me

they tried to Marcus Garvey me using the Edgar Hoover method.

out of the game. When I show up in kingston, Jamaica - I’m like

But I was able to rise again”

a local artist.

“My mentality is always hard wired to the Caribbean.”

But how did Wyclef get back? How has he reconciled his past with his future? For the answers, he says, we must journey through the Carnival.

20

I ask him to unpack Carnival III, the final act, in theater, sometimes referred to as the denouement, (pronounced day-noo-mahn). It’s

Wyclef Jean is impossible to predict, and his confidence is huge.

But that’s because he has a lot to be confident about. He survived.

“In the end it’s about where we come from and what we come through. We are a people that can’t be painted into a box.”

Earlier on in the interview I ask Wyclef about growing up with

“The Carnival featuring Refugee Allstars was what it felt like

Christianity. “As you know my name is Wyclef Jean. I’m named

as an immigrant coming from Haiti and showing up in Brooklyn.

after John Wycliffe, the English reformer. But I denounced my

About how I pulled through as an immigrant. And it was a

father’s form of saying “this is what you have to do,” the same way

narration of what I saw and experienced - that clash of cultures.

John Wycliffe redefined the Catholic Church. But at the end of the

So we start with records like ‘Apocalypse’ and ‘Guantanamera’

day I’m a believer of God, and I’ll always be a believer of the faith.”

expressing a fusion. And these albums have all of us in them - four,

On the question of the musical legacy he’d like to leave behind,

five languages, on purpose - including patois.”

there’s a thoughtful pause. He replies, “It’s yet to be written.”

islandoriginsmag.com

•

islandoriginsmag.com

21

feature // the gentrification of ganJa

the gentriFiCation ation oF o

wrIter GHENETE WRIGHT MUIR and SONIA MORGAN

photography SUPPLIED

CAN JAMAICA CASH IN ON CANNABIS? IT’S LIkE WALkING INTO A CAFé AND ORDERING A SPECIALTY COFFEE DRINk, OR A BAGEL WITH BUTTER - ExCEPT YOU NEED ID. THE MAN BEHIND THE COUNTER, A MIDDLE-AGED WHITE MAN, WANTS TO kNOW WHAT kIND OF HIGH YOU WANT FROM HIS SELECTION OF PRE-ROLLED SPLIFFS, EDIBLES AND BAGS OF WEED. THE ExPERIENCE IS SURREAL BUT SURPRISINGLY NORMAL. YOU THINk, HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO LEGALLY BUY WEED HERE IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, BUT NOT IN kINGSTON, JAMAICA?

22

islandoriginsmag.com

the truth Is that thIs plant, once demonized as the black and brown man’s drug, today is dressed up and repackaged as a legal, economy-boosting product. Cannabis is sold for recreational use in eight states throughout the US, and medical marijuana is legal in 29 states, though it remains illegal at the federal level. Marijuana, as a traded commodity, is becoming an investment option for many, luring high-profile investors such as rapper Snoop Dogg, PayPal cofounder Peter Thiel and former boxer Mike Tyson.

Forbes magazine recently reported that the legal marijuana industry in the US will create more jobs than manufacturing. In 2016, the legal cannabis market was estimated to be worth $7.2 billion, and it is expected to be worth $50 billion by 2026, eight times its current size, according to Bloomberg.

The question is, how can Jamaica, the cultural epicenter of marijuana, profit from this multibillion dollar cash-crop? stIll fIghtIng agaInst ganja Michael Burgess, a Jamaican living in Canada, who has invested in the cannabis industry there said, “the whole illegality surrounding marijuana has been fraught with lies and misrepresentation for decades.” In fact, the war against marijuana started in the United States in the 1930s and continues to be waged today. Over the years, this campaign moved well beyond the US. It not only made millions

JAMAICA HAS DECRIMINALIZED GANJA,

of people into criminals, it also helped to cripple the economies of

EFFECTIvELY ALLOWING INDIvIDUALS TO HAvE UP

countries like Jamaica, that could have benefited significantly from a legal cannabis industry.

Decades ago, Jamaica made its mark as the capital of cannabis.

TO TWO OUNCES FOR PERSONAL USE AND FIvE PLANTS PER HOUSEHOLD.

The growing Rastafarian movement, in the 1970s, branded Jamaica as the place to get the ‘good ganja’. Reggae music, which in many

first commercial cannabis company in the region, MediCanja. It was

ways is the gospel of Rastafarians, helped spread that message

not legal, but I saw where it was going. Everybody thought I was

worldwide. Yet, today Jamaica is struggling to figure out how to

crazy. How can you do this? The government hasn’t approved it,

enter and profit from the booming marijuana industry. Peter Tosh in

everybody else is against it.” Now, four years later, his company has

his 1975 reggae anthem Legalize It pleaded with the government of

eight pharmaceutical products made from cannabis, and recently

the day singing, “legalize it, don’t criticize it and I will advertise it.”

received FDA approval for a ganja based anti-cancer drug.

Of course, much like today, Jamaica was under immense pressure to adhere to US marijuana regulations.

So what’s holding Jamaica back? Dr. Lowe thinks that “We shoot ourselves in the foot, or we don’t shoot at all.”

It’s ironic that the US, which played a major role in ensuring

Jamaica has decriminalized ganja, effectively allowing individuals

that Jamaica criminalized marijuana, is now enjoying the financial

to have up to two ounces for personal use and five plants per

benefits of legalized weed.

household. Rastafarians who have long been persecuted for using

Island Origins had the opportunity to speak with world-renowned Jamaican scientist, Dr. Henry Lowe. He, along with his colleagues,

the plant as a sacrament can now practice their ritual without risk of prosecution. But ganja is still largely illegal on the island.

Dr. Albert Lockhart and Dr. Manley West, used cannabis, back in

Jamaica still has to adhere to the United Nations Drug Treaty,

the 1970s, to develop Canasol, an eyedrop medication used to treat

which means the road to complete legalization and capitalization is

glaucoma, that was sold only in Jamaica. However, Dr. Lowe said

yet to be paved. This is not to say the country doesn’t want to move

the US discouraged any continued research and development of

forward. According to the Cannabis Licensing Authority of Jamaica

pharmaceuticals from ganja.

(CLA), “If Jamaica is to have any real opportunity in the business

But Dr. Lowe had a reawakening when he saw a CNN report

by Dr. Sanjay Gupta promoting medical marijuana. It was then he

of ganja, there must first be evidence of the ability to maintain a responsible industry.”

realized a momentum was building. “I was very bold and set up the

islandoriginsmag.com

23

feature // the gentrification of ganJa

“OUR GOvERNMENT IS TIPTOEING TO EvEN ALLOW MEDICINAL AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. THE WHOLE THING IS vERY SLOW IN TERMS OF GETTING OFF THE GROUND,”

burdensome and cost-prohIbItIve

what does the future hold for jamaIca?

Burgess said he would also like to invest in a Jamaican marijuana

But there may be a light at the end of the spliff.

industry, but finds that the country “is too far behind the gate at

Rennalls is also director of Canna Headhunters, an employment

this point.” He believes it would be difficult for the island to cultivate

agency for the emerging legal marijuana industry. At the helm of

the plant on a significant scale. “Jamaica doesn’t have the seed

Canna Headhunters is Florida-based Jamaican Attorney Scheril

production. People of influence in Jamaica are not rallying behind

Murray Powell. She practices in the field of agricultural and cannabis

the industry, and there are still stigmas attached to ganja.” He also

law, and together they navigate this new terrain. They want to help

points out Jamaica’s obligations to The World Bank and IMF loan

Jamaica play a significant role in the ganja industry. Murray Powell

regulations, and that “government has not really rallied behind any

believes that “through education and research, Jamaica will reclaim

agricultural industry.”

its place as the cradle of cannabis.”

Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, the youngest son of reggae legend

Dr. Lowe is also planning a medicinal ganja cafe at his wellness

Bob Marley, has entered the market powerfully with his burgeoning

resort, Eden Gardens, in kingston. But legal recreational use is still a

empire Stony Hill. He bought a California prison and converted it

pipe dream. “Our government is tiptoeing to even allow medicinal

into a marijuana farm, opened a dispensary in Colorado, and has

and scientific research. The whole thing is very slow in terms of

invested in High Times Magazine.

getting off the ground,” Dr. Lowe said.

But what about the small farmers and entrepreneurs who

Does legalized marijuana have the power to lift Jamaica out of

don’t have the resources at the ready? In other words, is there an

“third world” status? Dr. Lowe doesn’t think so. “Jamaica is losing

opportunity for regular Jamaican people to cash in on this now

the edge. We have lost about 75% of our potential…and will not

booming industry?

significantly benefit from the cannabis industry.” For Jamaica to

Dr. Lowe doubts the small farmer can be a significant part of the

benefit, it will take a joint effort between the Jamaican government,

new industry. The licensing for cultivating in Jamaica at this point

the private sector and local farmers, as well as the support of

starts at US $2,000 per acre annually, and is likely to be out of reach

influential foreign entities.

for those farmers. Burgess agrees, adding that the process is quite “burdensome and cost-prohibitive.”

24

It may be that Jamaica’s best hope is to rely on ganja tourism— festivals, “bud and breakfast,” tours, and more—marketing the

Billy Rennalls, a Rasta residing in kingston, has been a part of the

cultural experience of enjoying Jamaican ganja and its products in

activism that led to decriminalization. He lamented that the CLA also

Jamaica. Rennalls said, “Ganja is Jamaica’s brand, like our coffee,

requires farmers to have a title to the land they use to grow ganja,

rum and reggae. We have a unique product that no one can get

which is a challenge, because many of them don’t own the land

anywhere else. People need to come here and experience it. It’s part

they’re farming.

of our brand Jamaica and cannot be duplicated.”

islandoriginsmag.com

•

islandoriginsmag.com

25

travel // take some you time

wellness & beauty “Give us your body for a week and we’ll

sleep retreat Grenada’s True Blue Bay is about to

wrIters’ retreat This 6 day writers’ retreat held in Negril,

give you back your mind,” is the irresistible

launch what they say is the Caribbean’s

Jamaica promises aspiring authors (that’s

promise made by the folks at the all-

first sleep retreat. This exclusive 5 - 7 day

81% of all Americans by the way) daily

inclusive BodyHoliday Retreats, Saint Lucia,

sleepover was designed in conjunction

free-writing exercises. You’ll delve into

ranked one of the world’s top spa resorts

with neuro scientists and world renowned

the poems of the late Sir Derek Walcott,

by Conde Nast Traveler. With some of the

sleep experts. Aimed at a growing number

knighted lord of the British realm, and one

regions best facilities and an indulgent

of sleep deprived adults, this revolutionary

of the Caribbean’s most eminent writers.

array of state-of-the-art therapies and

holistic approach to a lack of sleep

On the grounds of the hacienda-style villa,

treatments, they can help you decompress

incorporates exercise, personalized diet

you can discover the inspiration you need

and feel whole again. Try their infrared

regimes and mindful meditations, and is

to reignite your literary dreams, receive

detox therapy and the deep tissue ayurvedic

designed to detoxify our overstimulated

feedback on your work, and practice your

back massages with ancient herbs.

brains and improve our sleep habits. It’s so

craft with fellow writers.

thebodyholiday.com

new, you’ll have to call for details.

kahini.org/caribbean

Contact: 473-443-8783 or truebluebay.com

26

islandoriginsmag.com

you

time

ta k e Som e

wrIter COPYSEED.COM

photography SUPPLIED

when the next long weekend rolls around, the islands can be the perfect cleansing antidote to postChristmas spending blues, lapsed New Year’s resolutions and the general stresses and strains of everyday life.

So you don’t have to lift another finger, we’ve done all the hard work for you. From realigning your chakras on a yoga getaway to unwinding in a thermal hydro pool at a top-notch wellness spa, or catching up on some much-needed sleep, we’ve rounded up just a few of the loveliest and most surprising retreat options the Caribbean has to offer.

whether your Ideal yoga detox

cookIng classes With a 4 star rating on Tripadvisor,

Located along the stunning coastline

wellness retreat Involves cookIng classes,

Graycliff Hotel, Nassau, Bahamas is a

of Rincon Bay in the Dominican Republic,

must-visit spot for food lovers everywhere.

Hotel villa Serena is a sanctuary where

wrItIng workshops or

The Graycliff Culinary Academy offers

the mind, body and spirit can heal. The

days spent pamperIng

interactive cooking classes under the expert

resort consists of 21 spacious rooms with

guidance of the hotel’s Executive Chef.

calming ocean views that have the power

every Inch of your body

Using local ingredients, you will learn how

to trigger your pleasure neurons. As well

to prepare a variety of exotic, Caribbean

as daily yoga instruction, tai chi classes

spa, why not hop over

infused dishes, and the best wines to pair

and customized vegan meals, your retreat

to the carIbbean to kIck-

them with. Class sizes are small and all

includes ‘Art of Raw’ workshops that teach

utensils are provided.

you about the amazing health benefits of

start your goals and

graycliff.com/culinary

clean eating.

recalIbrate your senses

Contact: bookyogaretreats.com

In style.

In a heavenly-smellIng

islandoriginsmag.com

27

Invest // caring for your Parents

1.

understand theIr fInancIal sItuatIon

No matter what, caring for elderly parents will cost money. You will need to find out how well your parents have prepared for retirement with savings and investments including Social Security, IRAs, 401ks, etc. You will need to think about future care, medicine, supplies and very importantly, you must

Caring For your FolkS Without

going bRokE wrIter SANDRA SPENCE

photography SUPPLIED

consider where your parents will live, and how much it will cost.

2.

get professIonal help

Most people have no experience in caring for the elderly, and are unaware of how complex it can become. Fortunately, professional guidance is not hard to find. Consider getting a care manager to assess your situation. These professionals work with families to determine the best course of action for housing, legal services and other necessary considerations. A good resource is the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. (www. caremanager.org). You will also need to find an attorney to guide you regarding a living will, healthcare proxy and other legal issues, on your parent’s behalf.

3.

learn about medIcare and medIcaId.

Most younger people assume that the standard programs will cover an elderly person’s healthcare when the time comes. Alas, they don’t. Medicare

AS OUR PARENTS AGE, THEY MAY

for instance, in most situations, will cover hospital, medical and prescription drug costs, but it will not cover nursing home stays. Medicaid will take care

BECOME MORE DEPENDENT ON THEIR

of nursing home expenses, but only for people who have exhausted most

CHILDREN AND ExTENDED FAMILY FOR

of their assets. The limitations of these programs often come as a shock to

BOTH PHYSICAL AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT. WHEN IT’S YOUR TURN TO HELP TAkE CARE OF THE FOLkS WHO WERE ONCE YOUR CARE GIvERS, HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO HELP YOU BE A GREAT GUARDIAN, WITHOUT GOING BROkE.

children, so do your research and know the facts.

4.

get the famIly Involved

If you have siblings or other willing family members, don’t try to do it on your own. Enlist help from other relatives to help ensure that it’s a family effort.

5.

make your own retIrement plan

Consider your own financial situation carefully. How will your future be affected by your new role as a caretaker? Are you able to live comfortably if you are unable to work? Planning for yourself is just as important as planning Sandra Spence is the VP of Advertising and Public Relations at We Florida Financial Credit Union

28

islandoriginsmag.com

for your parents. Seek advice from a qualified adviser to prepare for a stable future and a good quality of life for your parents.

•

islandoriginsmag.com

29

wrIter SONIA MORGAN

photography SUPPLIED

health & beauty // get fit - cariBBean style

30

islandoriginsmag.com

“GET FIT” IS WRITTEN IN BRIGHT, BOLD TYPE AT THE TOP OF YOUR 2018 RESOLUTIONS LIST. BUT SOMETHING EERILY FAMILIAR IS CREEPING UP ON YOU... IT’S THAT OLD, ANNOYING FEELING THAT YOU’LL CRASH AND BURN BEFORE MID-MARCH, AGAIN! YOU IMAGINE THE MONOTONY OF TRUDGING THROUGH A TIMED WORkOUT ON A TREADMILL OR ELLIPTICAL, COUNTING ENDLESS REPS, FANTASIZING ABOUT THE IDEAL SUMMER BODY IN STORE FOR YOU WHEN THIS IS ALL OvER. well, what If you could amp up your workout by embracing something a lot more fun, that’s guaranteed to feel more like a wild night out, than the slog of a boring old exercise routine?

Think Caribbean-inspired workouts like ReggaeFit, Fet~Ness, Caribbean Cardio, and Brukwine. They let you “wine” like it’s Trini Carnival and “bruk out” like it’s “Weddy Weddy Wednesday.” Sure, you’ll sweat and feel the burn, but it’s that good sweat - the kind you get from dancing to your favorite mixtape when nobody’s watching. Remember, if you’re repeating the same exercises over and over at the gym, your muscles will get used to them and you’re bound to plateau. The beauty of trying something different is that when you switch it up, you automatically tap into the benefits of muscle confusion.

reggaeFit In South Florida, ReggaeFit is like a movement. This workout fuses Caribbean music and dance with highenergy aerobics, weights and more. The team promises ever changing routines that ensure their diverse community of clients have so much fun waving their flags and “chippin’ cross di dancefloor”, they don’t even realize they’re working out. They attest that their clients lose weight and see real health benefits in a matter of weeks. Classes held in Deerfield Beach, Plantation and Miami, leave no room for boredom, and are tailored to adults, seniors, teens and kids too! reggaefit.com

Fet~neSS Caribbean Cardio If you’re in Atlanta, try out Fet~Ness Caribbean Cardio. Their noble mission includes promoting Caribbean culture through health and fitness, but that doesn’t make their class any less fun! The workout combines the insane energy of a carnival event with high and low-impact aerobics, strengthening and muscle sculpting exercises, all done to the hottest new dancehall, soca and afrobeats! facebook.com/Fet4life

brukWine This sexy dancehall and reggae based workout craze shows women how to “wine” their waists to fitness, and is taking New York by storm. It claims to burn up to 1,000 calories per rump shaking, fat blasting class - and it’s all done in heels, booty shorts and full makeup! The classes are a combination of cardio and dance that particularly tone a woman’s legs and waist. And it can’t hurt that its pioneering choreographers have danced in music videos for A-listers like Sean Paul, Diddy, Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Rihanna. If their flash mob performance in Time Square is anything to go by, this workout “tun up!” Classes are available in Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx and Long Island, and workshops are available all over the country. brukwine.com

SoCa’robiCS In Maryland? “Wuk up” and “buss a sweat” to the intoxicating rhythms of soca and reggae music at Soca’Robics Fitness Studio. This workout gets your adrenaline pumping in a calorie-burning explosion of culture that’s bound to have you fit and fine. Instructor Natalie’s clients say you’ll feel like you’re on the road at carnival! socarobics.net

so what are you waItIng ng for? tch the drudgery of the gym dItch bbean fIt! and go fInd your carIbbean islandoriginsmag.com

31

InspIratIon // trusting me

Can i truSt

ME?

EvEN NOW AS AN OLDER ADULT, I CAN HEAR MY MOTHER WHISPERING IN MY EAR, TELLING ME HOW TO TALk TO PEOPLE, RAISE MY DAUGHTER, AND

DRESS FOR WORk. wrIter DR CLAIRE A. RENE, MBA, ED.D photography SUPPLIED

I confess, much of her sage advice was both useful and

our decisions are based on our emotions, so the right Emotional

meaningful. But here’s the problem with that: when you give those

Intelligence strategies can steer us to better decision making efforts

around you the power to influence how you think, as I gave my well-

and self-trust development. Let’s get to them!

meaning mother, it can debilitate your long-term decision-making abilities in multiple ways.

1. You minimize the validity of your own gut feelings and more often defer to the advice of others.

2. You second guess your decisions, even if the outcomes are favorable.

3. You find other people’s decisions smarter than yours. “Wow, why didn’t I think of that!” becomes a common inner-thought.

a good decision and the outcome is favorable, write it down in a journal and applaud yourself.

• tough out the tough times. When you make decisions and the outcomes are unfavorable, take a moment to reflect (yes, it can be painful) before responding. Sometimes because we rush to respond rather than taking time to process the situation, we miss key teachable moments.

Underdeveloped decision-making skills lead to a lack of self-trust,

• rejeCt the negativity. Negative conversations and

and if you can’t trust yourself, then who can you trust? The answer

thoughts suppress optimism. You need to remove the negative

is likely, no one. Therein lies a multitude of problems that can impact

influences from your life and cultivate an optimistic approach in order

every area of our lives, from our intimate relationships and how

to make good decisions and solve problems.

we perform at work, to how we raise our children and respond to conflict.

• FaCts over emotions. EI theorists say the best decisions are made when you have all the facts and have considered all outcomes.

Ask yourself these five simple questions, and you can discover if

Think about what you need, based on facts, versus what you want,

you trust yourself implicitly, or if, like a lot of us, your self-trust muscle

often based purely on emotions. Prudent decisions are made when

needs a little workout.

our emotions are kept in check.

• Do you spend a lot of time regretting past decisions?

32

• Celebrate your good deCisions. When you make

• Fin ally, seek adviCe and not opinions. According to

• Is it difficult for you to receive compliments for an

the dictionary, opinions are based purely on perspective, whereas,

accomplishment?

advice is ‘educated counsel’ given by a subject matter expert, like an

• Are you constantly comparing yourself to others?

attorney, doctor or accountant. When you need more validation than

• Is it hard for you to move forward with a plan to better yourself?

your own gut, it is okay to seek help, but it’s best if it comes from an

• Do you focus more on your flaws than your strengths?

informed source, rather than someone who may have questionable

Now, if you answered yes to more than two of these questions,

motives that may lead to your confidence being eroded.

don’t despair. There are a number of key behavioral strategies used in

Following these Emotional Intelligence strategies requires a level of

the study and practice of Emotional Intelligence that can help you. EI,

intentionality, a degree of patience, and a willingness to be kind to

as it’s also known, is a form of social science popularized by Dr. Daniel

yourself at all times, along the way. I believe in these strategies and in

Goleman. It is the ability to recognize and manage your emotions,

developing self-trust, because they hold the key to unlocking a truer

and other people’s, to produce favorable outcomes. Over 80% of

version of who we are.

islandoriginsmag.com

•

islandoriginsmag.com

33

InterIor desIgn // exquisite curiosities

exquiSite

Curiosities wrIter CALIBE THOMPSON

photography ROLANDO DIAZ

IN THE TRENDY AREA OF MIAMI kNOWN AS DOWNTOWN BRICkELL, A TWO BEDROOM CONDO IN ONE OF THE AREA’S NEWEST BUILDINGS BECAME A BLANk CANvAS FOR CUBAN AMERICAN DESIGNER MAITE GRANDA.

floor to ceIlIng wIndows bathe living spaces in sunlight during the day, while offering the young Brazilian couple who have made this their vacation home, a breathtaking, panoramic view of the city.

Clean, modern and eclectic are words that come to mind when observing Granda’s design aesthetic.

A variety of bold patterns find their way onto floors, pillows and walls, never becoming overwhelming, always knowing their place.

She says her biggest challenge on this project was the large, lean, structural column piercing upward through the living room, from the floor below and into the floor above. Instead of approaching it as an eyesore to be hidden, Granda embraced its peculiarity, and made it the focal point of the room, taming its rotund opulence by adding equally prominent blocks of muted color to its base.

In the sitting rooms, the black and white color palette with grey and pastel accents suggests an effortlessness, belying the meticulous attention to detail that allows fuzzy pink pillows to coexist peacefully with a wicker basket lampshade, sleek modern cabinetry, and slick, white art deco chairs.

34

islandoriginsmag.com

IN THE SITTING ROOMS, THE BLACk AND WHITE COLOR PALETTE WITH GREY AND PASTEL ACCENTS SUGGESTS AN EFFORTLESSNESS, BELYING THE METICULOUS ATTENTION TO DETAIL THAT ALLOWS FUZZY PINk PILLOWS TO COExIST PEACEFULLY WITH A WICkER BASkET LAMPSHADE, SLEEk MODERN CABINETRY, AND SLICk, WHITE ART DECO CHAIRS.

islandoriginsmag.com

35

A swirl of deliberate, black paint strokes dance across a plain white canvas, rounding out the exquisite curiosities in the sitting room, meant to catch your eye.

PINk PILLOW IS NESTLED INTO SIMPLE, WHITE BEDDING, BASkING UNDER AN ACCENT WALL

In one of the bedrooms, another fuzzy pink pillow

WHOSE WHITE AND PINk PATTERNS ARE A

is nestled into simple, white bedding, basking under

SNEAkY, INvERTED NOD TO THE PILLOW’S

an accent wall whose white and pink patterns are

WHIMSICAL SILHOUETTE.

a sneaky, inverted nod to the pillow’s whimsical silhouette. Blue and grey tones add subdued points of interest here, and throughout the other rooms.

There’s a work area whose black and white decor is punctuated by a single pop of red on a wall, a few green leaves, and a pair of wicker arm chairs. With a tidy collage of perfectly positioned wall hangings, the room is clean and simple, but far from boring.

Granda’s clients left her with a blank canvas, and returned to a newly completed vacation home that they “absolutely loved”. She declares, “I just love the process. Reinventing and designing without limits. If you care about your craft and your ideas, you’ll take the extra time, and add the touches that you know will make your work really shine.”

36

IN ONE OF THE BEDROOMS, ANOTHER FUZZY

islandoriginsmag.com

•

islandoriginsmag.com

37

thE List

LOOk GOOD | FEEL GOOD

Enbois oRiginALs

The pair of Zulu Walnut Wood Sunglasses and the Jafari Sandal Wood Watch are part of their exclusive wooden collection. They plant a tree in Haiti for every item you buy. $65 enbois-originals.com

itibA bEAuty

The deliciously scented line of allnatural skin care products is made in St Croix using plants, fruits and essential oils. $8 - $25 itibabeauty.com

isLAnD nichE Each open cuff bangle is unique, made of horn, with freeform agate gemstone set in sterling silver. $280 islandniche.com

thE JAMAicAn sAnDAL coMpAny Their Lucy sandal is made with fine leather and can be customized for color and finish. $64.99

jamaicansandalco.com

cooyAh cLothing Cooyah’s “Irie” line comes in women’s and men’s hoodies, tanks and even onesies for baby. $15 - $40 cooyah.com

38

scenic route

Sawgrass Recreation Park, Weston

Here the road less traveled happens to be a river — of grass. Your journey begins at sunny.org.

Join us for The South Florida Synergy Summit for Cultural and Heritage Tourism, May 16-18, 2018. culturalheritagesummit.com islandoriginsmag.com

39

taste the Islands // restaurant revieW

wrIter DAvID I. MUIR

photography DAvID I. MUIR

LOCATED IN THE MIDST OF CENTRAL BROWARD’S CARIBBEAN POPULATED CITY OF LAUDERHILL, THE AUTHENTIC ISLAND EATERY, JOY’S ROTI DELIGHT, STANDS ALONE, JUST OFF THE LAUDERHILL MALL. ON ENTRY, YOU ARE GREETED BY THE SLIGHTLY-TOO-LOUD SOUNDS OF CARIBBEAN MUSIC, AND THE COMPLEMENTARY, YET COMPETING, CHATTER OF PATRONS ‘LABRISHING’ AROUND YOU. THE SIMPLE, PRACTICAL DéCOR DOESN’T TIP YOU OFF TO THE CULTURAL, CULINARY ExPERIENCE AHEAD. my starter - doubles - a common street food in Trinidad and

Joy’s Pumpkin, looks much like candied yams. Its creamy, buttery

Tobago, looks similar to a burrito, and is a favorite for breakfast or as

texture compliments the fusion of island spices vividly enhancing its

an appetizer. Doubles, made up of two fluffy, fried flatbreads, which

flavor. It pairs extremely well with “Buss-Up Shut.”

form its soft taco-like skin, is stuffed with a flavorful sweet and savory curried chickpea filling. The consistency of the chickpeas is mostly like minced meat, though I occasionally bite into fully formed soft peas,

To complete my meal experience, I drank freshly mixed Peanut

resulting in a texture combination that delightfully enhances the party

Punch, which looks like a glass of milk with ice, but tastes like a peanut

occurring in my mouth. Today’s Doubles are served with tamarind

flavored milk-shake, and served as my dessert!

chutney (mango chutney is another available option), and Joy’s hotpepper sauce on the side.

40

The Curried Shrimp is a hot and mildly spicy treat, featuring fairly large, tender shrimps, submerged in a light, yellow, curry sauce.

Joy’s Roti Delight was opened on valentine’s Day in 1992, a few years after the family moved to Florida from Trinidad. Proprietor, Sheila Sawh

Chef Mike presents me with a platter of restaurant favorites including

Gowkaran recalls the day they registered Joy’s at City Hall. They arrived

Shrimp Curry, Curried Chicken, Curried Beef and vegetarian options -

at the city without having determined the restaurant’s name. Her now

Curried Potatoes and Pumpkin, as well as Dhalpourie Roti and Paratha,

late husband suggested they call it Shelia’s, but she insisted that Joy,

another flatbread more popularly known as “Buss-Up Shut.”

her late husband’s name, was a much better choice, and so they went

From the selection of foods presented, what really stood out for me

with that. When asked about the relevance of their valentine’s Day

was the Pumpkin, Channa (Curried Chickpeas), Paratha and Curried

start, Sheila reminds me that a main ingredient of the food at Joy’s Roti

Shrimp.

Delight is LOvE.

islandoriginsmag.com

•

islandoriginsmag.com

41

taste the Islands // reciPes

reCipeS bahamian ConCh FritterS fritter ingredients ½ lb Conch meat, diced ½ medium Onion, diced 1 stick Celery, diced 1 ½ Roma Tomatoes, diced 3 tsp Salt ½ Habanero Pepper 2 tsp Hot Sauce ¾ cup Lakay Tomato Paste 1 tbsp Thyme Leaves 2 cups All Purpose Flour 2 tsp Baking Powder 1 ¼ cups Water vegetable Oil for deep frying

r it t er s F h c n o C n ia m Bah a

dipping sauce ingredients ½ cup Mayonnaise ½ cup ketchup 1 tsp. Mustard 1 tsp. Hot Sauce

method 1. In a large bowl, mix everything together except the flour, baking powder, and water.

2. In a smaller bowl, mix together the flour and the baking powder.

3. Add the dry ingredients to the large bowl, stir, and then add the water slowly.

4. Pre-heat a pot or deep fryer with oil, several inches deep, over high heat.

5. Scoop tablespoons of the batter into the hot oil and allow to fry until golden brown on all sides. Don’t over-crowd them, only fry a few fritters at a time.

6. Remove from oil and place on paper towels to soak away some of the oil.

7. Whisk all sauce ingredients together until smooth and creamy. Serve with hot fritters.

bahamian johnny bread ingredients 6 cups All Purpose Flour ¾ cup Sugar 6 tbsp Baking Powder 1 tsp Salt ½ cup Unsalted Butter, softened + ¼ cup Unsalted Butter, melted 2 cups Milk 1 cup Water 4 Eggs ¼ cup vegetable Oil

42

islandoriginsmag.com

method 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 8” round baking pans.

2. In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. Stir in the sugar and salt.

3. Add the softened butter and gently knead until well incorporated.

4. Add the eggs, vegetable oil, milk and water. Mix well with a spoon until the texture of your mixture is between that of bread dough and cake batter, adding more water if necessary.

5. Pour the mixture into the greased pans and bake for 30 minutes.

6. Brush the melted butter over the top and continue to bake for 15 more minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean from the middle.

7. Cut into slices and serve warm with butter or jam.

Bah amian J oh n n y Br e ad

islandoriginsmag.com

43

taste the Islands // restaurant directory

reStaurant

liSting in

S o u t h

F lo rida

AveRAGe Cost peR peRson BefoRe dRinKs, tAx And tip. $ Under $10 / person $$ Under $20 / person $$$ Under $40 / person $$$$ Over $40 / person

Ali’s RestAuRAnt | $ Caribbean, Indian, Vegetarian Tiny counter-serve joint dishing up Trinidadian comfort food like doubles & aloo pie.

303 S State Rd 7, Plantation

Clive’s CAfe | $$ Jamaican Popular spot for jerk chicken and curry goat.

5890 NW 2nd Ave, Miami clivescafe.com

BAhAmiAn Reef seAfood RestAuRAnt |$$$ Seafood Low key and casual with colorful interior 7836 NW 44th St, Sunrise

ConCh heAven | $$ Bahamian Lots of conch based comfort foods, with locations in Miami, Plantation and Atlanta.

11275 NW 27th Ave, Miami conchheaven.com

el Bohio de mAmA | $$ Dominican Family style restaurant offering music, mofongo, shrimp and dancing.

2181 SR 7, Margate CAlypso RestAuRAnt & RAw BAR | $$ Caribbean Try their Caribbean-styled seafood, Jamaican Jerk and curry dishes.

460 S Cypress Rd, Pompano Beach calypsorestaurant.com

44

ConCh KRAwl CARiBBeAn RestAuRAnt | $$ Bahamian, Seafood Enjoy traditional Bahamian and other Caribbean dishes.

2600 S University Dr #106, Miramar don ARtuRo RestAuRAnt | $$ Cuban Serving traditional recipes & drinks in a kid-friendly environment.

1198 SW 27th Ave, Fort Lauderdale donarturorestaurant.com

islandoriginsmag.com

donnA’s CARiBBeAn RestAuRAnt | $$ Jamaican Authentic Jamaican food all day, plus cocktails and Sunday brunch. 9 locations around South Florida.

5434 N University Drive, Lauderhill donnascaribbean.com finley’s BAhAmiAn RestAuRAnt | $$ Bahamian Try their breakfast served with Johnny cakes or grits. Lunch specials daily.

2710 W Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach finleysbahamianrestaurant.com hAvAnA 1957 | $$ Cuban Quick bites in a buzzing backdrop with Havana memorabilia.

405 Espanola Way, Miami Beach havana1957.com islAnd fusion GRill | $$ Jamaican, Cuban Jamaican, Cuban, Asian and Creole flavors with seafood and vegetarian options.

4816 SW 28th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale islandfusiongrill.com

JAmAiCA KitChen | $$ Jamaican known for their extra spicy beef patties.

8736 SW 72nd St, Miami jamaicakitchen.com Joy’s Roti | $$ Trinidadian, Indian Counter serve cafe with Indian inspired Caribbean cuisine.

1205 NW 40th Ave, Lauderhill joysrotidelight.com JuAnA lA CuBAnA CAfe | $ Cuban Cuban sandwiches & dishes like ropa vieja & roast pork.

2850 SW 54th St, Fort Lauderdale juanalacubana.com JuAnA’s lAtin spoRts BAR & GRill | $$ Latin Casual Dominican, Puerto Rican & American sports bar and grill.

11602 City Hall Promenade, Miramar juanaslatinsportsbar.com

lAs olAs CAfe | $ Cuban Freshly squeezed juices and Cuban sandwiches.

644 6th St, Miami Beach lasolascafesb.com

little hAv hA vAnA | $$ vA hAvAnA Cuban Authentic Cuban Cuisine.

12727 Biscayne Blvd, North Miami littlehavanarestaurant.com

lAs veGAs CuBAn Cuisine | $$ Cuban, Latin American A dine in hot spot with 16 South Florida locations offering Cuban meals and cocktails.

2807 E Oakland Park Blvd, Ft. Lauderdale lasvegascubancuisine.com

el mAGo o de lAs fRitAs fRitA | $ Cuban Cozy spot for Cuban burgers.

5828 SW 8th St, Miami elmagodelasfritas.com

lC Roti shop | $ Indian, Vegetarian Cash-only eatery, serving Caribbean eats & housemade roti with pepper sauce.

19505 NW 2nd Ave, Miami

mAnGu CAfe RestAuRAnt | $$ Dominican Bare-bones Dominican spot serving pernil, goat stew, beer & wine.

2007 W 62nd St, Hialeah oRtAnique on the mile | $$$$ Caribbean Fusion Island flavors, local ingredients, creative cocktails, tropical-themed decor.

278 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables ortaniquerestaurants.com

pollo ollo tipiCo | $ Dominican Traditional Dominican dishes in a laid back atmosphere.

5011 SR 7, Fort Lauderdale pueRto sAGuA RestAuRAnt RAnt | $$ Cuban known for their soup and oxtail stews.

700 Collins Ave, Miami Beach sAzon CuBAn Cuisine | $ Cuban Tasty Caribbean cuisine and live weekend entertainment.

7305 Collins Ave, Miami Beach sazoncubancuisine.com shAlAmA’s hAlAl Roti shop | $ Caribbean, Indian Casual ethnic take out spot with authentic roti, curries and pepper sauce.

1432 SR 7, Margate sheiKs BAKeRy & CAfe | $ Caribbean, Indian East & West Indian food including halal meats, spices & baked goods.

154 University Dr, Pembroke Pines sheiksbakery.com

tAp tAp | $$$ Haitian Colorful interior and authentic creole cuisine.

819 5th St, Miami Beach taptapsouthbeach.com veRs veRsAilles | $$ Cuban, Latin American Serving tasty Cuban cuisine and culture for four decades. The gauge of the community’s pulse.

3555 Southwest 8th Street, Miami versaillesrestaurant.com yARumBA RestAuRAnt & lounGe | $$ Dominican Try their traditional stews or Churrasco with live music.

4740 NW 167th St, Miami Gardens yarumbarestaurant.com zest miAmi | $$$ Caribbean fusion A modern restaurant & market with creative island fare.

200 S Biscayne Blvd, Miami zestmiami.com

islandoriginsmag.com

45

entertaInment // event calendar

event

Calendar Admission: $75 - $125

3/2

4/14

info: jamaicanwomenofflorida.com

JAmAiCA ChARity GAlA

5th AnnuAl women of distinCtion AwARds

Features powerful Jamaican women speakers

wheRe: JW Marriott Marquis, Miami

BReAKfAst

Miss Universe Jamaica 2017 Davina Bennett and

Admission: $350

wheRe: BB&T Center, Sunrise

Chief Justice Hon. Zaila McCalla, Esq, as well as

info: theafj.org

Admission: $70 - $225

shopping gallery and silent auction.

Help The American Friends of Jamaica raise funds for education and healthcare charities on the island.

info: lauderhillchamber.com Honoring 10 influential Broward County women

3/24

for their professional leadership and community

pRestiGious hAitiAn musiC AwARds

5/19

contributions.

when: 5PM

hAitiAn CompAs festivAl 2018 - 20th

wheRe: Miramar Cultural Center, Miramar

AnniveRsARy

3/3 - 3/4

Admission: $55 - $175

when: 3PM to 11:30PM

CARnAvAl on the mile

info: prestigioushma.com

wheRe: Bayfront Park, Downtown Miami

wheRe: Along Miracle Mile in Downtown

A night of elegance and glamour, showcasing

Admission: $40 - $80

Coral Gables

a number of Haiti’s prominent voices while

info: eventbrite.com

Admission: $0

delivering an unforgettable show.

Among the Best in Live Music Entertainment events (Billboard Magazine), it’s the largest gathering

info: carnavalmiami.com Latin Jazz, Funk and Caribbean rhythms fill the

3/31

of Haitian music fans in the US with over 25,000

air during this weekend-long street festival in

CARiBBeAn ARt And musiC festivAl

patrons annually.

Downtown Coral Gables.

when: Noon to 10PM wheRe: Central Broward Regional Park and

3/11

5/27

Stadium, Lauderhill

Best of the Best musiC fest

CAlle oCho festivAl

Admission: $25

when: 2PM to Midnight

when: 10AM to 7PM

info: caribbeanartandmusicfestival.com

when: Bayfront Park, Miami

wheRe: Between 4th and 27th Avenues on

Cultural dance groups, masqueraders, steel

Admission: $30 - $5,000

Southwest 8th Street, Miami

bands, music performance, Caribbean cuisine,

info: bestofthebestconcert.com

Admission: $0

rum and more, supporting the Helena James

Performances in Pop, R&B, Soca, Reggae, Hip-Hop

info: carnavalmiami.com

International CAMF Scholarship.

and Caribbean music at one of the the largest International Music Festivals in North America today.

The largest Hispanic street festival in the Southeastern US, more than one million event-

4/17 - 4/19

goers celebrate Hispanic culture at this massive

miAmi hispAniCize

6/2

block party.

wheRe: JW Marriott Marquis, Miami

the tAste the islAnds expeRienCe

Admission: $50 - $795

when: 4PM - 10PM

3/17 - 3/18

info: hispanicizeevent.com

wheRe: Fort Lauderdale Historical Society,

JAzz in the GARdens

Expected to host more than 3,000 Latino

Downtown Fort Lauderdale

WHERE: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens

trendsetters and newsmakers in digital content

Admission: $95 - $125

ADMISSION: $75 - $125

creation, journalism, marketing, tech, and

info: ttiexperience.com

INFO: jazzinthegardens.com

entertainment.

Caribbean-inspired culinary event set on the riverfront, with tropical atmosphere, authentic sights

The City of Miami Gardens celebrates diversity, culture, and art through various genres of music

4/26 - 4/29

and sounds of the islands, celebrity chefs, gourmet

with world-renowned and local artists.

miAmi weB fest 2018

bites, Caribbean cocktails and fabulous people.

wheRe: Florida International University, The

3/17

Wolfsonian (South Beach)

JAmAiCAn women of floRidA women’s

Admission: $20 - $399

empoweRment ConfeRenCe & sCholARship

info: miamiwebfest.com

lunCheon

Discover the best web series and participate

when: 9AM to 4PM

in panel discussions, exclusive parties, and an

wheRe: Jungle Island, Miami

elaborate awards ceremony.

46

islandoriginsmag.com

islandoriginsmag.com

47

a fInal thought // the value of entertainment

I LET PEOPLE kNOW UPFRONT, I’M ALLERGIC TO BOREDOM. I THINk THAT’S THE SAME FOR MOST OF US TODAY, WHETHER WE REALIZE IT OR NOT. Writer CALIBE THOMPSON PhotograPhy DAvID I. MUIR

amerIca’s

current

presIdent

has

this

issue,

we’ve

celebrated

Caribbean

entertainment - singers, dancers, filmmakers, pioneers

stream of controversial, but highly engaging

in tech, and even the origins of the music itself.

antics. Usain Bolt, one of the world’s most beloved

I’m personally grateful to have come from the

sportsmen, captured our hearts with his hijinks on

world of entertainment early in my career. I’ve

the track. The list of public provocateurs is endless.

felt the connection of 5,000 pairs of eyes trained

Love them or hate them, the most memorable

directly on me, and the energy in a room when

people on earth are the entertainers.

a passionate group of creatives is united through

They’re the folks whose social media posts you

music.

feel obligated to share, and whose stories stir

That experience has made me acutely aware that

emotions in you that you never knew you had.

how I channel my ability to create and engage,

They’re the musicians whose songs get stuck in

affects the legacy I will leave behind. very rarely

your head, or the actors whose characters keep you

is it the things you’ve done quietly that people

riveted to a screen for hours or days at a time.

remember you for. History, instead, holds on to

In business, the products and brands you choose to try next, are the ones that capture your attention

48

In

monopolized public conversation with a consistent

the narrative you’ve emblazoned on collective imaginations - the way you’ve entertained.

with a jingle, mascot or catchphrase. Even the

Reality shows on television, and oversharing on

church with the pastor that keeps you awake the

social media, have made it so that our own eyeballs

longest and the liveliest choir, is the one you’ll

and cell phones seem to be recording unedited,

choose to visit week after week.

always-on reality Tv, and that we are the main

On the flip side of that, if you can’t hold your

characters in our show. Whatever your storyline,

audience’s attention, you’re on your way to

however you choose to entertain, make sure, as

obsolescence. If I lose you half way through this

Carla Hill would say, you’re proud of the legacy

article, I can probably kiss the possibility of you

you leave, with your own brand of bacchanal!

reading me again, goodbye. Please don’t goooooo!

#islandorigins.

islandoriginsmag.com Island orIgIns | magazine

•

MONEY

MARKET

MANAGEMENT

The Urban League of Broward County’s Entrepreneurship Center is designed to give small business owners the tools needed – technical training, market exposure and capital funding – to grow and develop their businesses.

Contact the Entrepreneurship Center for a free consultation at 954.584.0777 www.ulbroward.org/smallbiz

50

islandoriginsmag.com