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Majah Hype and His Majah Issues: Get to Know the Hilarious Caribbean King of Comedy

By
Calibe Thompson
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0
Caribbean King of Comedy
Photo: David I. Muir

Majah Hype — or Nigel, for those closest to him — knows he’s a big deal. Before 2020, the social media sensation’s star was on the rise. From the feisty, loveable, relatable characters he played in video sketches online to sold-out performances and his own BET Digital series, Majah Hype was riding high as the Caribbean King of Comedy. 

Then came allegations of physical abuse by his ex-fiancée and a rapid fall from grace. But Hype is proving that laughter really is the best medicine. He maintains that the allegations are false and has worked his way back into the hearts and minds of even more adoring fans. 

Here’s a bit of my conversation with the self-made star, with insight into his characters and comedy, his life off-camera and his side of the controversy.

Majah Hype, the Caribbean King of Comedy at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood Hotel and Casino
Photo: David I. Muir

A One-Man Show

“My sole purpose is to bring the culture together,” he says. “I don’t care where you’re from — you could be Jamaican, Guyanese, Trinidadian, Grenadian, St. Lucian —  my main objective is always to build the numbers in the strength of the diaspora. We’re all Caribbean. We’re all from the West Indies. So why not build up a family?

Majah Hype has just shy of two million followers across his social media channels, all looking for moments of comic relief. In Jamaican, Haitian, Trinidadian, Guyanese, Dominican, Barbadian and other spot-on Caribbean accents, he portrays a cast of characters evoking nostalgia and hysteria in anyone with a close Caribbean connection. 

“My comedy always has to be relatable, so that’s why it’s situational. I love the fact that I can make a joke about something that somebody probably went through that wasn’t funny at the time but now, watching Majah Hype, it’s hilarious. I also try to shed light on the stereotypes that we face.”

He still refuses to say exactly what his own Caribbean heritage is, even though he is known as the Caribbean King of Comedy. But as he shares the background of some of his most beloved characters, through a little deduction, we conclude that he’s got at least some Jamaican blood. 

“Di Rass [a Jamaican] is based on my father, just a no-nonsense type of guy. Mitzy was actually a mixture of my experiences going to beauty salons and from my kids’ mothers. I think that life in general is an influence. The first two characters that I’ve ever created were Grandpa James and Di Rass and I really had to look at the characteristics that would make them have longevity and be relatable.”

  • Majah Hype and His Majah Issues: Get to Know the Hilarious Caribbean King of Comedy
    Grandpa James
  • Majah Hype and His Majah Issues: Get to Know the Hilarious Caribbean King of Comedy
    Mitzy
  • Majah Hype and His Majah Issues: Get to Know the Hilarious Caribbean King of Comedy
    Di Rass

Because no one knows his heritage for sure, every Caribbean community claims him. 

“I’ve traveled to four different countries where they’ve all said, ‘Welcome home’ without even looking at my passport. It’s a beautiful feeling to be accepted by so many people. That means I’m doing a good job of representing these cultures. And I’ve never had someone feel like I’m disrespecting their culture.”

The accents he’s given his characters are the ones he grew up around in the homes of friends and family. I ask about his process for perfecting an accent. He says it’s the same research you’d do for any job.

“You always go to the source. One of my neighbors is Bajan, so I picked up certain strategic parts of the accent. But now and again, I have to listen to Bajan music, watch Bajan interviews. You have to pick up the mannerisms in the tone difference between city and country… uptown and downtown. I want everybody to be able to relate to my videos.”

Majah Hype, the Caribbean King of Comedy
Photo: David I. Muir

His acting is all self-taught, and his production outfit consists of himself, a mic stand and his cell phone.

“There’s no multi-camera, it’s one camera. I don’t have a script, I just have a scenario. I actually do each character by themself first. For example, if I’m doing Grandpa James and Di Rass, I will do every line that Grandpa James has to do and then I’ll change the frame, change the angle of the camera and I will do every line in response that Di Rass says. I do the edits myself as well.”

Regarding whether he prefers making videos or interacting with a live audience —

“It’s the best of both worlds. I get to be creative in my own space and see the reactions of the people through their comments. But the ultimate goal is to go on stage. I love to interact with my fans. I love to hear how I helped them through situations or how my videos saved their lives. To actually hear those stories is more gratification to me than money. Those are the things that make me feel good about my job.” 

His connection with his fans propelled him to produce his own show on BET Digital and led to performance opportunities alongside A-list comedians. 

“A lot of people don’t know this but I’m with the Gersh agency — the same agent as Dave Chappelle, Jamie Foxx and a host of other comedians. I’ve done shows with Mike Epps, Michael Blackson, Tony Woods, Guy Torry, Marlon Wayans. I’ve stood up amongst the best and held it down for my culture.”

When I saw him live, it was at the Hard Rock’s Guitar Hotel in Hollywood, Florida. 

“[Performing at the Hard Rock] is a great accomplishment for us — not just me, but for us because it’s opening doors for other people to walk through. I’ve done The Wilbur in Boston, Howard Theatre and The Comedy Store, which is one of the most historic comedy venues. We’ve been breaking barriers in Caribbean culture and Caribbean comedy.”

Behind the Hype

His self-made bonafides go beyond the digital realm too. Rather than accept cut-rate offers made by some promoters as he was gaining popularity, he invested in his own live performances, booking his 2018 “Are You Dumb?” tour and 2021’s “Majah Issues” tour.

Majah Hype, the Caribbean King of Comedy at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood Hotel and Casino
Photo: David I. Muir

“We work for ourselves. We don’t wait on a promoter to try to downplay our worth and our value. There’ve been so many times when I’ve told my price and they’ll say, “But I could get such and such for five bills yuh know. I could get such and such a $1,500 you know. Well then go for them! You’re not going to devalue me.”

“For me, I just build my own revenue by investing in me, because to be honest with you, if I did sit down and wait on a promoter, I’d probably be broke right now.”

I ask about the origins of his comedic aspirations. Did he always have dreams of becoming a comedian?

“Absolutely not,” he says. “Growing up I was always the one who was joking and had the room laughing, but it was never what I wanted to do… I was laid off as an electrician and I just started doing the videos because it was just something to pass the time and have fun with. But then it just started to work, the audience started to grow. And when they called me back to work I took the leap of faith and continued in comedy.” 

Majah Issues

It hasn’t always been smiles for Hype. In 2020, his then-fiancée made a series of allegations that he had physically and mentally abused her. He responded by sharing intimate details about their relationship, pointing to the support of his other exes and exposing a pattern of behavior that brought her motives into question. 

He stopped talking about it for a while. Then he ventured out on the Majah Issues tour, ready to address the controversy head-on.

“Who can joke about you more than yourself? They’re serious allegations, but I know the truth and whoever was in my corner from day one, remained in my corner. When the first allegation came out, I didn’t respond to it because I knew that it was foolishness and I knew that it was preying on people’s sensitivity. Then there was a second video of allegations about things that anybody who knows me or my character knows I don’t stand for.

I don’t regret responding, but now I wouldn’t have responded the way I did. I was in a dark place, I was in a place of hurt, I was in a place of betrayal. I genuinely loved that person, but I don’t think that was the same interest from the other party… You don’t try to destroy somebody that you love. She had love from Nigel, not just Majah Hype.”

As far as the lessons he learned —

“I don’t think God makes any mistakes. It showed me that I still know how to love and that was the lesson, that you can love through absolutely anything. I won’t go into anything blindly, without knowing goals or intentions. I was humiliated, I was embarrassed, my kids went through traumatizing situations, but perseverance is everything and I’m in a much better place now.”

As he moves forward, he’s gained insight and perspective to share.

“Always invest in yourself. And stay positive. We have to look past those toxicities we know are familiar. We have to lift each other, love each other and support each other. That will be the thing that will better our future and our kids’ future.”

As his star once again rises, Hype is staying on the ball with multiple plans and projects ahead. 

“[I’ve gotten into] real estate, I’m going to be filming a movie with Ky-Mani Marley and I’m also creating a Black-owned business directory called For Us 360.”

You can follow Majah Hype across social media channels @majahhype. 

The Powerful Legacy and Lessons of Colin Powell’s Life

By
Dr. Kimberley D. McKinson
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In his 1995 autobiography, “My American Journey,” Colin Powell recalls a near-death experience in Jamaica during his visit there three years earlier while representing the United States as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Flying in a Jamaica Defence Force helicopter, Powell heard a sudden, sharp crack. The helicopter’s transmission had seized. As a former soldier who had survived a helicopter crash during his tour in Vietnam, he knew well what would happen if the aircraft that carried him and his wife Alma failed ― plummeting them into the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea below. 

The Legacy and Lessons of Colin Powell's Life - helicopter crash
In November 1968, during his second Vietnam tour, Powell survived a helicopter crash and pulled others to safety. (Courtesy Colin Powell)

Reflecting later on their swift rescue by Jamaican pilots, Powell could not help but marvel at the irony of the moment. “What had been the land of my folks’ birth,” he wrote, “had nearly become the site of their son’s death.” 

Powell was thousands of miles away from Jamaica when he passed away from COVID-19 complications on October 18, 2021, at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Yet the land of his family’s birth shaped so much of the man he became: the four-star general who made history as the first Black national security advisor, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and secretary of state. As an unyielding public servant dedicated to fortifying a more perfect union, he will forever be remembered not only as a great American but also as an embodiment of the Caribbean-American ideal.

An American Dream in the South Bronx 

So much of Colin Powell’s journey represents the hopes of American immigrants for their children. Perhaps Jamaican immigrants Luther and Maud Ariel Powell had lofty wishes for their son when he was born on April 5, 1937, in Harlem, New York. They were among the earliest waves of West Indian migrants ― the proverbial “tired and poor, those huddled masses” that came to this country in search of a better life. But the America Powell met at his birth was in turmoil. The country was still recovering from the Great Depression, and would soon be plunged into the fog of World War II. 

The Legacy and Lessons of Colin Powell's Life - four-star general Powell
Colin Powell shortly after his rise in ranks to four-star general. [Public Domain]

Yet in his memoir, Powell remembers his early years living in the South Bronx defined not by darkness, but by light ― bathed in the warmth of his close-knit West Indian community. In true Caribbean fashion, Powell recalls being simultaneously scolded and fussed over by matriarchs “who set the standards, whipped the kids into shape, and pushed them ahead.” He remembers watching his father, a shipping clerk who first came to America on a banana boat, toil “to become something more than he had been, and to give his children a better start than he had known.” These experiences, both mundane and extraordinary, taught him that success came only through hard work and personal sacrifice. 

“Education, personal achievement, respect, [and a] God fearing” nature were vitally pressed in Powell’s home, says Jamaican-born scholar Dr. Basil Bryan, who grew acquainted with Powell while serving as Jamaica’s consul general in New York and deputy ambassador in Washington D.C. The enduring lessons learned from this West Indian community helped Powell forge his own work ethic and moral compass, which the U.S. military would put to the test.

The Birth of a Leader

In his memoir, Powell remembers feeling transformed when he first donned the simple olive-and-brown uniform of City College’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. Back then, his uniform was bare and unadorned, devoid of the insignia which would later symbolize his distinguished career. 

The military has long given first-generation Americans a way to claim their nationhood, display their patriotism and find rare opportunities for advancement. This proved true for Powell, even when forced to swallow the bitter medicine of playing “the good Negro” in the newly desegregated U.S. military. Powell managed to find a sense of belonging within the institution and cleaved to its structure and discipline while serving two tours in the Vietnam War.

  • The Powerful Legacy and Lessons of Colin Powell's Life
    Colin Powell with Ambassador Sue M. Cobb. (Courtesy of Cobb Family Foundation Inc.)
  • The Powerful Legacy and Lessons of Colin Powell's Life
    A young Colin Powell with his Jamaican father,
    Luther, in New York. (Courtesy Colin Powell)
The Powerful Legacy and Lessons of Colin Powell's Life
Colin Powell with new bride Alma (left) and Jamaican parents Luther and Maud. (Courtesy Colin Powell)

His star would rise quickly as a leader in the military and later at the State Department. Sue M. Cobb, former U.S. ambassador to Jamaica during the George W. Bush administration, notes that Powell was “one of the kindest, most thoughtful, careful, and loyal leaders and friends” she had ever known. Pamela E. Bridgewater, former U.S. ambassador to Jamaica during the Barack Obama administration, shares this sentiment. “He wanted people to be the very best that they could be,” says Bridgewater. And though he “demand[ed] excellence, he helped others reach that level if they hadn’t gotten it.” 

The Legacy and Lessons of Colin Powell's Life - Powell with Barack Obama
Secretary of State Powell with President Barack Obama. [Public Domain]

Bridgewater continues to hold dear a Powell mantra: “take care of the troops and the troops will take care of you.” This human-centric approach to military leadership provided the foundation for what would become known as the Powell Doctrine: a set of criteria dictating the use of force abroad, predicated on the protection of U.S. strategic interests, a clear plan for winning, a set exit strategy and wide public support. In summary, war should be decisive, but only as the last resort. These principles helped him guide America through the 1991 Gulf War ― a conflict defined by calculated military intervention and international support.

Litmus Test

Powell’s record made him a rare breed among an increasingly partisan nation. Serving both Republican and Democratic presidents, he became a Washington figure respected by politicians on both sides of a thorny aisle. Still, any honest interrogation of Colin Powell’s life must contend with a singular, uncomfortable truth: Powell may have been a high-ranking military and political leader, but he could not overcome America’s imperialistic ambitions. In the name of this country, he ultimately played a part in decimating the lives of many peoples of color abroad. 

  • The Powerful Legacy and Lessons of Colin Powell's Life
    Powell sits with Ronald Reagan circa 1980s. [Public Domain]
  • The Powerful Legacy and Lessons of Colin Powell's Life
    A young Colin Powell meets with Richard Nixon. [Public Domain]

Powell was accused of whitewashing his 1968 investigations into the Mỹ Lai massacre of unarmed South Vietnamese civilians by U.S. troops. And in 1989, during the U.S. invasion of Panama to overthrow dictator and former CIA ally Manuel Noriega, Powell, as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, oversaw the bombing of impoverished communities like Panama City’s El Chorrillo, a neighborhood first populated by Caribbean migrants who came to work on the Panama Canal. One of Powell’s most enduring legacies will be his role in the Iraq War while serving as secretary of state. History will remember how he contradicted his own doctrine when he advocated for invasion before the United Nations Security Council in 2003.

The America he represented that year, however, differed dramatically from the nation that launched the measured military operations of the 1991 Gulf War. This was America post-9/11 — scared and fearful of unseen enemies seemingly emerging everywhere. Internally, Powell’s advocacy for a more calculated response could not deter a presidency primed for war. Instead, taking advantage of Powell’s staunch reputation, the administration intentionally selected him to sell the Iraq War to the world, using erroneous evidence that ignored marked objections among America’s own intelligence community. He would later describe that event as one of his most momentous failures. 

The Legacy and Lessons of Colin Powell's Life - Powell, President George W. Bush and Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State Powell, President George W. Bush and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice prepare for an international meeting in 2001. (Photo: Smith Collection/Gado)

Through it all, Powell’s ethos, successes and defeats serve as inspiration for the next generation of Caribbean-American leaders. These future luminaries must confront systemic racism, climate change and gender inequality. To their great benefit, they will have the indomitable legacy that Powell left behind, proof that people of West Indian descent belong comfortably among the leadership of the highest offices on the world stage.

Powell invested his hopes into this next generation when he founded the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at his alma mater, City College of New York (CCNY). The nonpartisan institute is dedicated to nurturing more minority voices in shaping American policy ― ensuring the future of the nation need not depend on one great man. It will be left in the hands of prepared and capable people.  

Superfoods You Can Incorporate Into Your Diet

By
Emma Radebaugh
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Superfoods You Can Incorporate Into Your Diet

Everyone’s heard of superfoods by now. Some foods just pack a stronger punch than others! On the islands, you probably already have some coconut in your diet. Why not branch out and try some other foods? Check out some superfoods you can incorporate into your diet today.

Yogurt

Loaded with probiotics, a serving of yogurt every day will keep your gut healthy. Plain yogurt is also a perfect base for a superfood parfait—throw in a handful of blueberries and a sprinkling of chia seeds. Fermented products like yogurt, kombucha, and even sauerkraut are great for your gut.

Tomatoes

Talk about an easy superfood to slip into your diet! Tomatoes are crisp, delicious, acidic—and loaded with vitamin C. You’ll also find plenty of lycopene, which may help prevent some kinds of cancer. Cook tomatoes into a sauce or stew to draw out that lycopene.

Wagyu Beef

It may seem counterintuitive, but some kinds of red meat are massively beneficial for your health. Even though Wagyu beef has that extra fat content, it’s all monounsaturated, so it won’t clog your arteries. It’s also packed with iron and other essential minerals! If you’re not a big red meat eater, or if you’re transitioning away from a vegetarian lifestyle, eat smaller portions of only the finest cuts of meat. Incorporating beef back into your diet can greatly benefit your health.

Superfoods You Can Incorporate Into Your Diet

Seafood

Living an island life, you’re surrounded on all sides by the sea. Let it work for you! Pick up some fresh fish from the market (or catch it yourself). Fish are particularly high in omega-3 fatty acids and healthy oils that help prevent heart disease.

Garlic

Human beings have known for centuries that there’s something special about garlic. People used wreaths of garlic and its blossoms to ward off the evil eye (not to mention vampires!). In actuality, garlic has antibacterial qualities and can help ward off high blood pressure. Don’t be afraid to be generous when using garlic in your cooking!

It can be super easy—and super delicious—to get superfoods on your plate. Think beyond the traditional nuts and berries as you amp up your meals. Let this list of superfoods you can incorporate into your diet inspire you next time you’re at the grocery store.

The Work of World-Renowned Fine Artist Joel Gresham Set for January Showing at Island SPACE Caribbean Museum

By
admin
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Joel Gresham Artwork for Island SPACE

Plantation, Fla. (January 3, 2022): Heralding the new year with a bold step into the world of fine art, Island SPACE Caribbean Museum will kick off its 2022 calendar with a one-man show by world-renowned fine artist Joel Gresham. Joel Gresham: Life as a Canvas will run from January 15th through March 13th, with an opening reception on January 15th from 6 to 9p.m. The collection of Gresham’s work spans the decades of his 42-year career. 

The energy and contained movement of figures pictured in his work are a direct link to his Caribbean heritage and a contagious beat of the region’s artistic and musical traditions. “As an expressionist, I am moved emotionally through a creative process of the way I see the world… allowing me to use my imagination to experiment on this canvas we call earth,” said Gresham.

With a fine art education from Atlanta, Georgia, his work has brought him significant acclaim over the years. Gresham’s pieces can be found in public and private collections, including those of Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones and the late Muhammad Ali. His personal roots include connections to Jamaica and Haiti, as well as time spent living in Jamaica and Cuba.

“Joel Gresham’s voluptuous human figures, with their vivid movement, vibrancy, obscured faces and distinctive dispositions are an emotionally charged joy to behold,” said Island SPACE co-founder Calibe Thompson. “Each image is intrinsically Caribbean, conjuring the imagination. The collection, which also includes pop art and abstract pieces, offers a perfect start to our upcoming ‘Year of the Caribbean Story.’ We look forward to art-lovers across the spectrum visiting to enjoy it.”

World-Renowned Fine Artist Joel Gresham Set for January Showing at Island SPACE Caribbean Museum

Access to the gallery is included with general museum entry. Visit islandspacefl.org to learn about this and other activities and exhibitions at Island SPACE Caribbean Museum.

Island SPACE Caribbean Museum is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 11:00a.m. through 7:00p.m. and Sundays from 11:00a.m. to 6:00 p.m. General entry fees are $10 per adult and $5 per child. Donations, sponsorships, memberships and volunteer commitments are encouraged. 

Island SPACE is supported in part by Florida Power & Light Company, Grace Foods, Westfield Broward Mall, the Broward County Cultural Division, Florida Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, and the following Funds at the Community Foundation of Broward: Helen and Frank Stoykov Charitable Endowment Fund, David and Francie Horvitz Family Fund, Ann Adams Fund, Mary and Alex Mackenzie Community Impact Fund, Blockbuster Entertainment Unrestricted Fund, Robert E. Dooley Unrestricted Fund for Broward, Harold D. Franks Fund, and Jan Moran Unrestricted Fund. 

Island Society for the Promotion of Artistic and Cultural Education (Island SPACE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of arts, culture, history, and educational initiatives that represent the Caribbean region, in South Florida and the broader diaspora community. 

About the Community Foundation of Broward

Founded in 1984, the Community Foundation of Broward helps families, individuals and corporations create personalized charitable Funds that deliver game-changing philanthropic impact. 473 charitable Funds represent more than $212 million in assets, distributing $119 million in grants over the past 35 years. The Community Foundation provides bold leadership on community solutions and fosters philanthropy that connects people who care with causes that matter. The Foundation empowers visionaries, innovators and doers to create the change they want to see in the community – and to BE BOLD. www.cfbroward.org

Remodeling Made Simple: Tips for Making a Kitchen Reno Easy

By
Emma Radebaugh
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Remodeling Made Simple: Tips for Making a Kitchen Reno Easy

Maybe you just bought a fixer-upper with a dated kitchen, or perhaps you want to spruce up the cooking environment in your home. Regardless, you may want to shop for new appliances, browse backsplashes, and order new cabinets—and that’s just the start. A remodel can feel overwhelming at times. But with a couple of tips for making a kitchen reno easy, you can smooth out the time-consuming process.

Discover Your Decorating Taste

Remodeling Made Simple: Tips for Making a Kitchen Reno Easy

If this is your first time personalizing a kitchen, you finally get to explore your decorating preferences. So take the time you need to browse the following:

  • Cabinet options: Do you like white wood, dark wood, or a mid-tone?
  • Backsplashes: Do you want a decorative backsplash or something plain?
  • Counter types: Do you prefer granite, quartz, or another material?

When it comes to kitchen counters, you should also decide whether you’d prefer the look of a peninsula or island since this could impact the overall layout. Depending on the shape of your kitchen, you may want to replace a peninsula with an island for added space or vice versa.

Keep Appliance Shopping Simple

Buying new appliances is sometimes easier said than done because your options are nearly endless. And sometimes, it’s easy to become caught up in all the upgrades. After all, companies make products like smart refrigerators that you can connect to with your phone to ease grocery shopping. The question is, what do you need and where should you spend the most money?

As you shop around, you should keep your priorities in mind to lessen the risk of a stressful experience. For instance, you could investigate the difference between range tops and cooktops to narrow your options. Finding the best appliance comes down to your needs, cooking habits, and kitchen space since you don’t want anything looking bulky or out of place.

Remodeling Made Simple: Tips for Making a Kitchen Reno Easy

Get an Expert’s Help

If you have a hard time knowing what colors pair best or how to go about revamping your kitchen, hire an interior designer. With an expert’s eye, you’ll have a picture-perfect kitchen that you love cooking in. Not only will this tip for making a kitchen reno easy help narrow your options, but it can also help you explore avenues you may not have otherwise considered.

Pro-Tip

Hiring an interior designer doesn’t fit into everyone’s budget, and that’s perfectly fine. Check out kitchen designs online to see what seems popular. For example, White cabinets and blue accents are common in coastal areas, but that doesn’t mean you must follow this trend. Buy what you like best. By searching out decorating inspiration, you also make it easier to find the best accent pieces to make the kitchen fit into your beautiful home.

3 Simple Methods To Organize Your Kitchen

By
Emma Radebaugh
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3 Simple Methods To Organize Your Kitchen

Great food is the gateway to connection and conversation within the household. The kitchen is the perfect setting for whipping up a delicious Caribbean dish for the whole family. However, a sloppy cooking environment makes the entire preparation process much more difficult and stressful. Don’t let a mess hold you back by using these three simple methods to organize your kitchen.

Keep Counter Tops Clear

Keeping your surfaces clear of food, appliances, and dishes not only makes a kitchen more organized but also enhances the room’s visual appeal. If your cabinet space permits it, store your toaster, blender, or any other cooking device off the counter. Make sure your appliances are easily accessible for regular use.

3 Simple Methods To Organize Your Kitchen

Don’t put your fresh produce in a bowl and instead save space with hanging baskets. They keep your fruits and veggies within arm’s reach and add style to your kitchen. Hooks are great for hanging pots, pans, and large utensils.

Divvy Up the Drawers

Without proper organization, drawers quickly become messy and even hazardous. A simple fix is placing dividers in each drawer that accommodate utensils of all sizes. Many divider products have quality materials and elegant, subtle designs. Keep silverware separate from your more oversized items like spatulas and knives. Alternatively, a knife block can allow for more drawer space and makes injury less likely when reaching for a blade.

Focus on the Pantry

Anyone who’s ever had a pantry knows how disorganized they get over time. Since most of your food comes from the pantry, don’t waste time searching for an item in the middle of cooking. Instead, regularly reorganize to ensure order and functionality about once a month.

3 Simple Methods To Organize Your Kitchen

Keep your different food items clearly grouped and separated. For smaller items, such as spices, consider a hanging spice rack that rests on the back of the pantry drawer. Proper spice organization allows for more accessibility and helps them last longer.

Use these three simple methods to organize your kitchen and maximize your cooking abilities. The art of food preparation demands attention to detail and timeliness, so don’t let clutter slow you down.

3 Delicious Winter Comfort Foods from the Islands

By
Hannah Gulics
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0

When the temperature falls, traditional Caribbean winter comfort foods come to the table. From drinks to entrees, these recipes are perfect for your winter island-inspired meals alone or with friends and family.

Latin Coquito

This spiked dessert drink is famous in Puerto Rico for its creamy rum and coconut flavors making it perfect for our winter comfort foods list. For those who are vegan, try this dairy free version instead!

Delicious Winter Comfort Foods - Latin Coquito

What you need:

  • ½ can of coconut milk, about 7 ounces
  • 5 ounces evaporated milk
  • 2 ounces sweetened condensed milk, or to taste
  • 5 ounces white rum
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼  teaspoon nutmeg
  • cinnamon stick, to garnish

What to do:

  1. Gather all ingredients except the cinnamon stick, place into a large blender and blend for about two minutes or until all ingredients are incorporated and the mixture is slightly frothy.
  2. Pour the mixture into an airtight container or mason jar and refrigerate until cold.
  3. Before serving, shake well to make sure the settled spices are incorporated.
  4. Serve the coquito in short glasses with sprinkled cinnamon and cinnamon sticks. Enjoy!

Jamaican Escovitch Red Snapper

This dish is tangy from vinegar and spicy from Scotch bonnet pepper flavors that will delight as an appetizer or main course. Winter comfort foods with a healthy serving of spice will always make our list.

What you need:

  • 4 medium fresh red snapper, scaled
  • lemon juice, to clean
  • 1 Scotch bonnet pepper
  • 12 pimento seeds
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded
  • 1 carrot, grated
  • ½ cup rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt
  • cracked black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • vegetable oil, for cooking
Delicious Winter Comfort Foods - Jamaican Escovitch Red Snapper

What to do: 

  1. Rinse the red snapper in water and lemon juice. Cut three to four diagonal lines across the sides of each fish to absorb the seasoning.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, paprika, sea salt and black pepper. Season the fish using this mixture.
  3. Add vegetable oil, pimento seeds and ½ of the Scotch bonnet pepper to a pan set on medium heat. When oil is hot, add the fish. Fry for five minutes on each side until brown and crispy.
  4. Once cooked through, remove from heat and place on a paper towel to absorb the oil.
  5. In a separate pan, heat ½ cup of vegetable oil on medium heat.
  6. Cut bell peppers into strips, add them to the pan and stir. Add the sliced onion, grated carrot and the other half of the Scotch bonnet pepper with seeds and saute. 
  7. After about five minutes, add the rice wine vinegar and cook for another five minutes. 
  8. Add the sauteed vegetables on top of the fish and serve.

Trinidadian Pastelles

These classic snacks are meat-stuffed, savory cornmeal pies prepared in banana leaves. Winter comfort foods that are also fun to unwrap? Sign us up!

Delicious Winter Comfort Foods - Trinidadian Pastelles

What you need:

  • store-bought banana leaves
  • strings, to tie

For the filling:

  • 1 pound lean minced beef or lamb
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 2 shallots, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • 1 teaspoon rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper 
  • ½ stalk celery, chopped
  • ½ cup olives, pitted and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon capers 
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika

For the dough:

  • 2 cups corn flour 
  • 3 cups hot water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or coconut oil

What to do:

  1. Add the meat to a pan on medium heat and saute until browned. Add the seasonings and stir until combined and the meat is brown and cooked through. Remove the filling from the heat and set aside to cool.
  2. To make the dough, combine the corn flour with the hot water, salt and sugar and knead until pliable. Divide into a dozen small dough balls.
  3. Dip one of the dough balls in the olive oil and flatten it out into a rectangle on top of a piece of banana leaf. 
  4. Add about three tablespoons of filling to the center of the flattened dough and fold over to gently seal the sides. Fold the leaf around the pastelle to seal and tie it shut with a piece of string.
  5. Boil in a pot of hot water for 18 to 20 minutes. Drain the water, unwrap and serve hot.

Get to Know Bahamian Law Trailblazer Yolanda Cash Jackson

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Photo: David I. Muir

The Bahamas | Lobbyist at Florida State Capitol and Attorney at Becker & Poliakoff

“Treat yourself as a professional who happens to be a minority rather than a minority who happens to be a professional.” Yolanda Cash Jackson

A member of national legal firm Becker & Poliakoff’s management committee, Yolanda Cash Jackson works with policy-makers as an attorney and lobbyist in South Florida and at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee. The Bahamian-American will chair the Miami-Dade Beacon Council starting in 2022, is a co-founder of the National Black Lobbyist Association, has been a member of numerous prestigious boards and has multiple awards and recognitions for her work.

Based on her direct efforts, Florida became the first state to honor an African-American woman — civil rights leader and educator, Mary McLeod Bethune — in the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall. In 2020, Yolanda Cash Jackson created the HBCU Pathway to Law fund — the University of Florida law school’s largest endowed fund — to grant full scholarships to at least five HBCU graduates annually.

Yolanda Cash Jackson gravitated to law because:

I wanted to be in a field where I could affect change and be my own boss at the same time. 

Some of the biggest challenges faced:

The “isms,” whether it be race or sex or fear or stereotypes. Going into this field, that was challenging at first. I think also challenging is the imposter syndrome. Coming from being the first in my family to attend law school, graduate from law school and then to work at the oldest firm in Florida as the first African-American female, imposter syndrome was real. 

What was your first job and how did you rise in the ranks?

My first job was a gift wrapper at Jordan Marsh and I was also on The Jordan Marsh team board in 1973. 

What is your greatest career strength? 

Knowing how to connect the dots, which in my business of intersectionality between government, law and community is absolutely necessary. We have a very diverse community and you need to understand how different communities interact with government, lobbyists, advocates and even elected officials. It’s important to be culturally competent to be able to connect the right people at the right place at the right time. 

Law Trailblazer Yolanda Cash Jackson
Photo: David I. Muir

What would you like to see change within the Caribbean or the diaspora? 

I am my family’s historian. I’ve spent probably the last 15 years on and off reconnecting with the family that left the Caribbean in the early 1900s. That has to change. We cannot lose the very thing that drove our ancestors to come to this country. The pride, the culture, the moral fiber, the strength, the history. We cannot allow that to be diminished, it is so important to the continued success of what they came for in the first place and that was to build a better life to provide opportunity that they didn’t have in the islands.

What does the word family mean to you?

It’s my support system, my source of pride and strength. It’s my understanding of who I am. Particularly COVID, we got even closer to family. In my travels, I have met with cousins from all the way from California to Canada. So, family has completed a circle that I never ever thought would be complete. 

What is your favorite Caribbean tradition? 

Junkanoo

What is your favorite traditional childhood meal from your home country? 

The meal that my grandmother used to prepare like every Friday: stewed conch with pigeon peas and rice. My second favorite is boiled fish, grits and Johnny cake. 

What was your upbringing like and how has that influenced who you are today? 

I did not realize until I got older the influence of the Bahamian culture on my upbringing. Family was very, very important. I am still very family-oriented. I’m the one who cooks on Sunday, my weekends are built around church. 

What would people you know find surprising about you? 

I would say that I really enjoy cooking and I can cook. 

Advice for the next generation?

Be true to yourself. 

A Q&A With Juliet Roulhac of Florida Power & Light Company

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Jamaica | External Affairs Director at Florida Power & Light Company (FPL)

“There is no right way to do a wrong thing.” Juliet’s father, Ramon Murphy

An attorney by trade, Jamaican-American Juliet Roulhac of Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) is the conduit between the behemoth organization and the South Florida community. In her position as external affairs director at the largest energy company in the United States, she acts as a liaison, managing relationships between officials, local organizations and the communities they serve to develop better strategies for FPL. Caribbean organizations aided by her efforts include the Caribbean Bar Association, Jamaican Women of Florida and Island SPACE Caribbean Museum — where FPL is the title sponsor for the Music Exhibit. 

Juliet Roulhac was also the first woman of color gubernatorial appointee on the prestigious Board of Trustees at her alma mater, the University of Florida. 

What inspired your interest to get involved with external affairs at the corporate level?

I wanted to volunteer in a way that helped make a difference in people’s lives. This desire to give back in a meaningful way came to me early in my career when I first practiced as a lawyer. So, I sought to build relationships and participate in organizations where I could network and give back. In my role as External Affairs Director at Florida Power & Light Company, I am empowered to work together with the communities we serve to help make them a better place to live, work and raise a family. 

I’m able to identify organizations that FPL can support, collaborate and align with, to give back to our communities. Some of the organizations we’ve had the pleasure of supporting over the years include the Caribbean Bar Association, Jamaican Women of Florida and many Caribbean festivals. 

What are some challenges you have faced and how have you overcome those?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve experienced is being authentically kind and sometimes, when I show up that way, it can be perceived as a weakness. For me to overcome this challenge, I had to find a balance. It was important for me to speak up in a way that showed I can be a leader and understand there are times when you have to be a risk taker. I discovered you can be authentically kind and be a leader, take the risks you need to obtain success. What at some point I may have considered a challenge is in fact a strength. 

What is your greatest career strength?

I would say kindness is my biggest strength. It’s important to build people up. It’s important for me to build up my team and those I work with. Giving feedback is also important. It may be tough at times, but you need to share feedback and look for ways to do it in a positive way. 

What is one piece of advice you would pass on to the next generation?

My piece of advice for future generations is to ask for what you want and make it work. It’s important that people not be shy whether it’s asking for a resource, a job opportunity – ask for what you want. Take situations head on and do the best with what you have. 

What does the word “family” mean to you?

Family means everything to me. I am very much a family person and my family is not only immediate family. In Jamaica, your parents’ friends are your aunts and uncles. Family is all about love and support and everybody needs both. 

Juliet Roulhac of Florida Power & Light Company
Photo: David I. Muir

What are you most grateful for in your life?

I am most grateful for my belief in God. I am grateful for being a Christian and I appreciate my blessings thanks to my faith. I believe God pulls and pushes me through.

Who was the most influential or inspiring person in your life and why?

Dorothy Pine-McClarty. She was one of my parents’ very best friends and the first female partner in the largest law firm on the island in Jamaica. Jamaica is a very patriarchal society, when I was a young girl, you didn’t see women in powerful positions. Dorothy was a unicorn! 

What is your favorite Caribbean tradition?

The holidays! There are certain food traditions, especially over Christmas, that are very special like Jamaican pudding (cake with fruit and rum) and sorrel. It is a beautiful deep red color, a delicious Christmas drink! It definitely reminds me of the holidays and of home. 

What was your upbringing like and how has that influenced who you are today?

I had a very strict upbringing and was raised with very strong family values, where faith was at the center of our lives. When I left for college, I was very protected and naïve to some extent, but I had a great foundation. Those values carried me into being successful in college – the work came first for me. 

My father also always used to say you had to find at least one good thing about people. I can think back to the first time I had a conversation with a homeless woman. She had a very compelling story and I listened, intently, never looking down at her but rather listening as an equal. You find very often that people are looked over, dismissed. Everyone should be offered the opportunity.

Urban League (Broward) Master of Small Business Development, J.R. McFarling

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Jamaica | Small Business Development Officer at Urban League of Broward County

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” African proverb

J.R. McFarling helps Urban League of Broward County’s entrepreneurship clients navigate roadblocks and implement programs they can leverage to build their legacy. Though the organization advances lives through education, business services, community development, justice, housing and healthcare, McFarling’s focus is on minority small businesses. With a 15-year history in business development, McFarling has found that his work at the ULBC marries his skillset with his strong desire to impact the community. 

Hailing from Spurtree in Manchester, Jamaica by way of Boston, Massachusetts, he admires the grit of the Jamaican people each time he visits the land of his birth. He relies on the internal compass — calibrated by those humble beginnings, his parents’ voices and an innate mental determination — to steer his actions, mindset and motivations. He also still loves to engage his talents as a former DJ when the opportunity arises.   

Here’s a little from Caribbean trailblazer J.R. McFarling on his induction into the business world, his current work with the Urban League of Broward County and more.

What inspired your interest to get involved in business development?  

I think a big part of my inspiration stems from my origins because I choose to keep fresh what my starting point was- Jamaican born from Spurtree, Manchester Parish. We lived in a home that had (at the time) four generations and it was busy and hectic. Fortunately, we had a small community that would always pitch in to help each other.    

After migrating to America young and having to scratch and claw for everything, my youthful days were a motivator. Growing up in Mattapan (Boston), Ma and being in the public school system didn’t afford us great opportunities, but I personally didn’t let that set my watermark. Instilled in me by my parents and grandparents was pride, determination, hard work and perseverance.  

To this day I reflect back on my childhood and even the struggles my ancestors had before me. Life was hard, but we had love. When I go home it’s always a nostalgic moment. As I grew older, visiting my birthplace continues to reveal the grit of our people and their desire for better. Ultimately, this motivates me to help where I can. In my current role at the Urban League of Broward County, I have an opportunity every day to give back, and I do so proudly.   

What do you consider your greatest accomplishments or contributions?

I believe every day is an opportunity where I can uplift and encourage business owners and entrepreneurs. Reminding them that “all things are possible” and assuring them that they are on the cusp of doing great things has to be part of what we communicate.  While the odds may seem to be stacked against some, I tell them not to lose sight of their goals or hopes. This is the greatest daily accomplishment and what I love the most as I serve in my community.  

This passion and tenacity are embedded in me and some of my high school journey epitomize this drive and passion to “never let someone set your watermark.” I can recall my high school football coach, who was also a guidance counselor, telling me that I would never play D1 football as I wasn’t big enough. That motivated me like nothing else. 

I proved to him that his opinion didn’t matter and I incorporated weight lifting and a better diet into my regimen. Upon returning to school in the fall of my junior year they saw a different person. Soon after, they were pleading with me to switch positions and play multiple roles on offense and defense.  

When challenged, I stood up, earning a football scholarship and proudly played at a D1-AA school (Northeastern University). This story is what helps me to look at others, see their pain points and believe in them. The goal will always be to help them look past their current situation and focus on the goal which leads to the prize.   

What are some challenges you have faced and how have you overcome those?

Having spent 15+ years working in business development has been very fulfilling. So when my wife and I relocated from Boston to South Florida. finding another job equally fulfilling was difficult to track down.  

While working at other organizations down here, business development remained my passion. Initially the light was flickering on whether I could secure a role that allowed me to “give back” (so to speak) yet again. I stayed sharp, worked hard and believed that my gifts would not be waisted.  

I’m grateful to the Urban League of Broward County for their decision to hire me where my skill set would be properly utilized and where I would make an impact in the community with each and every person I interact with. In this line of work, resources are always needed. But with great leadership, we are able to navigate roadblocks and implement programs our client base can leverage to build and grow their legacy.  

What was your first job and how did you rise in the ranks?

My very first job was an elementary school-aged snow removal expert. Yup, shoveling snow for my neighbors was a great way to earn pocket money and at the same time see the smiles on their face.  

In Boston we get a lot of snow and, for me, I was always looking to capitalize on that. This little Jamaican kid up north doing something many [other Jamaicans] have never seen, let alone played in. That experience was fulfilling and what being a youth was all about. Without realizing it, I was giving back to the community even at a young age. It didn’t pay much, but I had that entrepreneurial drive and was always wanting to help others. 

Small Business Development Director, J.R. McFarling at the Urban League of Broward County
Photo: David I. Muir

If we believe, prepare and stay ready, we can seize when opportunity present themselves. The same tenacity exhibited as a youth still permeate today. I stay ready and prepared to seize the moment. It’s the same mindset drilled into our children as they grow older and that I impart onto entrepreneurs I encounter. As a former athlete, I know that 80% of everything we do is mental. That same rule applies to our professional pursuits. If we can just get out of our own way, great things can and will happen.  

What would you like to see change in the current political/social atmosphere? How do you plan to be a part of that change?

I would simply say that over the previous four and half years, there was a major shift that unearthed a lot of things we thought was nonexistent, or at least muted. Under the calmness was percolated hatred and defiance by those we elect and put our trust in. 

Going forward we need to do our research and make certain we can see behind someone’s promises. We must remain vigilant in unmasking those with malicious intent and corrupt motives. “Birds of a feather flock together,” so pay attention to who people align themselves with. Personally, I will remain vigilant, and I will use my voting voice in all aspects. If each we all take this seriously as US citizens, we can contain and control what lurks beneath.  

What is your greatest career strength?

My greatest career strength is definitely my ability to listen, empathize and be solution-oriented. I’m a believer in the quote that says, “If you give a man a fish, they eat for a day. If you teach a man to fish, they eat for a lifetime.” In business development, I’m able to accomplish this with every interaction as I try to uplift and give a sense of hope where someone may want to throw in the towel.   

What is one piece of advice you would pass on to the next generation?

Life’s experiences should not define you. What’s inside you should be the compass that steers and calibrates your actions, mindset and motivations. All you’ve experienced doesn’t define you. It’s your story to write, not someone else’s to interpret.

What does the word “family” mean to you?

Family is everything! Family is comfort, assurance, normal, not normal, peace, hope. You love, laugh, cry, share, grow, reflect and pray together. Without family one would ask, “who are we?”  

What are you most grateful for in your life?

I’m most grateful to be surround by a loving wife who chose to take this journey with me. She is the anchor to my soul and a wind of fresh air every single day. I’m also extremely grateful for my family near and far (especially our kids, my siblings and my loving mom who are all still in Boston).  

Small Business Development Director, J.R. McFarling at the Urban League of Broward County
Photo: David I. Muir

What would you like to see change within the Caribbean or Caribbean diaspora?

As we grow professionally and expand our centers of influence, it’s important that we leverage any and all opportunities to “give back.” If we can’t do it financially, then help by educating and/or volunteering. I would certainly want to see those of Caribbean descent prosper while also continuing to find ways to impact their countries and communities. We are making strides and need to continue this.      

Who was the most influential or inspiring person in your life and why?

I would say three people. My wife who is beside me through thick and thin. She encourages me to chase my dreams and allows me to be vulnerable and comforting. My mom who is grounded spiritually and whose unwavering love gives me a sense of invincibility. Lastly, my twin sister who is the calmer version of me and keeps me level when the boat begins to rock. 

What is your favorite traditional childhood meal from your home country?

There are three. One of my favorite is Oxtail with rice and peas and spinners (dumplings). There is something about the gravy that’s just hugs my taste buds. The other dish is soup. My absolute favorite is cow foot and beef soup. The body and flavor profile is unmatched. Lastly I would say Jamaican fried fish. This is oh so tasty and can be breakfast, lunch or dinner.    

What are your favorite extracurricular activities?

I was a DJ for many, many years. That journey began when I was a freshman in high school. Growing up in a home where music and dancing was central to all entertainment, I was drawn to it from a young age. To this day, I still feel this way. Anytime I have a free moment, I will jump on my iPad and put a few mixes together and vibe to it. I love all music (Gospel, Soca, Reggae, Spanish, Afro Beats, etc.). I also love to entertain, so if the opportunity presents itself and I can light up my grill, I do so with music in background of course. 

What is your favorite Caribbean tradition?

I would have to say Christmas time. In Jamaica, it wasn’t about gifts at all. Family and community would celebrate with food, music and drinks and we’d just enjoy our time together. Cooking was always fascinating – a piece of firewood and a large pot could produce the best meal you will ever taste. Most definitely, the holiday season in Jamaica (in my opinion) is unmatched. And even when I was younger, we always knew the reason for the season.

What was your upbringing like and how has that influenced who you are today?

My upbringing was somewhat disjointed in that I left Jamaica young and then my parents divorced just before middle school. I had love from both parents and anyone who has or have had west Indian parents, you’ll know they expect a lot and push you towards excellence in everything you do. While they both wanted to see me blossom, it still was odd when they split up. If you’ve ever been in this situation, it can be hard, but we must remain determined to change the narrative. In other words, it doesn’t have to be the end for your growth into adulthood.  

When I began making real money, I was fortunate to buy my first home and help out both parents whenever I could.  Because I love family gatherings, that was a huge part of my home and included both of my parents. We began family traditions and that mended a lot of wounds.  

I lived a clean life and didn’t really get into trouble, even though there was a lot happening round me. I was a jock in high school and went on to play college football and also become a radio personality/DJ.  

After graduating and entering the financial services industry, I remained tethered to working out and being a mobile DJ. I climbed the ladder fairly quick at a previous company in the financial service industry and it’s benefits were amazing. I was afforded the opportunity to travel all over the country and abroad.  

Today I reflect on the good old days knowing it lined up nice for me. I may not be financially wealthy, but I’m rich in culture and will never forget where it started and what it takes to persevere.

What would people you know find surprising about you?

I’m a fairly good cook. I love cooking and can make almost any dish, except baked goods. I’m also very handy. I can fix almost anything around the house, which does wonders for our repairs budget. From tiling to painting to plumbing to landscaping and roofing, there is very little I won’t try to fix… with the exception of electrical, I leave that to the pros.  

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ISLAND ORIGINS MAGAZINE is a lifestyle brand that reflects the Caribbean American community. It celebrates the accomplishments and seeks the advice of our high achievers, explores the complex social issues that affect us and our neighbors, and enjoys the frivolities of design, fashion and entertainment inspired by our colorful cultures.

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