A home bar is a must-have for some, especially if you love hosting loved ones or want a space to relax. You can have all the fun of a bar in the comfort of your home and decorate it as you please for the perfect ambiance. Check out these tips for creating the perfect home bar for inspiration!
Think of a Theme
Just like any other room in your home, you’ll need a décor theme. Some like an intimate feel with dim lighting and leather seating, but that isn’t for everyone. As you start planning, take time to consider the following:
Backsplash: Pick out a specific pattern to add subtle pops of color.
Countertops: Decide whether you want granite, quartz, or another material.
Decorations: Plan how you’ll accent the space; some use reclaimed wood.
The drink holders you use could also improve your home bar’s ambience. Try having a variety of glasses according to what types of drinks you like to drink. Nothing beats drinking a Moscow mule out of an authentic copper mug. And one great benefit to copper drinkware is that it will keep each beverage icy cold!
Get Creative
You may feel unsure of what would look best, so start simple and outline what you like most. If you prefer minimalist fashion, keep the design sleek and clean. But if you want something that showcases your eco-friendly side, then upcycle old materials. You could transform old wine bottles into a chandelier or spray paint them to create a corner accent.
Have a Great Layout
You may have limited room for an at-home bar, but that shouldn’t stop you from being strategic with the space you choose! Pick an open space, so it’s easy to socialize and entertain anytime you have guests.
Another tip for creating the perfect home bar is to move it outside. An outdoor bar is perfect for individuals living in scenic areas, such as in the mountains or by the beach. When you live by the ocean, you can use the view as the ultimate decoration for your bar!
Decide on Storage
The storage system you use may depend on how you decorate your bar. For example, you may want to use glass or reflective shelving in a contemporary bar, but that won’t work for a patio bar. Likewise, you may want to incorporate a few alcohol bottles or drink holders to accent the space, but you can’t leave everything out.
Some people even DIY their own storage systems to showcase the theme, but you could just as easily use a liquor cabinet. Everyone has a different decorating style, and what’s most important is that you love spending time in your bar.
With Miami Carnival coming up, I had the chance to sit down with Alison Hinds, the Queen of Soca herself. We chatted about her career, women’s empowerment and tips for a fun carnival experience.
When I first sit down to pitch this piece, I have the above words already written out. I thought it could be a fun, quick piece about how to have fun at Miami Carnival 2021, with tips from the Queen of Soca herself. Then, the morning of our interview, I meet Hinds over Zoom, and something is obviously upsetting her. She soon shares with me that she has been grieving the death of 19-year-old Miya Marcano, daughter of Marlon Marcano, better known as DJ Eternal Vibes, and Giselle Suling Marcano, a radio presenter and ambassador for Caribbean culture.
Marcano’s life was taken by Armando Manuel Caballero after she repeatedly turned down his romantic advances. Caballero then took his own life in the subsequent days. Unfortunately, this tragic incident reminds me that sometimes we have to continuously engage in discussions about women’s empowerment, sexual violence and systemic inequity in order to make any change, regardless of whether or not it is carnival season.
I ask Hinds about how she navigates an industry largely dictated by the male gaze. “I embrace my sexuality, and my curves and how I look, and we, as women should be proud to be able to embrace those things about ourselves.” Hinds relates that one of the issues is that women are “continually seen as, for lack of a better word, sex dolls. A doll has no feelings, or emotions, or anything like that. But we’re not dolls, we are human beings.” Hinds goes on to lament, “some men just feel like they’re entitled, they’re entitled to be able to abuse women, and to mistreat them, then throw them away. But we’re not disposable.”
In our conversation, Hinds talks about her desires for women artists coming up in the music business. “I will do everything that I can to help them…to boost their confidence to be who they’re going to be without apology. I think sometimes some women still feel like they need to ask permission to be who they are. And it’s like, no, you don’t need to ask anybody’s permission. Be who you are, be strong, be confident, be in charge.” Hinds cites her love for other established up-and-coming artists in Caribbean music, namedropping artists like Faith Callender and Nikita, both singers out of Barbados, as well as Trinidadian Nessa Preppy, and Jamaican Nailah.
She is excited to have released a new single “Go Gal” and to be featured on the recently released Queendom Riddim, which features other artists like Patrice Roberts, Leonce, Nadia Batson, Jadel, and Adana Roberts. On other female artists, she aspires for solidarity over competition: “Let’s look at lifting each other up. Let’s look at being there for each other. As sisters.” She thinks this is especially true for women of color.
“For our black and brown girls, we need to put it out there that they are beautiful, strong and accepted as they are.”
With all of that being said, no amount of tips can ever truly prepare someone for the carnival experience, both its lighter and darker sides. Think of Hinds’ Carnival tips not as solutions to the issues that women and femmes face, but as small tools in the fight to protect all people from the harm of toxic masculinity. Hinds advises “as far as women have come, we still have more work to do. We still have more fight in us.” Make sure to follow Alison Hinds on Instagram, Twitter and check out her single “Go Gal” available now.
5 Tips for a Successful Miami Carnival From the Queen of Soca Alison Hinds
Have a Plan: Before you go out, make sure that you and everyone in your group are on the same page. Try and have at least one person who is responsible for staying relatively sober and in contact with the rest of the group. When operating in large groups, it is likely that you may not all be together the whole time. “The buddy system works really well. Make sure that all your girls are taken care of, make sure everyone knows where everyone else is, have that group chat up and active.”
Dress For You: Counter to what many might say, how a person dresses is not an indication of consent. “Dress how you want. Be comfortable.” Regardless of whether you’re wearing an elaborate costume, or short-shorts and a tank top, Hinds urges “that doesn’t give anybody the right to say anything to you or to do anything to you that you do not want.“
Trust Your Gut: Go ahead, dance with that cute person consensually. That doesn’t mean you can’t change your mind or slow things down. “If things start to feel weird, don’t ignore your gut. If your gut is telling you something isn’t quite right, figure out how to extricate yourself from the situation.” Part of consent is being able to communicate and change your mind with impunity. It is about your comfort and safety first and foremost.
Play Responsibly: Hinds encourages carnival-goers to have fun, but don’t forget to be responsible. Enjoying your time with a drink is not illegal for those 21+, but remember that even for those that can legally consume, alcohol is still a drug. “If you realize that one of your friends has gone too far, make sure that you look after them. Make sure that they’re taken care of. If there’s no designated driver, make sure that when you call an Uber, or Lyft, or a taxi, that you make sure that everybody gets back to wherever they are staying safely.” When it comes to health and safety during the pandemic, Hinds urges taking all precautions to keep yourself and others safe. “The protocols are very, very simple. Wear a mask, sanitize and social distance.”
Enjoy Yourself: For many, this carnival season is a chance to destress, relax and have fun in a time when doing so has been especially difficult. “Especially our young women coming down for Carnival, they want to come, enjoy themselves, be with the girlfriends and just hang out.” Hinds wants you to remember, “Soca is amazing, amazing music! It represents all of us, every island in the Caribbean. Please do come, enjoy yourself, have fun, but be safe and look out for each other.”
Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Broward Health will donate $250,000 worth of PPE and medical supplies to support earthquake relief efforts in Haiti this Thursday, October 7. About 60 pallets of supplies, including face masks, surgical gloves, ponchos, and other items that can be used for health care, COVID mitigation and preservation of health and wellness, will be shared with Man Dodo and the Haitian American Nurses Association for distribution of medical supplies for Haiti.
WHAT: About 60 pallets of supplies worth $250,000 to be donated by Broward Health to Man Dodo and the Haitian American Nurses Association to support their Haiti earthquake relief efforts.
B-roll from within warehouse to be provided; immediately following press conference, media can capture B-roll of truck being loaded outside.
WHEN: Thursday, October 7, 2021, at 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Broward Health Headquarters, 1700 NW 49th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Press to be held in the Board Room in the 1700 building.
WHO:
Shane Strum, President/CEO, Broward Health
Jorge Hernandez, Vice President of Supply Chain/Chief Procurement Officer, Broward Health (English/Spanish)
Ed Lozama, Man Dodo
Rose Valcin, President, Haitian American Nurses Association (English/Creole)
State Representative Marie Paule Woodson (English/Creole)
WHY: On August 14, 2021, Haiti experienced a magnitude 7.2 earthquake in the western Tiburon Peninsula, a region already experiencing a more than 75% poverty rate. The earthquake left tens of thousands injured and homeless. Almost two months later, more than 800,000 Haitians continue to experience lack of shelter, food/water insecurities and emergency healthcare per the Center for Disaster Philanthropy.
About Broward Health
Broward Health, providing service for more than 80 years, is a nationally recognized system in South Florida that offers world-class healthcare to all. The Broward Health system includes the statutory teaching hospital Broward Health Medical Center, Broward Health North, Broward Health Imperial Point, Broward Health Coral Springs, Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital, Broward Health Weston, Broward Health Community Health Services, Broward Health Physician Group, Broward Health Urgent Care, Broward Health International, and Broward Health Foundation. For more information, visit BrowardHealth.org.The mission of Broward Health is to provide quality health care to the people we serve and support the needs of all physicians and employees.
Each year, the Latin community looks forward to Hispanic Heritage Month to commemorate and recognize Latin countries’ freedom from Spain and the cultural milestones they have made since. Observed from September 15 to October 15, the month-long celebration represents when many Latin countries gained independence, a majority on September 15.
First enacted in America as a week-long celebration in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson, Hispanic Heritage Month was later expanded into a month-long observation by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. Florida and New York remain among the top four states with large Hispanic populations in the U.S., but now, even countries that don’t have a large influx of Latin populations acknowledge Hispanic Heritage Month with celebrations around the world.
The U.S., which is home to nearly 60 million Hispanic Americans, can expect to see people celebrating annually with parades, flags, colorful displays and, of course, lots of traditional foods.
Unlike language and religion that can often be culture-bound, food is a uniting element that knows no barriers. It can connect us to places around the world we might not otherwise experience or make us feel a sense of home simply from the aroma of a specific ingredient. During Hispanic Heritage Month, food is also used as a center of celebration. Latin-Caribbean food expresses culture, reflecting a deep history of Indigenous influence, as well as a multicultural fusion of spices, herbs and flavors brought to the islands from all around the world.
Celebrate and indulge in Latin-Caribbean culture and an exploration of authentic cuisine with these unique Hispanic Heritage Month recipes.
Cuba
Cuba is the largest spanish-speaking island in the Caribbean, and Cuban cuisine has a heavy Spanish, African and Indigenous Taíno influence. Though ropa vieja (shredded beef with rice) and tostones (twice-fried plantain slices) might be the first that come to mind when thinking of Cuban dishes, there are some delicious lesser-known authentic recipes you will want to keep bookmarked. Like Rabo Encendidio, a savory dish that brings distinct Cuban flavor to a Caribbean classic.
Rabo Encendido – Cuban Oxtail Stew
What you need:
4 pounds oxtail
4 garlic cloves
2 onions, dinced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground oregano
8 ounces tomato sauce
1/2 Scotch bonnet pepper
3 large carrots
7 ounces pimientos morrones (bell peppers)
3 bay leaves
7 ounces of white wine
3 ounces of water
Black pepper
Salt
3 tablespoons of oil
1 bottle of Spanish red wine
What to do:
Trim the oxtail and season with salt and pepper.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Add oil to a cast iron skillet and place on medium high heat on the stove. Add the oxtail, making sure to sear all sides. Once seared, transfer meat to a separate bowl and set aside.
In a separate pan or skillet, saute onions, pimientos morrones (bell peppers), Scotch bonnet pepper and carrots. Add in garlic, salt, pepper, cumin and oregano, stirring to combine. Cook for about 10 minutes.
Pour in the tomato sauce, red wine and bay leaves, stirring to combine.
Transfer oxtail back to the cast iron skillet. Cover and bake for 4 hours.
Sprinkle with parsley, serve with congrí (mixed rice and black beans) and enjoy!
Puerto Rico
As a colony under Spain’s rule for over 400 years, Puerto Rico’s fare has an overwhelming Spanish influence, though some African and Indigenous ingredients are still at its core. Shortly after Puerto Rico gained independence from Spain in 1897, the island ceded to the United States, becoming a colony the following year and a U.S. territory nearly 20 years later in 1917. As such, Puerto Rican cuisine gained some North American influence, particularly in terms of how meals were cooked, like using locally sourced corn oil for frying delicious, crispy snacks and sides.
While you’ll definitely want to enjoy traditional mofongo (fried plantains), empanadas and arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), bring an extra homestyle inspired dish to your Hispanic Heritage Month party with these stuffed green banana fritters.
Alcapurria – Meat Stuffed Green Banana and Taro Root Fritter
Photo credit: Badagnani
What you need
For the dough:
6 green bananas
2 pounds taro root
Sazon Culantro/Achiote packet
1 ½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon oil
2 tablespoon butter
2 cups corn oil, for frying
For the filling:
1 pound beef, ground
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon of salt
Pinch of black pepper
½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 onion, chopped
10 pimentos
What to do
For the dough:
Peel the skin from the green bananas and clean the taro root using a peeler to remove skin.
Put the green bananas and taro root in a large bowl filled with salted water and let sit.
Remove the green bananas and taro root from the salt water and add to a food processor, pureeing until smooth and a dough forms.
Transfer the dough to a bowl, add the Sazon packet, salt, oil and butter and mix. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
For the filling:
Place a pan on the stove and place on high heat. Add olive oil and saute the chopped onion. Once the onion is softened, add in the pimentos.
Add the ground beef with salt, pepper and oregano and brown, stirring continuously.
Once all cooked, add to a glass bowl.
Making the fritters:
Heat a deep fat fryer with corn oil to 375 degrees.
Using your chilled dough that sat overnight, scoop ⅓ cup portions out onto a pan brushed with vegetable oil so they don’t stick. Flatten the dough balls until a thin circular shape is formed.
Scoop 2 tablespoons of the meat into the middle and roll until up. Before rolling completely to the end, fold in the sides, roll the rest of the patty and pinch the ends so they are sealed.
Using a metal skimmer, place the formed fritters into the oil and fry until golden and crispy, about 7 minutes. Drain excess oil from the fritters using paper towels.
Eat alone or pair with your favorite Puerto Rican dipping sauce and enjoy!
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic’s major culinary roots stem from Europe, Africa and the Indigenous Taíno inhabiting the Greater Antilles. Many traditions here revolve around tasty, home cooked dishes and sweets with recipes that have been in the family for multiple generations, so for your Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, make sure to check out all the desserts the DR has to offer.
If you’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth, you’re probably familiar with indulgent Dulce de leche (Dominican caramel sauce), but if you’re looking for a deep-rooted Dominican Republic dessert that will “wow,” add this unusual treat to your Hispanic Heritage Month menu. Noted as one of the most popular Dominican desserts, this strange combinations of ingredients create a nostalgic, sweet and creamy spice flavor that is enjoyed by family and friends as a special dish during Lent.
Habichuelas con Dulce – Sweet Cream of Beans
What you need:
4 cup red kidney beans, boiled
6 cup water, from boiling the beans
½ pound batata (sweet potato), cubed
2 ½ cups coconut milk
3 ½ cups evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cinnamon sticks
8 cloves
½ cup raisins
¼ teaspoon of salt
What to do:
Soak beans overnight the night before. Then, boil the beans on high for about 90 minutes, or until they are completely soft.
Strain the beans, reserving the water they boiled in, and add both the beans and water to a blender. Puree and strain again.
Add beans, coconut milk and evaporated milk to a pot on low-medium heat and simmer.
Stir in the sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, cloves and salt.
Add diced sweet potatoes into the pot and continue simmering until soft.
Stir in the raisins and cook for 8 minutes. Remove the cinnamon sticks and cloves, then simmer for another 2 minutes, mashing down the sweet potatoes as you stir.
Remove from heat and let cool. Once the mixture is no longer warm, chill in the refrigerator.
Pour a serving into a cup or bowl, add Dominican milk cookies and enjoy!
What You Need to Know About the #1 Cause of Cancer Deaths Among Caribbean Women
There are pink ribbons everywhere around this time of year. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and during this period, allies show solidarity for those who have experienced loss or recovered victorious from breast cancer by wearing pink. Organizations are hosting activities that educate the general public on how this disease is affecting women and what can be done about it. When it comes to breast cancer in Caribbean women, the statistics are quite shocking.
Trends and Causes
From 2003-2013, in 21 out of 23 Caribbean territories, breast cancer was the number one cause of cancer deaths among Caribbean women. Today, the French territory of Martinique ranks highest in reports of breast cancer incidences, while Barbados has the highest mortality rate. Haiti, despite its many social challenges, has the record for the lowest breast cancer incidence and mortality rates of the region.
A woman checks herself for breast lumps indicating cancer.
There are many things that cause breast cancer to form. Research shows that the risk of breast cancer diagnosis increases with age and family history, previous diagnosis, a previous benign breast lump, insufficient exercise and excessive use of alcohol and smoking.
Obesity can also increase the risk of developing breast cancer, especially when the majority of weight gain happens around the stomach. Modern diets tend to contain sugary and oily foods, versus traditional Caribbean cuisine prepared from ground provisions, fruits and vegetables. Lifestyle changes and dietary changes have impacted women’s health overall. Many Caribbean women love a Carnival and good party but are not aware that abundant alcohol and cigarette consumption at these events wildly increases their chances of developing breast cancer.
Detection and Care
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. Painless, hard lumps inside the breast are the most common indicators that something is wrong, though sometimes the breast can be tender with soft, rounded masses. There can also be swelling or changes in the skin’s texture and color, but at other times there are no signs at all. That is why monthly breast self-exams and the recommended annual mammogram after age 40 are key to targeting the presence of cancer. Early detection and treatment have proven effective in reducing patient mortality.
Differences in health care across the Caribbean region have affected what treatments are available to women throughout. Surgery remains the leading choice for treatment. Chemotherapy, hormone therapy, medicinal plants, and in many instances a combination of those treatments are options as well. But on the horizon are new offerings of natural medicine. In the twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, a study identified fifty-five herbal remedies, supplements, and functional foods that women tapped into for their healing properties, including soursop, wheatgrass, saffron, aloe vera, garlic, and ginger. These were used both as standalone and complements to ongoing medical treatment.
Our health is our wealth. Through education, screening, early detection, and accurate diagnosis, the mortality numbers associated with breast cancer in the Caribbean can be decreased and treated successfully.
After finally getting the keys to her first house, Moniefia Johnson was left with a question: “How do I make this space a home?”
Through trial and error, she uncovered simple home design ideas that make amazing impact — a delicate blend of style, functionality and self-expression to make your space beautiful, approachable and, above all, personal. Through the experience, Johnson discovered a passion for interior design, soon launching her firm, Lignum and Oaks Interior Design, to help others create spaces that feel like home.
Based in New Jersey, she now consults professionally for in-person clients in the tri-state area and virtual clients online. Johnson still sees her home as a creative playground, using her rooms and walls as canvases for experimenting with her craft. Her home’s style is never permanent. She changes couches, chairs, rugs and accent pieces on a monthly basis.
“When I get to a point where I love it, I try not to become comfortable, and push myself to the next step,” she explains. “How can we make this design better? How can we elevate? How can we change it into a different style? That gives me the ability to be more versatile.”
The Jamaica-born designer aims to add a pop of “wow” — think grand chandeliers or a 7-foot mirror — to every space. “When something is unexpected, the unknown becomes interesting,” she says. In our conversation, we explore the inspiration behind Johnson’s current iteration of home and she even reveals her secret to good design.
Heart Of The Home
Courtesy of Moniefia Johnson
Though kitchens are the heart of the home, they are often lacking in square footage. Johnson’s advice is that you can still create the kitchen of your dreams with the right seating, accessories and lighting. “You want to create a space where it’s functional for you to cook, but it’s also where your family can congregate,” she says. She suggests warm-toned lights for a cozy vibe. In her own home, Johnson chose to go with white cabinets and dark countertops, adding in textured elements like wooden accent bowls and brass pendant lights from Target’s Studio McGee collaboration.
Center Of Attention
Johnson has an affinity for creating living rooms that reflect her clients’ personalities. In her own home, she showcases her love of color and eclectic design with delicate Etched Arcadia Mural wallpaper from Anthropologie and twin terracotta Floria velvet chairs from Urban Outfitters. A zigzagged walnut-and-brass Dustin cabinet from World Market is the centerpiece of the room, while an off-centered, 7-foot Gleaming Primrose mirror from Anthropologie reflects light into the beautiful space.
Courtesy of Moniefia Johnson
Cozy Corner
In contrast to the living room, the TV room is meant to feel a little more lived-in ― a space where friends and family can casually gather. “That’s where we hide all the junk and where there’s popcorn in the sofa,” she laughs. But less formality doesn’t mean less style. She created a bold statement with deep blue walls, a pink Leonelle sofa from Anthropologie, a contrasting throw pillow and a beaded chandelier. Approachability is high on Johnson’s list of qualities for the rooms she designs. “I think it’s essential to have beautiful spaces, but I’m happiest when I’m told, ‘We love it, we use it every day.’”
Serene Green
Courtesy of Moniefia Johnson
The color green often shows up when Johnson is working with natural palettes. Muted Sage by Behr on the walls brings a sense of calm to the dining room, where she also installed some picture-frame wall moulding to introduce more dimension to the space. The dining set is a playful mix of pieces, with a CB2 Mariana whitewashed teak dining table surrounded by Safavieh Bandelier oak armchairs. Another stunning floor-length Primrose mirror sits in the corner as a focal point.
No Empty Spaces
Courtesy of Moniefia Johnson
For Johnson, a hallway is never simply a basic passage from one room to the next —even walkways should have their own personality. In hers, Johnson installed a wall of portraits. “It’s especially important in the hallway to create vignettes everywhere. It’s this point of interest that gives a glimpse into what’s potentially next,” she says. In another corner, she created an asymmetrically paneled wall in a matte black finish, paired with a velvet yellow armchair. Giving attention to these overlooked spaces is an essential secret to good design.
Outdoor Oasis
Courtesy of Moniefia Johnson
Many people tend to think only of interiors when designing their homes, rarely carrying aesthetic ideals into outdoor spaces. “I think the outdoor space should always be an extension of your home and not just a separate space where we hang out, so I created almost a mirror layout, like I did the inside, with a large sofa and two armchairs,” said Johnson. Her outdoor patio, outfitted with furniture from Wayfair, is perfect for both laying in the sun and barbecuing the night away.
After going virtual in 2020, Miami Carnival is back and ready for di road with its decadent lineup of extreme and elaborate outfits. Styles, colors, and cuts are determined by mas bands — groups of parade-goers with coordinated costumes. Island Origins rounded up some of the sold-out masquerade looks we’re expecting in Miami Carnival 2021 costumes. It’s your preview of the over the top garb we can’t wait to see!
Barbadian beauty Rihanna proves that sensory overload can be an amazing thing with her 2021 Savage X Fenty show. This extravaganza of diverse body sizes, gender identities, characters and designs is not your typical walk down the runway. As one commenter said, her third fashion showing has blown away the Valentinos and Ralph Laurens of the world.
More of a performance art exhibition than a standard display of style, the event takes place in a multi-story building — even on it’s helipad on top and the streets below — with dancers and models wearing a variety of outfits from Savage X Fenty, Rihanna’s lingerie line. A drone camera weaves in and out between the flawlessly choreographed dancers, who pour every ounce of energy from their writhing bodies into the 40 minute Amazon Prime performance, using the staircases, gallery hallways, atrium, glass elevators and stark rooms of the building as their stage.
Cameos by names like Cindy Crawford, Erykah Badu and Adriana Lima, and performances by artists like Nas and Ricky Martin dot the showcase. But the “everyday” models really are the stars. Some were thin and traditional looking, others were thick and curvy, sporting stretch marks and cellulite, and presenting their perfectly imperfect bodies in the most sensual of ways. Men were not to be left out — Rihanna has created sexy costumes for their private pleasure as well.
Dazzling makeup and intricate hair styling spectacularly finished everything off. If you haven’t yet seen it, for an artistic performance extravaganza, it’s well worth 40 minutes of your life.
See James Corden’s hilarious visit to the set of the Savage X Fenty show.
There is an effortless, unflappable poise about Miss Universe Jamaica Miqueal-Symone Williams.
If you watched the 2021 Miss Universe pageant, held earlier this year at the guitar hotel in Hollywood, Florida, the 24-year-old international model clearly stood out — all graceful limbs and gleaming smile as she strutted across the stage to take her top-10 position. During the broadcast, in a glossy introduction video, she outlined her interest in mental health awareness.
The video’s narrative was a familiar one, representing the pageant’s ideals of inner beauty and social activism. But the brief segment revealed the deeply personal reason behind Miss Universe Jamaica Miqueal-Symone Williams’ passion for mental health advocacy — her personal struggle with the sudden, tragic loss of her mother in 2017. Williams’ voiceover shared treasured memories as the b-roll showed snapshots of their life together. One photo showed her mother, perhaps not much older than Williams is now, revealing a striking resemblance between them.
A young Miqueal-Symone Williams with her mother.
When the video ended, switching back to Williams standing under the bright stage lights, her signature polish slipped for a moment. Her expression conveyed a mixture of grief and pride.
“When I look at myself, I see my mother, and I see all my other ancestors who have fought for me to be where I am now. Every time I achieve a goal, I think I achieve a goal for all of us,” she says.
Mental Health Advocate
Beyond the glitz and glam of pageants, it is this sentiment that keeps beauty queens so popular and culturally relevant across the diaspora. For women from all walks of life, Miss Universe Jamaica — her beauty, her success, her ambitions and yes, even her grief — can represent our own aspirational hopes and ideals. At her young age, Williams is well-versed in living with heartbreak and finding renewed purpose after tragedy.
This year’s title embodied a full circle moment in her healing journey. She had entered the same pageant in 2017 but withdrew following the loss of her mother. Embracing therapy and prioritizing her mental health proved to be key to her success.
The following year, Williams won the Pulse Model Search and began traveling the world as a professional model. While starring in campaigns for L’Oréal and walking the runway for Valentino, working in fashion “exposed me to the experiences of so many other people,” she says. “Just hearing their stories and seeing how they relate to [mental health] — it was a very, very helpful time in my life in terms of my grieving process, and that’s what solidified my interest in mental health as a platform.”
Photography: Darrick Foster, DAC X Productions
Recognizing the importance of support systems, Williams launched The Bloom Initiative to support Jamaican children. The project focuses on providing internet service to students so they can attend online classes. Williams hoped the program would also help participants maintain relationships as schools shut down due to COVID-19. “If they couldn’t go to school and even virtually link up with their friends, it would negatively impact their mental health,” she notes.
Williams happily puts in volunteer hours as a mentor at the Wortley Home For Girls. Established in 1918, the home provides a space for vulnerable young ladies, including those who have been orphaned. When talking about her mentees, her face instantly brightens. She has connected with them on a deeply personal level through their shared loss. “They’ve had more traumatic things happen in their lives than other children their age,” Williams explains. “With my own experience losing my mother in the way that I did, I can give them that [very knowing] type of support.”
Williams visits the Wortley Home for Girls in Jamaica. Photo courtesy of Miqueal-Symone Williams.
The greatest lesson she shares with them is the importance of emotional openness. “It’s only when you allow yourself to be broken that you can properly put yourself back together again.” Her mother, she laughs, “always gave me my space to go through my emotions.” Looking back, she recalls, “I went through quite a bit of teen angst myself.”
Support Systems
In honor of her mother, Williams hopes to launch a foundation providing psychological therapy and safe spaces for children.
Following the pandemic, greater support for mental health overall is desperately needed in Jamaica. Medical experts warn of a pending public crisis. The Ministry of Health and Wellness reported a major uptick in calls made into the mental health and suicide prevention hotline, approximately doubling at the start of the pandemic between March and April 2020. The challenges of managing these mental health issues are only compounded by the general stigma surrounding them.
Williams hopes her public advocacy can ease this cultural shame and encourage people to seek help. “There’s no reason why you should have to [act] strong when you feel like you need to lean on someone.”
The reigning queen herself leans on her family, including her father Michael, stepmother Maxine and a network of dedicated aunties. “I can’t leave any of them out!” she laughs. Their support has been instrumental in her success balancing the pageant with modeling, all while completing her bachelor’s degree in marketing this year at the University of the West Indies.
Photographer: Darrick Foster, DAC X Productions
Though the country may look to Williams for an image of the nation’s feminine ideal, Williams turns to a community of women for guidance on the kind of woman she wants to be. “There’s a spirit of resiliency, courage and hope that lies with the Jamaican woman,” she says. “And I hope to embody that.”
Photography: Darrick Foster, DAC X Productions Fashion: Dermoth Williams Resort @UzuriInternational Stylists: Mark McDermoth & Karl Williams Makeup: O’Neil Baugh, GlamByOneilmua6618 Hair: Marcia Lengard featuring Design Essential products Location: AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston, Jamaica
Boston Caribbean Fashion Week is back again October 13-16
Boston Caribbean Fashion Week is a multi-day, diverse series of festive fashion events founded and produced by Althea Blackford. In mid-October, stylists, models, and spectators will come together to celebrate, educate, and pay homage to Caribbean design and culture, with representation from Barbados, Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad and more. Featured designers will include Sharisse Scott-Rawlins, owner of bySharisse, Ayanna O’Brien, owner of ICANDI WEAR, Prince Citi, owner of Viezoe Lifestyle, and Ariel Koonce Fortes, owner of Fashion Fun Pop.
In 2013, Althea created an annual event that celebrates Caribbean heritage while providing a platform for designers to showcase their collections and connect with other fashion professionals. 2021 marks the 8th annual Boston Caribbean Fashion Week, which includes a virtual kickoff event, a style workshop, a style panel discussion, and a runway fashion show. Events can be attended in person, or people can register for online tickets and attend virtually.
In-person activitieswill be held at The Salon at Studio Allston Hotel (1234 Soldiers Field Rd, Boston, MA 02135) and at Final Touch with Class Boutique (17 Warren St, Boston, MA 02119)
“Virtual Kick-Off” on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at Studio Allston Hotel. Meet the participating designers and enjoy some other fun surprises.
“Elevate Your Style Workshop” on Thursday, October 14, 2021, at Final Touch with Class. Boutique Fashion & Interior Stylist Tricia Cromwell of Trust in Tricia will share easy professional tips on boosting our own style.
“The Art of Style” on Friday, October 15, 2021, at Final Touch with Class Boutique. An evening of shopping, networking, and personal styling tips presented by Style on Demand.
“Fashion Show” on Saturday, October 16, 2021, at Studio Allston Hotel. An incredible evening of fashion with the latest collections presented by local Boston designers.
