The Most Romantic Caribbean Attractions For You And Bae

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February 18, 2019

From the region’s breathtaking landscapes to the endless supply of love ballads, the Caribbean definitely knows how to romance. So the options are endless for couples looking for a sexy getaway. But if one could plan a perfect date in the Caribbean (with no worries about budgets or flight schedules) you’d be hard-pressed to beat these iconic spots. From rainforest massages to dancing salsa the night away, these attractions are sure to end up on your romantic bucket list.

Jamaica: Have Dinner At The Caves

The Most Romantic Caribbean Attractions For You And Bae — Photo: IG @thecaveshotel

There are romantic dinners, and then there’s the swoon-worthy private dinner at The Caves Hotel in Negril, Jamaica. Couples can enjoy a front row view to the sea at their private tables, nestled in the hotel’s picturesque caves, strewn with bougainvillea petals and candles. Plus the dinner includes a five-course meal by awarding-winning chefs.

Puerto Rico: Go Salsa Hopping in San Juan

San Juan nightlife wouldn’t be complete without the sounds of salsa. Now you can learn more about the dance form’s history (and catch a few killer moves) on the popular La Ruta De La Salsa. The guided tour takes salsa lovers through museums, neighborhoods and even some of the residences of the greatest salsa figures. And of course, you can learn salsa along the way at their iconic salsa clubs like Niuyorican Café and Piso Viejo.

St. Lucia: Relax In A Rainforest Spa

Luxury elegant hotel spas are a dime a dozen in the Caribbean. But the Rainforest Spa at Sugar Beach Viceroy Resort in St. Lucia proves a cut above when it comes to romance. Couples can enjoy a massage in their picturesque tree houses, with view of the iconic Pitons. The spa treatments also offer indulgent options using natural local ingredients and the healing waters of nearby volcanic springs.

Grenada: Day Trip At An Underwater Museum

underwater sculpture — “Vicissitudes” by Artist Jason deCaires Taylor. @nathangmoran

Searching for an adventurous journey to remember with your loved one? Perhaps nothing will prove more memorable than a scuba diving tour of Grenada’s Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park. Created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor, the park includes various stunning sculptures that also serve as spawning areas for coral reefs, making this attraction one of a kind. Learn more here about other amazing Caribbean underwater sculptures.

Barbados: Make A Toast On A Rum Tour

A romantic getaway wouldn’t be complete without a good toast. Elevate your regular nightcap with a tour of the stunning St. Nicholas Abbey distillery in Barbados. On tour ,one can sample their line of classic rums, aged for years in bourbon barrels. Plus, you can explore the history property and the beautiful surrounding countryside on their charming steam locomotive train.

More On Caribbean Travel:

8 Black Women Travelers To Follow Right Now On Instagram

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Macaulay Thompson

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February 4, 2019

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Need some travel inspiration? The Instagram feeds of these black women travelers are guaranteed to light a fire in your belly to get up off your couch and go explore the world. But before you click follow, be warned: you’re also likely to catch a serious case of wanderlust envy!

1. Jessica Nabongo: @jessicanabongo

Jessica Nabongo is a go-getter millennial on a quest to be the first black woman to visit all 195 UN member countries and observing states. This also includes the Vatican and Palestine. Born in Michigan to Ugandan immigrants, she left her six-figure pharmaceutical job with Pfizer to wander the globe. And she certainly hasn’t looked back since. Her Instagram captures scenes from everyday life, because Jessica feels an honest portrayal gives dignity and humanity to the people living in the countries she visits. This single-minded purpose helps her highlight places many other places photographers seem to miss.

2. Lee Litumbe: @spiritedpursuit

Lee Litumbe is the talented creative behind Spirited Pursuit, an online brand dedicated to the enthusiastic pursuit of travel, adventure, and new cultural experiences. She was raised in the U.S., but is Cameroonian by birth. She decided to quit her corporate finance job to move back to the motherland so she could travel the continent. Because in her view, Africa needed more Africans to showcase all the beauty it has to offer. And she’s right. There’s so much more to the world to see than Europe, Southeast Asia and The Americas!

3. Gloria Atanmo: @glographics

Gloria Atanmo is a fun-loving digital nomad who strives to inspire others through her journeys as a solo female traveler. One of eight kids from a Nigerian family, Gloria says she knew early on she was different. She’s poured all her entrepreneurial ambitions and energy into building a successful platform. Adored for her upbeat personality, crazy SnapChat shenanigans and long IG captions, she uses her insanely good photography and writing skills to broaden our perspectives, one post at a time.

4. Shea Powell: @Theworldupcloser

Jamaica-based globetrotter Shea Powell started traveling back in 2012 at just 22 years old. She went to Ecuador for her first solo trip, and since then she’s visited more than 30 countries. She does this all the while regularly blogging about her experiences and sharing tips on navigating a not so visa-free world on her Jamaican passport. Shea takes stunning pictures and speaks fluently in Spanish, as well as conversationally in Portuguese and Italian.

5. Oneika Raymond: @oneikaraymond

Oneika Raymond is a vivacious media personality, travel blogger, and host of two Travel Channel web series: “Big City, Little Budget”, and “One Bag and You’re Out”. Born in Canada to Jamaican parents, she started traveling the world and blogging as an expat teacher. She has since made the transition to full-time travel influencer. Other than being a self-described “thrill-seeker who has “bungee jumped over the Zambezi River, fished for piranhas in the Amazon, and climbed active volcanoes in Guatemala and Ecuador,” she’s also not afraid to discuss issues surrounding multiculturalism, politics and diversity.

6. Asiyami Gold: @asiyami_gold

Nigerian-American Asiyami Gold started her Instagram account at 21, drawn to images of an aesthetically pleasing and beautiful lifestyle. But she soon realized she couldn’t find many people online that looked like her. Seeing the platform as a place where she could help shape the narrative, Gold set out to create a feed that gave a different perspective to women of color. Now a mere six or seven years later, this visual storyteller, artist, photographer and artistic creator is an established player in a constantly evolving industry.

7. Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon: @jetsetsarah

Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon is a Miami-based travel writer who “ventures to the beach and beyond to share the diverse culture, lifestyle and people of the world’s favorite warm-weather destinations.” Her work has been featured in top-tier travel publications like Travel + Leisure, Brides, Martha Stewart Weddings, and The Telegraph. But she’s still very much a down-to-earth jet-setter. Showcasing the Caribbean is her top passion, and she does it vivaciously and in vivid color.

8. Macaulay Thompson: @mytavelstamps

And oh, then there’s little ole me.

I am a routine-averse Gen-Xer who travels with limited vacation time and on a budget. Sounds familiar? I collect passport stamps when I’m not working hard at my 9 to 5 because I love to explore new lands and learn about new cultures. As someone who was born and raised in Jamaica, after a while I soon realized the world was much bigger than the diaspora enclaves in the U.S., England and Canada. It finally dawned on me that you didn’t have to be a pilot or flight attendant to visit off-the-beaten track destinations. I now blog about my trips in my spare time because I want other Caribbean nationals to see the world can also be their oyster.

Looking for more travel inspo? Read our interview with Macauley Thompson, as she shares her favorite travel tips and inspiration. And check out more of Thompson’s epic adventures around the world on her Instagram and at her travel blog, MyTravelStamps.com.

Upgrade your Smoothie Game with This Vegan Cranberry Berry Smoothie

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babemadeblog.com

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January 11, 2019

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Yet, another recipe created from things I needed to use. After taking the photos for my Ginger Cranberry Whiskey Cocktail, I had a bag of cranberries that I needed to get through along with a couple of lemons. I hate wasting food so instead of being naughty and making my Vegan Cranberry Lemon Muffins, I decided to go with the healthier option of making a smoothie. Thus, my perfectly sweet, tart, and refreshing recipe for Cranberry Berry Smoothie was created!

Upgrade your Smoothie Game with This Vegan Cranberry Berry Smoothie I’ll be the first to admit that smoothie making isn’t as straightforward as some people may think it is. I’ve made some pretty awful smoothies in my early vegan days. I could have saved a lot of wasted fruits and veggies had I followed a few recipes. That’s where I come in! After practicing smoothie making on an almost daily basis, I’ve worked out the kinks and have figured out how to combine fruits and vegetables together to create magical smoothies (like this one). So now you don’t have to force yourself to chug that awful tasting and looking smoothie that you made to avoid wasting expensive fruits and veggies.

Upgrade your Smoothie Game with This Vegan Cranberry Berry Smoothie There is nothing ugly about this smoothie. The bright colors of the berries make it look so enticing. After your first sip, you’re in smoothie heaven. Slightly tart from the cranberries while also perfectly and naturally sweetened with the addition of strawberries, dates, and blueberries.

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The Caribbean Films We Can’t Wait To See In 2019

By

Monique McIntosh

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January 6, 2019

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Screen Shot 2019-01-05 at 10.40.57 PM — The best-selling novel "The Sun is also a Star" by Jamaican author Nicola Yoon is coming to the big screen this year. Photo IG: @nicolayoon.

From the silver screen to prestige streaming platforms, movie fans can enjoy a bounty of new projects for 2019. But the list of films exploring Caribbean stories still falls short, missing out on the region’s endlessly fascinating tales. But Caribbean film fans have some reason to celebrate, with a few high-profile productions coming out this year exploring Caribbean culture. From Hollywood flicks to 3D documentaries, check out our round-up of Caribbean-related films premiering this year.

The Long Song

Based on British writer Andrea Levy’s historical novel, BBC’s newest cinematic series “The Long Song” tells the story of young enslaved girl July, living on a plantation in the last days of slavery. The film includes a dramatic depiction of the famous 1831 Baptist War, a slave rebellion led by Jamaican national hero Samuel Sharpe. The drama stars Tamara Lawrance, Lenny Henry, Hayley Atwell and Jack Lowden.

Cuba The Movie

Cuba in all its beauty on complexity will be blown up on the big screen in BBC Earth’s new documentary “Cuba,” directed by renowned cinematographer Peter Chang. The film will take viewers on a 3D journey through through island nation’s vibrant culture and landscape, from its mountains and colonial cities to its dazzling coral reefs. The documentary also filters through the eyes of the country’s artists, historians and scientists. The film will open at IMAX theaters January 18th.

The Sun Is Also a Star

The best-selling YA novel “The Sun is also a Star” by Jamaican author Nicola Yoon is coming to the big screen this year with a new adaptation. The romantic movie tells the story of Natasha, a Jamaican undocumented immigrant who falls in love with a Korean-American student Daniel Bae, right before her family is to be deported back to Jamaica. The movie stars Yara Shahidi (“Blackish,” “Grownish”) and Charles Melton (“Riverdale”).

Misbehaviour

Starring British starts Keira Knightley and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, “Misbehaviour” is an upcoming drama exploring the story behind the historic 1970 Miss World Competition in London. Mbatha-Raw plays the role of legendary Grenadian pageant queen Jennifer Hosten, who made history that year, becoming the first black women to win the crown. Knightley plays a feminist protester who led protestors invading the stage and disrupting the live broadcast.

Maybes: Asgaya Part 1: The Sheut

Currently in post-production for Netflix, Asgaya Part 1: The Sluet will be a groundbreaking first chapter of a sci-fi trilogy by Jamaican filmmaker Toni Morgan Haye. Filmed in the Jamaica and California, the movie will also include Jamaican actors — former Miss Universe Jamaica Isabel Dalley and Pulse model Joel Britton. The futuristic drama tells the story of Max (played by actress Vandana A. Singh) trying to escape the evil Asgaya Corporation. No formal release date has been confirmed, but a 2019 debut is looking possible.

Revamp Your Meal Plan With These Healthy Caribbean Recipes

By

Monique McIntosh

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January 5, 2019

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A new year means making (and possibly breaking) your new year’s resolutions. But it’s too important to let your healthy eating goals fall by the wayside. Instead, ditch the diet fads and focus on wholesome, home-cooked food that’s full of nourishing ingredients. To inspire your meal plan revamps, we’ve gathered our favorite easy Caribbean recipes that will enrich any diet. Packed with body-loving nutrients and full Caribbean flavor, you can’t go wrong with these dishes in your weekly rotation.

For Breakfast: Energizing Green Smoothie

Revamp Your Meal Plan With These Healthy Caribbean Recipes — By Chris de La Rosa. Caribbeanpot.com

Green smoothies are a popular and quick breakfast option, packed with essential vitamins and minerals with a high content of fruits and veggies. We love this version by food blogger Chris de La Rosa of Caribbeanpot.com, inspired by the natural juices of street punch vendors from his native Trinidad. He uses potassium-rich coconut water as a base, then thickens with avocado, a healthy fruit fat. He then sweetens iron-rich spinach with a little mango, and adds ginger to improve digestion. Also check-out his step-by-step guide below.

For Lunch: Chickpea Wraps

High in protein and fiber, chickpeas make a healthy base for a quick lunch that’s easy to cook and can be adapted for many dishes. They prove perfectly satisfying in this easy chickpea wrap recipe by Jamaican food blogger Jessica Hylton-Leckie of Jessicainthekitchen.com. A healthy spin on channa, this chickpea wrap features a nice char thanks to a dash of barbecue, and has piles of veggies (and a little vegan ranch dressing).

For Dinner: Caribbean Steamed Fish

Pack your dinner plate with big flavor and big nutrients with this luscious steamed fish recipe (Caribbean style) from Jehan Powell of Jehancancook.com. This simple recipe feels reminiscent of ones from classic fish shacks along the beaches of the Caribbean, but can easily be recreated at home. Jehan recommends porgy or snapper, which are both high in essential vitamin B6 and B12, and are also a high source of protein.

For Snack: Vegan Pumpkin Banana Cookies

Making sustainable changes in your diet can feel difficult at first, but a successful transition also requires balance. You’re more likely to stick to a healthier diet if you can still enjoy some sweet treats as well. So that’s why we love these easy pumpkin banana cookies from food blogger Christina Collie of babemadeblog.com. This sweet treats feels perfect at any time of day, thanks to the fiber-rich oats and walnuts, which keep you feeling full until your next meal.

Toots and the Maytals clear the record on the true origins of reggae

By

Howard Campbell

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January 5, 2019

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Reggae legend Toots Hibbert kicked off an overseas tour in January 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. His plan was to give a little history lesson for reggae fans during his tour through Florida, Virginia and New York.

The band celebrated the 51st anniversary of their song, “Do The Reggae” — which marked the very first use of the term “reggae” to describe the bass-heavy sound that became a global force. Toots claims he has never been given proper credit for creating the word that would become Jamaica’s most famous genre. He planned to change that on this tour.

“I don’t brag about myself, people call me great, but I don’t like to talk about myself. People around the world know is we [The Maytals] create the word reggae. So is time people in Jamaica tek stock an’ do the same,” he said. Toots does not exactly recall how he came up with the name reggae, but said it was based on “streggae,” a Jamaican slang for a loose woman.

The song helped establish Toots and The Maytals as one of Jamaica’s top acts abroad. “Do The Reggae” became popular throughout Europe and Australia, but never caught on in Jamaica where Toots and The Maytals are known for Independence Festival songs like “Bam Bam” and “Sweet and Dandy.”

Reggae historians have differed on the origins of reggae for decades, though most agree the sound began changing in 1968 from the faster-paced rocksteady. Some argue that Larry and Alvin’s “Nanny Goat,” produced by Clement “Coxson” Dodd, counts as the first reggae song.

The Most Anticipated Music From Caribbean Artists In 2019

By

Monique McIntosh

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January 3, 2019

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We may not know what the new year has in store for us, but it’s safe to predict we’ll have a killer soundtrack for 2019. A slew of new albums and projects are slated for release this year by Caribbean artists, from dynamic duo J Balvin and Bad Bunny, to Miss bad gal Riri herself. So we’re rounded up the most anticipated released to add to your watch list, from stadium stars to exciting newcomers.

Rihanna

2018 was a hectic year for Rihanna, expanding her insanely popular make-up line Fenty Beauty and co-starring in the “Ocean’s 8” heist film. But in 2019, the Bajan beauty may be returning to her music roots with a double album: one focused on her pop-centric sound, and the other dedicated exclusively to reggae and dancehall. In December, Rihanna gave a vague, one worded reply “2019” to a fan begging for a new album on Instagram. She could have been trolling fans, but industry insiders, including several producers and songwriters from around the Caribbean, have confirmed the project is fervently in the works, with several tracks already completed. Jamaican producers Supa Dups, Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor, Linton “TJ Records” White, Jamerican producer Tyshane “Beam” Thompson, and US. Virgin Island producer duo R. City have been linked to the project. Jamaican stars Chronixx, Gyptian and Kranium are also rumored to be involved. So a 2019 released date is looking promising for bad gyal fans everywhere.

J Balvin & Bad Bunny

No one possibly had a bigger 2018 that these reggaeton stars, Columbia’s own J Balvin and Puerto Rican latin trap master Bad Bunny. They both released two fire albums and shared the hottest song of the year “I Like It” with Cardi B. So fans were thrilled to hear these stars plan to collab on a joint album, tilted “Oasis,” exploring all shades and sounds of reggaeton, and a happy union of Caribbean and Latin American sounds. Though there is no official release date, both stars aren’t above a surprise drop (Bad Bunny dropped his first solo album without warning this past Christmas). And they have also let slip in interviews that they’re recorded six or seven tracks together already. So a 2019 release may be in the cards.

Cardi B

Cardi B cemented her status on the music landscape, releasing her first album “Invasion of Privacy,” which produced many killer hits, including the number one single “I Like It.” All this while getting married, having a baby, and performing around the world. So Cardi has proven she definitely knows how to multitask. So of course Cardi plans to release another album in 2019. On New Year’s Day, the rapper went live on Instagram, confirming a new project for 2019. “Of course it’s going to be an album in 2019,” she said to a fan asking about her next record. She went on to say she hopes to release the album around the same time of the release of “Invasion of Privacy,” which makes the release date around April 2019. Though the star acknowledges the project may take longer due to her hectic schedule. Fingers crossed. She will also release a deluxe version of “Invasion of Privacy” this year as well.

Wyclef Jean

Rap legend and Fugees founder Wyclef Jean goes back to basics with his latest album “Wyclef Goes Back to School,” slated for release March 2019. During his Carnival Tour in 2018, Wyclef became inspired by students he met at colleges around the country. This new project will feature student collaborators from each of the schools, either as musicians and side artists. The students who made the album will also perform with Wyclef during the Heads Music SXSW showcase in March.

Calypso Rose

Trini Calypso living legend Calypso Rose had a hectic 2018, releasing a new album “So Calypso” and completing a 50-show tour of Europe. And she’s not slowing down in 2019. She scheduled to perform on the star-studded Coachella line-up this year in April. And she’s working on a soca-infused album for potential release this year. She’s already released a track from the upcoming project, the slick “Young Boy” Carnival 2019 remix with Machel Montano. Canadian/Belizean platinum producer Ivan Duran and Grammy Award-winning engineer Dave Pensado have also been connected to the project.

Julian Marley

2019 starts with a bang with Julian Marley’s latest solo album “As I am,” slated to be released January 25th. the new project marks a grand return, as it has been a decade since GRAMMY award-nominated Julian Marley delivered his critically acclaimed “AWAKE” album in 2009. The new project fully embraces his roots rock sound, and is inspired by his enduring faith and social consciousness. “I was inspired by GOD -life- love – family- people and the social issues we live in today and from ever since,” says Marley about the new project. “Music is to gather the people under the umbrella of love and the love is in the music.” The new album also proves to be a family affair, as Julian is also joined by Damian Marley and Stephen Marley as producers on the project. The album will also include some killer collaborations with other stars like Shaggy and Beenie Man. You can pre-order the album here.

AJ Tracey

We have high expectation for the very first solo album of British rapper AJ Tracey, who attracted serious heat last year with his single “Butterflies.” While deeply inspired by grime, the eponymously titled album will also offer a deep dive into his Trini roots, with some soca-inflected tracks in vein of his soca-drivven “Butterflies” hit. The album will drop on February 8th, and he is also launching a world-wide tour to support the album, starting in March. You can pre-oder the new album and get tickets for the upcoming tour here.

Koffee

In many ways, singjay Koffee has been the artist Jamaican pop has been waiting for, combining authentic reggae revival vibes with lightning-fast dancehall delivery. The 18-year-old star was the toast of the town in 2018 with her viral hits “Toast,” “Burning” and “Raggamuffin.” So it’s natural that big labels would soon come calling. She’s signed with Columbia Records UK and is currently working on her very first EP that could be released this year. Jamerican producer Walshy Fire (of Major Lazer) has been attached to the project.

Watch Out For These Caribbean Tech Entrepreneurs in 2019

By

Monique McIntosh

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January 2, 2019

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Screen Shot 2019-01-02 at 4.33.58 PM — Photo IG: @tech.beach

The tech sphere is making serious waves in the Caribbean, with only more room to grow in 2019. So we’ve rounded up names to watch this year among a growing community of Caribbean tech entrepreneurs. These industry leaders prove particularly influential, not just for their exciting business initiatives, but also their efforts giving back to the tech start-up community, and for empowering Caribbean entrepreneurial development.

Kirk-Anthony Hamilton: The Infiniti Partnership, Tech Beach

The Kingston, Jamaica native has been collecting accolades for years in entrepreneurship, including being the only Caribbean awardee of former President Obama’s Emerging Global Entrepreneur Initiative. He is the founder and CEO of the Infiniti Partnership, which invests in multiple sectors to promote growth in Jamaica. But perhaps Hamilton’s greatest legacy will be promoting tech ecosystems, connecting Caribbean start-ups to the world. He founded Tech Beach Retreat: a tech-centric conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica, offering keynote speakers from industry leaders, panel discussions and workshops. The landmark event is expected to grow for its fourth staging in 2019.

Karina Chez: Kaya Energy Group

With a changing climate, the Caribbean region will prove particular vulnerable to continued environmental pressures. So finding and establishing viable energy alternatives is a top priority for the region. Dominican native Karina Chez is making major strides in this department with her company, Kaya Energy Group: an engineering and financial firm focused on renewable energy in the Caribbean. The firm takes a holistic approach to promoting renewal energy, developing photovoltaic systems, curating funding for solar energy initiatives, and consulting with government and international organizations on renewable energy policies in the region. Plus, Chez also founded the Vida KAYA Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on the the implementation of environmental projects. With so many initiatives in the pipeline, 2019 may prove to be a landmark year for Caribbean solar power thanks to her entrepreneural leadership.

Christine Souffrant Ntim: Haiti Tech Summit

A serial tech entrepreneur, Christine Souffrant Ntim has been promoting start-up ecosystems around the world, focusing on emerging and underserved markets. She has founded Vendedy – a social network connecting people to street markets around the world, giving local small businesses a global stage. She also founded other startup initiatives like Global Start-up Ecosystem and Start-up Grind Dubai. Now the Haitian-American commerce advocate is bringing her expertise and global connections to Haiti with Haiti Tech Summit — a cultural technology fusion seeking technology solutions across sectors, from food to commerce to music and more. The third annual Summit will be held this year in June, featuring industry leaders from across the region and the globe.

Parallel18

Following the devastation of hurricanes in 2017, Puerto Rico’s local economy was reeling. But Parallel18 remained a light at the end of the tunnel for the local tech industry. Led by Sebastian Vidal, the government-backed business/tech initiative is a startup accelerator, helping both local and international businesses to scale their production to the Puerto Rican market. This unique program provides training and mentorship for start-ups during the 5-month acceleration program. Plus, the organization also offers an equity-free grant of $40,000 USD to participants. The organization is also giving extra love to local emerging start-up dubbed Pre18: an accelerator program dedicated solely to early-stage Puerto Rican startups who remained on the island. To majority of participants are targeting issues directly stemming from the effects of Hurricane Maria. With so many promising companies on the horizon for 2019, Parallel18 is setting itself up to be a powerful foundation for the next generation of tech entrepreneurs.

Gabriel Abed: Digital Asset Fund, Bitt Inc.

As the co-founder of Digital Asset Fund and Bitt Inc. (the Caribbean’s first digital currency exchange), Gabriel Abed knows his way around the chaotic world of bitcoin and blockchain currency. The Barbados native has quickly become the regional expert on building a stable infrastructure for digital-based finance, which seeks to empower communities underserved by the conventional banking system. But he departs from the usual bitcoin players with his active partnership with the government and international regulatory organizations. His most notable accomplishment in the region is perhaps his guidance establishing the first digitized version of the Barbados dollar — the first ever digitized flat money approved by a central bank. He continues to serve as a digital currency consultant for several governments and multilateral groups including the government of Barbados and Bermuda, as well as the Caribbean Development Bank. With so many potential applications of digital currency in the region, we can expect even more initiatives from the crypto guru.

These Ladies’ Empowering Stories Will Inspire Your New Year’s Resolutions

By

Monique McIntosh

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December 24, 2018

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2018 proved a chaotic year around the globe, but we also witnessed many rays of hope and triumph, with inspiring stories of everyday people overcoming the odds and achieving extraordinary things. These stories provide valuable lessons we all can definitely take into the new year. With New Year’s resolutions in mind, we’ve gathered a few of our favorite stories about amazing Caribbean ladies and their personal victories, from tennis champs to breast cancer survivors. Explore these incredible ladies below.

For Loving What God Gave You: Gabriella Bernard

These Ladies' Empowering Stories Will Inspire Your New Year's Resolutions — Photo: IG @GabriellaBernard

When Trinidadian model Gabriella Bernard was pressured into relaxing her natural hair for the makeover segment of regional TV show “Caribbean’s Next Top Model,” it caused a viral sensation online. The experience proved personally impactful for the model as well. The whole incident encouraged her to explore and challenge perceptions about black natural hair within the Caribbean community in her short documentary, “Black Hair.” The film has toured the festival market, premiering to acclaim at the Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival. The film is a personal look at the model’s negotiation with her appearance, her heritage, and finding her own image of beauty.

For Pushing Personal Boundaries: Dr. Jackie Sabga and Cherise Stauble

How does one go from irregular stints at the gym to competing in the infamously grueling Ironman Triathlon. That’s the story of best friend and marathon mates Dr. Jackie Sabga and Cherise Stauble. This past November, both Trini ladies competed in Arizona Ironman, completing a 2.4-mile swim, a 26.2-mile run and a 112-mile bike ride in 15 hours and 48 minutes. In addition to participating in these legendary races, these two extraordinary ladies have also nurtured a fulfilling and empowering friendships that will also go the extra mile.

For Defying Expectations: Naomi Osaka

When Haitian-Japanese-American tennis star defeated Venus Williams at the U.S. Open, it was perhaps by far the greatest sporting upset this year. At just 20 years old at the tournament, Osaka overcame a host of more experienced athletes and Williams’ legendary serve to earn the title — all under what was perhaps the most emotionally tense tennis game of the decade. But throughout it all, she remains cool, calm and collected, and ultimately victorious. To learn more about this break-out tennis star, check out our 5 things you need to know about Naomi Osaka.

For Overcoming The Odds: Carla Hill

Life is full of health obstacles, and Trini advocate Carla Hill has experienced her share as a kidney cancer and breast cancer survivor. In our Spring Issue of Island Origins, Hill shared her moving story about her diagnosis, her length treatment, and her personal journey to self love. After her second mastectomy, Hill also became a champion for other survivors to rediscover their own beauty and self-confidence after treatment, especially on her Instagram, @brstlssbeauty. It’s a valuable lesson on how precious and beautiful our bodies are beyond limiting beauty standards, and how much our bodies have to give. “To those surviving their own personal battles I say – you are more powerful now than you ever were before,” says Hill.

Meet The Most Exciting Caribbean Artists Working Right Now

By

Monique McIntosh

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December 24, 2018

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Screen Shot 2018-12-24 at 1.20.47 AM — Work by artist Angel Otero. Photo: IG @oteroso.

2018 turned out to be a historic year for contemporary Caribbean artists, with survey exhibitions and ground-breaking installations around the world. With so much important work from a new generation of voices, it’s difficult to pick just a few highlights. But we’ve rounded up a few artists from the Caribbean diaspora whose work this year will linger on for years to come, from emerging artists to landmark masters.

Ebony G. Patterson

Meet The Most Exciting Caribbean Artists Working Right Now — Ebony G. Patterson, Called Up, Open Spaces Kansas City, 2018. Courtesy the artist and Monique Meloche Gallery, Chicago. Installation photos: EG Schempf.

The work of Jamaican-born mixed-media artist Ebony G. Patterson expands in leaps and bounds with some ambitious exhibitions this year. She exhibited a solo show at the University of Michigan, and received the Tiffany Foundation Biennial Grant. For the “Open Spaces” installation show in Scope Park, Kansas City this summer, Patterson also transformed an abandoned pool into a ethereal bed of flowers, as a memorial for children who suffered from incurable ailments and did therapy there. The Baltimore Museum of Art also features a solo show, on exhibit until April 7th, 2019. The Perez Art Museum Miami is also exhibiting Patterson’s largest showcase yet, featuring examples of the artist’s work produced over the last five years, embedded within a new installation of a whimsical and dark magical garden. The exhibit runs until May 5th, 2019.

Tania Bruguera

Cuban artist and activist Tania Bruguera has experienced a difficult December, arrested again by the Cuban government — this time for protesting against Decree 349, a proposed censorship law that would limit artistic expression. This experience is just another (though eventful) chapter in the artist’s storied career dedicated to advocacy for the marginalized. Most notably this year, she created a landmark installation at the prestigious Tate Modern in London, UK, exploring the global refugee crisis and migrant experience. This installation will run until February 24, 2019. The installation includes a heat sensitive floor, where visitors can work together and use their own body heat to reveal a hidden portrait of Yousef, a young man who left Syria to come to London. In a small room nearby, an organic compound in the air induces tears and provokes what the artist describes as “forced empathy.”

Angel Otero

Known for his vivid, abstract-expressionistic paintings and oil paint wall hangings, Puerto Rican artist Angel Otero has brought his work to a new arena. He started 2018 with his solo show “Elegies” at the Bronx Museum. His work was also a part of the “Inherent Structures” exhibit this year at the innovative Wexner Center for the Arts at Ohio State University. The Lehmann Maupin Gallery also hosted Otero’s first solo show in South Korea, called “Piel de Luna.” This most recent show features recent large-scale paintings, paint collages on paper, and a tapestry-like work composed entirely of oil paint that hangs directly on the wall.

Hew Locke

British-Guyanese sculptor Hew Locke has been making ground-breaking work for decades, and the artist is showing no signs of letting up, with new and innovative installations this year. This past October in New York City, he unveiled his “Patriots” series, where he smothered large images of historic statues like George Washington, J Marion Sims, Christopher Columbus, Alexander Hamilton and Peter Stuyvesant in garish decoration. These works attempt to question and fragment the apparent authority of these Western figures, mocking their sanitized histories. This is the latest series in his career-long exploration of western colonialism and iconography, especially connected to the shaping of national identities. Also, Locke will next have a survey of his work at the Ikon gallery, from 8 March to 2 June, 2019, featuring his more recent work. For the show, plans are in the works for Locke to decorate a real historic statue: transforming the statue of Queen Victoria in Queen’s Square into a Vodun Queen.

Andil Gosine

Emerging Canadian scholar and artist Andil Gosine dived into his Trinidadian roots for his ground-breaking solo show “Coolie Coolie Viens,” on display until January 12 at the McIntosh Gallery, Western University in London, Ontario Canada. Exploring intimate family photography, the multi-media show examines the legacy of Indian migration and indentureship in the Caribbean, and how it shaped racial, cultural and sexual identities. Ultimately the show offers “an auto-ethnographic study of life after the end of indentureship, interrogating its legacy and the social and political effects it has had on Indo-Caribbean communities, transforming their lives through intergenerational trauma,” says the artist statement. Some pieces from this series was also featured in the landmark Caribbean contemporary traveling exhibition,” Relational Undercurrents,” which is currently on display at the Frost Art Museum in Miami, and will be up until January 13th, 2019. Also earlier this year, the Robert McLaughlin Gallery also exhibited another series, “All the Flowers.”

Jamaica: Have Dinner At The Caves

Puerto Rico: Go Salsa Hopping in San Juan

St. Lucia: Relax In A Rainforest Spa

Grenada: Day Trip At An Underwater Museum

Barbados: Make A Toast On A Rum Tour

More On Caribbean Travel:

1. Jessica Nabongo: @jessicanabongo

2. Lee Litumbe: @spiritedpursuit

3. Gloria Atanmo: @glographics

4. Shea Powell: @Theworldupcloser

5. Oneika Raymond: @oneikaraymond

6. Asiyami Gold: @asiyami_gold

7. Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon: @jetsetsarah

8. Macaulay Thompson: @mytavelstamps

Cuba The Movie

Misbehaviour

Maybes: Asgaya Part 1: The Sheut

For Breakfast: Energizing Green Smoothie

For Dinner: Caribbean Steamed Fish

For Snack: Vegan Pumpkin Banana Cookies

Rihanna

J Balvin & Bad Bunny

Cardi B

Wyclef Jean

Calypso Rose

Julian Marley

AJ Tracey

Koffee

Kirk-Anthony Hamilton: The Infiniti Partnership, Tech Beach

Karina Chez: Kaya Energy Group

Christine Souffrant Ntim: Haiti Tech Summit

Gabriel Abed: Digital Asset Fund, Bitt Inc.

For Loving What God Gave You: Gabriella Bernard

For Pushing Personal Boundaries: Dr. Jackie Sabga and Cherise Stauble

For Defying Expectations: Naomi Osaka

For Overcoming The Odds: Carla Hill

Ebony G. Patterson

Tania Bruguera

Angel Otero

Hew Locke

Andil Gosine

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