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Marva Griffiths Herman was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica and has been involved with the Caribbean-American community for much of her life. After a break of caring for her two young sons, she became active again in the Caribbean-American community when she was approached by longtime friend Dr. Claire Nelson of the Washington, DC-based Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS), to assist her with efforts to petition the United States government to establish a National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

On February 14, 2006, the United States Senate passed the Concurrent Resolution establishing June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month. Herman spearheaded the successful Los Angeles grassroots campaign and the inaugural celebrations held on June 16, 2006 where the Los Angeles City Council presented a proclamation establishing June as Caribbean American Heritage Month in Los Angeles in perpetuity.

As a result of the congressional resolution, in 2007 Herman founded the Caribbean Heritage Organization, Inc. (CHO), which produces the official Los Angeles Caribbean-American Heritage Month gala, the Caribbean Heritage Salute to Hollywood & Excellence and the CaribbeanLens International Film Festival.

She is the West Coast Representative for the Institute of Caribbean studies and sits on the advisory board for the Hon. Consul of Jamaica to Los Angeles.

Claire Nelson is Founder and President of the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS). Under her leadership, the non-profit community think/do-tank, founded in 1993, has become known as the leading CaribbeanAmerican advocacy group in Washington DC and has succeeded in placing the Caribbean American agenda on the national policy stage.

She is the visionary behind the successful campaign to declare June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month. ICS is the architect of activities such as the only White House Caribbean American community briefings, the annual Caribbean American Legislative Forum on Capitol Hill and the Caribbean American Leadership Dialogue: Invest Caribbean, which focuses on economic development and investment opportunities in the Caribbean.

Dr. Nelson is Chair of the Caribbean American Complete Count Committee for the U.S. 2010 Census. As a result of her leadership in the Caribbean American community, she has received commendations by several members of the US Congress in the Congressional Record and was Grand Marshall in the 2010 West Indian Labor Day Carnival in Brooklyn, New York and most was honored by the Obama White House as a Champion of Change.

An award-winning writer and performance artist, Claire recently appeared in Washington, DC’s New Arts Festival as a storyteller.

Her play ‘Resident Alien, which received critical acclaim ran for three months in Jamaica and a month in Barbados. Her docudrama ‘Rivers of Blood’ copped Best Director credits in the Washington, DC Source Theatre New Play Festival, and her musical comedy ‘Ten Downing Street’, earned a silver medal in the Jamaica Festival. She has directed folkloric shows, which have been featured at locales such as the Smithsonian, the Kennedy Center and the World Bank Auditorium. She served as Technical Consultant on the Whoopi Goldberg film, Clara’s Heart. She recently premiered a one-woman show called Limbo Like This - Tales of Caribbean Life in America’. She is a regular guest on CaribNation TV and Caribbean Experience on WHUR FM and Caribbean Exchange on WEAA FM.

About Caribbean Heritage Organization It is the mission of the Caribbean Heritage Organization to: Chronicle the experiences of the expatriated Caribbean people, from the most recently arrived immigrants to leaders in American and European society, from life on the streets of Brooklyn, London, Toronto to deal making in the halls of power.

Showcase and educate in the different aspects of Caribbean arts and culture in and outside the region.

Conserve and celebrate the rich and diverse contributions of the Caribbean and its people to the international society.

About the Institue of Caribbean Studies - DC

Support and nurture existing and emerging creative talent in the Caribbean through academic scholarships, mentorship and promotion of Caribbean films and filmmakers, theater and dance. Caribbean Heritage Organization, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) entity.

The Institute of Caribbean Studies-DC is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1993, that is dedicated to policy analysis, education, advocacy and action on issues that impact the Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora.

For more information on ICS and Caribbean American Heritage Month, please visit www.icsdc.org and caribbeanamericanmonth.org.

Gwendolyn Osborne-Smith is not only a stunning model and actress that you have been watching on The Price is Right for the past 12 years, but she was also the producer and star of TBS’ only reality show, Meet the Smiths, which centered around her and her husband, NBA legend Kenny Smith, along with their five extraordinary children.

Born in Bath, United Kingdom, Gwendolyn comes from Jamaican and British parents.

Her love for the arts started in grade school, attending performing arts schools and then into performing arts colleges in both England and America.

In addition to her role on The Price is Right, Gwendolyn has hosted on HLN as a parental perspective for current affairs and on The Hallmark Channel’s Home and Family. As an actress, she played Jade Dominguez for two seasons on the television show Ocean Ave. Other television credits include Real Husbands of Hollywood, Charmed, Eve and Huff. Gwendolyn’s feature film credits include Adam Sandler’s Jack and Jill, Snow Dogs and Any Given Sunday alongside Bill Bellamy and Jamie Foxx.

In addition to acting and modeling, Gwendolyn is a singer whose first studio album is currently in the works.

After being a single mother for 10 years to her daughter Monique, Gwendolyn married TNT basketball analyst and retired 2-time NBA Champion Kenny Smith in 2006.

Their son Malloy, was born in 2008. Their second child, London Olivia, was born in September 2012.

Ana Maria Horsford’s acting career began with her role as a prisoner in the soap opera “Guiding Light” (CBS 1952-2009). Ever since, the Harlem native has enjoyed a steady and successful journey with guest spots, small and notable roles in film and television sharing the set with both Hollywood’s all-time great actors, directors, and recent stars including Lucile Ball, Stephen Spielberg, and Ice Cube, amongst others. Her first major recurring TV role was on the popular sitcom “Amen” (NBC 1986-1991) as Thelma Frye, the deacon’s daughter who is desperately hunting for a husband.

Most recently, Horsford was nominated for the 2017 Daytime Emmy Best Supporting Actress award, for her portrayal of Vivienne Avant in The Bold and the Beautiful. Vivienne has accepted that one of her two children is transgender, and is trying to convince her husband to do the same for the sake of the family’s unity. That unity is threatened even more when his secret love child shows up at their home.

“The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air” (NBC 1990-1996), and “The Wayans Bros” (WB 1995 -1999) where she played Deirdre ‘Dee’ Baxter, the security guard, are two of her popular sitcom recurrent roles, while she has harnessed dozens of big screen performances including A Madea Christmas, Our Family Wedding, Gridiron Gang, Street Smart, Minority Report, Presumed Innocent, Along Came A Spider, and others.

Horsford, who attended the then High School of Performing Arts in New York City, says her determination to succeed comes from having been born into a “family of risk takers”.

Her mother Lillian, came from the Dominican Republic, and her father Victor, emigrated from Antigua, British West Indies. He owned real estate and was the first Black owner of a supermarket in Harlem. She also says her father taught her that “It’s not enough to do god for yourself, you have to do something for the generations that come after you.”

Honoring her father’s teachings, Horsford has shared her talents by conducting acting workshops for the City Volunteer Corp, and drama therapy classes at the College of New Rochelle, both in New York. She has also hosted creative writing workshops and standup comedy festivals for prison inmates in New York and New Jersey, among her many community involvement.

In recognition for her philanthropic endeavors, the actress has received numerous accolades including recognition from the University of Nebraska’s Black Studies Department; The Commitment of Excellence and Humanity Award from the international sorority Sigma Gamma Rho; the Salute to Women in Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, in Missouri, and many more.

Grace Byers is a talented actress and dedicated activist who first entered into the spotlight with her breakout role as ‘Anika Calhoun’ on Fox’s smash hit series EMPIRE. Grace attended college at the University of South Florida in Tampa, where she received a B.A. in theater arts. Upon graduation, she was accepted into the University of California Irvine’s graduate program and obtained her M.F.A in acting.

A successful showcase took her from Los Angeles to New York City, where she performed professionally. Several theater productions, short films and national commercials led her to Chicago where she is currently filming EMPIRE. Grace grew up in the Cayman Islands. As a multiracial young girl and Child Of Deaf Adults (CODA), Grace was bullied throughout her childhood. Her experiences have led her to write her first book, ‘’I Am Enough’ coming out in 2018. The book was born out of her impassioned desire to empower young girls against the negative effects of bullying.

In her spare time, she volunteers with the non-profit anti-bullying organization, Saving Our Daughters. She lives with her husband, actor Trai Byers and their little maltipoo, Baron Byers, in Los Angeles.

Roland Yorke has served as Consul General for Belize in Los Angeles for the last 9 years. Prior to coming to the Consulate, he worked as a Multi-Purpose Senior Center Director in the Second Superensial District for the County of Los Angeles.

His journey started in 1961 when he migrated to the United States and settled between the Bronx and Manhattan Bouroghs. Having always had an interest in community advocacy, he became attracted to leaders like Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jessie Gray and the then State Assembly Person Shirley Chisholm, who later ran for President of the United States in a Democrat Primary. It was as a consequence of her New York Legislation that ultimately enabled Roland to obtain a full scholarship to Onandaga Community College and later Syracuse University (SU). “Her Seek Legislation� gave educational opportunities to minorities in State of the New York.

Upon graduating from SU with a Sociology degree with emphasis on Public Administration and Advocacy, Consul General along with his wife Sylvia, moved to Los Angeles where members of his family resided and commenced working for Los Angeles County Department of Community & Senior Services.

As a consultant, he was assigned to review legislation impacting older persons, and organizing senior groups engaged in advocacy in the Second Supervisorial District. Both assignments enabled him to interact with most elected officials in the city, county, and state that represented the Second District. He was also involved in assisting senior groups in lobbying local and State governments.

By 1977 Roland was able to connect with the Los Angeles Belizean Diaspora and in 1978 a community organization by the name of The Concerned Belizean Association was established with a set of bylaws that made an indelible mark on Belizean Communities throughout the United States.

Always wanting to advance the envelope, CG Yorke joined with the then-Ambassador to the United States in forming a nationwide organization, billed as the Consortium for Belizean development.

But because of his love for politics, Roland joined in the formation of Friends of the United Democratic Party of Los Angeles, a support group to the United Democratic Party in Belize.

Once he discovered that a Caribbean organization named the Caribbean Action Lobby existed, he readily joined at the request of an invitation from Robert Farrell, then Councilman representing the 8th District in the City of Los Angeles.

While Mr. Yorke’s transition to the Consulate of Belize added to his ongoing drive to improve the quality of life for older persons for some 35 years, now he had the responsibility to serve the entire Belizean Community with an estimated population of 75 to 100,000.

The fact that cancer, particularly breast and cervical cancers seems to impact his community, the Consulate has conducted presentations on both issues twice annually.

Although he speaks of retirement, the recent immigration issues has caused him to review his recent decision verses the need to assist those most traumatized by reckless rumors.

Wealth management executive, cum laude college graduate, national spokesperson, world traveler, thirteen-time pageant holder, Jasmine Turner was born in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, the eldest of four children to Emanuel and Pamela Turner. Her performance talents were first exhibited when she won a local junior high school pageant. She was salutatorian in her junior high school class of over 800 students. Four years later she graduated in the top 10% of her high school class and was voted outstanding senior by the American Legion. Her educational success was instrumental in building character, confidence and a desire to excel.

In 1977 Turner entered her first international competition. She won the 1977 Hal Jackson’s Miss Virgin Islands Talented Teen pageant and traveled to Hollywood, California where she was a finalist at the ABC-TV syndicated competition. The following year she won the Virgin Islands’ Knights of Columbus oratorical contest with her speech ‘Society Needs A Mother” and used the cash reward to travel to San Diego, California to attend the prestigious Stage 7 dance school for the summer. During her senior year Turner won Miss World Virgin Islands and traveled to London, England to compete in the internationally broadcasted finals.

At age 17, Turner enrolled at Howard University and three years later graduated cum laude from the school’s five –year undergraduate Theatre Education degree program. While pursuing her degree, she performed with the Washington, DC based La Verne Reed Dancers who were billed with such performers as Bill Cosby and Luther Vandross. As an ensemble member of the Washington Theatre Arts Production, she appeared on college campuses across the country and was a lead dancer in a Louis Johnson choreographed production of “The Wiz.” Additionally, Turner worked with choreographers Bob Banas and Joe Tremaine and was an extra in the film, “The Kennedy Story.”

Turner would return to pageant competition in 1984 and won the International Model of the Year in Las Vegas, Nevada.

She would follow that with a Miss United States Virgin Islands crown in 1986 and travel to Panama City, Panama for the Miss Universe pageant. Turner received international attention from a UPI pre-pageant bathing suit wire photo. The following year she would become the first Black woman to capture the Queen of World Tourism title in Madrid, Spain and was invited to major conventions in Europe, Asia and South America. In 1990 Turner captured the coveted title Miss Black USA. The multi- talented Turner was the 1987 celebrity spokesperson for the Virgin Islands Tourism Board and featured in the Virgin Islands’ 1988 and 1989 CEBA Award nominated $15 million U.S. Virgin Islands print and television advertising campaign. Her television appearances include “The Great Escape/Discover America” (ABC), “The Magic Cruise” (ABC), “Front Runners” (ABC), “This Week in Black Entertainment” (BET), “Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon” (ABC), “Martin” “ROC”, and “Fox Summer Games (all FBC).”

Currently, Turner has parlayed her experiences in leading a successful financial advisory practice. Today, she is a Senior Vice President for UBS Wealth Management Americas where she leads a Pension Advisory business focusing on Caribbean Pension Plans. Additionally, she provides comprehensive investment management solutions and wealth planning, as well as a wide range of specific offerings to wealthy individuals and families. She holds a Series 7, 63, 65 and California Life Insurance licenses.

Shane Morgan Witnessing the challenges facing his community while growing up, Shane Morgan made it his mission to make a difference in Parade Gardens in Kingston, Jamaica, and to lead in the social reform and development of a community riddled with political segregation, violence and financial constraints. With this mission in mind, he and a group of Rastafarians within the community with the same vision created Life Yard. A social enterprise that would be geared toward creating changes through Art, Education and Agriculture. Shane’s collaboration with Paint Jamaica acted as a stepping stone to Life Yard being a driving force behind Parade Garden’s new glow.

Through Life Yard and the support of residents, he has established relationships outside of his community. As a result, he grew partnerships that blossomed into successful workshops for children, teaching them social skills such as crochet, drumming and art. Although challenges remain, Life Yard’s intent on “bending the tree while it’s young” will most likely see a change in the thoughts and actions of the community’s future generations.

Life Yard is now a space where children laugh, learn and liberate their minds.

An example of self-sustainability through their farm-to-kitchen restaurant, pallet furniture from recycled pallets and craft jewelry made from accessible resources such as coconut shells. With a sincere love for his community, he started Southside Eye TV, an extension of Aseer Entertainment, a media company owned by him and his partner. Through photography and videos, Shane highlights what he believes is the beauty of self-determination of the residents of Parade Gardens, which is achievable, despite the struggles they face.

Romaine “Sabukie” Allen Growing up in a Rastafarian household, Romaine “Sabukie” Allen understood from a very young age that giving is more rewarding than receiving, one of the many teachings of Haile Selassie. As a child his mother had to constantly speak to him about giving away his possessions and having nothing for himself. No matter how many times she spoke to him, his actions remained the same, inspiring her to call him “Samaritan.” One of his favorite quotes from Haile Selassie is “Let infants be clothed, the elder be fed and the sick taken care”. He lives by these words as well as the words of Marcus Garvey and Congolese independence leader, Patrice Lumba.

In his second year at the University of Technology studying a BSc., Sabukie got reacquainted with Shane Morgan of Life Yard. He loved the mission and believed it was his calling, ending his fruit business to be a part of Life Yard full time.

Since then, his contribution has been nothing short of extraordinary. Being present for events and standing with Shane Morgan on every mission, he has managed to enhance the vision of Life Yard and satisfy his own yearning to better the life of everyone that he can. It is safe to say that he is still that little boy who is giving his all even though it often means being left with nothing but personal satisfaction.

His mother and father had inspired a love for music. Realizing the powerful influence that music has, he also uses his creative energy with his sound system, Black Revelationz Sound, to help others learn about themselves and be better influences in society.

Julien Adams is a graduate of Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley (J.D., 1991) and the University of Southern California (B.A., 1988). He is a partner of the Law Firm of Dovel & Luner, LLP and his practice covers a broad range of business litigation areas, including entertainment litigation, intellectual property litigation, and complex commercial litigation.

Julien is co-founder and President of Children of the Caribbean Foundation.

Rosie Hodge-Adams is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University (MBA, International Business & Finance, 2006). She is cofounder and Chief Executive Officer of Children of the Caribbean Foundation. Rosie shapes and approves foundation strategies, advocates for the foundation’s issues, and sets the organization’s overall direction.

Julien and Rosie were married in a very intimate ceremony on the Caribbean island of St. John at the same venue where they met for the first time in their lives – the beach. The couple is proud parents of three children – Justin, Julien and Jaida. Making their children their priority, Rosie and Julien decided that Rosie who had worked in Securities and Investments upon moving from the United States Virgin Islands to Los Angeles in 1999, would give up her career in finance and become a stayat-home mother to ensure that their children received the best possible care that only a mother could give to her child.

Julien, who worked as a Federal Prosecutor at the time, shortly after accepted a position with the Law Firm of Dovel & Luner, where he remains one of the lead attorneys today.

Growing up in the Caribbean afforded Julien and Rosie the opportunity to appreciate the simple things in life yet aspire to achieve greater things in their lives. Hard work and good ethic, the principles instilled in them by their parents, their Caribbean teachers, their churches and the communities in which the two were raised – are what the couple credits for their success today. However, success in philanthropy is measured differently than success in business or government.

And while Julien’s profession has afforded his wife Rosie and their children to enjoy a rather pleasant and comfortable lifestyle, [outside of seeing their children develop into healthy and independent young adult (Justin) and teenagers (Julien, and Jaida)] today, it is about the stunning strides that underprivileged children have made in overcoming the challenges that they face. Success for Julien and Rosie today, is about making a sad child happy. Success is about getting an HIV positive child to feel just as loved and accepted as the child who is HIV negative. Success is about ensuring that every child is happy over the holidays. It is about ensuring that every child has access to education and the books and supplies he needs for school. It is about reducing the infant mortality rate in the Caribbean, especially on Haiti. Success to Julien and Rosie is “about the gains made in helping others without – because in helping those who are less fortunate than ourselves, we express our true Caribbean values.

One of the greatest of those values is our belief that the best investment that anyone can ever make is in the life of a child.”

Grammy and Emmy winner, Prakazrel “Pras” Samuel Michél, rose to international superstardom as a member of the multi-platinum group “The Fugees.” As a solo artist, he is most known for writing and producing the Grammy-nominated, worldwide top ten hit “Ghetto Supastar” feat. Ol’ Dirty Bastard and Mya. The hit single was included in the soundtrack for the film “Bulworth”.

The Fugees stepped onto the music scene with a hip hop sound mixed with a Caribbean beat. A reflection of Pras’ identity — a Haitian American, born in Brooklyn, raised in New Jersey.

After his Fugees fame, Pras continued to work not only as a performer but also as an actor, producer and documentarian. In “Skid Row”, the documentary chronicles Pras as he spends nine days as a homeless man in downtown Los Angeles. His film “Sweet Micky for President” follows Pras as he returns to Haiti post-earthquake and passionately mobilizes a presidential campaign for the unlikeliest of candidates: Michel Martelly, aka ‘Sweet Micky’, Haiti’s most popular and most outlandish pop star. The film won the Jury Award for Best Documentary at Slam Dance and Documentary Edge Festival in 2015. It was also an official selection at HotDocs, Miami International Film Festival and Los Angeles Film Festival. Pras is also Producer on the web series “The Bay” which swept the digital categories at the 2017 Daytime Emmy Awards winning five awards.

Pras continues his work in music, and his new band Get Fr3e released their first album in 2015. Their song “Came to Win” was written for “Sweet Micky for President.”

Pras’ philanthropic efforts to improve the lives of Haitians after the devastating 2010 earthquake inspired him to take frequent travels around the world, specifically to countries where war, crime, disease, and lack of governance remain destabilizing issues. Recently, he visited Azerbaijan, North Korea, Yemen, and Iraq.

Pras has also worked with the Clinton Global Initiative, Artists for Peace and Justice, and his support for President Obama’s campaigns have shown his consistent drive to inspire conversation about the positive changes needed for societies to grow and flourish. During the 2012 presidential election cycle, Pras was one of President Obama’s top 25 private donors, and firmly supports the effort made by the President and the First Lady.

From his start as a member of the Fugees, infusing hip-hop with social consciousness, to his efforts as a filmmaker documenting grass roots elections in Haiti, Pras has made it his mission to produce art that fights against injustice and sheds light on the important issues of our time. The success Pras created when he founded the Fugees opened the door for him to pursue impactful political activism. While he doesn’t seek the spotlight, nobody should underestimate the passion and vision of the man who makes it his ongoing mission to live a purpose-driven life that uplifts, entertains, and transforms the world around him.

“The Fugees afforded me many opportunities, professionally and personally,” explains Pras. “I’ve traveled the world, met the most interesting people and, most importantly, I am able to put my celebrity to good use by contributing to charities and working on philanthropic projects. Of all my endeavors, my philanthropic work is what I take most seriously.

It’s what I hold dear to my heart and believe is my larger purpose on this planet.”

I walked into the Neville Wisdom shop located in the Westville section of New Haven, Connecticut and immediately felt proud of what Mr. Wisdom had pulled off over the last few years. This was my first meeting with him and he looked very much at home in his showroom wearing one of his shirt designs, some jeans and some flip flops. After a quick walk around the showroom, we descended the stairs to the fashion design studio which was conveniently located below.

Mr. Wisdom is easy-going and thoughtful and by the looks of everything around, he’s also very hardworking. Yes, easygoing and hardworking like the people from Windsor Castle, St. Mary in Jamaica from where he hails.

I wanted to know a little more about how he went about designing and making clothes. What was very clear to me throughout was his emphasis on catering to his customers’ needs and making the experience of purchasing a Neville Wisdom design fun.

Karlene: What have you learned most about women?

Neville: Women are hard to please. Also, very often women don’t see themselves the way I see them. They don’t see themselves as beautiful as I think they are. Many don’t see their bodies as beautiful and I have to convince them of that.

I want them to know that I don’t just want to put clothes on their backs but I want to put clothes on them that will make them feel even better. A lot of women say “this won’t work for me” before they even try it sometimes. I show them that I want to design clothes that are very much tailored to their bodies.

Karlene: How much focus are you placing on designs for men?

Neville: Minimal. By demand. We don’t have the infrastructure right now to deal with expanding that market. About 5% of what we do is for males and making clothes for men is much harder.

Karlene: Who do you speak to first when you get an idea for a design?

Neville: I don’t speak to anyone. I keep my sketchbook handy. I see it before anything else. It floats around in my head until I can bring it to reality.

Karlene: What are some of the elements that make your designs unique?

Neville: I wasn’t trained in the industry and so I have relied a lot on trial and error. I developed my own techniques in terms of construction. My inspiration is the need of my customers.

Karlene: This is a question that I have because I want to know if this was hard for you.

Do you remember the first time you put a zipper into a piece of clothing? What was that like?

Neville: I think it was in the summer of 1988. I had just finished high school and was trying to decide what to do. A guy opened a tailor shop nearby and I watched the tailor every day for a month. He finally invited me into the shop to learn. I started on a Friday and on Saturday I cut my first pair of pants. That Sunday I put in my first zipper in a piece of clothing. I remember it was difficult. The first time I put a zipper in a skirt was in 1991 when I moved to Kingston and did a course on Spanish Town Road at Garmex Heart Academy. During the era of Free Zone in Jamaica, you could do courses in an area of garment construction and get a job a few weeks later. This is where my first love for the manufacturing side of clothing began.

Karlene: What are some of your greatest accomplishments and some of your greatest disappointments thus far?

Neville: Migrating from Jamaica and starting a business where I can provide jobs for people. Being an entrepreneur. I’m super excited about being written about in some of the biggest newspapers and magazines in the country and appearing on national and local television. Being able to work in a city where there is real community. I’m proud of serving on state and local boards where the focus is on small business, minority owned business and economic development. I’m disappointed about how difficult it is to grow a small business. There are so many roadblocks in trying to make it work. Overall, I’m disappointed that people don’t know where their clothes are made---for something that impacts your everyday life, you should really know where they are made and who is making them. If all we want to do is buy clothes for cheap then someone is suffering for that. We are a company that cares about the environment and so we don’t overproduce and waste a lot. There’s a human value to everything we do. There’s a morality to doing business and that means fair wages and no pollution.

Karlene: How does the collaborative space in your studio reflect your philosophies or goals?

Neville: So, even though I consider myself an up and coming designer, I have been designing for a long time. When I was a young designer, I didn’t have the equipment I needed to do my work. You have to be super connected to the industry or your family has to have already been in the industry to make it. My idea is to have my place be called a collaborative space to have an underground impact so that change will come about. We need change in the industry. It shouldn’t be only for the elite. You are more likely to win the lotto than become a successful fashion designer starting from the ground level.

Karlene: What’s next for Neville Wisdom?

Neville: We are pushing forward. We are a growing company and we’re trying to educate people about who and what we are. We are, at our core, a community partner. We try to bring an awareness of buying local---Americans buying American made products. We have a fashion show coming up. Our fashion shows are different.

They are more directly connected to our customers. Our fashion shows are based on showing a product to our customers and having them participate. Our customers are our models and they do our clothes justice. How we go about the business of fashion is an art form. We’re not trying to get to New York fashion week so we can get the big buyers. I am really concerned about the individual fit. So much so that anything purchased inside the store can get customized at no additional cost. Anything you see in the store can be made in additional fabrics or colors at the same price as the piece on the rack.

As for me, it’s not just about making a lot of money. I want to be happy. I believe in what Bob Marley was always singing about--- peace and love. He cared about the message he was sending. I believe that we will be blessed for the messages that we send to the world.

I like the business of fashion designing and getting the product right.

Iseiri Isanigu Cultural Group is a thriving group of Garifuna Americans whose families have migrated from Belize, Central America to Los Angeles, California. Our group’s mission is to preserve the Garifuna culture through traditional singing and dancing to the rhythm of the drums and to share our culture with others.

The words “Iseiri Isanigu” means “New Generation” in the Garifuna language. As our elders get older, it is only fitting that the new generation carry on the traditions that have been laid out for us. We believe that we too can pass on our traditional song and dance to the younger generations.

Some of our recent performances include the 2016 Garifuna Settlement Day Celebration Mass in Los Angeles and performing at various events hosted by the Consul General of Belize Mr. Roland Yorke. We also performed at the 2015 Independence Day event hosted by the Honorary Consul General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Cadrin Gil. Diane Allen (nee Johnson) was born and raised in Montego Bay, Jamaica, W.I. She is formally trained in Architecture, which she studied at the University of Technology, Jamaica and has practiced in the field successfully for quite a few years. In 2008, Diane moved to New York to pursue further education.

In 2009, she became Miss Jamaica US and being dedicated to the cause of youth chose Mustard Seed Communities as her charity. This led to her shifting her career goals in 2010 to work in Youth Development. Diane is fueled by her passion to inspire youth and equip them to follow their hearts and dreams, and to see the possibilities beyond their immediate circumstances. For the next three years in New York, Diane was an Elementary School Teacher’s Assistant, and a Youth Mentor at a Harlem Middle School.

Diane relocated to Los Angeles in 2013 with her husband, Actor & Businessman Dior Allen and in May 2014, accepted the role of Program Director at Hands4Hope LA. In July 2017 she will begin her new role as Director of Communications, Marketing & Outreach. Starting this fall she will also be pursing her Masters in Human Development & Psychology at UCLA. Her dedication to work in service of the Caribbean Diaspora also inspired her to launch a project dubbed “DiJoConversations” where she highlights the success stories of Caribbean Immigrants.

She remains balanced through her love of travel and performing arts specifically singing and salsa dancing. She is a former member of Braata Folks Singers, a musical theatre group based in New York.”

Please follow Diane on; You Tube Channel: “DiJo Conversations”, FaceBook & instagram: “DiJo Convo”

Adolfo Quan, also known as the “The Deejay with the Golden Ticket” or Dj Willy Wonka was born in Belize and grew up in the Bronx, NY. Graduating from Syracuse University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Information Management and Technology, Willy with a great educational background and wide range of technical skills, which was a great asset as a Disc Jockey, start branching out to the DJ World. He also took over the “Drive at 5” radio show on WJPZ Z89(89.1FM) in Syracuse, NY. This was a great opportunity that gave me a chance as a selector to show his skills to the city of Syracuse and spread the Caribbean culture and music. But, really Dj Willy was in touch with his Caribbean culture through Syracuse University Caribbean Students Association, where he was a web manager, events chair, and in-house Dj. Willy’s West Indian ethnicity transpire the way he looks at music. He became one of the well-known Tristate College djs touring about 16 colleges.

Today, DJ Willy is an active member in the Los Angeles Caribbean community.

He dj’s in the Hollywood Carnival and is also a member of illusive Radio App, which is a mobile app based in Los Angeles spreading Caribbean culture and music.

The smooth molded custard known as flan was brought to the Caribbean by the Spanish. Today it’s popular throughout the West Indies, where it often takes on a distinctly tropical character, thanks to the addition of coconut and local spices.

The following recipe yields individual flans, but you could also make one big one, using an 8-inch cake pan.

For the custard: 1-1/2 cups coconut milk 1 -14oz can sweetened condensed milk 5 eggs lightly beaten 2 tbsps dark rum

2 tsps vanilla extract ½ tsp ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Prepare the caramel: Combine the sugar and ¼ cup water in a saucepan. Cover the pan and cook over high heat for 2 minutes. Uncover the pan and continue cooking until the sugar mixture caramelizes (turns a deep golden brown), 3-4 minutes. Pour a little caramel into each of eight ½-cup ramekins or one 8-inch cake pan and tilt to coat the bottom and sides with caramel. Warning: take care not to drip any caramel on your fingers—it’s excruciatingly hot; you may wish to wear gloves to protect your hands. Bring 1 quart of water to a boil.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare the custard: Combine the coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, rum, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg in a mixing bowl and whisk until smooth. Strain this mixture in into the ramekins or cake pan. Place the ramekins or pan in a roasting pan with ½ inch boiling water.

Place the pan in the oven.

Bake the flans until set, about 30 minutes. When cooked, an inserted toothpick or skewer will come out clean. Transfer to a cake rack and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate the flans for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.

Just before serving, run the tip of a paring knife around the inside edge of each ramekin or cake pan. Place a dessert plate over each and invert the flan onto the plate. (You may need to give the flans a little shake.) Spoon any caramel that remains in the ramekin over and around the flan.

Serves 8.

WITH ITS BREATHTAKING LANDSCAPES, BEAUTIFUL BEACHES AND RICH HISTORY AND CULTURE, THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS IS ONE OF THE CARIBBEAN’S leading tourist destinations. But there’s more to the islands than just sea, sun and fun. The U.S. Virgin Islands has three main islands – St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas – each with unique experiences and influences, all stemming from a distinct past. From historical forts and museums to festivals and culinary heritage, the U.S. Virgin Islands provides an array of diverse offerings waiting to be explored.

Seven flags have flown over the USVI, contributing to the destination’s historic, diverse and storied past. The islands have been administered in succession by the Spanish, English, French, the Knights of Malta, the French (for a second time), the Danish, and now the islands are part of the United States. Each nation has also left its mark on the food, architectural and cultural traditions of the USVI. This is a significant year in the history of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The U.S. Territory commemorates its Centennial of the 1917 transfer of the Danish West Indies to the United States of America. The official Transfer Day was observed on March 31, but there are events and festivities taking place throughout the year, as the destination celebrates its colorful past, also reflected in its national parks, historic landmarks, music and the multitude of traditions that make up the daily life of Virgin Islanders.

Flavors of the Islands The culinary scene in the U.S. Virgin Islands features diverse offerings. From traditional recipes dating back to the 18th century to contemporary fare with farm-to-table and sea-to-plate dining concepts, there is something for every palette.

Indigenous dishes that can be found on local menus include kallaloo (a stew made with kallaloo bush (spinach can be used as a substitute) flavored with okra, meats and/or fish), fungi (a cornmeal polenta-like dish), Johnny cakes (a deep-fried unleavened bread) and patés (a fried pastry filled with tasty meat, fish or vegetables).

Cultural Traditions - Festivals and Carnivals Carnival is a celebration of life and freedom achieved through colorful street parades, dancing, music, pageantry and food.

The celebration’s origins can be traced through the cultural and spiritual traditions of African and European settlers. Today, the celebration is one of emancipation, independence and appreciation of the diverse cultures that converge in the Caribbean.

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, Carnival features calypso and soca music, and the iconic Mocko Jumbie (i.e., stilt walkers), the guardian of the islands. And with three islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands celebrates Carnival thrice a year with St. Thomas Carnival in April, St. John Festival in July and the Crucian Christmas Festival, which begins in December around the holidays and ends in January.

A Historical Journey - Iconic Landmarks and Sites The islands each feature iconic landmarks and attractions that transport travelers on a historical journey through the destination. Fort Christiansvaern - an imposing, yellow-brick fort built by the Danes - and Estate Whim Museum - a beautifully restored, 18th-century plantation greathouse and former sugar plantation site - are two of St. Croix’s notable attractions. Among the “must see” sights on the island of St. John are the ruins of the Annaberg Plantation, a Colonial-era sugar plantation. St. Thomas features places of worship dating back to the 1700s and 1800s, including the St. Thomas Synagogue, one of the oldest synagogues in the Western Hemisphere with its sand-covered floors, the Frederick Evangelical Lutheran Church - home to the oldest Lutheran congregation in the Virgin Islands and Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, which features murals on the ceiling depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments.

The combination of the U.S. Virgin Islands’ captivating natural beauty, its rich historical sites and dynamic cultural traditions, offers an alluring mix of attractions that continues to attract new and repeat visitors to the destination, especially during this symbolic Centennial year. Travelers can also enjoy the benefits of $1,600 in duty-free allowance for U.S. residents. Also, as a U.S. Territory, no passports are required for U.S. citizens to visit the USVI, making it a hassle-free getaway spot.

For more information about the U.S. Virgin Islands, go to www.visit.usvi.com.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Marva Griffiths Herman CO-PRODUCERS Claire Nelson, Ph.D. Audrey Mitchell CREATIVE DIRECTORS Cynthia Johnson Jody Gilbert DIRECTOR Elvert “Trev” Waltower

HOSTS Constantine Nsizoa Jackie Watson Marci Adams Rosemarie Miller Beverly Duke Reese-Ann Woolcock Brazil Duke Rikoya Duke Olive Amarasinghe Karen D. Williams

SPONSORS

SUPPORTERS CBS USVI Department of Tourism Origins Design Firm Tuff Gong Worldwide IN-KIND

CONSULTING DIRECTOR Ina Bruce-Adrabu PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS Javed Mitchell Terrence D. Herman Tracy Trahan EVENT MANAGER Audrey Mitchell VIP MANAGER Denise Gardiner

2017 ADVISORY COMMITTEE Dorothy McLeod, Jamaica Cultural Alliance Francesca Harewood, NBCUniversal Carmen J. Smith, Walt Disney Imagineering Ellen Bishop Spielman, Film Commissioner, Grenada, West Indies Elizabeth Rial, Director & Writer Jerome Spence, Secret Road Music

VOLUNTEER & TALENT COORDINATOR Lynette Williams

Claire Nelson, Ph.D., Founder, Institute of Caribbean Studies

SOCIAL MEDIA & WEB Origins Design Firm

PANELISTS Joan Graves, Motion Picture Association of America, Inc/ Classification and Rating Administration

PRESS & BLUE CARPET Terri Walters Karen D. Williams Olive Amarasinghe Simone Valentine

Nne Ebong, ABC Studios Francesca Harewood, NBC Universal Alissa Miller, Akin Gump Straus Hauer & Feld, LLP Maitreya Yasuda, Lionsgate Emily Best, Seed & Spark Judith Falloon-Reid, Barrivision Films (Moderator) D’Arcy Conrique (Moderator)

SPECIAL THANK YOU Carmen J. Smith Elizabeth Rial, Director & Writer Dorothy McLeod & Jamaica Cultural Alliance Team Lisa Boykin Tracy Trahan Molly Karow Leslie Yaffa, Ph.D. Jasjaap Sidhu Kymberly Howard Marva Lewis Sara Fornaris Whittaker