KARIBBEAN EXPRESSIONS MAGAZINE | CARIBBEAN LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE Los Angeles

'Tis the Season to Celebrate

VOL. 10 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2019

KEE Moments CARIBBEAN STARS BEHIND THE VELVET ROPE AT SOME OF HOLLYWOOD 'S BIGGEST CELEB RATIONS

TENTH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

KARIBBEAN EXPRESSIONS MAGAZINE Caribbean Lifestyle Magazine | Los Angeles

EXCLUSIVE:Â A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY WITH CARIBBEAN STARS

#DZVFILMS

SERVICES Corporate Videos Red Carpet Coverage Music Videos Weddings Graduations Special Events & More

Season's Greetings CELEBRATE~ We'll capture every moment!

DZVFILMS.COM

Media Production Solutions PREMIUM VIDEO & PHOTOGRAPHY Services Los Angeles | Tel. 424. 543. 4398 | dzvFilms@gmail.com

What's Inside?

Rebbie Jackson & daughter, Yashi Brown 12

CICELY TYSON 13

TEA TIME: MYKEETV'S FIRST CARIBBEAN TV SHOW 24 FOR TEENS & TWEENS

12

BEHIND THE VELVET ROPE A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY OF KEE MOMENTS WITH CARIBBEAN STARS Â

06

SPOTLIGHT ON : GRACE BYERS A CARIBBEAN STAR FROM FOX'S HIT TV SERIES, EMPIRE

25

OUR TOP PICKS FOR FESTIVE FOODS

23

KEE SUPERSTARS

11

FEATURE STORY: PAMPER YOURSELF THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

TEN YEARS AGO...

EDITORIAL Yep! That’s me. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and looking back, this picture represents so much. Ten years ago, we launched Karibbean Expressions Magazine online. This picture accompanied a newspaper feature about our new media entity in Los Angeles. The writer requested an image of the founder. She was eager to learn about how we would use this new platform – the internet - to tell Caribbean stories.

Proudly we said, we’re creating a platform where the stars and the stars-on-the-rise will share the same stage – our webstage. In the photo above, I’m holding the promotional postcard for our new online magazine/Karibbean Expressions Webstage.

At the time, I was a new mother. There were no road maps for us to follow, my husband and I were first-time parents and now first-time publishers. It’s been a journey of trials and triumphs. The title of this edition epitomizes the journey. We are lucky to live in Los Angeles. As I always say, Hollywood is indeed all the glamour that it professes to be, However, behind the velvet rope, each side tells a different story.

It’s flabbergasting – the irony and symbolism of what Hollywood represents.

I’m reminded each time we cover a red carpet event in Tinseltown ( affectionately known as Hollywood), that smokes and mirrors create the perfect illusion.

(Continued on page five.)

Ten Years SHOWCASING THE BEST OF THE CARIBBEAN (Continued from page four).

Tis

KARIBBEANÂ EXPRESSIONS MAGAZINE

KEE Media Group Inc. Karibbean Expressions Magazine myKEEtv Los Angeles Contact: wendym@myKEEtv.com www.myKEEtv.com

Wendy Marie 5

K A R I B B E A N E X P R E S S I O N S Actress Grace Byers talks Caribbean roots & her role on the hit Fox TV series, Empire.

In photo: Grace "Boo Boo Kitty" Byers with her award from the Caribbean Heritage Organization in Hollywood.

Photo by: Damian Christie

# P R O U D O F M Y C A R I B B E A N R O O T S

Q & A WITH ACTRESS GRACE BYERS

K A R I B B E A N

E X P R E S S I O N S

M A G A Z I N E

...she talks Caribbean roots, her role on the hit TV series & being bullied (Continued from page six.)

Her signature Caribbean smile is warm and contagious. She is smart, rather amiable and super gorgeous. Grace Byers stars on one of television’s most prominent drama series, Empire on FOX Network. Our myKEEtv presenter, Racquel Marshal, spent an evening chatting with the star known on-screen as Anika “Boo Boo Kitty” Calhoun.

The Caymanian-born actress was recently honored by the Caribbean Heritage Organization in Hollywood. It was a proud moment for Byers who told us how grateful she was to be recognized by the Caribbean community. We spent some time chatting with the star about her role on the drama series, her life in the Caribbean and she also shared that she is a survivor of bullying.

Grace Byers is now the author of a New York Times bestseller book. She is married to her costar, Trai Byers. The actress and activist is truly a down to earth, authentically sweet island girl with a jovial personality. It was sheer joy to be in her company. Here’s a sneak peek at our interview with the star. See the full interview on myKEEtv.com.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE FRUIT GROWING UP IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS?

Guinep, guinep, guinep [laughing]. I used to climb the trees, I use to pick ‘em up, open ‘em up , get the twinnies, guinep ...and mangoes I still love mangoes. I have them green, I have them ripe... mango, mango, mango. ( C O N T I N U E D O N P A G E E I G H T )

7

K A R I B B E A N

E X P R E S S I O N S

M A G A Z I N E

Q & A WITH ACTRESS GRACE BYERS ( C O N T I N U E D

F R O M

P A G E

7 )

[YOUR CHARACTER, BOO BOOK KITTY], ARE YOU ANYTHING LIKE HER ?

Nothing like her. Everybody who knows me finds it completely interesting and fascinating and they love it.

Everyone who doesn’t know me thinks I am just like her - which I am not.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CARIBBEAN DISH TO MAKE FOR YOUR HUSBAND?

He doesn’t like oxtail….but he does like curry chicken.

And, not too long ago, I made him some ackee and salt fish and he loved it…with fried plantains, green bananas and everything and he loved it.

[YOUR DOG HAS AN INTERESTING NAME]. TELL EVERYBODY ABOUT THIS DOG

So I got this little puppy… Trai was going through names for him and I was like no man he must have a royal name like Duke or like Prince but yuh know every Caribbean person names their german shepherd, Prince – we know this and so we got to Baron and I was like hmm Baron Byers. I like that and that’s how we decided.

[TELL US ABOUT YOUR INITIATIVE AGAINST BULLYING AND YOUR NEW BOOK…]

I got the opportunity to work with Saving our Daughters which is a non-profit organization that …empowers young girls with tools that they need in order to come against bullying. When I started to partner with them, I realized that about 75 percent to 80 percent of girls are bullied when they are younger and I was one of them so I was one of the statistics. You know it’s very common and its…even more common now that we have introduced the element of cyber bullying. If I could rewind time it’s something that I wish I didn’t go through but it’s also something that made me a little stronger so I wanted to be able to use my forum to …help younger girls to realize the power of their uniqueness and who they are. So, I wrote a children’s book called I Am Enough…and I am really excited about that. I am hoping that as the children read these words and as parents even read these words to their children that the words will truly inspire an inner dialogue that they have with themselves that can really promote them to be confident, powerful young women.

MYKEETV: THANK YOU SO MUCH MRS. GRACE BYERS. WELL DONE ON YOUR RISING STAR AWARD. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU.

See more of the interview on myKEEtv.com

#MYKEETVLA

NEW SEASON IN 2020

CARIBBEAN ROOTS

a myKEEtv original television drama series

#myKEEtvLA | myKEEtv.com

K A R I B B E A N

E X P R E S S I O N S

PAMPER YOURSELF THIS SEASON

M A G A Z I N E

JAMAICAN BEAUTY CARE PRODUCTS SOURCED FROM LOCAL FARMERS

BY INGRID HENRY

ERUTAEF

"I had awful acne; I used all the products on the market, but nothing worked.” This is what inspired 31-year-old Jamaican, Denise Grant, to start her own soap and body line called Flawless Deeze.

So, what makes her beauty line outstanding? Flawless Deeze utilizes natural ingredients such as turmeric, aloe vera and irish potato from community farmers in her hometown, Highgate, Jamaica.

Her products include toothpaste, scrubs, soaps and body oils. Denise sees Flawless Deeze as a perfect gift item for any season because of the unforgettable, relaxing feeling that lingers after using her products.

As she introduces her skincare line as the perfect gift this season, she acknowledges that diving into beauty products was a natural transition.

As a young girl, Denise remembers experimenting with aloe vera and tuna for skincare.

The name Flawless Deeze is still in its baby stage because she only recently began introducing her products to mainstream. However, Denise admits she has been sharing her skincare line with friends for more than three years.

10

K A R I B B E A N

M A G A Z I N E

FEATURE

Pamper Yourself This Holiday Season

E X P R E S S I O N S

...ingredients such as turmeric, aloe vera and irish potato from community farmers in her hometown...

11

ON THE NEXT TEN PAGES: A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY

Caribbean Stars

Photos by Damian Christie

BEHIND THE

DID YOU KNOW OF THE JACKSON FAMILY'S JAMAICAN CONNECTION?

In photo: Rebbie Jackson and her daughter, Yashi Brown ( Michael Jackson's sister & niece) attend DIVAS Simply Singing in Hollywood. The famous mother and daughter duo told us that Yashi's father (Rebbie's late husband) was Jamaican. Oh yes, Yashi Brown is so very proud of her Caribbean|Jamaican roots.

12

KARIBBEAN EXPRESSIONS MAGAZINE ANNIVERSARY EDITION | VOL. 10

CICELY TYSON We caught up with the legendary awardwinning actress in Beverly Hills, California.

Caribbean roots/ancestry: St. Kitts & Nevis

K A R I B B E A N

DECEMBER 2019 | ISSUE 124

JON SECADA

We caught up with the legendary singer at the Loving The Silent Tears international musical in Los Angeles.

Caribbean roots/ancestry: Cuba

E X P R E S S I O N S

M A G A Z I N E

SUSIE CASTILLO

We caught up with the former Miss USA at the Loving The Silent Tears international musical in Los Angeles.

Caribbean roots/ancestry: Dominica & Puerto Rico

K A R I B B E A N

E X P R E S S I O N S

M A G A Z I N E

SHERYL LEE RALPH

We caught up with the actress/ singer/activist at her DIVAS Simply Singing HIV/AIDS Benefit in Hollywood, California.

Caribbean roots/ancestry: Jamaica

16

DECEMBER 2019 | ISSUE 124

JIMMY JEAN-LOUIS We caught up with the actor at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles.

Caribbean roots/ancestry: Haiti

BROTHER B We caught up with the soca artist in Hollywood at a NAACP award event.

Brother B is the first soca artist to receive a NAACP nomination.

Caribbean roots/ancestry: Grenada

K A R I B B E A N

E X P R E S S I O N S

M A G A Z I N E

KEE MOMENTS WITH SOME OF OUR DISTINGUISHED CARIBBEAN AMBASSADORS

DECEMBER 2019 | ISSUE 124

DR. CADRIN GILL, MD We caught up with the Honorary Consul General of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in Los Angeles at the memorial service for the late Mervyn Dymally ( former Lieutenant Governor of California - born in Trinidad & Tobago).

Caribbean roots/ancestry: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

GAME | 5

K A R I B B E A N

E X P R E S S I O N S

M A G A Z I N E

HONORABLE LORNA MAE JOHNSON We caught up with the Honorary Consul General of Jamaica in Los Angeles at the memorial service for the late Mervyn Dymally ( former Lieutenant Governor of California born in Trinidad & Tobago).

Caribbean roots/ancestry: Jamaica

K A R I B B E A N

E X P R E S S I O N S

M A G A Z I N E

HONORABLE ROLAND YORKE We caught up with the Honorable Consul General of Belize in Los Angeles as he presented an award to Belizean olympian Kenneth Medwood (R). The occasion was a Belize independence service in Los Angeles.

Caribbean roots/ancestry: Belize

Superstars KARIBBEAN EXPRESSIONS MAGAZINEÂ

RACQUEL HARVEY

MIA christie

PONCE FAMILY

LEWIS FAMILY

BAILEY SISTERS

JOHNSON FAMILY

Thank you for making our anniversary magical!

10th

Anniversary Dedications & Congratulations

K A R I B B E A N

E X P R E S S I O N S

M A G A Z I N E

e m i T ea

T

w

& a i ith M

y n a p Com

THE SWAGG SPOT FOR TEENS & TWEENS MIA CHRISTIE

SELAH BAILEY

HOST

CO-HOST

DESTA BAILEY AHMINAH BAILEY

CO-HOST

CO-HOST

Now airing Sundays on CEEN cable TV • Canada & USA Watch full episodes now at myKEEtv.com #TTWMCO

K A R I B B E A N

E X P R E S S I O N S

M A G A Z I N E

HOW WE CREATED LA's first Caribbean TV Talk Show for Teens & Tweens NOW AIRING ON CABLE TV

by Mia Christie | 11-year-old co-creator & host Tea Time with Mia & Company is the perfect spot for teens and tweens! The show features fun and relatable topics. We highlight the lifestyles of young Californians. We talk about basic day-today life dilemmas affecting tweens and teens. We also have guest appearances as part of the show’s Swagg Spot Special. On one episode, we feature the creator of the Whip and Nae Nae, Silento.

The idea for Tea Time started when I was around eight or nine. I was playing with my dolls. I pretended as if they were famous rich people and celebrities. I just didn’t know what to name the area they lived in - Dollverly Hills? It would make a great spinoff for the place Beverly Hills but it just didn’t sound right. It suddenly came to me...DOLLYWOOD! I thought the name was brilliant I wanted to start a tv show or something based on this new idea.

I told my parents and they were on board. I would practice taking pictures of my dolls on my tablet (I didn’t have a phone yet). I soon developed a love for photography. My dad already has a career in the cinematography field but I didn’t realize the importance of taking pictures.

(Continued on page 27.)

25

K A R I B B E A N

E X P R E S S I O N S

M A G A Z I N E

...ON SIPPING TEA WITH MY FRIENDs (Continued from page 25.)

Now let's talk tea...

At the age of 10, one of my friends told me she loved tea, she drank it every morning. I was never a “fan” of tea. It was not until one day I bought a special kettle at the store. When I made the tea myself, it tasted special. Tea became one of my favorite beverages. I started going to the store and looking for things to eat with my tea ( such as crackers).

I enjoy tea and also enjoy talking while having tea. So, I came up with the name Tea Time With Mia. About my co-hosts...

I first met my cohosts, Ahminah, Selah and Desta when I met their dad on the set of myKEEtv drama series, Caribbean Roots. I play Zahria, the daughter of the owner of the restaurant . The owner is played by actor Winston Bailey, who is also the father of all three of my co-hosts.

In photo above:

On the set of Tea Time with Mia & Company, Mia (left) sips tea with her friend, Harmonie Ponce, an award-winning dancer.

By the way, in 2020, the show will have all new episodes that you are going to want to see! Okay, sorry about the plug for the Caribbean Roots:).

Anyway, finally, I thought why not have a show with all of us girls talking about interesting topics. I ended up naming the show Tea Time With Mia & Company . Mia’s Dollywood is also a part of the Swagg Spot Special on the show. Check us out now on myKEEtv.com.

27

YOUR NUMBER ONE SPOT FOR CARIBBEAN FOOD IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

TEWARI BOMBAY MARKET

EAST & WEST INDIAN GROCERY EN NOW OP AY EVERY D NG INCLUDI E S & SOM Y A D N U S YS HOLIDA

SEND US AN EMAIL

CALL US

TEL: 818-773-0003 TEWARIBOMBAYMARKET@ TALK TO THE OWNER GMAIL.COM TEL : 805-304-3940

VISIT US 21016 DEVONSHIRE STREET CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA 91311

What's for dinner?

EAT & BE MERRY FESTIVE FOODS CHECK OUT OUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY FOODS!

K A R I B B E A N

E X P R E S S I O N S

M A G A Z I N E

Caribean Christmas Cakes

EAT & BE MERRY

At the top of Caribbean Christmas food list are two of our favorite must-have desserts: 1. Black fruit cake loaded with rum, raisins and spices.

2. Dukunu or Tie-a-leaf is a delicious pudding wrapped in banana leaves.

Caribean Christmas Dinner

EAT & BE MERRY

Some of our favorite meats to eat this season 1. Spicy curried chicken served with rice & peas or white rice.

2. Escovith fish trimmed with hot peppers, onions & carrots.

3. Jamaican jerk chicken

Caribean Christmas Dinner

EAT & BE MERRY

1. Sorrel is a must-have drink for any Caribbean Christmas celebration.

2. Curry crab and callaloo with mashed potatoes (Trinidad & Tobago).

3. Trini pone and sweet bread with ponche creme (not pictured).

4. Belizean fried jack and beans for breakfast (not pictured).

M Y K E E T V S T U D I O S C A R I B B E A N P R O D U C T I O N H O U S E L O S A N G E L E S

FILMS TELEVISION SHOWS MUSIC VIDEOS LIVE EVENTS & MORE

COMING

SOON

# M Y K E E T V L A ANGELO BREWING