nuwomanmagazine.com
NU WOMAN MAGAZINE Available through subscription
GET FREE DIGITAL ISSUES NOW BY: 1. Subscribing to our newsletter on the websitehttp:// nuwomanmagazine.com 2. Follow Nu Woman magazine on Issuu.com to receive our digital issues via Issuuhttp://issuu.com/nuwomanbs 3. Like Us on Facebook to stay updated on all our posts! DIGITAL MEDIA KIT DOWNLOAD - http://issuu.com/nuwomanbs/docs/nuwoman_mediakit_2013 CONTACT US AT: TEL: (242) 445-6415 Email us at: info@nuwomanmagazine.com OR nuwomanbs@gmail.com
On the web: http://nuwomanmagazine.com On Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/NuWomanmagazine Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nuwomanmagazine Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/channels/nuwomantv
3
ON THE COVER On the cover- Tracy Ann Perpall (TAP) TAP is a Bahamian entertainer, producer and writer and has created a brand that is received internationally and locally with her Vlogs, “justcallmeTAP”.
Cover photo: Barry Williams Cover design: Amelia J Attire: Velvet Hanger Make-up: Flawless Facez (Tamika Huyler). Check out our ‘Behind the Cover’ videohttp://youtu.be/4C-abaL8koU http://theycallmetap.com/official/
4 nuwomanmagazine.com
CONTENTS Summer 2014
16
44 8. Editor’s Note 10. Contributors
NU PROFILES 28. Body Mechanics: Lana Sealy Uses Movement To Teach and Inspire 34. TAP Into This (cover girl Tracy Ann Perpall). 44. Nina Compton “Top Chef” Runner-Up” talks shop. 58. Shanice Williams the new Miss Turks and Caicos Universe. 61. Contemporary Artist Sheena Rose Pushes The Envelope.
FEATURES 16. The Multi-Dimensional Caribbean Woman (pic 16) 19. Special Feature: Tessanne Chin 31. “Ignited” Anuschka Wright Jazz in Bloom 2
59 5
CONTENTS 54. NaturaLife- The Whole Life Company The Women Behind The Brand
NU Summer 12. Makeup Essentials For Beginners 42. 5 Jamaican Summer Essentials
FASHION 20. Fashion For A Cause 2014 48. Hot Grenada Summer
61
64. Labo Ethnik
20
64
6 nuwomanmagazine.com
50
Editor’s Note This issue highlights Caribbean women who are ‘creating a new arena with their talents’. Our stories take you from one Caribbean island to the next with a line-up of extraordinary Caribbean women: Bahamas I first met our cover model, TAP (Tracy Ann Perpall) via her YouTube video logs “justcallmeTAP”, and became an instant fan. I met her in person a year later at a function she hosted and we did an impromptu video. What began as a hobby for TAP has made her into a YouTube sensation. She has completed many projects including a recent documentary BWAPEN and has been nominated for the upcoming Bahamian Icon Awards. In this issue, we also cover in-depth stories from charities such as Fashion for a Cause and NatureLife, focusing on the women behind the brand: Aisha and Rhonda. St. Lucia We talk with native St. Lucian Nina Compton, 1st runner-up on Top Chef and manager of a busy restaurant. Nina talks openly about her experience on the show. Turks & Caicos, Barbados, and Jamaica The newly crowned Miss Turks and Caicos Universe is another of our featured women along with artist Shenna Rose from Barbados. Nu Woman magazine was also fortunate to do a special feature with The Voice season 5 winner Tessanne Chin after her Live Atlantis concert. Grenada As a sponsor of the first Face of Grenada (FOG), we bring to you some of the top contestants of FOG in a summer spread. We are excited to share this issue with you and encourage you to take full advantage of the added video features and links. Our publication is continually growing with a list of new contributors from around the Caribbean. Check out our Contributors page on our website- http://nuwomanmagazine.com. Enjoy! Erica Meus-Saunders Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
8 nuwomanmagazine.com
PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Erica Meus Saunders COPY EDITORS Nasia Colebrooke Tanya Simmons Jared Liam CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Erica Meus-Saunders Latoya Brathwaite Keiani Worrell Johnnell Adderley Lorane Rhoden Ashli Jade CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Barry Williams Photography Justin Stephens/Bravo David Moir/Bravo RSTUDIO 2014 Torrell Glinton Keisha Rae Witherspoon GRAPHIC DESIGN Amelia J Amoury Erica Meus-Saunders MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION Email: nuwomanbs@gmail.com OR info@nuwomanmagazine.com Tel: (242) 445-6415 NU WOMAN MAGAZINE is published four times a year. Publisher: NU WOMAN LTD Freddie Munnings Manor P.O. Box CB 13236 Nassau, Bahamas Web: http://nuwomanmagazine.com Š 2014 Nu Woman Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher. Online subscriptions are now available, visit us on the web to sign up.
9
CONTRIBUTORS Barry
Williams
Barry Williams “My journey to photography has been an eventful evolutionary process - beginning a few lifetimes ago. In another time, I was but a mere camera part; in another life after that I was most likely a camera (probably a Canon). So, it makes perfect sense that this time around I amassed such great karmic fortune to be born a photographer. If I’m unable to afford a Hasselblad during this lifetime, maybe I’ll wish hard enough to be that camera the next time around :).”
Contacts: M: 431-7678 Email: barrywilliamsphotography@ gmail.com
Latoya
Brathwaite
Words are powerful—written and spoken. I vow to use them to uplift, to highlight, to turn heads and attract eyes my “bumpa” won’t. And turn minds; one can’t thrive inside a box. The pen is my old friend and I’m meeting my voice for the first time. I like her. I’m 100% Bajan, lover of the arts, beginner’s yoga and an EBCCI film student. My work was published in 2013’s NIFCA Winning Words Anthology. Website: http://speakunspoken.wordpress. com/
Lorane
Keiani
Lorane Rhoden, also known as “Rane” grew up Kingston Jamaica. She attended the Meadowbrook Prep School and later went on to The Queens High School in Jamaica. In 2007, Rane enrolled at The University of the West Indies where she majored in Language, Communication and Society. She left The University of The West Indies in 2011 and began working in Sales a few months later.. With the encouragement of her friends and her passion for writing she started Haute People, which is a Lifestyle Blog that focuses on things related to Fashion, Entertainment and Beauty both locally and internationally.
I am a freelance Public Relations and marketing professional in the hospitality field by day; blogger, socialite and JazzyMOM 24/7. Bahamian born and bred, I am the proud mama of an amazing daughter that has made life complex, entertaining and most of all AMAZING!
Rhoden
Haute People Blog: http://www. hautepeople.net/ Email: hautepeople@yahoo.com
10 nuwomanmagazine.com
Worrell
I love all things girlie; from makeup to hair, shoes and nails, but most of all I love fashion! My expressive personality says that I need to be involved with many projects at once, how did they know:). I write daily posts about every and anything that happens in my life over at Anni’s Bubble (my blog). http://www.annisbubble.com/
CONTRIBUTORS Amelia Amoury
I’m Amelia, a graphic designer with over 5 + years of experience in the field. I’ve been surrounded by technology my whole life, so it was natural for me to take my creativity and make it digital. I’ve worked in both freelancing and for a number of successful print companies, which has allowed me to polish my skills. I am currently based in Nassau, Bahamas and have a strong focus on print design. To find out more about me you can visit www.ameliajamoury. com to view my portfolio. Facebook: AJDesigns • www.ameliajamoury.com
Nasia
Tanya P.
22-year-old Nasia Rená (pronounced Naja) is a senior at The College of The Bahamas, studying English Literature. She enjoys reading, creative writing, amateur photography, scary movies and comedies. Nasia describes herself as a culturist and is proud to be a part of the Caribbean. She believes in the oneness and the uniqueness of Caribbean people and all ‘the flavor’ we have to offer to the world. She hopes to be a part of a more eclectic Bahamas, where the Arts are more appreciated, celebrated, and offered in the job market. Nasia encourages the youth of the Caribbean to always follow their dreams, no matter how unconventional or “out of the box” they may appear to be. To achieve a better world she says, “we must all be the change we want to see”.
TANYA P. SIMMONS Tanya P. Simmons is a graduate of C.R. Walker Secondary School, The College of the Bahamas and the University of Central Oklahoma. She is an avid reader who enjoys traveling and the occasional jet boat ride over rapids. Tanya is Nu Woman Magazine’s Copy Editor
Colebrooke
Simmons
Ontahya Ross
Ontahya is freelance writer, entrepreneur, and author. Lover of life, positivity, and growth Ontahya penned the book ‘Between My Legs’. She has written several articles for Nu Woman Magazine. She is also the owner of inspirationallife.com. Ontahya is currently working on her second book and expanding her brand.
Website: www.inspirational-life. com Facebook: ontahya Email: ontahyaross@gmail.com
Email: nrcolebrooke@gmail.com
11
M a ke up Esse nt i als F or Beg i n n ers Written by Johnnell Adderley
I have never been one to go out with a face full of makeup. The most I would put on my face is powder, eyeliner, mascara and either lipstick, lip gloss or lip balm. However, when I was invited to one of my dearest friend’s wedding, I knew minimal makeup just would not do for this event. I mean, it’s a wedding after all and I had to make some sort of an effort. So, a week before the wedding I went to a Cosmetics Boutique and I had one of the makeup artists give me a crash course on the essential makeup products to have as a starter kit. I never dreamed that makeup could cost so much but, those products really helped to transform me from drab to fab!I would like to share the standard requirements that every makeup novice should abide by when thinking about owning a Makeup Starter Kit. Essential Product #1: Face Primer The most important makeup product you will ever own is a Face Primer. A primer minimizes pores and creates a smooth base perfect for the rest of your makeup application. This is a step you can skip if your skin is naturally flawless, but if you have any imperfections, it’s a fabulous product that will make your skin look amazing. Essential Product #2: Foundation The best way to find your perfect match is to have a professional match you with the correct shade. However, if you are on a budget and you are buying your foundation from a Pharmacy, then ask a sales agent in the makeup section if you could swipe a few colors vertically across your jaw line, and whichever one is barely visible is your shade. After cleansing and moisturizing your face, apply foundation with your fingers! It’s quicker and easier than using a sponge or brush. Simply dab the foundation onto the areas that need it most (ruddy cheeks, dark circles, uneven spots) and blend gently. 12 nuwomanmagazine.com
Essential Product #3: Concealer Concealer is the only way to get rid of dark circles that are found underneath your eyes or any other types of blemishes. Apply a non-greasy eye cream, then use your ring finger to gently dab concealer onto the dark areas. Allow a minute for it to be absorbed, then carefully blend the edges into the skin. The key is to use light pressure. If you rub too hard, you’ll actually rub the product off.
which helps ensure you hit every lash. Essential Product #7: Lip Liner and Lipstick A lip liner prevents the lipstick from bleeding and the perfect nude lipstick is another essential for a beginner. Pick a lip color
Essential Product #4: Translucent Powder Translucent Powder is a colorless powder used to set the foundation and concealer on the face. It keeps your makeup in place all day, however if you find that yours flakes off during the day, a quick blot with a brush before you head out into your day can be the solution. Essential Product#5: Blush The right shade will make you look like you’re blushing, not like you’re wearing blush. For a natural look, start with lighter shades, and skip any with shimmer. Use a blush brush to swipe a small amount of color across the apples of your cheeks. If you can see clearly where the blush begins or ends, you’ve used too much or the color is too dark. Essential Product #6: Mascara Curl lashes first, then press the mascara wand against your lashes, steering clear of lids. As you move the wand up toward the lash tips, gently wiggle it back and forth in a zigzag motion, 13
close to your skin tone for a natural look. Essential Product #8: Eyeliner Always use a soft pencil that glides on without any pressure or tugging. Also, when lining your upper lash line, press a finger gently against your brow bone to pull the lid up slightly. This makes the skin slightly taut and helps you get closer to the lashes. Use your other hand to “dot” the liner across the tops of lashes. Essential Product #9: Eye Shadow Some eye shadows barely show, while others are so over the top it will have you looking like a clown. The perfect everyday shadow is just a few shades darker than your skin tone. Soft plum or light brown for darker skin, a taupe-gray or golden beige for medium skin, or light apricot for fair skin. To apply eye shadow you must primer your eyelids to prevent the eye shadow form creasing. Use a soft eye shadow brush to sweep shadow across lids, blending into and just above creases. Make sure to use light, feathery strokes so that there are no hard lines. Essential Tools For Beginners Essential Tools #1: An Eyelash Curler Never curl lashes after you apply mascara because the lashes can stick to the tool and end up getting yanked out. Use a plastic curler which can help you avoid the “bent” look that metal curlers give. Place it as close to the base as you can without catching your eyelid, press for a few seconds, then gently press a few more times along the middle of lashes if necessary. Essential Tools #2: A Set of Makeup Brushes With the right brush for the job, you can perform makeup miracles, so you should invest in a good brush set. You should clean your brushes every two weeks to keep bacteria at bay and makeup colors fresh. You can buy brush cleaners at department and cosmetic stores, or dilute a gentle soap or baby shampoo in warm water and soak brushes in that.
14 nuwomanmagazine.com
15
The Multi-Dimensional Caribbean Woman By Ashli Jade
Yes, we know all the latest dances, we can “wine and bubble”, and “love a good fete”, but there is much more to the Caribbean woman than what is presented to society and the media. We also thrive on pursuing higher education, and some of us are born with musical talents and artistic abilities that have influenced many abroad. In an effort to silence stereotypes of us being one-dimensional, it is imperative that Caribbean women continue to strive for excellence. We must raise our daughters to know that beauty fades, but knowledge lasts forever; that they will never lose the chance to date and party by pursuing their dreams, but can miss out on achieving their dreams by focusing too much on partying and dating; and that it is okay to have fun, but there should always be a balance. Today’s generation of Caribbean women are career-driven and have the desire to have it “all”, by being able to be businesswomen, wives, and mothers simultaneously. All of which, take hard work and perseverance and the belief in one’s self. It is important that we are aware that there will be times when peers, co-workers, friends, and even family members will try to deter you from pursuing your goals, but do not let them! The Caribbean woman is tallawah (strong), resilient and has the innate ability to survive in any environment. Inspiration can be drawn from Caribbean women like Kamila McDonald-Alcock. Alcock, a Jamaican and graduate from the prestigious Stanford University, entered the Miss Jamaica World competition in 2009, despite being told she was “crazy” for doing so because she was not in the same physical shape as the other contestants at the at the beginning of the competition. Determined and undeterred by the thoughts or comments of others, not only did Kamila shed the weight, but she also won the Miss Jamaica World beauty title. Since then, Kamila has made a lifetime commitment to health and exercise and encourages her 14,000 plus followers worldwide to do the same by sharing exercise regimens and the importance and benefits of consuming natural rather than processed foods. “In January 2009, I still had a very long way to go before I reached my ‘ideal weight.’ After losing the first 20 pounds, I hit a plateau and needed something....anything - to get me over the remaining overweight baggage. Well, that very New Year’s, I decided that I was going to enter the Miss Jamaica World beauty pageant. CRAZYYYY idea! So many people thought I was insane...even I wondered what the hell I was thinking when my alarm clock would go off in the mornings, exhausted from the day before. It was exactly what I needed because when I commit to something, I give it my ALL...literally to the last drop... especially if outside doubt is involved. “I had 100 meltdowns, countless set backs, moments where I wanted to give up but I kept my eyes on the prize (pun intended) and day in, day out worked at my goal. I didn’t win the overall pageant BUT I did win the Miss Jamaica World Beach
Beauty title!” Kamila’s Facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/pages/KAMILA-MCDONALD/165582753664
“The woman who follows the crowd will go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever seen before.” -Albert Einstein Another inspirational woman is Nicole McLaren-Campbell, a Jamaican graduate from the illustrious Princeton University who used the knowledge and skills attained from her pursuit of higher education to help rising students in Jamaica and abroad achieve educational success by founding AIM Education Services. Nicole created AIM to provide college and graduate placement services to high school students. Moreover, AIM provides tutoring in high school level English, Math and Science, in an effort to make their students more competitive with the thousands of students, around the world, who apply to colleges and universities each semester.
As a result of her vision to share her skills that made her successful and enabled her to be accepted into a prestigious university, in 2014, students of AIM were accepted into one or more of their top-three choices of schools, while AIM’s SAT Prep course has helped students to raise their scores by an average of 300 points. All of these achievements were reached because of one Caribbean woman who continues to make strides in education through AIM, and continues to offer encouragement to her students, both former and current, as well as her near 2,000 Instagram followers daily. These two women are prime examples of the importance of knowing that only you have the power to achieve your goals and mold your life into what you want it to be, and that negative words can only affect you if you allow them to. Let your actions be based off of your own decisions, that way whether the decision turns out to be positive or negative, only you will be fully responsible for the outcome. The confidence you have in yourself is most important. When you are confident, no one, no matter how hard they try, can ever make you feel less than what you really are. When you are confident you no longer wonder or base decisions off of what other people think, you make other people wonder why you don’t care to hear negative opinions. To all the Caribbean women who were ever told their dreams were too big or unrealistic, or that their goals are unattainable because of where you’re from, do not aim to prove other people wrong, instead aim to prove yourself right. Believe in yourself, and know that only you have the power to make yourself into whatever you want to be. As a Caribbean woman you 17
are just as capable as anyone else on this earth, and with hard work, dedication, and perseverance, you can achieve anything you put your mind to. Nicole Campbell, MSc Phillips Academy, Andover ‘02 | Princeton University ‘06 Director | AIM Educational Services www.aimeduservices.com AIM on Facebook
18 nuwomanmagazine.com
SPECIAL FEATURE Nu Woman’s Exclusive With Tessanne Chin, Winner of The Voice Season 5! It’s not often that we get a chance to talk one-on-one with a celebrity who is of Caribbean decent, but we were afforded this opportunity to speak with Tessanne Chin (winner of the Voice Season 5). Tessanne who is a native of Jamaica was well known long before The Voice with her song “Hideaway”. However, The Voice propelled her to major stardom! What impressed me most about Tessanne was how ‘down to earth’ and how humble she remains. Thank you Tessanne! WATCH THE VIDEO BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW:
http://vimeo.com/96473134 Follow Nu Woman TV on Vimeo- https://vimeo.com/channels/nuwomantv OR On YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/emeus64
19
FASHION
For A Cause 2014 (FFC) Color, vibrancy, style and my favorite - fashion were all on display for the Fashion For A Cause 2014 event! Performances, cast members, costumes, music and lights united to create the perfect ambiance to usher in Spring and Summer! The Fashion For A Cause committee, led by former “Mr. Bahamas” Kendrick Kemp, continued its movement in raising funds for the promotion of AIDS Awareness, while stressing the importance of knowing one’s status. Nothing gets you prepared for a great show like having fashion’s best lining the runway. From stylists such as Kedar in Style to the everso-trendy Loretta Butler-Turner, this year’s Fashion For A Cause event brought out the very best. The set was mystical and tropical with great lighting and a collection that featured runway pieces from Bahamian designers Tanya Saunders, H & M, His Fashion, Lumaris Coutur, ORICO, The Sports Center, Del Mare, and parke and ronen, all of whom captured the feisty personality and glow of Spring and Summer. The modern show featured upbeat dynamic pieces but also included fashion classics like the flirty skirts, laced shortshorts and a touch of Bahamian flare. The looks then transitioned into more sultry and dark pieces which included a Fashionista’s favorite: a tiny leather skirt, paired with a top that was made of over fifty shades of gray (no pun intended)! Noteworthy trends: combination of sexy, trendy and sporty Designers pulled together ensembles that began with yellow sequin tops and ended with the perfect sequin pant. This look was completed with the right heel for anyone trying to achieve the “look” of greatness! A tribal legging paired with a solid peplum top quickly became my first choice for the ideal island date night, with a pastel yellow buttoneddown blouse paired with the peach Georgia hot-pants closely following. The synergy that the stylists created using various designer pieces was brilliant! Silhouettes were understated with sleeveless pieces but also made statements with long-sleeve pieces and all were topped off with just a hint of movement and of course a pop of color. It’s no small task fueling creative movements that encourage positive change, but Kendrick Kemp manages to do this every year through the Fashion For A Cause charity event. Along with a good show, Kendrick never forgets to squeeze in well-needed knowledge and education into the program. Attendees leave thinking about AIDS Awareness and the beauty of fashion.
Written by Keiani Worrell Photo Credit: Barry Williams Photography Check out Keiani’s Blog - http://www.annisbubble.com/
20 nuwomanmagazine.com
21
22 nuwomanmagazine.com
Summer Glam Island Style
Daytime Splash of Color
24 nuwomanmagazine.com
FFC 2014 25
Evening Transition Summer Chic
Body Mechanics: Lana Sealy Uses Movement to Teach and Inspire. By Latoya Brathwaite
Photo: Keisha Rae Witherspoon
The Barre My arrival at the Body Mekanix Studio in Prior Park, St. James was celebrated by the melodic singing of the wind chimes as they collided in the gentle breezes blowing in from the “Platinum Coast”. I tiptoed on the expansive hardwood floor of the Pilates studio which housed few things except a crate of yoga mats in the corner, and checked out a couple art pieces on the wall. I saw Lana Sealy emerging from somewhere in the back. She would be right with me, she said. And so we sat on the wooden bench outside—her petite dancer’s body perfectly aligned—as she waited patiently until I got my questions together. As it turns out, the obvious misspelling of “mechanics” in the studio name isn’t simply poetic license used these days in an attempt to “fancify” the dullest of words. Thankfully, there is a perfectly good explanation. “Body… because everything is about our body. 28 nuwomanmagazine.com
The ‘Me’ in Mekanix is about a person making that connection with their body, ‘ka’ stands for the kinetic anatomical awareness and “nix” because there is always something about our bodies that we want to fix,” Lana explained. That consciousness and attention to self is not only the aim of the teachings at the studio, it also perfectly captures the essence of this woman’s life and this subsequent story. In ideal circumstances, the human existence can be best described as a series of movements… you crawl, you walk, you run, and in Lana’s case, her tiny bones then adapted to the art of dancing. When asked what else she would have done besides dancing, ‘she sprained her brain’ but there was simply no answer to that question. “I started dancing around the age of four and my parents were always very supportive. I trained at the Louise Woodvine Dance Academy and almost all the other dance schools in Barbados.” At around age 14, during Lana’s time away from the St. Winifred’s School, she travelled to Harlem and enrolled
in summer programmes at the Dance Theater of Harlem and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Her main training was in ballet but she dipped her toes in a bit of everything. After researching some dance schools, she took an interest in New World School of the Arts which is affiliated with the University of Florida. It was the closest to Barbados, making it a very practical decision. One trip to Miami at around the age of 17 and one audition later, she was in. However, while it was all a dream come true, Lana suffered a huge culture shock. “…Especially coming from a small school. I did the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus, so you are only exposed to syllabus work. In Florida everything was a lot faster. You were doing practical things in class throughout the year. Everybody was also really good… the best and most experienced students where there,” she recalled. This however, did not derail the now 33-year-old’s grand plan…or mess up her grand pliés, for that matter. If anything, the competitive environment only served to motivate her. After graduating with her BFA in Dance, Lana headed to New York for the summer programme at the Merce Cunningham Dance Company. She auditioned and received a full scholarship, becoming a student for two years before she officially joined their Repertory Understudy Group (RUGs). New York was vastly different to Miami and as anyone would be, she was sometimes homesick. I would learn later though, that the more experience Lana has with different cultures—the sights, and sounds and rhythms—the more fulfilled she is. Certification When her stint with the Merce Cunningham RUGs ended, she returned to an old friend who she would now see in a different light and who she was ready to make her lifelong partner; that one friendship which was constant throughout her dance life: Pilates. “Pilates was an important part of our training as it assisted us in gaining strength quickly and was important for injury prevention. I did weekend workshops, and got my mat certification. Then I went to the Kane School of Core
Integration and got certified in Pilates while studying with Kelly Kane and Rebekah Rotstein. It was a great way to continue using my body,” she said. In 2008 after those years abroad, the Barbadian returned to the island armed with experience and was ready to inspire and share with those around her. The next step is to travel the Caribbean with her practice but for now she keeps it on home ground. Since the Kane School, she has dabbled in Thai Yoga Bodywork and has done training in Reiki, a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation. In addition to these, she teaches Core Yoga at the Livity Yoga Studio and is a part of the Yoga Teacher Training Programme, which is offered by Christy Punnet. Lana’s love for the body extends to the bones and while I and thousands of others have a fascination with bones as well, it is purely with the “darkly amusing procedural” TV show on Fox. Another accolade to add to an already long list, is Lana recently becoming the first person in the Caribbean registered as a Pilates for Buff Bones instructor. This practice focuses on bone health and Osteoporosis. About the list of things she is licensed to do, Lana says, “I like to learn and study things, anything that would help me grow.” Body-Mind Connection Throughout the entire interview Lana sustained a genuine smile and had a certain aura that puts others at ease. She described the joy she possesses when seeing her students grow and gain strength. “It is very satisfying to know that I could use my body to help others. The most rewarding part of it is to see people change; change not only their bodies but their minds”, she begins. “People come in and they want flat abs. For them it’s sometimes superficial and about physical appearance… but mostly due to an injury. Then they learn to enjoy their bodies and not be afraid to be intimate with themselves. Many people simply go through their lives getting from point A to point B. When you make that connection and you realize how important your body is to you, you treat yourself well and find awareness on every level.” Because of the different classes and genres she teaches, Lana sees a diverse group of people on a daily basis—from retirees searching for a hobby, to athletes with injuries, to young women looking for a lifestyle amendment. While that is the most challenging aspect of it all, it’s also the most exciting thing. “Everyone’s body is different; every personality is different… there is always something new about every experience with a student.” In general, she just likes to feel good and help others to do the same. Though Lana no longer dances professionally, she teaches dance at UWI Cave Hill’s Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination and likes to partake in some of the events on the Crop Over calendar. 29
“I’m a very social person and I love my calypso. You can hear the drums in the calypso music and your body just moves to it. You can feel the rhythm of the music within you. I’m a very eclectic person and I love experiencing a little bit of everything. Every experience really influences how you live your life,” she revealed. And with that, I felt it fitting to end with a memory of one of her most unforgettable and exhilarating travel experiences. “I was teaching a class on board a yacht during the crossing from France to Greece and looked all around me and saw nothing but water. It was a moment when you realize what you do and how you do it is limitless. Every single day is different, there are limitless opportunities.” Now doesn’t that just make you want to go out and do something amazing? Photo: RSTUDIO 2014 For more on Latoya’s work, visit her website: http://speakunspoken.wordpress.com/
30 nuwomanmagazine.com
“IGNITED”
Anuschka Wright JAZZ IN BLOOM 2
Since Father’s day of last year, there has been a continuous buzz around Nassau. On that day, June 16th, 2013, a large and excited audience experienced the first ever full Jazz concert of its kind...”Jazz In Bloom” (JIB). Seasoned Jazz enthusiasts and new converts alike, witnessed the young and talented Bahamian Jazz Vocalist, Anuschka Wright, officially debuting herself to the public as a solo artist. Anuschka’s initial purpose for the concert was to raise monies for her tuition at Concordia University in Montreal. She talks about the past year at school. “This past year in Montreal has been nothing short of wonderful!” she exclaims. “The city is absolutely gorgeous and there’s so much of just about everything. People, food, events... It’s all about diversity and I love it!” When it comes to her studies, Anuschka has had an ‘interesting year to say the least’. “Overall, I’m really happy with my decision to study at Concordia. One thing I noticed about the school in general, when I first got there, is that there seemed to be a consistent air of contentment among everyone associated with the university. They were all really open and accessible and accommodating. In my program, especially, I found there to be a particular feeling of family throughout the Faculty, probably because the program is so small compared to the larger scheme of the school.” Along with finding solace at Concordia, Anuschka is also thankful for all the support from the Bahamian community and attributes a great deal of her success to God’s Grace. She was recently surprised by the Ministry of Education who featured her as a young Bahamian Jazz singer who is making a grand impact upon the Jazz scene in The Bahamas. “On UNESCO’s International Jazz Day, at the invitation of the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald, my mother brought greetings on my behalf at the opening ceremonies, which were held at C. V. Bethel Senior High School in Nassau, Bahamas. I am happy that Jazz is officially recognized by the Bahamas Government and I am honored to assist the Ministry of Education in encouraging kids and teens to follow their dreams and also to know that there am many ways to follow that path of music and jazz as a career.” Aside from academics, Anuschka says that there have been many more opportunities. “I’ve worked with local Jazz Diva, Jeri Brown, on a couple of her projects. One of them being the “Town of Mo” project, which is a tribute show to the music of Motown. I was also selected to lead a group of four other women in our 31
version of “The Supremes”. We were all challenged to take on the persona of some of Motown’s top female leads, and, with no surprise, I was meant to channel Ms. Diana Ross. It was really a lot of fun working with everyone on the show. What made it even better, was that on the night of the event, when we all left the dressing room, we found the room filled to capacity!” Now this Father’s Day, June 15th, 2014, with a full year of music studies at Concordia University and exposure to the Jazz culture of Montreal behind her, Anuschka presents “Jazz In Bloom... Ignited!” The Jazz spark was lit last year and now, by request of an excited audience and disappointed non-attendees, the second concert is here! Prepare for an exhilarating night of music, as this show will be a fitting sequel to the last; it is definitely a different show and you will not want to miss it. JIB Ignited turns up the heat with a lineup of all female vocalists. Joining Anuschka is the lovely Angel Reckley, vibrant and expressive in her delivery. Angel’s sure to light the stage with her performance. And then there’s Naomi Taylor, a name known for Jazz… she will bring her smooth and sultry vocal styling to the concert stage with depth. As for the Jazz In Bloom core band, there’s Mr. Jazz himself, the talented Adrian D’Aguilar on upright bass, Tina Raymond, LA Jazz drummer who is back for a second year and newcomer to the band, pianist Dennis Hamm, also out of LA. And back to thrill, on saxophone, is 32 nuwomanmagazine.com
Bahamian great, Ralph Munnings. Anuschka talks about the upcoming concert, exclaiming, “I’m very excited to bring this show to everyone this year; we have a great mix of Bahamian and international jazz musicians for you. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the response of my Bahamian people towards me and my vision. The love and support that I’ve gotten from the first concert last year was amazing and it’s only been growing since.” Anuschka also talks about the excitement of concert goers, noting, “Something that I thought was extremely funny was right after we sent out the first “Save the Date” flyers on Facebook, we got people asking about where to purchase tickets! I was very encouraged by that. We seemed to have set a precedent with the last show and I want everyone to know that this year, Jazz In Bloom is coming back strong. We’re bringing you Ignited!” In light of the success of the debut concert – some tickets have already been purchased and reserved so you will want to grab yours soon! At present, tickets are available for purchase online at www. QuicTick.com. You may also purchase Jazz In Bloom Ignited tickets at the following box office locations: Custom Computers (all locations) Harbour Bay, West Bay St. and Solomon’s Super Center; Fine Threads; and at CBS Bahamas, Southwest Plaza, Carmichael Rd. Sponsors of Jazz In Bloom 2014 are: KWV Wines distributed by Burns House Group, British Colonial Hilton Hotel and CBS Bahamas. Media and promotional sponsors include SIDDA Communications, Nu Woman Magazine, ENue Street Team, BahamasLocal.com, The Bahamas Weekly, Expats Bahamas, Antonius Roberts Hillside Gallery, Go Global Magazine, Caribboom TV, BEtv and Robinson’s Limousine Service. E-mail: lyricalarts@hotmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/aaawright Twitter: www.twitter.com/aaawright Instagram: www.facebook.com/aaawright Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/aaawright Photography: Torrel Glinton
33
TAP INTO
THIS!
Who is TAP? Tracy Ann Perpall , popularly known as TAP, describes herself as ‘the tongue and cheek vlogger’. Beyond doing videos and television, she is an optimistic, ambitious and passionate person who’s crazy about acting, film and anything related to the performing arts. “I’m that girl who has known what she’s wanted since she was 8 years old…twirling around in my bedroom, looking in the mirror, practicing Oscar acceptance speeches; hoping to one day to take the world by storm. I’m a fighter too. I am also someone who pushes to the very edge if I’m going after a certain goal”. TAP says that inspiration for the projects usually come from her everyday life. “A lot of times, I get inspiration from conversations I’m having with my girlfriends…. those usually lead to the funny vlogs that I do on my “justcallmeTAP” Youtube page. Sometimes the vlogs are based on stories that I watch on the news. For instance, my domestic violence campaign “Roses”, was directly inspired by some of the horrific stories that I saw on the news.” TAP is a very proactive person and believes that if there is something positive to which she can contribute, she gives it all her energy. “I decided to use my voice and the audience and following that I have garnered to raise awareness about the alarming rate of domestic violence occurs in The Bahamas. Sometimes, I get inspiration just from thinking aloud to myself, which I do a lot! Inspiration is something you can’t really contain or predict…I’ve gotten some of my best ideas in the bathroom too…is that too much information? Ha!” TAP talks about what ‘grinds her gears’. In The Bahamas, people tend to underestimate the time, ability, energy and money that go into being an entertainer, an actress or doing any sort of performing art. It takes a lot of time and a lot of teamwork to put a lot of these projects together. I’m sure that any artist will agree with me when I say, that even if you’re looking at a 4 minute video or maybe one photo image… the outcome of what the audience sees, took an amazing amount of effort, time and energy to complete. I hate that sometimes people act like, what we as artists do is so easy…but I always say…if it was so easy, then everybody would be doing it…and that isn’t the case. I also try to remind myself of something my brother once told me, that it’s not the people who watch your work…it’s not their job to really understand, it’s their job to enjoy. I do feel a lot of pressure to perform, to do something grand, to outshine the last thing I did and sometimes I do feel like having a pity party for myself and I want my fans and those who enjoy me to feel it too…but I just have to tell myself to suck it up, because feeling sorry for yourself doesn’t produce results. TAP discusses the entertainment industry in the Bahamas and some of the changes she will like to see: 1.
I will love people to be more professional, punctual and not take things
Photography: Barry Williams Make-up Flawless Facez Attire: The Velvet Hanger Styling: Aneka Stewart
36 nuwomanmagazine.com
so personally. It’s hard because it is an art form and we as artists can be so emotional. We need to learn that this is a business and to put personal feelings and alliances to the side. I try as much as possible to separate my personal and professional life. Although I love to be dramatic on screen, in my every day life, I am actually very private and most importantly…DRAMA FREE!! 2. I wish corporate Bahamas and the government or powers that be and whomever may be able to financially contribute to Bahamian artists and young people, would remove the stick that’s up some of their butts and realize that this isn’t 1918 and that being an artist is a REAL career and that it IS a skill just like being a lawyer or a plumber. Stop trying to ‘swing’ artists. Stop offering us payment in gum or cupcakes (the cupcake thing is a TRUE story). Stop trying to always beat us down on our prices. Stop offering us yellow painted rocks and calling it gold…because at the end of the day, artists help to push the culture forward, artists help to preserve history. We are story tellersand no community is complete without us. On Feminism For some reason feminism has become such a dirty word in recent times, ha-ha. I don’t know why but I’m all for equal opportunities for women and advancing that cause, so if that’s feminism…hell yeah! I’m a feminist! Ever since I started shooting videos, films, directing, producing and hosting, I have noticed the absence of women in the field and that sucks. You know, when I go to the studio, I am usually surrounded by menand most times I am one of the only girls there. Sadly, some women feel good about that…I have seen it. They gloat in it. They feel special that they are the only woman and make it a point to lock out other women in a way and that is just sad. But for me, I WANT to see more women producers and directors and general mangers and editors…it would be great. Being a woman in this field is not easy at all. I think sometimes, some men look at you and they underestimate you. They look at you and think you’re going to be this ball of emotions, PMS-ing and putting glitter all over the room. They’re shocked to know you can handle yourself with a camera, editing, producing, directing and acting! It’s like “You do all that?” It’s like yes, I am a woman, I love being a woman, but I’ve got balls too (figuratively, of course)! And I’m going to work just as hard as you if not harder…not to prove a point, but just because I am that passionate about what I do.
Island Or City Girl? I went to New York last year to improve my craft and I LOVE THE PLACE. New York has been my dream since I was 8 years old and I adjusted well and I wasn’t intimidated by it at all. I plan to go back : I think that is definitely where I want to set up my career, but there is no place like home. I think what I missed most when I was in New York, was the food and the warmth of the Bahamian people…oh and driving! Sometimes the charm of the crazies on the subway and the smell… can be not so charming after all. TAP’s Top Three Wishes 1. To have the career that I want as an actress, producer and performer…like in the big leagues…Hollywood…all of that! 2. Complete peace in my country. I know that it sounds very “Miss Universe” to say that, but I really love The Bahamas and sometimes I get really scared with the way things are going. I want our country to stay beautiful…the natural habitat and layout and the people too. 3. I wish that all morons/cyber bullies are banned from the internet. I love the Internet and social media; I wouldn’t have had my start without it- but you have these idiots who just do not know how to express an opinion without being insulting, racist, misogynistic or just plain mean. And then you have these morons…these are my favorite…who don’t like you, but insist on following all of your accounts to provoke you. Those people need Jesus and a Cinnabon. TAP revealed some personal tidbits saying that most people don’t know that she is actually really low key. “I honestly have way more fun chilling at home in sweatpants with friends while watching a movie and eating junk food…. Oreos specifically.” If you have been following TAP on YouTube, you may have noticed that she has made some changes to her appearance. She was all about the weave and the glam, today she sports a more natural look. She talks about the changes. “Oh yes! The big chop! It’s so funny, when I first cut my hair off, one person asked me, “Oh my God. Did you just go through a break up?” That was so hilarious! But that’s not the reason. Honestly, I know it is cliché, but for me it was a really freeing and empowering experience…especially deciding to go natural with it too. I feel bold. I feel fearless. I feel like I can do anything now. A lot of women and I think a lot of black women tend to hide behind the weaves and the long hair because we’re afraid to see who we really are and 37
we’re afraid of what people will think because you know, long, straight hair is still the top standard of beauty. Even I, for a long time, actually had really thick and long natural hair, but I hid it under weaves because I thought that it would be a disadvantage as a black woman trying to go after acting roles and all that. But I got fed up, put up a peace sign with the index finger down and decided to chop it all of. And once you cut your hair, it’s like… this is me…I can’t hide…I gotta love it and work it! P.S. I’m not ‘dissing’ weaves, ‘cause I still love them and you may see me with one at the end of the year or with blue hair…who knows. The point is, you just gotta make sure your reasons for wearing your hair a certain way or doing anything in life is motivated by YOU and what you want… not the media, not a man and not a magazine.” On Filming and Her Vlogs The process for my videos usually starts with me getting a light bulb over my head…I get an idea, writing the script, finding out who’s available to shoot, finding actors and then scheduling. No matter HOW MUCH YOU PLAN, there’s always something that can and will go wrong, so a part of it is being prepared to roll with the punches. I’ve had crazy unexpected things happen while shooting likerolling over a camera with my car once and that same day some guys tried to break into my car! So you never know what will happen. And after all the shooting… I then have to sit with the process I HATE THE MOST…editing. It’s tedious and time consuming but the one joy I do get out of that is seeing the final product coming together exactly how I wanted it. The most rewarding project I have probably worked on, has to be my domestic violence short film “Roses” and the domestic violence seminar I conducted with young girls at C.C.Sweeting Senior High. It was not one of my post popular projects to date but I think it was the most important because it’s about reaching lives. We know we have a serious DV problem in our country, but it seems like we choose to ignore it or it seems we are not proactive enough about it. It’s kind of bothersome and confusing for me that I can post a video or a picture of myself doing the most foolery and get 1,000 shares or whatever, but if I share a video or picture from the crisis center that invites people to share the message about DV-----I hear crickets. It’s sad. It’s disturbing to me that so many women were massacred in the Bahamas in the past 3 years because of domestic violence. Bahamians tend not to support the cause. On Success and Accomplishment TAP defines success as ‘living a life pleasing to God’, accomplishing her career goals and being able to take care of her family’. “I have an inner joy and peace that the world can’t take away…that comes from knowing God and being grateful and just enjoying life’s moments as they come and go. I would want my legacy to be that this was a woman absolutely possessed by passion…she followed her dreams, she achieved them, she broke molds and stereotypes in Hollywood, she paved the way for Bahamian artists, she loved, she was loved, she helped those less fortunate, she gave, she knew God.” She talks about her role model, Sir Sidney Poitier. When it comes to my career, my role model is Sir Sidney Poitier. I pray to be the second coming of Sir Sidney, really. To be a Bahamian that REALLY MADE it as far as acting goes. I adore him. Reading his books, I’m inspired by where he came from and what he was able to achieve and his attitude about it all. I relate to him a lot. And one day soon, he doesn’t know it yet, but we’re going to sit down with some tea and fried chicken (I hope he likes fried chicken) and talk about it all. TAP’s Bucket List 1. Have tea and fried chicken with Sir Sidney. 2. Travel the entire world. 3. Have Sir Sidney and Oprah present me with my Oscar statue. 4. Build a performing arts magnet school in The Bahamas. 38 nuwomanmagazine.com
40 nuwomanmagazine.com
Is There A Mister TAP? There is a Mr. Tap. Although I’m sure no man wants to actually be called, Mr. Tap. Haha. But he’s somewhere out there. Where? I don’t know. Maybe he’s on a boat right now, maybe he’s in Greece or maybe he’s right in front of my face. I have no clue, because I haven’t met him yet. I think I qualify as a late bloomer; a fashionably late bloomer when it comes to guys and dating. And I think being so focused on my career is possibly making it worse. I just told someone yesterday that I don’t want to get married until my career is in tact. I think a lot of people rush into marriage before they find out who they are and achieve what they need and then they resent the person. They end up saying, “If it weren’t for you, I could have taken that job in Mexico!” or “I could have gotten that 2nd degree!” So for me, I need to be whole as a person, not perfect, but comfortable with my career goals so that I can then be comfortable with that person. Also, a lot of the good ones are just taken, gay or tell my friends and me that we’re “intimidating”! Have you ever gotten your heart broken? Heart? What heart? Haha. Yes, I’ve gotten my heart broken before. In high school, I have never dated really and even in college I did not have a real boyfriend, but 2 years ago, I fell in love for the first time with this really great guy and it didn’t work out. I learned a lot about myself and I appreciate the experience because before, I really wasn’t the type to be very vulnerable and open with guys. I was usually very cold and associated showing too many emotions with weakness. But I realize now that showing your emotions can be a beautiful thing and it actually takes a strong person to bare their soul, not knowing if the other person will leave them naked or clothe them in the reciprocity of their love. On Lessons Learned The biggest lesson I’ve learned to date is to expect the unexpected and to keep fighting even when those unexpected moments happen. I’ve pretty much had my career planned out since I was 16 and things did not fall into place as quickly and as easily as I thought they would and I still have a long way to go and a lot of work to do. I’ve had to learn to keep fighting and no matter what happens, to appreciate the character building moments as they come. I am so goal oriented that sometimes I get caught up in the prize…but I don’t want to be one of those people who are so focused on a goal that I miss the whole journey. On Upcoming Projects I have another installment of the short film “Roses” coming out. I also have my first ever documentary that I’m producing and directing with Schin Nyugen coming out- and that’s about the Joe Farrington Road Shanty Town Fire. I also have a song coming out this year entitled “Jealousy” that I wrote and co-produced. And I’m working on a special series that will be on television this year called “MTM” . I will definitely be keeping busy this year for sure! I’d like to extend a tremendous thank you to my fans and supporters for all of the support. Sometimes, just seeing the kind comments, getting those messages and notes or greetings on the streets, is the encouragement. I need to keep going. As an artist, you create because if you don’t, you’ll have a huge hole in your heart which is just second nature. You do it because you have to, because you love tobut when others appreciate what you do and the passion behind itthat is icing on the cake. My supporters are the icing on the cakeand the sprinkles too. *TAP is nominated in Entertainment for the 2014 Bahamian Icon Awards to be held July 12, at the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, Bahamas. Be sure to watch BWAPEN – A documentary by TAP and Schin Nguyen Official website: http://theycallmetap.com/official/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/justcallmeTAP
41
5 Jamaican
Summer Essentials By Lorane Rhoden
Jamaica, Jamaica; beautiful island Paradise in the West Indies, this small but mighty island is one of the countries that makes up the Greater Antilles. Jamaica is famous for Reggae Music, Sun, Sand and also great Summer Parties. If you are planning a Jamaican Summer “Vacay” here are 5 must have items: Sunblock: Jamaica has a Tropical Marine climate which means the temperature can get to well over 100° during the summer. It is highly recommended that you try to get SPF 30 or even higher. This heat I’m talking about is not normal. The Jamaican Sun is well “Turnt Up” so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Who wants to be sun – burned while trying to look cute? Ladies, if you decide to go to the beach, a great tip is to apply the Sunblock from home, just so you won’t forget. Too often do women go to the beach feeling like everything is okay, only to end up with painful sun burns. A Great Swimsuit: Everybody knows Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best powdery-white sandy beaches with crystal clear blue water. Imagine yourself on one of those beaches (with Sunblock on of course) wearing a killer swimsuit. Most of the events around this time are beach themed so, a hot swimsuit is a must; it’s a win-win if you really think about it. Try to avoid getting your swimsuit from a common place that mass produces, because nobody likes a copy-cat. Local Swimsuit Brands to check out are: Wet Swim, Nishkollection and Bang Swimsuit.
Nishkollection - Yellow one peice monokini swimsuit with cuts at the sides, ties at the top fitted to anybody type comes in different colours Trendy Accessories: No outfit is complete without accessories! Summer is the perfect time to step out of your comfort zone and be bold with accessories. One trendy item this summer is a wide brim hat, and thanks to Fashion Trend Setters like Pharrell Williams, hats are definitely in. This is a bold trend and requires confidence so be sure you are 100% comfortable before stepping out. (Stetson Raffia summer hat) Cute Sandals: If you are planning on taking it to the streets of Jamaica, you need to get cute Sandals. There will be lots of standing and walking for long periods of time. In these cases, it is best to leave 5 inch heels at home; otherwise they will get caught in the cracks (literally). Tip: If you will be wearing Sandals, ensure your toes are properly done. Popular footwear brands are Bridget Sandals and Marton Designs. Cash: In order to pay for all the wonderful things mentioned above you need money! Things are quite expensive in Jamaica so prepare to spend a few extra bucks. 42 nuwomanmagazine.com
ww Stetson Raffia summer hat w.facebook.com/paradiseI would recommend walking with a minimum of $5,000 J.M.D and be sure to have that in change rather than the $5,000 bill just to be on the safe side. It’s even better if you use an ATM or Credit Card as they don’t take up a lot of space and they are simply more convenient. Cards that can be used at multiple machines are also highly recommended. Once you are equipped with these five items, you are sure to have a grand time on your summer “vacay” in Jamaica! Check out Lorane’s ‘ Haute People Blog’: http://www.hautepeople.net/
43
Nina Compton “Top Chef” Runner-up talks shop Photo: Justin Stephens/Bravo
44 nuwomanmagazine.com
N
u Woman magazine is always happy to feature Caribbean women who are making great strides. Recently, we were given the opportunity to chat with America’s Top Chef Runner-Up, Nina Compton who hails from the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Lucia. Nina has been a chef for fifteen (15) years and is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, New York. Her desire and passion for cooking started at a very young age when she would cook meals with her family. Nina explains “As I got older, I started doing bigger events for the family. When I got out of high school I did a two year internship at Sandals in Jamaica, after which the chef suggested that I attend culinary school.” After culinary school and some wonderful experiences along the way, Nina entered the America’s Top Chef competition. “When I got the phone call to do the show, I kind of freaked out. I thought about it for a week. My husband said I should do it. My mom said it would be too stressful. I thought about it and decided that this was a chance that would probably not come again and I decided that I will do it.” Her decision to compete did not mean that she was automatically a contestant. In fact, it was quite a lengthy interview process; the show’s organizers interviewed hundreds of chefs and grilled them on recipes and techniques. Nina, who is the daughter of the late Sir John Compton, former Prime Minister of St. Lucia,is used to the spotlight but describes being on an internationally viewed show, as ‘very strange’.”The very first day when we had to meet the 18 other chefs, there were eight (8) cameras following you everywhere you went. It was very strange. But after
a while I was so stressed out about the “challenge for the day” that I totally forget about the cameras,” she reflects. For Nina, the greatest challenge during the show was “the very first week I was very anxious. It was very stressful to adjust to not having a contact. My greatest challenge was not breaking down. People were like ‘they are going to get kicked off this show .I had to stay focused and the biggest challenge I faced was not breaking down.” When she returned home, she was able to see a familiar face; that of her husband. After the show, her biggest challenge was keeping the secret. “For 6 weeks I couldn’t tell anybody anything,” she says. The experience on this show has taught Nina some great lessons and provided her with some new personal goals. She tells us “this experience has taught me how to sit back and relax. At home I’m so busy with the restaurant (Scarpetta on Miami Beach). However, after the show, I learned to just sit back and enjoy.” In terms of personal goals, she hopes “to inspire people.” She tells us that during the show, she “was also able to put a spotlight on St. Lucia and encourage more people to get back into cooking.” Her dream is to open a culinary school in St Lucia. The response from her lovely native St. Lucian has been “overwhelming” and reveals that she has even been selected as Culinary Ambassador for St. Lucia. “We tend not to use the local ingredients as much as we can. People come to our island and they want a grilled fish that was just caught a few minutes ago. We have all of the products and ingredients like Coconut Oil. But, these are things we do not use, or use only in one way. I want to be able to expand on this.”
Photo: David Moir/Bravo 45
As a result of the show Nina says that she has also been able to travel more and do more charity events. Nina describes the whole top chef experience as ‘something you just can’t put a price on’. Photography: David Moir/Bravo. Find Chef Nina Compton on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/chefninacompton
46 nuwomanmagazine.com
47
HOT GRENADA SUMMER
Rehanna Warren Photographer: Shoulan Carter
48 nuwomanmagazine.com
FACE OF GRENADA (FOG) Contestants Name: Rehanna Warrren Photographers: Shoulan Carter/ Reginald Joseph MUA: Larrisa Daniel & Mia Belfon Hair-Susan Wildman Swimwear: Micles, Trinidad & Tobago Sponsor: Legend Way International Name: Aria Mary Francis Photographer: Reginald Joseph MUA: Sonika McKie (Grenadian R&B Singer) Swimwear: Kim Francis Designs Sponsor: Always Leid Sarafina Andrews Photographer: Yuri Marryshow MUA: Tanie Layne Swimwear, accessories and hair: Personal Sponsor: Grenada Fund For Conservation Look for Face of Grenada’s winner on our next cover!
49
Aria Mary Grancis Photographer: Reginald Joseph
50 nuwomanmagazine.com
Rehanna Warren Photographer: Reginald Joseph
51
52 nuwomanmagazine.com
Sarafina Andrews Photographer: Yuri Marryshow
53
NaturaLife – The Whole Life Company The Women Behind The Brand
Aisha Nesut Ani (left) and Rhonda Wright (right).
Diverse backgrounds, varying business styles, different skills and experiences – yet ONE SHARED PASSION! Purpose Driven; Community Minded; Wellness Advocates - these are just a few words used to describe this visionary and dynamic duo: Rhonda Wright and Aisha Nesut Ani. These two women were not brought together by chance or happenstance, instead they were strategically united to take a lead role both locally and internationally in shaping, educating, and directing persons on their journey to happier, healthier, more well balanced and harmonic lifestyles. This union and partnership is birthing a brand new company called NaturaLife - The Whole Life Company. It is a Caribbean based health, wellness and lifestyle company spearheaded by the two HNIC’s (Head Naturals In Charge), Rhonda and Aisha, both of whom are committed to making this company a global success. “When we were thinking of what we wanted to do and how we wanted to do it, it was very difficult to narrow in on one particular thing. If you understand wellness, you get the relationship between all things. To offer a solution to one problem while neglecting another can still lend to a stressful situation. We knew our ultimate goal had to be servicing the whole being, the whole life”, says Aisha. Entrepreneur Rhonda is also a Certified Kemetic Yoga Basu instructor, Certified Vegan Chef, a long standing community wellness advocate, and a school administrator. She puts her family life first, as she is a wife and mother of three, but balances these roles with her grounding passion for wellness, nature and life. In 2007, she formed the 54 nuwomanmagazine.com
company SEEDlings’ Place - now a part of the NaturaLife family, which has become well known in the community among circles of individuals and families seeking support and information about how to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Also a mother of three, Aisha Nesut Ani is a Certified Holistic Wellness and Nutritional Coach and a Certified Reiki Shoden Practitioner. She has spent the last few years engrossed in the ins and outs of converting to a lifestyle that supports the environment, longevity and overall wellness. These two soul sisters have harnessed their desire for positive change and green living to create a new company for the whole family, designed to support every aspect of developing and maintaining a lifestyle that is healthy, balanced and progressive. Aisha shares, “As a mother, one of the most important things for me is to create a business that has integrity, purpose and value; one whose legacy will stand generations after I have gone on.… knowing that I have built something my children can be proud of. I want to invest my time and skills into shaping a company whose main goal is to assist with offering solutions to the many factors that create imbalance in our lives.” She continues to speak about how fortunate she has been to have crossed paths with such an incredible, all around woman whom she’s landed as her business partner. Rhonda adds, “It is one of my greatest joys and satisfactions to be in a position to assist persons with their journey to wellness both personally and professionally. Each time I look into the face of my children, I re-dedicate myself to this work. It is a natural extension of my lifestyle. Having been led to partner with such a phenomenal woman whose passion and work ethics match mine is truly a blessing. With her at my side we are destined for greatness! Serving The Whole Person is our mandate, and we will work tirelessly to accomplish this.” At present, the Head Naturals are burning the midnight oil working out details for the 4th Annual Green Earth Festival - Living the Way Nature Intended. Originally launched under SEEDlings’ Place, the festival showcases various exhibitors, professionals, services, products, and so on, in numerous “green” categories including healthy, holistic, natural, vegan, vegetarian, hand-made, home-made, organic, eclectic, cultural, eco-friendly, animal friendly, sustainable and more – there is something for every member of the family. This year, the festival returns to its home grounds of The Retreat Gardens, Village Road on Sunday, June 22, 2014 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Bahamas National Trust (BNT), an NGO whose mission is to preserve and protect the natural resources of The Bahamas, has partnered with Green Earth Festival to assist with developing and expanding the event. “I trust that this will grow to be something big and phenomenal, like a lot of the other major festivals around the country”, says Eric Carey, Director of BNT. “We want to hopefully grow this festival to where there will be showcases of green technology. As far as we’re concerned, we think this is the perfect fit.” This year promises to exceed the expectations of those who have come before, and it promises to leave first time attendees with enough tools and fire to continue or begin their GREEN journeys. With lots of entertainment 55
planned: our NaturaLife Kids Camp, demos, speakers, DIYs, nature trails, food, music, the Head Naturals themselves, and much more, the day will undoubtedly be filled with non-stop fun, enjoyment, interaction and sharing. There’s a special treat planned this year for the “Natural Sistahs” called Natural Hair Affair! We guarantee all of our naturals will want to be there. Rhonda and Aisha can be found on Facebook under “Green Earth Festival - Living The Way Nature Intended” or on “NaturaLife - The Whole Life Company”. Rhonda notes, “There’s information on both pages that will tell you more about Green Earth Festival, Natural Hair Affair and other seeds we’re planting. If you’re interested in getting involved in the festival, the lifestyle or even the business, connect with us. We are all about partnership and teamwork. This is not just about Aisha and I, this is about all of us.” Anyone who knows these HNICs, knows that there is a certain level of excellence that shines through in whatever task or duty they assume. These ladies are driven and are excited to serve their communities and global family. Contact them at 242 698 2755, 242 376 1213 or 954 228 9970. Email: naturalifeinc@gmail.com or find them on social media. Green Earth Festival --
56 nuwomanmagazine.com
Shanice Williams, the new Miss Turks and Caicos Universe.
“W
hen I first entered the Miss Turks and Caicos Universe Pageant, I knew that I would win, since I believed that I possessed all the necessary qualities to be the next Miss Universe Turks and Caicos.” These were the confident words of the newly crowned Miss Universe Turks and Caicos 2014, Shanice Williams. Not only was she crowned Miss Universe Turks and Caicos 2014, but she also copped the special titles of Miss Intellect, Best in Swimsuit/Best Body, Best Evening Gown, Miss Congeniality and Miss Photogenic.”
Before competing in the pageant, Shanice was the reigning Miss Grand Turk Summer Jam. On a regular work day, one can find her fulfilling her duties as a Secretary at the Turks and Caicos Islands Government Crown Land Unit and Survey and Mapping Department. Although her professional duties place her in a geographical environment, Shanice’s professional goals lie in the realm of finance. At present, she is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Financial Management at the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College. After, she hopes to complete a Ph.D. in Finance which she hopes will allow her the opportunity to work with the government of the Turks and Caicos Islands to help improve the financial structure and statuses of citizens throughout the islands. This busy lady took some time out to chat with Nu Woman about her pageant experience and life beyond the crown. 58 nuwomanmagazine.com
“From the coronation evening to being crowned Miss Grand Turk Summer Jam 2013, I knew that the Miss Universe Turks and Caicos Beauty Pageant was next in line for me”, beamed the new crown holder. “After seeing my capabilities and getting that ultimate feel of the stage, I was more than convinced that I would once again excel in the next round.” Shanice says that her number one reason for entering the pageant was to ‘become a goodwill ambassador and become associated with many organizations and meaningful causes’. She believes that her “new celebrity status will focus people’s attention and sensitize the public about targeted social issues, while assisting with their eradication.”
Shanice also believes that the pageant has helped to shape her concept of beauty. In her mind, “beauty can never be defined by one singular definition. A woman’s beauty is shaped by her perception of herself and being truly genuine and optimistic from the soul. It is all a matter of how she feels within, carries and respects herself, how comfortable she is in the skin that she’s in and her ability and willingness to help and inspire others. That’s what makes a woman beautiful.”
Although Williams exuded confidence throughout the pageant, she encountered a few challenges; time management was the biggest difficulty for her. “Being the only contestant from another island, Grand Turk, I had to travel to Providenciales two and sometimes three times a week for coaching, training sessions, appearances and other activities. These all lasted for a total of four months”, she admits. “I have a full time job and I am also a full time student so the traveling required a lot of planning, time management and extra coordination of activities.” Nonetheless, these obstacles were minor when compared to the wonderful “life changing” experience that was received from the Miss Universe Turks and Caicos Pageant. “I’ve learnt so much about myself. I am more familiar with my body and have a better understanding of just how confident I really am”, she declares. “Most importantly, this experience has reminded me that through all my endeavors, I should always remain humble and be appreciative of everyone’s love and support. “ Filled with emotion, Shanice is adamant that the entire experience has given her “a different outlook on life. It has been more of an emotional experience than anything else. I am overwhelmed by all the love and support that I have been receiving from my family, friends and well-wishers. I feel that everyone is going an extra mile to make me feel royal and I am forever grateful.” 59
Shanice is of the firm belief that beauty pageants offer participants more than just a title and crown. “Pageants help to mold young women into productive citizens and help to further shape these women into being great assets to their country and to the world.” Having already been molded into a brilliant talent and representative for the Turks and Caicos Islands, this young beauty now has her eyes on the 2014 Miss Universe Pageant. “Besides traveling, all the glamorous photo shoots, appearances, television and radio interviews, I am making final preparations towards my platform which is to alleviate the challenges faced by youth particularly with unemployment. I’ve also started intense coaching and training and will be completing all the necessary preparations in order to be a strong representative for my country at the 2014 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant”, notes the twenty one year old. Shanice is appreciative of everyone who has continued to support her throughout her pageantry and hopes that everyone will be empowered by her favorite quote: Pray more. Fear less. Live better If you will like to follow the updates and pertinent news during Shanice’s reign as Miss Turks and Caicos Universe, you can visit www.MissTCI.org. Photography: Barry Williams Styling: Saint George Fashion House by Kazz Forbes Hair and Makeup: Arlene Deveaux
60 nuwomanmagazine.com
Contemporary Artist Sheena Rose Pushes the Envelope Tugging At Her Art-Strings At six years-old, Sheena Rose pretended her bedroom was an art gallery and sold her work for five and ten cents. Sure, we all did things like that, painted the walls with our mother’s lipstick and gave our fathers headaches after discovering the toolbox. But many of us never cared to be painters or carpenters. However, Sheena’s quirky childhood pastime would be more than just a memory to laugh about with her parents. It became her life. She would become one of the most recognized contemporary Barbadian artists. During her teenage years, the now 28-year-old upgraded form scribbles on paper to drawing comic books. With her classmates clamouring to read her work, Sheena made the decision to study art at the tertiary level. Not that it was a hard decision to make. “I always said I wanted to be a cartoonist so I applied to the Barbados Community College (BCC) to study graphic design. However, my teacher, Mr. Hatcher, recommended that I do Fine Arts for my Bachelor’s degree instead,” she recalled. Following her tutor’s advice, she completed her BA in Fine Arts with a focus on painting. Sheena would soon delve into the fascinating world of animation after researching William Kentridge for her Art History class. The discovery of this South African genius became the catalyst for the type of artist she is today. “I fell in love with his work and the idea that animation can be an art piece. I started doing animations and putting the image of myself into them using transfers, comic strips and paint. It became a moving collage,” she said with an air of excitement, “and everyone loved it!” After graduating with honours in 2008, Sheena’s aim was to show other students that artists could have a shelf life outside of the con-
Photo: Dondre Trotman
61
fines of a classroom. Thus, in 2011, she was the first of the BCC students to have a solo exhibition. Entitled Town To Town with the pieces based on the spaces Bridgetown and Cape Town, her unique style garnered great reviews and no doubt kept her optimistic about Art as a career. But what was the story behind Town To Town? She explains. “Well I love shopping and I used to go to Bridgetown every Saturday. I wanted to show my life in Barbados. Not the donkey carts, monkeys, vendors and coconut trees though. I just wanted to show my life. So artists and curators such as Kara walker, Alfredo Jaar, David Bailey and Christopher Cozier saw and loved my pieces and encouraged me to keep going.” Sheena then went to Alice Yard in Trinidad, which runs a residency programme hosting artists, curators, and other creative practitioners. During her 24-hour residency, her name was recommended for another residency in Cape Town, South Africa. “Again I wanted to show my life in Cape Town. I didn’t know Cape Town looked like Europe!” she exclaimed. “I was avoiding the obvious, which was the apartheid, the townships and the homeless people. I just wanted to show Cape Town as Cape Town, and I wanted to show the contrast and similarity (to Barbados) at the same time. I never thought in my life I would be in Africa.” Since then, the self-proclaimed bubbly workaholic went on to exhibit in other parts of the Caribbean, the USA, Europe and South America. In 2012, her second solo show was in Fort de France, Martinique, at Martinican Centre of Cultural Action (CMAC). Sheena also represented Barbados in the Havana Biennial, one of the largest art exhibitions in the Caribbean, and participated in one of the biggest Contemporary Caribbean art shows in the USA. This was held in three museums: Studio Museum of Harlem, El Museuso del Barrio and the Queens Museum in New York, USA. These days, Sheena is still as busy as ever. In April before this interview, she had been in Trinidad for the launch of the book, See Me Here: A Survey of Contemporary Portraits From The Caribbean. As the title suggests, the book features contemporary Caribbean artists who use themselves and their bodies as the art, be it performing artists or those who do self-portraits. “I fall into that category,” she pointed out. “I use myself because one, it is my story. And two, you are the quickest model.” Sheena continues to work on many projects including more pieces for her Sweet Gossip collection. “Thinking is work as well, it’s part of a process. How long a piece takes depends on the experience, my personal experience or something I saw in the streets that gives me an idea… and I just do it right way. The longest it has ever taken me to get an idea is three months and the perfect drawing was finished in one day. The shortest for me, as usual, is a day or a week to complete a painting and a month to three months to complete an animation.”
Living Outside the Box But a girl’s gotta eat, right? So Sheena moonlights as a nude model. “My first animations were dream animations and I put myself nude in the animation. It was like a taboo in Barbados. People said I needed Jesus because Barbados is very conservative… but I loved the attention. So I became a nude model for drawing classes (at her alma mater) and that is how I make my money. And I had to be comfortable. I love controversial stuff,” she explained. To be completely naked and gazed upon by strangers takes balls we all wish we had since many women can’t look at themselves in the mirror on a bad day. However, being emotionally naked takes an even bigger pair. It turned out that Sheena possessed them when she did possibly the first nude performance in Barbados. On October 28th, 2012, One Person, Many Stories was presented in front of a small audience who listened intently to a bare soul and watched the genuine display of emotion. A glowing review followed in ARC Magazine. “One day I was telling students stories and I realized all of them were personal. I then decided I wanted to do a performance. I’d never seen nude performances in Barbados and I chose to talk about some very personal encounters. Yvonne Weeks (Theatre Arts Professor at BCC at the time) helped me a lot with this 62 nuwomanmagazine.com
Photo: Ronald Dyall
performance. Here I was… this naked black woman with dread locks. So, the perception was that I’m going to talk about the obvious. I did not,” she said. Art Today, Art Tomorrow, Art Forever When asked about the promotion of artists, Sheena noted the changing landscape of the art world. She created the Facebook group Projects & Space which has over 1000 members and aims to stir the creative juices of others. “Before I guess, there was no easy access to Art. We were accustomed to commercial art. People asked me why I chose this path but now they are starting to understand and some actually are inspired that more and more persons want to become artists”, Sheena explains. Always one to lend a helping hand and dubbed ‘The Art Doctor” by fellow artists who traverse her small studio for advice, Sheena has this to say to anyone wielding a paintbrush who dreams of being the next Van Gogh: “Keep going and never give up. Always think to get better each time. Once you see development in your work, know that that is a good thing. Reading is very important, working and networking. Use the world of social network to get your work out there and create groups.” And because the question of what one wants to do in the next five years is on its last breath, I had the brilliant idea to ask her about the next six years instead!
Above: Sheena Rose’s Piece called ‘I Didn’t Call You To Insult Me’ Below: Another Sheena Rose piece
“Well for sure I would like to have my Master’s, live in the US or Europe and return to Barbados sometimes. I would also love to have a gallery representative or collector buying my work and to be featured in more Art books and more international exhibitions, biennials,” she smiled, her eyes aglow with possibility. Written by Latoya Brathwaite To see more of Sheena Rose’s adventure, check her out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ sheenaroseart Tumblr http://sroseart.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram http://instagram.com/ sroseart
63
LABO ETHNIK “Labo Ethnik Fashion and Lifestyle Show”, which is now heading into its 8th year, is one of the biggest international trade shows with over 100 fashion designers and lifestyle artists participating from around the globe. This year, Labo Ethnik was held at Cite de la Mode in Paris, France, and took place from May 22 to the 26th. Many of this year’s designers and artists hail from countries such as: St. Lucia (Lyn Bristol), St Vincent (Shernicia Mayers), Trinidad (Heather Jones), the French speaking Caribbean, Vietnam, Europe, Africa and China. The purpose of Labo Ethnik Fashion and Lifestyle Show is to gather creative designers from around the world and give them an opportunity to showcase their work and to offer them a professional platform to network with fashion buyers and the fashion press, e.g. Elle, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, television journalists and fashion bloggers. St Lucian and Parisian fashion celebrity, Vincent McDoom, who was recently appointed casting and creative director (with a 5-year contract), handpicked thirty (30) multicultural female models and fourteen (14) male models to participate in this event. Among this list were 3 models from St. Lucia: Brittany Noon, Tangie Butcher and Tania Biscarlet and one male model from The Bahamas, Ajayi Ballentine Clarke. Both Brittany Noon, who was recently discovered by Vincent and who has recently signed with the third largest modeling agency in the world “Metropolitan Models Management”, and Ayayi Ballentine Clarke, were selected as this year’s signature faces by casting and creative director, Vincent McDoom. Find Labo Ethnik on Facebook - https:// www.facebook.com/labo.ethnik Watch a video of the show on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=p31hrq0Lwxo
Vincent Mc Doom-Brittany Noon-Collection Heather Jones & Franck Sorbier 64 nuwomanmagazine.com
Ajayi Ballantine Clarke-Collection Didier Drogba & Co by Hom, bijoux Marie-Laure Colrat
Vincent Mc Doom-Collection Heather Jones
Brittany Noon-Collection AADARZA
Tangie Marla Butcher-Collection Lyn Bristol 65
Tangie Marla Butcher-Collection Franck Sorbier
66 nuwomanmagazine.com
Brittany Noon-Collection Franck Sorbier
67