Vincentian Molly John, Audit Partner and Americas Telecommunications Co-Leader, EY, formerly known as Ernst & Young, was named by media company, City & State New York, as one of “2025’s 50 over 50,” an annual list of 50 distinguished leaders who are over the age of 50. This list, presented in partnership with AARP New York, profiles 50 older adults in New York, with insights into their motivations and accomplishments. Among them are four Icon honorees – health care executive Michael Dowling, top lobbyist Suri Kasirer, nonprofit leader Jo-Ann Yoo and a state judicial chief, Joseph Zayas – as well…
Author: Tricia Reddock
There is a uniquely split ideology Caribbeans in the diaspora tend to inhabit. In the Vincentian context, these beings inhabit an undefined space in the left vs. right ideological and cultural wars. These people are transients who choose philosophical positions steeped in geopolitical fluidity and personality politics. In other words, they are political chameleons whose positions change to bend around their physical location, personal interests and biases, whether conscious or unconscious. I first noticed this phenomenon on social media over the past few election cycles. I became intrigued by the high incidence of NDP supporters in the USA, who reliably…
The Government of Grenada has declared the initiation of a guns amnesty initiative, which will be in force from May 1, 2024, until 12 am on July 30, 2024. This effort seeks to offer assistance to those who satisfy the criteria specified in section 4 of the Firearms Order (released on April 29, 2024) by granting them amnesty under section 51A of the Act. The main goal of the weapons amnesty is to decrease the probability of violent crimes and firearms-related occurrences by reducing the circulation of unlawfully owned firearms and ammunition inside the State of Grenada. Given the significance…
Earlier this year, Urbane, along with partners BRP Companies, NYCEDC, HPD, and HDC, together announced the opening and rebranding of Flatbush Central – formerly known as Flatbush Caton Market. As an essential pillar of the community for more than 20 years, this long-awaited upgrade revitalizes the locally adored market far beyond just a name. Excitement surrounding the announcement has ignited the Flatbush community and beyond. The new Flatbush Central Caribbean Marketplace includes upgraded amenities and programming such as expanded space for vendors; a shared commercial kitchen, bar, and lounge; and 5,000 square feet of supplemental community space. Check out some…
Vanessa Layne, a native of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, is rekindling her passion of singing after a 30-year hiatus during which she pursued other hobbies. Whisper in the Dark by Dionne Warwick, a pop ballad that was first released in 1985, is a smooth, carefree cover version performed by Vanessa. Vanessa, whose music is produced and engineered by Mark Cyrus of Masteroom, adopts a soft touch and effortlessly avoids oversinging. Her delivery, which has a strong vocal performance that is perfectly suited to the material, is expressive enough to create a personal listening experience without being overly serious. My…
St. Vincent & the Grenadines’ own Vanessa Layne is revisiting her love for singing after a 30 year hiatus spent pursuing other interests. Vanessa’s cover of Dionne Warwick’s Whisper in the Dark, a pop ballad originally released in 1985, is easy, breezy and unforced. Produced and engineered by Mark Cyrus of Masteroom, Vanessa takes a light approach, effortlessly resisting over singing. Her version is emotive enough to provide a personal listening experience, without taking herself too seriously, delivering a vocally strong performance well suited to the track. Of the three upcoming versions to be released, my personal favorite is the…
In the 1960s many Vincentians like my own mother said goodbye to their families to make the journey to England with the aim of entering the nursing profession in what was then the still young and radically innovative National Health Service. What those members of ‘the Windrush generation’ might not have realised is that a woman from Saint Vincent had made that same journey several generations before them, in 1870 when a free and universal healthcare service in England was not even dreamed of, let alone the world-renowned institution it has now become. Annie Catherine Brewster was born in Saint…
Though Flatbush has been a hub for Caribbean people, food and culture for years, the area will be officially dubbed the “Little Caribbean” of New York City this week. A large area of southern Crown Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens and Flatbush will be included in the designation, to be announced Thursday. Several local merchant associations and caribBEING, a Flatbush arts and culture group that spearheaded the effort. CaribBEING founder Shelley Worrell, who was born in Flatbush and is now a resident of the area, said she’s been working on the designation for about two years. She sees it as a way to help existing…
Diaspora Dynamics, where we focus on keeping you abreast of the activities, achievements, and contributions of Vincentians all around the world. For this edition, we are pleased to feature actor Kevis Hillocks from Brooklyn, New York, USA. Kevis is a first generation American by way of Vincentian parents Winfred Hillocks from Redemption Sharps, and Susan Matthews-Carter from Gomea. By Tricia Reddock American vernacular includes the phrase “acting up,” which is often applied to a rambunctious child who misbehaves. Kevis Hillocks, whose heritage is Vincentian, has expanded on this concept. He started acting up at his Brooklyn elementary school. “School represented…
When Sean Rose left St. Vincent for Tortola, British Virgin Islands (BVI) in 2006, he joined this significant group of Vincentian nationals who live and work in other nations. Tortola represented an unexpected culture shock as the landscape was startlingly different to what we have in St. Vincent. “Although Tortola is a Caribbean island, I was surprised at how metropolitan and diverse it was compared to back home. There was very little agriculture, so I didn’t have access to fresh food, a lot of what we ate was imported. But it was an exciting place with a nightlife similar to…
Diaspora Dynamics, where we focus on keeping you abreast of the activities, achievements, and contributions of Vincentians all around the world. For this edition, we are pleased to feature Sean Drexel Rose from Mt. Grennan, South Central Windward. Sean was previously an entrepreneur and is currently a Freelance Journalist and Environmental Activist, residing in Miami, Florida, USA. This is the first segment of a two-part series. By Tricia Reddock Leaders march to the beat of their own drums. Sean Drexel Rose is one of those rare transcendental change agents who made his own drum. His drumbeats echo the familiar, resistant…
Diaspora Dynamics, where we focus on keeping you abreast of the activities, achievements, and contributions of Vincentians all around the world. For this edition, we are pleased to feature Newman Nedd from South Rivers. Newman is an entrepreneur and Remax Real Estate Specialist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, where he currently resides. By Tricia Reddock They say a child is a blessing. And some say children are miracles. The circumstances surrounding Newnan Nedd’s appearance on this earth are nothing short of miraculous. In the quiet hills of South Rivers, Charlotte Parish on the Windward side in 1950, lived a farmer John Nedd…