Interview with the Jamaican ‘Cabbie’ Team Winners of the 2010 Caribbean Animation film festival The short Jamaican animated film "The Cabbie Chronicles" recently won the2010 D.E.W Best Caribbean Animation Award in Port of Spain Trinidad. The animated short was produced by the Jamaican Team of Alison Tabois Latchman (writer), Marlo Scott (illustrator) and Anieph Latchman (animator), Cabbie Chronicles came out on top at the ninth instalment of the Animae Caribe New Media and Animation Festival. This week we interview "The Cabbie Chronicles" team.
Interview with Jamaican Painter, Laura-Anne FungThis week we interview Jamaican teenage painter, Laura-Anne Fung. The bold colors and shapes of her canvas painting will capture the attention of any onlooker and has won her numerous awards over the past 4 years. The Hillel Academy student has a promising career ahead and is one to watch.
Interview with Jamaican comedians Ity and Fancy Cat This week we interview Ity and Fancy Cat. So who’s Ity & Fancy Cat? Ian “Ity” Ellis and Alton “Fancy Cat” Hardware are two talented, confident yet un-assuming men who have known each other since childhood days in Trench Town, long before they became a household name in Jamaica. As an established professional performing arts unit, they’ve been together longer than all the other famous Jamaican comedy duos before them, and they have been consistent purveyors of side-splitting laughter throughout the Caribbean as well as the Diaspora in North American and Europe for nearly 20 years.
Interview Jamaican Youth Activist Craig Dixon This week we interview Jamaican Youth Activist Craig Dixon, 22. He was recently chosen to represent Jamaica at the Nkabom: Commonwealth Youth Leadership Programme in Kigali, Rwanda. He has an amazing drive for success as revealed in his life story as a child street vendor, who lived alone at age fourteen and managed, through remarkable acts of determination and self-sacrifice, to complete an honours degree in Public Relations and History at the University of the West Indies, Mona (2010). He is currently on internship with the Roving Caregivers Programme in Grenada.
Behind Independent VoYces Literary Fair is Judith, a true artist herself Earlier this month the Independent VoYces Literary Arts Fair (IVLF) at Strawberry Fields, St Mary presented exposure opportunities to new authors, writers, and poets particularly from the Caribbean. Host of the event was Judith, who herself is a writer, playwright, dancer and dramatist creating the literary arts fair to assist new authors in achieving their goals of being heard by a wide audience. Here she independently speaks her mind to Anthea McGibbon about herself, goals, aspirations.
Interview with Therese Morris, Founder & Owner of Flavour du Jour This week we interview Therese Morris, Founder & Owner of Flavour du Jour a Jamaican based culinary arts company. Therese has a passion for Caribbean food fusion. She hopes to educate Jamaica and Jamaicans about our rich culinary heritage. Flavour du Jour is passionate in presenting the best of Jamaica alongside the gastronomic novelties from the rest of the world.
An Interview with Jamaican animator, Mental Chung This week we interview Jamaican animator Mental Chung (Reinardo Chung). He recently created the "red" hot Jamaican animated short "Bad influence" that has people "buzzing". One of his goals is to establish a movie production and visual effects house in Jamaica. Here is our conversation with Mental Chung.
Interview with four-time Emmy Award winning comedic reporter, Jamaican, Johnathan Walton This week we interview Johnathan Walton. A graduate from Campion College, heis a Jamaican born, four-time Emmy Award winning, comedic TV reporter, stand-up comedian and TV producer. His TV career began at WSVN-TV the FOX affiliate in Miami, Florida as a Special Projects segment producer. He later moved to San Antonio, Texas to be the Comedy TV reporter at KABB-TV the city’s FOX affiliate and then he did a 5 year Comedy TV reporter stint at CBS in Houston. Currently he’s living in Los Angeles writing, doing stand-up comedy and producing TV Shows.
Interview with Jamaican female Deejay, NazThis week we interview rising Jamaican female Deejay, Naz. In last year's Heineken Green Synergy DJ competition she was the lone female DJ in the hunt for the over $2 million (Jamaican dollars) cash prize. Christened Nazaria Taylor, this Deejay is one to watch.
Transcript from last week's discussion with Trilla U Last Friday Trill U was a guest in the Jamaicans.com discussion forums. Trilla U was born in Kingston Jamaica August 14 1969, named Eustace Hamilton. While attending the Spanish Town Secondary High School in St. Catherines Jamaica , his interest in music and songwriting along with his amazing voice started to develop his craft and it was there he began to branch out and take his talents to higher levels in the music industry.
10 Questions with Peggy Llewellyn, NHRA Pro-Stock Motorcycle Drag Racer of Jamaican descent. This week we interview Peggy Llewellyn, NHRA Pro-Stock Motorcycle Drag Racer, of Jamaican and Mexican descent. She is the first black woman to win a professional motorsports event, racing at the NHRA POWERade event (Dallas) in 2007 and earning an appearance in the inaugural Countdown to 4 and Countdown to 1, finishing in the POWERade top five standings where she recorded her post-career-best time and speed. She is committed to encouraging our youth to be their own individuals, not putting limitations on what they can achieve, so they don't fall victim to drug or alcohol abuse, or child abuse, teen-age pregnancy, joining a gang or other issues that plague our youth.
10 Questions with the owners of the clothing line RepJa This week we interview Omar Thomas, Andre Allen & Prince Graham, the owners of the Caribbean Street wear brand RepJa. They started the company 3 years ago and the brand has risen to one of the most recognizable in the Jamaican/Caribbean community. It is endorsed and worn proudly by many famous Jamaican personalities at home and abroad.
Interview with Esther Figueroa filmmaker of the documentary 'Jamaica for Sale' This week we interview Esther Figueroa, Ph.D. filmmaker of the documentary 'Jamaica for Sale'. Esther is a Jamaican, independent filmmaker, writer, and linguist. She has 25 years of experience in media production including documentaries, educational videos, television programming, music videos, multi-media, web content, and feature film.
Interview with Jamaican Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Chaplain to the House of Commons This week we interview Jamaican-born Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Chaplain to the House of Commons. Originally from Montego Bay, Jamaica, she is the first black woman and person of Caribbean descent to be appointed Chaplain to the House of Commons.
Interview with Chicago Media Personality, JNiice - A Son of Jamaica This week we interview Chicago Media Personality JNiice. He is of Jamaican decent and wears the Jamaican colors proudly. He sat down with us to discuss his new projects, his radio & TV shows and his love for adventure.
Interview with Gabe "Yum" Yumiko the reigning Jamaican Car Sound Competition Champion This week we interview Gabe "Yum" Yumiko the reigning Jamaican Car Sound Competition Champion. Originally from Japan, her love for reggae brought her to Jamaica where she currently resides. We talk to her about her sound system, her love for the island and the Jamaica Car Sound Competition.
Ten Questions with Alex Morrissey a young Jamaican entrepreneur and creator of Jamaicansmusic.com This week we do 10 question with Alex Morrissey, a young Jamaican entrepreneur and the creator & CEO of jamaicansmusic.com. Alex is passionate about Jamaican music of every genre and wants to be sure it is preserved online. He recently launched an online reggae mixer with virtual turntables and a mixing board allowing the average person to mix reggae music like a club/party DJ.
Interview: Wayne Chen explores pathways to Jamaican artists success Often times Jamaican artists lay blame at entities such as government and businesspersons for their lack of advancing as a nation. On the other hand several factors are being discussed as the rationale for the tardiness in success for numbered Jamaican artists.
Jamaican doll maker, Peni Dyer, is a prize winning artist whose creativity and dedication to detail has earned her many prizes and recognition. She is one of the few figurative artists making porcelain portrait dolls of children from photographs and takes pride in not only capturing the likeness, but the character of her subjects. She took some time out of her busy schedule to speak with us.
Quam Byll-Cataria a Jamaican entrepreneur who lives in Geneva, Switzerland This week we speak to Quam Byll-Cataria a Jamaican entrepreneur who lives in Geneva, Switzerland. Quam also operates the website jamaicanexpansion.com a site dedicated to helping Jamaica with finding solutions to problems and highlighting positive deeds taking place in Jamaica through discussion, articles and networking. On a recent visit to Switzerland I sat down and talked to Quam.
A chat with Anthea McGibbon, Founder of OAaSIS International OAaSIS International Foundation is just a year old. It exists to network members of the creative industry and relating fields to empower the creative mind of youth, up to 25 years, focusing on the age group up to 16 years. It’s founder spent 13.5 years in full time employment at the Gleaner company, filling many roles from subeditor, feature co-ordinator (Religion), writer, photographer, to reporter. After that she became an art critic and writer for the Arts and Education section of the Sunday Gleaner. Beyond that however, she herself is a multi-skilled, multidimensional artist.
Interview with Hansen von Shneir, the operator of the non-profit Jamlink This week we interview Hansen von Shneir , the operator of the non-profit website and organization Jamlink.com. Hansen is very passionate about Jamaica and hence organization's motto "Jamaica Matters Here". He has spearheaded numerous projects to assist individuals, schools and churches that you will never hear about in the mainstream media. He is not about talking about Jamaica but getting things done there.
This week we play 10 questions with former Jamaican Minister of Tourism, Aloun Ndombet-assamba A daughter of the St. Ann soil that bred Jamaican greats such as Garvey and Marley, Aloun Ndombet-assamba is, by right, a heroine in law, politics, and community service in Jamaica. She has served her country in several capacities, including Minister of Tourism, Entertainment, and Culture, Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Technology, and as a Government Senator. An attorney-at-law, Ms. Ndombet-Assamba was General Manager of COK Cooperative Credit Union Limited for nearly ten years and is currently a member of the Board of Directors.
A Conversation with Jamaican Born, Public Relation Expert, Karen Taylor Bass This week we interview Jamaican-born, PR expert, Karen Taylor Bass. She is considered one of the premier authorities in the public relations industry and has created “out of the box,” public relations, branding, and marketing campaigns for celebrities, athletes, entrepreneurs, and corporations for over 18 years. She has also provided coaching to entrepreneurs, mompreneurs and small business owners.
Interview with the Founder of "On the Ground News Reports" This week we interview the owner of On the Ground News Reports, one of the many alternative news sources that started during the Dudus extradition incident in Tivoli . Within days of launching a Facebook page they have amassed over 10,000 followers. Today they have over 25, 000 followers. In today's 24-hour news cycle they are providing information before the traditional news sources.
10 questions with Ky-Mani Marley In this week's 10 question series we interview Ky-Mani Marley. The tenth child of reggae star Bob Marley, he is currently on tour promoting his new book "Dear Dad". We caught up with to him at his New York book signing. Usually when I attend a book signing the author speaks about the book and reads from a section of the book, however Ky-Mani Marley’s book signing was very interesting.
Interview Jamaican Poster Artist Mike Thompson This week we interview Jamaican artist and photographer, Michael “Freestylee “Thompson. His work is widely acclaimed online and his flickr site is buzzing with accolades. He wants his art to bring awareness to the many social issues affecting a large section of our planet. He hopes to use his creativity for positive change and peace activism. He uses beautiful photographs, art and posters to express these realities loudly. His latest piece on Tivoli reflects activism in his work on current issues.
Interview with author Geoffrey Philp, the premier blogger on Caribbean book and literary events This week we have conversation with Jamaican author & blogger Geoffrey Philp. He is the creator of the premier literary blog on Caribbean books, authors and literary events. This Jamaica College alumnus is the author of a novel, Benjamin, My Son; two collections of short stories, five poetry collections and a children's book. His work has been anthologized in both the Oxford Book of CaribbeanShort Stories and the Oxford Book of Caribbean Verse.
Interview with Donald Brideau of Bounce Across Jamaica - "Every Youth Deserves a Ball" We interview Donald Brideau, a Canadian who has lived in Jamaica for over 31 years and started a community outreach football program called “Bounce Across Jamaica”. This program starts football teams and leagues for the youth in Jamaica. His mission is to improving the lives of Jamaican youth "one ball at a time". Donald believes "Every Youth Deserves a Ball". He devotes his time to collecting and bringing soccer equipment to the ghettos and country sides of Jamaica.
We had a conversation with photographer extraordinaire Dwayne Watkins. He worked in the Information Technology field for several years doing network management and administration. Photography was only a hobby back then. As more doors opened in photography he pursed it full time. Photography is his passion and it shows in his work.
We interviewed former professional baseball player Jamaican-born Andrew Dixon who was instrumental in bringing Major League Baseball and the Jamaican government into a partnership to build a baseball field in Trewlany. Andrew is a member of the Babe Ruth Little League BaseballWorld Series and will be spearheading efforts to start a baseball pilot program in primary schools in Jamaica. Here is our conversation with Andrew Dixon.
Interview with Jamaican Based Executive Coach, Henry J. Lewis Henry Lewis, a Guyanese by birth, came to Jamaica to pursue tertiary studies and to head back to his homeland after completion of his post graduate studies at the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology where he read for a Master’s of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology. He has been in Jamaica for the past twelve years, fell in love with Jamaica and with a beautiful Jamaican lady, Charmaine and the rest as they say is history.
Conversation with Tricia Williamson, founder and Editor-in-Chief of Panache Jamaica Magazine Tricia Williamson is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Panache Jamaica Magazine (PJM). She is a graduate from the University of the West Indies, Mona with a BSc in Biochemistry and minored in Computer Science. At that time she also served as the President of the UWI Camera Club, one of the oldest photographic societies in the region
A conversation with a Jamaican Empress This week we interview radio/TV personality, singer, actor, activist and business woman, “Empress”. This multi-talented Jamaican woman has a passion for youth which is reflected in her music and her charity work to raising money during Jamaica’s Child Month. This self-proclaimed “Media baby” was raised in Trelawny, Jamaica, & Miami, Florida & Australia. She has pioneered a style of reggae music called “Neo-reggae”. Here is our conversation with a Jamaican Empress…
Interview with Jamaican Photographer Ray Chen Out of many, one people are the motto of our Island nation Jamaica. Jamaica has been blessed with the rich diversity of many cultures to give it a special blend that is most unique.
A conversation with "Your Money" Publisher & CEO, Tyrone Wilson This week we interview the young CEO of eZines Limited, Tyrone Wilson. His company publishes “Your Money” a business and financial electronic magazine (ezine) that focuses on young professionals in Jamaica. The twenty-six years old is a dynamic and savvy entrepreneur who we are sure to hear about in years to come.
Interview with Jamaican actor, Paul Campbell This month we interview popular Jamaican actor Paul Campbell. One of Jamaica’s most heralded contemporary actor, Paul has appeared any many screen and stage productions. Some of his most notable works are his leading roles in Palm Picture's Lunatic, the notorious & unforgettable villain priest, in Dancehall Queen (1997) and the highest grossing film out of Jamaica, Third World Cop (1999).
Interview with Dean Dundas who has created a free CXC learning aid for the Caribbean For many of us who grew up in Jamaica and the Caribbean the CXC was an exam that defined our future. There were many study guides and tools to prepare for this exam. Technology has provided us with a new online tool called Notesmaster. This month we interview Dean Dundas who has created this free CXC learning aid for Caribbean students.
