News
Black History Month Tributes
Zoe Saldana, Caribbean Latina sizzles whether brown, green or blue skinned
She was known as the blue lady from the highest grossing movie of all time from the release of Avatar in 2009. Until
2019 when she became known as the green lady in the movie that beat Avatar as the highest grossing movie of all time, Avengers Endgame. From Avatar Neytiri to Alien Gamora Zoe Saldana has brought some of the most iconic and recognizable characters in the world to life.
But as you might be surprised to see the face that lies underneath that blue or green paint you might also be surprised to know that the actress is actually Dominican-American. While Saldana is officially American having been born in New Jersey her father was Dominican and her mother Puerto Rican.
After the death of her father at age 9, her mother moved her back to the Dominican Republic which is where Zoe grew up.
Zoe Saldana has previously described herself as 3/4 Dominican and ¼ Puerto Rican.
Saldana has dominated in some of the most well-known franchises of all time including Star Trek, the Marvel Cinematic Universe and of course Avatar, a stellar example of the Black Caribbean woman in Hollywood.
Harry Belefonte, Daylight Come!
In 19 the world was treated to something it had surely never heard before. The sound of DAY O! now fondly called
Harry Belafonte’s new memoir is titled My Song. An HBO documentary about the singer-songwriter and activist, Sing My Song, is scheduled to air Oct. 17.
the Banana Boat song, belted out by Jamaican-American superstar Harry Belafonte.
Born to Jamaican parents, Belafonte was one of the most successful celebrities of his time, a motion picture leading man and his album ‘Calypso’ a mashup of Caribbean genres was the first million selling LP by a single artist.
His successful musical career did not stop him from advocating for black empowerment.
Belafonte was a staunch activist and dear friend of Sir Sydney Poitier and Martin Luther King Jr. and has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 1987.
Belafonte who will turn 95 on March 1st is a decorated artist in his own right, with three Grammy Awards, an Emmy and a Tony Award.
In 1989, he received the Kennedy Center Honors. He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1994. In 2014, he received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Academy’s 6th Annual Governors Awards.
Lenny Kravitz: “I Belong to You”
Millennials know him as a rock superstar and Lisa-Bonets’s electric ex-husband, Gen Z knows him for his portrayal of the lovable and talented designer Cinna in the Hunger Games movie trilogy (and as Zoe Kravitz’s dad) whatever age group you fall into there’s no denying that Lenny Kravitz’s star appeal has stood the test of time.
The singer turned actor has a star studded upbringing being the godson of Cicely Tyson, rubbing ears with Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Ella Fitzgerald who were his father’s friends and attending school with Nicholas Cage and Slash. His mother, Bahamian Roxy Roker, who was gone way too soon, was a ceiling shattering actress. Roker, portrayed an elegant black woman, married to a well-off white man in the popular sitcom, The Jefferson’s; inter-racially matched on the small screen and in her personal life.
Roker was from the islands and there are accounts of her son clambering into mango trees on his summers with his cousins in the sun soaked Bahamas. Kravitz proudly claims the islands as home and says it is the place he can hear and feel himself best.
The country has inspired a few hits from the rocker including his single ‘Fly Away”. Kravitz won the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for the island inspired single and proceeded to win it again three times in a row after that from 1999 to 2002, breaking the record for most wins in that category and setting the record for most consecutive wins in one category by a male.
Kravitz has been serving as The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism’s brand ambassador since 2019, generating even more interest in the destination with high profile video campaigns like Fly Away.
Kravitz has also lent his eclectic style to décor; you will find his designs in The Bahamas’ newest luxury resort, Baha Mar.
Voila! Nouveau Soeurs on the Writing Block
Dear Haiti, Love Alaine, One of the Good ones, the titles may not mean much to you but these two young adult books are two of the most celebrated in the last two years.
Penned by Haitian sister Writing duo Maika and Maritza Moulite both books tackle issues of racism, immigration and a deep love for the country that birthed them, Haiti.
Born to Haitian parents in America, the girls grew up with an intimate knowledge of what it meant to be black and different in the US.
Now they are bestselling authors with another book on the way.
Maika is a Howard University PhD student whose research focuses on representation in media and its impact on marginalized groups.
Maritza is now a PhD student at the University of Pennsylvania exploring ways to improve literacy through children’s media.
Both sisters are social activists, invested in the treatment of Black people specifically across the world.
In an interview with diverse books, Maika says “A person’s life shouldn’t matter more because they “speak well,” have lots of money, or anything along those lines. Being a human being should be more than enough to be able to live your life with dignity.”
Maika and Maritza Moulite
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
News
BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa
– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –
[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.
The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination
from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.
The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.
Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.
While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.
Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.
Expanded Winter Season
- To South Caicos:
- Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
- To Turks and Caicos:
- Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
- Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
- Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”
The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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News4 days agoBermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
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