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
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The
development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of
IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have
charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.
The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:
- One Count: Robbery
- One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
- One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear
Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.
The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.
The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05th, 2024.
Mr. SIMON faces the following charges:
- One Count: Robbery;
- One Count: Gang Membership
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.
The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.
Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition
- One Count: Unlawful Entry
Officers also charged a teenage minor who was in the company of Mr. Simon on May 02nd with One Count of UNLAWFUL ENTRY.
The accused, seventeen and from Kew Town, Providenciales, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on May 20th.
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