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
Turks and Caicos, May 23, 2026 – Invest Turks and Caicos Islands took center stage at one of the region’s most influential hospitality
investment gatherings this spring, serving as a Platinum Sponsor at ALIS CALA 2026 in Coral Gables, Florida.
Held April 28 to 30 at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel, the conference brought together more than 600 tourism, hotel and investment leaders from over 35 countries focused on the future of hospitality investment in the Caribbean and Latin America.
ALIS CALA — short for the Americas Lodging Investment Summit Caribbean and Latin America — is widely regarded as the region’s premier deal-driven hospitality investment conference. The platform emerged from the merger of the long-running Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) and Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA), creating what organizers describe as a high-level space where investors, developers, lenders, hotel brands and government leaders connect around major regional projects and opportunities.
The event is known for attracting senior decision-makers, with roughly one in three delegates holding titles such as Chairman, CEO, President, Owner or Principal.
Invest Turks and Caicos said its participation focused heavily on showcasing investment opportunities across the territory, particularly in the Family Islands.
CEO Angela Musgrove delivered a presentation highlighting development opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands to what the agency
described as a full room of attendees and strong stakeholder interest.
In a statement following the conference, Invest Turks and Caicos said discussions centered on tourism expansion, sustainable development and long-term investment partnerships designed to position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a leading investment destination in the region.
The agency added that it looks forward to continuing conversations started at ALIS CALA and building new partnerships with investors, developers and strategic stakeholders interested in growth opportunities throughout the islands.
The conference itself focused heavily on capital access, hotel development pipelines, mixed-use tourism projects and investment confidence throughout the Caribbean basin — sectors where Turks and Caicos continues to attract increasing international attention.
The Rick Fox Political Timeline
“Are You Thinking About Politics?”
Fox publicly acknowledged growing calls for him to enter Bahamian politics, saying he had been hearing from women, youth, business owners and everyday Bahamians who were “ready for something different.”
October 19, 2025
“Then Jump, Man.”
Fox revealed a conversation with NBA legend Michael Jordan, who encouraged him to enter politics after asking whether he believed he could help young Bahamians.
November 24, 2025
“The Bahamas Must Be First”
Fox officially announced his intention to run in the 2026 General Election, promising transparency, affordability, opportunity and a modern Bahamian economy.
February 4, 2026
“Officially Picked”
The Free National Movement formally ratified Fox as its candidate for Garden Hills, instantly making him one of the most talked-about figures in the election cycle.
March 20, 2026
“From Courtside to Campaign Stage”
Fox mounted the national campaign stage for the first time at the FNM’s major campaign launch at Baha Mar Resort in Nassau.
March 30, 2026
“I’m Giving The Salary Back”
Fox announced he would not take a parliamentary salary if elected, saying the funds should instead go back into helping the people of
Garden Hills.
April 14, 2026
“Nomination Eve Goes Viral”
A heated confrontation involving Fox and PLP supporters outside the Parliamentary Registration Department exploded across social media after video captured the tense exchange.
April 16, 2026
“Pick Rick” Officially Launches
Nomination Day cemented Fox’s candidacy and formally launched the now-famous “Pick Rick” campaign branding.
April 19, 2026
“Vote and Win”
Jamiah Burrows won a vehicle through Fox’s civic participation challenge, part of a campaign effort encouraging voter engagement and turnout.
April 20, 2026
“The Wealthiest Candidate”
Financial disclosures revealed Fox as the wealthiest candidate in the 2026 election cycle, with reported assets exceeding $469 million, ending speculation about his financial standing.
April 25, 2026
“The Garden Hills Blueprint”
Fox unveiled detailed policy graphics outlining plans for:
- youth development,
- healthcare access,
- infrastructure upgrades,
- environmental restoration,
- entrepreneurship,
- and a proposed $10 million investment fund for Garden Hills.
May 4, 2026
“The Numbers Don’t Lie”
Fox’s campaign highlighted more than:
- 20 community clean-ups,
- 16 streets and locations served,
- and 13 solar lights installed across Garden Hills during the campaign.
May 6, 2026
“Shaq Steps In”
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal publicly endorsed Fox, helping elevate international attention surrounding the campaign.
May 8, 2026
“Buju Backs Rick”
Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton threw his support behind Fox ahead of Election Day.
May 10, 2026
“Vanessa Williams Endorses”
Fox’s former wife, actress and singer Vanessa Williams publicly endorsed his campaign.
May 11, 2026
“Magic Joins the Campaign”
NBA icon Magic Johnson became the latest major celebrity to endorse Fox just one day before Bahamians went to the polls.
May 12, 2026
“Election Day”
Fox contested the Garden Hills constituency seat against PLP incumbent Mario Bowleg in one of the country’s most closely watched races.
May 13, 2026
“Grace in Defeat”
Fox publicly conceded the race and congratulated Bowleg on his victory in Garden Hills.
May 18, 2026
“We Pick Rick”
Despite losing at the polls, Fox officially entered Parliament after being appointed to the Senate by the FNM — with the party itself declaring:
“We Pick Rick.”
The appointment made Fox one of the most internationally recognized figures ever to serve in the Bahamian Senate.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in coordination with the Planning Department and key partner agencies, conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Lower Bight area in Providenciales. The exercise resulted in the complete removal of a total of eight (8) unauthorized structures and all associated debris from a
privately-owned parcel of land.
The operation was led by the Planning Department, with coordination by the ISU and support from the TCI Border Force, the Crown Land Unit, and Pelican Energy. Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. All agencies worked collaboratively to ensure the exercise was carried out in a safe, orderly, and controlled manner.
The enforcement action followed a structured and lawful process in accordance with the Physical Planning regulatory framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Section 45 Enforcement Notices were first issued on the affected parcel in December 2024, identifying unauthorized structures erected without the requisite approvals. This was followed by the issuance of Warning Notices on April 16, 2026, which advised occupants that they were in breach of planning and land use regulations and provided notice that demolition activities would proceed following the prescribed compliance period. Despite these notices and the time afforded for compliance, the unauthorized structures remained in place.
This exercise represents part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring that development within the Turks and Caicos Islands is lawful, safe, and aligned with national standards.
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