Eight Caribbean trailblazers honoured at Caribbean Cultural Diplomats Experience in Brooklyn
Trinbagonian publicist Tenille Clarke's event recognised Grenadian soca artist Tallpree, songwriter Angela Hunte and designer Brandon Blackwood.
NEW YORK, United States. Eight creatives, entrepreneurs and community advocates were honoured at the Caribbean Cultural Diplomats Experience at Brooklyn Grange on October 1.
Tenille Clarke, the Trinbagonian publicist and cultural strategist who founded the event through her agency, Industry 360, said she built it because Caribbean stories, accomplishments and cultural contributions deserve recognition on a global stage.
This year's theme, "From Soil to Soul: A Caribbean Market Feast", came from a dream about her late father, who she said spoke those words to her. "Soil" represents where Caribbean people come from, she said, and "soul" what they carry with them.
The honourees
Brandon Blackwood, the Jamaican-American founder of Brandon Blackwood New York, was recognised for bringing Caribbean identity into global fashion.
Grenadian soca artist Wilt "Tallpree" Cambridge, whose "Grave, Jail, Hospital" won Grenada's Road March title in 2000, was later named a cultural ambassador of Grenada.
Angela Hunte, born in Brooklyn and raised in Trinidad, co-wrote "Empire State of Mind" for Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, earning a Grammy in 2011.
Haitian musician Paul Beaubrun, son of Boukman Eksperyans co-founders Theodore "Lolo" and Mimerose "Manze" Beaubrun, blends Haitian roots music with rock, blues and reggae.
Helena Faustin, known as "ThatNurseCanCook", represented food and digital storytelling, and Sidnee Michelle, senior editor at Black Enterprise, was also recognised.
Mohamed Q. Amin, founder of the Caribbean Equality Project, was honoured for his advocacy for Afro- and Indo-Caribbean LGBTQ+ immigrants. The late community activist Shenae "Curry" Craig, founder of S.A.F.E., was honoured posthumously.
Fourth year
The gathering marked the event's fourth year and the third year of Industry 360's partnership with CultureCon. Ms Clarke has placed Caribbean stories in outlets including Forbes, British Vogue and National Geographic.
"CCDE is always a collective effort, and I'm grateful for every hand and heart that helped bring this year's experience to life," she said.
