Shelley Worrell, a visionary, and successful entrepreneur, who founded I Am Caribbeing, a multidisciplinary venture dedicated to showcasing Caribbean culture, welcomed scores of patrons to the very first One Love Little Caribbean Festival, another event hosted on June 23, by the organization to commemorate Caribbean Heritage Month.
The atmosphere alongside the lake, and inside the boathouse at Prospect Park, showcased the richness of the Caribbean, not only by the colorfully dressed crowd, but also the artisans whose creative offerings represented Caribbean flair, and beauty.
Worrell, who has brought stronger visibility to the Islands, since launching the endeavor in 1999, told Caribbean life that the organization works at the intersection of Caribbean culture, community, and commerce.
The artistic lady, who traces her roots to Trinidad and Tobago, and who was decked out in her signature sunglasses, and a red hat with the Caribbeing logo, shared that the organization spearheads the ongoing development of Little Caribbean, the first and only such initiative in the world.
“Four years ago, Eric Adams, our then Borough President, now Mayor, designated a One Love Caribbean Day. That is when we started putting those beautiful signs over the avenues, which will be reinstalled next week. Five will be going up, over Utica, Church, Nostrand, Flatbush, and Rogers Avenues,” she added.
She also explained that it was fitting to create an event that commemorated One Love Caribbean day in Brooklyn, while utilizing the relationship the organization has with Prospect Park, in addition the green space adjacency to the community, “this was the perfect place to celebrate the event.”
She said One Love Caribbean day that was earlier celebrated as part of the Juneteenth festivities, was reimagined to bring together the community in a festive, and momentous occasion to celebrate Caribbean heritage, culture, and Caribbean business.
The high-spirited jamboree that included DJ music, and the electrifying rhythmic vibes by the Boom Boom Room featuring, Rhys Thompson, and Modupe Onilu of T&T, in addition to two dozen small business owners, who offered food, fashion, jewelry, fragrance, and spices.
Worrell said that content creators were also on hand to capture moments of the community, from Guyana, to Grenada, Trinidad, St. Lucia, and Jamaica, the event was a success.
“We celebrate the entire Caribbean as part of our organization, and this is just one of the ways we do that,” she noted.
Christina says it was the first time The Spice Theory, a health-conscious company had joined “I Am Caribbeing” marketplace, adding that her cousin Corrie Amos, MD, CEO, founded the company to offer healthy options. The wide variety are available online. (www.thespicetheory.com)
Mizizi International, a streetwear collection of uniquely unisex jerseys in a variety of designs were available for purchase. Mizizi, which means “roots” in Swahili, is the official brand for the African Diaspora, founded in 2015. It has evolved into a movement that goes beyond clothing and is now a worldwide celebration of individual identity and the roots that connects. The exclusive collections are always designed with core values in mind: connection, celebration, and representation, according to president and CEO Ghanian-born Paakow Essandoh. (www.mizizi.com)
Sydney’s Essence a selection of light scents, was created to inspire affordability in the market, said its CEO and founder Sydel, a lover of fragrances. (www.sidneysessence.com)
Jam + Rico, an exquisite line of hand-made jewelry, created by Lisette Scott is a combination of the designer’s Jamaican and Puerto Rican heritage. The pieces are blended with gold and the aquamarine color of the Caribbean Ocean. (www.jamandrico.com).
Del La Jpi Apothecary & Botanica, established in 2015, is a wellness oasis and sacred community dedicated to helping Black and Brown bodies see the beauty, art, and divinity and “magick” in prioritizing themselves through wholisic and spiritual wellness, according to herbalist, and wellness coach, Sky.
In addition to vending plant medicine, wholistic skincare and healing crystal jewelry, the company provide in-person and virtual offerings, services, products, and resources to help the community adorn their mind body and soul. (www.delajipi.com).
Saint Lucian born visual artist, and filmmaker Fiona Compton, also a historian, and public speaker, frustrated by the lack of accessible in-depth information about the Caribbean region, began to unearth stories now published in a book titled, “Know Your Caribbean.”
While, Chantal Miller, who traces her roots to Nevis and Jamaica, showcased elements of the Caribbean. She is the founder of Island Girls Rock. The proceeds from the sale of merchandise like recycling bags with the logo, stylish African print evening pocketbooks, and jewelry, goes towards a platform that supports girls and women in the Caribbean and the diaspora. The initiative provides mentoring and immersive programs to support communities, free of charge. (www.knowyourcaribbean.com) and (www.islandgirlsrock.com
Other offerings included Swym, a dating app, build to improve in-person meetings to change the way people connect, said founder, Terrence Liverpool. (www.swymapp.com).
A collection of children’s books highlighting Caribbean themes, are available on Instagram #18Augustave, according to vendor, Kenyan.
Other small business owners included San Jules Unique Art Creations Inc. a Brooklyn-based collection of tie-dye clothing, owned by Sandra Second Julien, president and Cuthbert Julien, VP. (www.sanjules.com)
Licious Island Vibes, a NYC based mobile juice bar that specialize in healthy juice options also participated in the event. Catherine Knights founded the company and she is also its CEO. (www.liciousives.com)
To learn more about these companies, log on to I Am Caribbean website @ www.iamcaribbeing.com.
