POTENT Issue #2 - The Women's Issue

OTENT
FEBUARARY 2015
Potentmagazine.com
KAT
DAHLIA
THE
WOMEN’S
ISSUE

POTENT
The Women’s Issue
Editor-in-Chief
Managing Editor
Staff Writers
Contributing Writers
Graphic Designer
Contact Info
Genice Phillips
Graciano Petersen
Lisa Collins-Haynes
Kristal Roberts
Nneka Samuel
Ligia Forbes
Natalie Goode-Henry
Ariana Gordon
Nida Khan
Email: editor@potentmagazine.com
Website: www.potentmagazine.com
Mail: P.O. Box 92
Norfolk, VA 23504
POTENT Magazine is an independent, online publication dedicated to the lifestyle and breadth of the Caribbean, providing
quality editorial content that illustrates the region’s undeniable strength and flavor. Bringing positive and special
attention to the region, our hope is to foster a growing Caribbean community, connect with the Diaspora, and continue to
unify through a shared history and heritage.
Every effort has been made to ensure the information presented in this publication is accurate and timely.
POTENT Magazine cannot accept responsibility for any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions.
The views and opinions expressed herein are those solely of the author(s) and does not necessarily reflect the views of
POTENT Magazine as an entity.
Decisions pertaining to the magazine are not influenced by outside or personal interests, or political and commercial parties.
Our editorial integrity is held to the highest standards of journalism to enlighten and engage our reading audience.
Copyright Info
POTENT Magazine is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
License. To view a copy of this license, visit: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
No material from this publication may be reprinted in whole or in part unless granted written permission by the publisher.
© 205. POTENT Magazine. All rights reserved.

Editor’s Note
In the midst of putting our second issue together, POTENT took to Twitter
to ask some our female followers why they love being a Caribbean
woman. We received a few responses – one from the up-and-coming
Jamaican singer, Toian, who tweeted back: “being a Caribbean woman,
u know seh we full a style, laid back and easygoing!”
Jamaica recording artist, Keida, replied: “Because we are multicultural
and liberated.”
And we even got a tweet from none other than “Queen of the Pack” – Patra.
The dancehall queen gave us a three-word answer: “Cuz I am!” It was defiant,
bold, and she included a smiley face.
Not only did we appreciate the replies and retweets of support for this issue, but each response was roaring
with pride and awareness of what Caribbean women represent today.
This is a special issue. It is for us and it is about us. We are the starting point. Yes, we are “full a
style,” and “multicultural,” but we are also beautiful and powerful beings - creators, thinkers, lawmakers,
artists. We are forging new paths in society, and our impact and contributions crosses
generations; it is far-reaching.
From that premise, ideas sprung to show women in different realms: women in power, like the first female
Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Women in the fight for LGBTI equality in
the Caribbean, like activists Jessica Joseph and Kenita Placide. Women changing our fashion perspective,
like Guadeloupean blogger, Priscilla Delannay, and Trinidadian knitwear designer, Aisling Camps. And our
cover girl, Cuban-American songstress Kat Dahlia, who shows us that being ourselves is always enough.
Being a woman is not easy, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Enjoy the Women’s Issue.
Peace and Power,
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

OUR CREW
GRACIANO PETERSEN
Graciano is a versatile publications
professional who has a varied
background in editing, writing
and project management. He
brings his talented eye for
content management to his role
as Managing Editor for POTENT.
Graciano is originally from
the Caribbean and holds three
degrees, including a Master of
Arts, from Tulane University.
NNEKA SAMUEL
Nneka is a Washington, D.C. native
with Aruban and Grenadian roots, a
Los Angeles transplant, film school
graduate and freelance writer whose
work has appeared in numerous
print and online publications.
LISA COLLINS-HAYNES
Lisa is a wife, mother and
international travel writer. Her
life’s tagline is, “Living a liberated
life of leisure.” She’s also a passport
stamp junkie and a self-professed
out of control travel spirit (O.C.T.S).
Her bags are always packed and
she’s constantly looking for the
next adventure. She holds a
Master of Business Administration
Management. Follow her on
Instagram @living_a_charmed_life.
ARIANA GORDON
Ariana is a celebrity and
lifestyle writer/blogger/
editor who adores Jamaican
food, a good calypso beat and
Caribbean sunsets. When
she’s not brainstorming
her next creative project,
you’ll find her cheering on
her beloved Florida Gators,
traveling, cooking or hanging
with the “man and munchkin.”
KRISTAL ROBERTS
Kristal is a professional writer who
loves finding stories that deserve
to be told. She enjoys digging up
quirky, unusual fun facts, but feels
more accomplished when she
can use her words to enlighten
and empower. She worked as a
news writer for several years and
currently does online marketing
and social media management.
You can reach Kristal at Kristal.
Roberts@Gmail.com
LIGIA FORBES
Ligia is an English Literature and
International and Global Studies
college student, involved with
the UNICEF Campus Initiative
advocating for children. Born and
raised in Florida by parents from the
Spanish Virgin Island, San Andres,
Colombia; she is very proud and
grateful to have grown up in a home
full of Caribbean culture.
NATALIE GOODE-HENRY
Natalie is a Brooklyn-bred
lover of words that parlayed
her entertainment and lifestyle
musings into a freelance writing
career. Her articles have appeared
on MTV, UPTOWN magazine,
Regal Magazine and Starpulse
sites. In addition to feature lifestyle
and entertainment articles,
Natalie is founder to ifyoublink.
com blog about Black performers’
philanthropy pursuits.

SOCIETY
Equal Rights for Women
Women in Power - Politics
Alien in the Caribbean: Jessica Joseph
United and Strong: Kenita Placide
Human Trafficking
MUSIC
Punk Please - Punk Rock
Kat Dahlia
DJ Spice and Team Soca
7
11
15
19
23
29
31
37
THE
WOMEN’S
ISSUE
FASHION
Jolie Bloom
Island Styling - Guadeloupean Fashion
Transitional Clothing
Aisling Camps
45
47
53
57
CULTURE
16 Weddings - Bahamas
Spagnvola Chocolatier
Ink Slingers - Tattoo Artists
Travel - Winter Getaway
SocaMom Profile
63
67
71
75
87
Inspiration: From the
Voices of Queens
91

SOCIETY

Women's Rights:
Is the
Caribbean
Doing ENOUGH

By Graciano Petersen
If you were
wondering, it’s
mostly equal;
there are about
just as many
women as there
are men in the
world. Most
countries lean
to one side or
the other, but
in general,
the world
has achieved
a balance.
However, while
that number may be in balance,
precious few others level out in
the statistics that compare female
life to male life on the planet.
Throughout the world, women
continue to fight for equal rights
and treatment. This struggle
varies in complexity from country
to country and from culture to
culture, but, on the whole, there is
with one unifying fact: women do
not have equal value on the planet
when compared to men.
Several entities, including
the National Organization
for Women, MADRE and
the Global Fund for Women,
have taken on the mission of
advancing the position of women
internationally. The World
Economic Forum, an international
nonprofit dedicated to improving
the state of the world, releases a
yearly report entitled The Global
Gender Gap Report. This report
includes the Global Gender Gap
Index, which “seeks to measure
one important aspect of gender
equality: the relative gaps
between women and men across
four key areas: health, education,
economy and politics.” This report
has been coming out since 2006.
The latest report released October
24, 2014 lists Nicaragua as the top
ranking country not only in the
Caribbean and Latin America, but
outside of Europe period. With
a sixth place ranking, Nicaragua
ranks better than the Netherlands
(14), France (16), the United States
(20) and its nearest Caribbean
neighbor, Cuba (30). This ranking
is due to the improvements
that Nicaragua has made in the
economic participation gap and
by also getting more women into
high-level government positions.
Overall, Nicaragua has seen the
greatest improvement across the
four key areas than any other
country on the index since 2006.
In spite of this superior ranking,
Nicaragua still has some issues
with violence against women
and the small country saw a rise
in femicides, murder of women,
in 2014. The murder rate among
women in the Caribbean and
Latin America as a whole has
become so out of proportion to the
rate at which men are murdered
in the same locales that many
countries have taken to adopting
laws specifically against femicide.
Although, a law passed in 2012
in Nicaragua (Law 779) aimed at
curbing domestic violence did not
keep the femicide number from
spiking this past year, it provides
an understanding for why
Nicaragua has been recognized
for its approach to women’s rights.
Only a few other countries in
the Caribbean, the Dominican
Republic and Costa Rica to be
precise, have adopted laws
condemning crimes against
women in an effort to highlight
what is becoming gendercide (the
systematic killing of a specific
gender) in the region. To further
this effort and to get other
countries of the region to buy into
the issue, feminist activists are
holding public demonstrations,
providing educational programs
and organizing in neighborhoods
and communities.
While the issue of women’s
rights is far from a new struggle,
its awareness in the region is still
growing and gathering support.
One stronghold for awareness
has been the Latin American
and Caribbean Feminist
Meeting. This meeting takes
place every three years in a new
city in the region to promote
equality for women. The most
recent meeting was held in
Lima in November 2014 and
was attended by a large crosssection
of women including
indigenous women, abortion
rights activists, lesbians, sex
workers, transgendered and
anti-femicide organizers.
POTENT Magazine | EIGHT

To continue on this path spearheaded
by the Feminist Meeting and put
these efforts into practice with
things like anti-femicide laws, the
islands and nations of the Caribbean
need to focus on education. By
investing more in education and
outreach to support women,
Caribbean nations can diversify their
talent pools. A diversified talent pool
that includes more women boosts
the overall competitiveness of the
country and the region.
The proof of this pudding can be
seen in the countries that continue
to be at the top of the Global Gender
Gap Index year after year; Iceland,
Norway, Finland and Sweden top
the index largely because of longstanding
equality in education,
large proportions of women in the
workforce, small salary gaps and
strong representations of women
in high-skilled jobs. However, these
countries do also have much larger
GDPs when compared to the countries
of the Caribbean. Although, Nicaragua,
a small country with a small GDP
proves that money isn’t everything
when it comes to women’s rights. The
Caribbean does have a long way to go
when it comes to women’s rights, but
by focusing a little more on outreach,
we can begin to pull ourselves up
the Global Gender Gap Index and
demonstrate our commitment to
balancing out a few more scales.
POTENT Magazine | NINE

COMPELLING. DYNAMIC. PASSION. CARIBBEAN
Follow Us on Social Media:

WOMEN
IN
POWER
By Natalie Goode-Henry
Politics used to be a man’s game, but those days are long gone. Women
have finally cracked through that elusive glass ceiling and come out
heads of state. While waiting with baited breath for Hillary Clinton
to throw her name into the 2016 US presidential election, POTENT
has named six women, who are also making history; by leading their
country and shaping its path with policies on gender equality and
providing necessary tools to educate youth.

KAMLA
PERSAD -
BISSESAR
First Female Prime Minister of
Trinidad and Tobago
The honorable Kamla Persad-Bissesar has
ushered in a progressive era for Trinidad &
Tobago as the first woman appointed prime
minister. Persad-Bissessar was officially
sworn in May 2010, and four years later her
passion for gender equality and education is
evidenced by her initiatives. She has provided
free laptops for school children, developed the
Helping Hand Fund, which provides disaster relief
throughout the Caribbean and has inserted more
women into cabinet-level positions.
With the urging of her parents, Persad-Bissessar went
against the norm and pursued a college degree in the U.K.
She returned to her homeland with a degree and desire to teach,
which she fulfilled on college campuses in Jamaica and Trinidad.
Racial discrimination and gender inequality led Persad-Bissessar
to pursue a law degree. Soon after becoming a full-time attorney,
she went into public service, becoming the first woman Attorney
General of Trinidad and Tobago and first woman of a political
party—The United National Congress.
CHIRLANE
Mccray
First Lady of New York
Other than being New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s wife
and right hand woman, Chirlane McCray has carved out
her own power position. McCray, of Bajan and St. Lucian
descent, is an activist, poet and writer (her work appeared
in ESSENCE magazine and in 1983 poetry collection,
”Homegirls: A Black Feminist Anthology”). She utilized
those writing skills during her husband’s 2013 election;
she edited his speeches. It’s a role she’s familiar with,
having been a speechwriter for mayor David Dinkins in
the early ‘90s. In her role as First Lady of New York, she
manages the Mayor’s Fund, which pools private money
and directs it towards the mayor’s agenda. Recently, the
mother of two, has focused on mental health initiatives, in
light of her daughter revealing her bout with depression,
that catapulted a $130 million plan to regulate those with
mental illnesses without the use of law enforcement.
POTENT Magazine | TWELVE

PORTIA
Simpsonmiller
First Female Prime Minister of Jamaica
The honorable Simpson-Miller is currently
serving her second term as head of state in
Jamaica. The first female Prime Minister of
Jamaica has made her second act worthwhile
by leading a national cleanup effort meant to
combat mosquito breeding sites that spread the
Chikungunya virus. Miller has also expanded IT
centers, which offer skills training, to 182 around
the island to complete the ‘Youth Employment
in Digital and Animation Project,’ a $20 million
initiative designed to boost entrepreneurship and
access to the latest technology for young people.
Miller, nicknamed “Sista P” has had a long-ranging political
career that spans positions as Minister of Defense, Minister of
Labor and Minister of Tourism. The wife of Errald Miller, former
CEO of Cable & Wireless Jamaica, is the second person to serve nonconsecutive
terms as prime minister, behind Michael Manley.
BARBARA
LEE
Congresswoman of 13th District in California
Barbara Lee is the first woman to represent California’s 13th
District. In her pioneering role, the congresswoman has
championed diversity legislation (e.g., the United States Caribbean
Educational Exchange, a program allowing Caribbean students to
study in the U.S.). In 2005, the Congresswoman pushed through
a bill recognizing June as Caribbean-Heritage Month to honor
the contributions Caribbean-Americans offer the U.S.
The Texas native and mother of two grown sons, received
national attention as the only member of Congress to
vote against military force in the wake of 9/11. Last year,
Congresswoman Lee became chair of a task force on poverty.
The bill is in limbo and aims to raise awareness for impoverished
Americans and develop solutions to address their needs.
POTENT Magazine | THIRTEEN

GIRLYN
MIGUEL
First Female Deputy Prime Minister of
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Nearly four years ago, Girlyn Miguel was
sworn in as the first woman Deputy Prime
Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Miguel also serves as the Minister of Education.
She had a 30-year career as an educator and
principal before entering politics in the late ‘90s—
winning the Marriaqua constituency. Soon after
she ascended to Minister of Social Development,
Cooperatives, the Family, Gender and Ecclesiastical
Affairs, and two years later she was appointed
Minister of Agriculture, followed by her current role as
Minister of Education.
DONNA
CHRISTENSEN
First Female Doctor Serving in U.S. Congress
The Virgin Islands native is used to making
headway in unfamiliar territory as the first
woman (non-voting) Delegate to Congress
from the U.S. Virgin Islands and first woman
physician that served in U.S. Congress.
Christensen started her medical career as an
ER doctor then maintained a private practice
up until her congressional election in 1996.
Among her many glass-ceiling breaking
achievements is being the first Delegate to
serve on Congress’ committee on Energy and
Commerce and subcommittees on Health.
Christensen gave up her congressional seat
this year to run for Governor of the Virgin
Islands, but was defeated by Kenneth Mapp
in a runoff this past November.

By Natalie Goode-Henry
At 19, Jessica Joseph not
only put her homeland
of Trinidad & Tobago in
her rearview, but also left
behind her family’s strict, religious
lifestyle of uniformity. Rebelling
against the norm, the St. Lucia
implant discovered who she truly is
and what it’s like to be a lesbian living
in St. Lucia. Joseph, 38, a “Huffington
Post” blogger, copywriter and LGBTI
activist, pulls back the layers on why
the G-word is so dangerous in the
Caribbean (There are 15 Caribbean
islands that ban same-sex marriages
and gay sex acts known as “buggery,”
are considered a crime.) and what
other islands can learn from her
home country’s shifting attitudes
towards LGBTI rights.

Alien in
the Caribbean:
A Lesbian Living in St. Lucia
POTENT: Before we begin, I just
wanted to congratulate you on your
engagement with your partner—
Jessica Joseph: Oh! I’ve been engaged
for 17 years.
POTENT: Oh wow, any chance of
setting a wedding date as of yet
Jessica Joseph: I would love to one
day have the opportunity to get
married in my own country, but
so far it looks as if we may have to
do it somewhere else. But we have
as much legal protection as we can
have with the given laws. We’ve
had to do things like living wills and
power of attorney to protect us in
case of sickness or accident.
POTENT: There have been a lot
of news reports in Jamaica about
the violence having to do with
homophobic attitudes towards
youth (I.e., Last year a transgender
Jamaican teen was stabbed, shot and
run over by a car for dressing like
a woman at a party.) How does the
experience of LGBT living in Jamaica
compare to that of Trinidad &
Tobago [EDITOR’S NOTE: In a recent
UNAIDS survey 78% of Trinidadians
disagree with discriminating against
the LGBT, whereas a Jamaican
newspaper poll found that 91% of
Jamaicans are against reversing the
country’s anti-sodomy law.]
Jessica Joseph: It’s not that our laws
are that much different from Jamaica
–we still inherited the same colonial
laws from Britain that criminalizes
same-sex relationships between men.
It’s just that in Trinidad, it’s ignored.
Nobody follows those laws and
the society’s more tolerant. I would
say the socioeconomic level is a
little different in Trinidad than it
is in Jamaica. Trinidad has a very
large middle class, so that means
a lot of people in Trinidad have
access to tertiary education. [They]
Have access to being able to travel
abroad; they have a broader range of
experience. As you know, looking at
world trends, the more economically
prosperous a place is, the more
educated the populace is, the less
homophobic they tend to be.
Trinidad is not ubiquitously
Christian. The population is split
between Christians, Hindus.
Trinidad also has a lot of Orisha
influences as well and the
presence of goddesses and the
religious culture…it creates a
very different atmosphere than a
culture where it’s just a male-only
God; and a hierarchy of gender
with males being on top and
females being below that. So you
have a very secular society, very
large middle class, and a much
more religiously diverse society.
I have to talk about Carnivále and
its influence as well on the culture.
You can’t really have this sort of
antipathy towards LGBT people, and
yet have this Carnivále culture at the
same time because so many of the
artists behind Carnivále are LGBT
people. A lot of the mask designers
are gay, a lot of the musicians are gay
as well, and the people love them,
they love their art and support it. So
there’s a sort of contradiction: how
can you be so supportive and love
all these people contributing to the
culture, bring international acclaim
to the island, and yet have this
attitude towards them
We have Parliamentarians in
Parliament, who are openly gay. We
have a transsexual person, who just
won one of the highest honors in
Trinidad & Tobago: the Hummingbird
Award. And he is running a
government seat…she is running for
a government seat in San Fernando,
that’s Jowelle de Souza.
POTENT: In your recent
“Huffington Post” article ‘Influential
Caribbean Country is Leaning
Toward LGBT Rights,’ you actually
list, other than Trinidad & Tobago,
POTENT Magazine | SIXTEEN

other gay-friendly countries. How
did you evaluate them
Jessica Joseph: It’s based on my
personal travels through the
Caribbean. And also on reports on
gay travel sites, how comfortable
gay people feel on those islands—
from arriving on a gay cruise ship
to public displays of affection.
Reports of any hate crimes, also
just from feedback from gay people
living in those places.
I’m sure a lot of people will
contest how I ordered it because
everybody’s situation is different.
An effeminate gay man living in
Trinidad will probably go, “What!!
Trinidad is very homophobic,”
because every gay when he leaves
his house is probably subjected to
abuse, abuse, abuse, constantly.
I myself have experienced the
differences the class can make in
different islands because when I just
arrived in St. Lucia we were among
the working class. It was very hard
for my partner and I.
POTENT: Can you share one
example of one of the threats you
experienced while living in the
working class neighborhood
Jessica Joseph: One of the scariest
things was when we [Jessica and her
partner] were followed by men. We
were coming out of a cinema and
they just followed us. We could not
go home because they would follow
us to our house. It’s so funny it starts
off, they’re sexually harassing you
and it ends up with them quoting
the Bible. [Laughter]
POTENT: You dub yourself an
alien in the Caribbean. Do you
ever envision that changing in
your lifetime
Jessica Joseph: Peter Minshall, one
of the foremost artists in Trinidad
& Tobago. His masquerade
creations are really popular. He
described himself in the same
way; he’s a freak.
And much like many other freaks
in the Caribbean when they start
out, people don’t understand it.
It may catch on later, but people
are set in their ways. So, to a lot of
people I’m a bit of a freak. Calling
myself an ‘alien in the Caribbean’
is embracing that. And maybe one
day I won’t be a freak anymore and
I look forward to that day.
POTENT Magazine | SEVENTEEN

By Nneka Samuel
You’re familiar with the
hateful slurs. Bhati
boy. Chi chi man.
Hen. You’ve seen
the headlines - like something
out of a Hollywood film, too
grim and unbelievable to be
true. Stories of everyday citizens
hindered, mocked, shamed and
attacked because of their sexual
orientation or gender identity.
But chances are, you’re unaware
of the people working to make
all of the above problems of the
past. People like Kenita Placide,
Co-Executive Director of United
and Strong, a St. Lucia based
non-profit organization aimed at
banishing the stigma, prejudice
and discrimination that plague
the LGBTI community in St.
Lucia and beyond.
Nominated in 2013 by the St.
Lucia Star as People’s Choice
Person of the Year, Kenita Placide
has been with United and Strong
since its inception in 2001. A
branch of the Organization of
Eastern Caribbean States (OECS),
currently consisting of 9 member
countries, the NGO has grown
from an organization focused on
HIV prevention and education
to one catering to the needs of
the marginalized on the whole.
Placide has seen both her title
and job functions change over the
years, rising to meet the demands
of an ever-evolving organization,
but her steadfast dedication has
remained the same.
Whether providing counseling
or internet access, conducting
parent-to-parent outreach
sessions, or documenting human
rights violations, among a host of
other essential services, United
and Strong employs multiple
approaches to reach as many
people as possible. It is lack of
support, particularly of youth,
Placide says, that can lead to fates
of homelessness and poverty. She
and her dedicated team
stand ready to prevent that from
happening. Placide is also the
Eastern Caribbean Coordinator of
CariFlags, the Caribbean Forum
for Liberation and Acceptance of
Genders and Sexualities. Her role
takes her from country to country
where she is able to educate
and sensitize, not only those in
positions of power, but the general
population, the very people at the
heart of change.
In the near future, Placide hopes
to see laws that do not hinder
persons from feeling free or safe.
She wants everyone to be treated
alike and seen as human beings.
Says Placide, “It is not about being
gay, it’s about being a human
being and contributing to society.”
Safety being a top priority, in
2013, United and Strong hosted a
two-week training session aimed
at sensitizing police to LGBTI
issues. This initiative started with
the police commissioner, Phillip
V. Francois, and worked its way
down to deputies, assistants,
officers, and the like. And while
some of those involved may not
agree with the LGBTI lifestyle,
says Placide, “Sometimes you have
to stand against your own beliefs
to uphold the rights of others.”
But what happens when those
given the power to uphold the
law enforce discriminatory
practices Many Caribbean
countries have laws on the
books that not only criminalize
sex between gay partners, but
considers sex other than between
a man and woman, an act of gross
indecency. This discrimination
also includes buggery laws, or
laws condemning anal intercourse
between two men, a distinction
that is not outlawed between a
male and female adult. Though
this particularly targets gay men,
homosexual females also suffer the
same stigmas and discrimination
facing their male counterparts.
When it comes to immigration,
some laws, like those in Belize and
Trinidad and Tobago, go so far
POTENT Magazine | TWENTY

as to deny LGBTI persons entry
into a particular country. Under
Section 5 of Belize’s Immigration
Act, homosexuals, or persons
living on or receiving proceeds
of homosexual behavior as
persons, can be denied entry. It
is no wonder these laws have
contributed to the widely held
belief that the Caribbean is
largely homophobic.
Placide acknowledges that public
attitudes are greatly changing,
however, despite these harsh
and unfair practices. A UNAIDS
survey conducted in October
2013 showed that 78 percent of
Trinidadians and Tobagans polled
believe it is not acceptable for
people to be treated differently
on the basis of sexual orientation.
1 in 2 also described themselves
as accepting or tolerant of LGBTI
persons. According to UNAIDS,
the sample was nationally
representative. Similar surveys
were conducted in St. Lucia,
Grenada, Belize and Suriname.
In 2009, United and Strong
carried out a similar report. In
their presentation for St. Lucia’s
Constitution Reform Commission,
they laid out six recommendations
aimed at targeting insightful
change. The report lead to a
review at the Human Rights
Council, which spawned
successful training on issues like
personal security, and sparked
international dialogue. But much
work still has to be done. Says
Placide, “As we go forward, we
[will] work across borders to make
sure all can access health and legal
services and are not abandoned
by family because of sexuality or
thrown out of their homes. We
hope legislators can talk about
this issue without it being a white
elephant in the room.”
“Some people want to walk
down the road with their
partner,” she continues. Just a
few years ago, that simple act
was not feasible. Kenita Placide,
arguably one of the Caribbean’s
most recognized advocates for
social and governmental change
concerning lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender people, continues
to shine a positive light. And
though United and Strong’s home
is temporary, due to burglary
and arson in 2011 - still under
investigation - she looks forward
to finding a permanent address
for the organization that has made
home a little bit safer and more
tolerant for countless individuals.
POTENT Magazine | TWENTY-ONE

Silent Crimes
of the
Caribbean:
HUMAN
TRAFFICKING

By Ligia Forbes
On an ordinary business
trip, researchers of
Compassion and ABC
News estimate that an
average businessman (or woman)
spends a total of $1854.31.
of global problems, seeing them as
sad but inevitable. Prostitution, after
all, is often described as the ‘world’s
oldest’ profession.”
Many Caribbean islands are
unfortunately a part of this culture
that considers the kidnapping,
passage to other countries. This
usually takes place during their
pursuit for a better life and better
working conditions.
For the third consecutive year, the
island of Haiti has been placed on
the US Department of State’s “Tier 2
An estimated $211 would go to a
hotel room, $1609 for a round-trip
plane ticket, $22.81 for a meal and
$6.50 would be spent on a taxi ride;
all common tasks and forms of selfcare
for a typical traveling trip. One
common category that is often not
described or openly offered in a
traveling brochure is a silent crime
that has been reported in Antigua,
Barbados, Jamaica, Cuba and many
more Caribbean islands. The use of
exploited women, children and men
as a commodity to be forced into
labor, domestic servitude, and sexual
exploitation, also known as a form of
modern slavery: human trafficking.
On an ordinary business trip, the
use of a child victim of human
trafficking for sex has been
estimated at the price of $5.00.
Although human trafficking has
been reported in all 50 states in the
USA, Greece, Italy, France, and many
other countries in Europe and other
countries worldwide, the islands of
the Caribbean are often not seen
as a “target” to this global crime
to many of its citizens. New York
Times journalist Nicholas Kristof
once summed up the feelings that
many Caribbean and global citizens
have towards issues such as human
trafficking when he stated that there
is a “tendency to tune out these kinds
Human Trafficking
is the
and
organized crime
worldwide.
trade and disappearance of young
adolescents as something that is
normal. As reported in the UNDP
2014 Human Development report
for the Caribbean and Latin
America, there are 20-30 million
slaves in the world today and
victims of human trafficking in
the Caribbean are often lured by
the false promises of employment,
false marriage proposals and safe
Second Largest
Fastest Growing
Watch List” on its annual Trafficking
in Persons Report because of the
island’s stream of reports on cases
in which children are forced into
domestic servitude. In addition to
experiencing forced labor, these
children are extremely vulnerable
to sexual assaults, beatings, and
other forms of abuse by the family
members in the homes in which
they are residing. Since the 2010
POTENT Magazine | TWENTY-FOUR

earthquake, women and children
who are living in Internally
Displaced Person (IDP) camps have
become more at risk of forced labor
and sex trafficking on the island.
In 2014 alone, the Dominican
Republic is documented in the US
Department of State Trafficking in
Persons Report for cases in which
foreign tourists are a part of the
commercial sexual exploitation of
local children, particularly in the
coastal resort areas of the Dominican
Republic. Also in 2014 on the island
of Jamaica there have been reports
of police officers being involved
in prostitution rings that were
suspected of recruiting children
under the age of 18. Throughout the
island the sale of many children and
adults for sex and labor occurs on
the streets, in nightclubs, bars, resort
towns and in private homes.
Over time it has been a common
belief that prostitution is a choice,
but it is important to understand
the perspective that the victims of
sex and labor trafficking are often
forced into this industry and not
willing participants in their own
abuse. It is also important to realize,
regardless of age, race, gender or
nationality, human trafficking could
happen to anyone.
Know the Signs:
Awareness is key. As documented
by UNICEF, some of the signs that a
child is being trafficked are:
1) The child knows little about his or
her whereabouts
2) Works excessively long hours
3) Exhibits fear or anxious behavior
4) Was hired with false promises
5) Has inconsistences with his or
her story
Labor trafficking occurs often in
the industries of restaurants, bars,
hotels, agriculture, construction,
travel and sales crews, while
sex trafficking has been highly
reported in escort and massage
POTENT Magazine | TWENTY-FIVE

services, brothels, strip clubs, pimp
controlled prostitution on the street
and on the Internet.
Use/Request for Fair Trade
products:
Fair Trade products are just that.
Fair. From far-away farms to your
shopping cart, products that bear
the logo “Fair Trade” come from
farmers and workers who are
paid fairly and not in forced labor
with no compensation for their
work. According to Fair Trade
USA, much of the Caribbean is a
part of the 70 developing countries
across the world that provide Fair
Trade Certified products and help
farmers in developing countries
build sustainable businesses
that positively influence their
communities. Search for fair trade
products at your local stores and
you can even request for Fair Trade
products if you do not see them. At
the website www.slaveryfootprint.
com you can also take a quiz and
learn how many slaves work for you
based on your daily habits and the
type of products you use.
Teach, Advocate, Fundraise:
Anyone can be trafficked regardless
of class, age, gender or education
and one of the best ways to help
inform others and urge government
officials to pass better laws to convict
human trafficking felons is to teach
your community about the facts of
human trafficking. Organizations
such as UNICEF and International
Justice Mission provide information
and descriptions of their efforts to stop
human trafficking in the Caribbean
that you can teach family members,
co-workers, and other fellow
Caribbean citizens about.
Change happens when enough people
come together and speak up for social
justice. Awareness and action are the
ways in which we will begin to stop
this silent crime of the Caribbean.
POTENT Magazine | TWENTY-SIX

MUSIC

By Nneka Samuel
Made famous by American and
British acts in the 1970’s, punk rock
is ska and reggae’s brother from
Not that women the world over
haven’t been present for the
ride. From the late Poly Styrene
another mother, borrowing greatly of X-Ray Spex to Blondie front
Punk rock isn’t dead.
from their innovation, soul and
woman Debbie Harry to the queen
Just ask purists what even sound. But finding punk’s
of rebellion herself, Grace Jones,
the anti-establishment quintessential fast, hard-edged
women have always played a role
rooted music means to resonance in the Caribbean today is in the punk rock scene, whether
them and you’ll get a flurry of
responses - each as personal and
unique as the bands currently
populating the genre.
like finding a needle in a haystack.
Narrow that search to Caribbean
women or women of Caribbean
descent in the genre and we’re
talking significantly fewer numbers.
via music, fashion, or every form of
self-expression in between. Today,
however, it seems that women who
punk don’t reach the same prevalent
heights as their counterparts of
yesteryear. Could this be because of
Punk,
the very nature of the punk scene -
the DIY ethic that has many bands
producing their own content and

distributing their music through
informal channels, as well as
booking their own shows, creating
their own fliers and disseminating
their own zines Although based
on that argument, many bands
would undoubtedly prosper in
today’s social media climate where
free publicity is a mere hashtag,
retweet or like away.
Perhaps the reason for the lack of
women in punk lies in the dilemma
of wider accessibility with less
visibility. Punk music has, after
all, remained predominantly
male. This lack of expansion in
gender equality gives into the ageold
assumption that all-female
bands or female-fronted bands
are somehow less capable and
talented than male groups or artists.
Less than 20 percent of the 120
bands participating in the 2014
Vans Warped Tour, for example,
the largest traveling tour in the
United States, featured at least one
female - a statistic with which the
event’s (male) organizer found
no fault. Female artists have
claimed time and again that some
male performers are more likely
to assume them groupies than
artists. This patriarchal allegiance
needs to change if women,
particularly women of color, are to
be encouraged to make, let alone
listen to, punk music.
Punk rockers of color are still met
with question marks, as if the music
were intended for a non-melaninrich
few. This very notion is ironic,
considering that the Caribbean
in particular is musically diverse
- reggae, dancehall, salsa, soca,
calypso and a host of other genres
having been birthed in this region.
Nevertheless, these genres are also
much more accepted, promoted and
assumed in this neck of the woods.
Maybe this is the reason why
Cojoba, a hardcore punk band
formed in Puerto Rico in 1995,
is now based in New York City. The
group is fronted by a female singer,
Taína, and a female bassist. Their
presence lends a much-needed voice
to Caribbean punk rock visibility.
Cojoba, whose name also refers to
a tree whose seeds were used by
the indigenous Taino peoples of the
Caribbean to talk to the gods, released
their first demo, Espiritu de Punk, in
1996. Since then, they have recorded
and released numerous albums
on their own distribution outfit,
Anaconda Records, as well as released
music by other artists.
Taína and Cojoba, whose core
members have changed over the
band’s nearly 20 year history, have
performed all over the world. This
was initially thanks in part to
the band’s early days and Taína’s
involvement in their DIY publication,
Zine Vergüenza. It featured
interviews with local bands, show
reviews and took up the role of
educating its readers on issues like
civil rights and social resistance, often
prevalent in the music.
Cojoba’s lasting presence on the
punk rock scene lends more than
visibility. Their music speaks to girls
and women in the Caribbean and
beyond who aspire to be more than
just fans or yearn for more diversity
in the very genre that claims to be
diverse and politically correct. But
they can’t be the only punk rockers on
the scene. Where are the Cojoba’s and
female punks of Cuba, Trinidad and
Tobago; Jamaica, Haiti With so many
movements and subgenres, punk has
the potential to tap into the unheard
voices from countries throughout the
Caribbean. The only way punk rock
can expand is if it has more voices.
Following the path set by Cojoba,
here’s hoping it will.
POTENT Magazine | THIRTY

KAT
DA

HLIA:
A Girl and her Garden
comes to sexuality.
At the start of her career, the
24-year-old singer went through
several stylists who encouraged
more revealing, peekaboo clothing
to create an image that didn’t fit
her. “They would send me off
with mini dresses and things like
that,” she remembers. “But it’s not
what I’m comfortable with. It’s not
necessary for me to show my tits,
my ass. That’s not what I’m about.
I don’t like bowing down to that.”
By Genice Phillips
Photography by Donald Wilson
There’s a seismic shift happening
in the music world. Indie artists
are forging ahead without the
massive backing of a major label
and if they are signed to the
“machine,” then they’re trumping
expectations. Sonically, and
lyrically, there are a few standout
artists reshaping the industry,
pushing the dusted “mainstream”
sound into a new, progressive era.
Suffice to say, Kat Dahlia is one
of those artists liquefying the
standard definition of pop music.
Her artistry is not reminiscent of
days past, when pop princesses
reigned. But it’s also not obscure
or mystifying to today’s crowd.
She pours her reality in the songs
she creates. Her songwriting is
weighty; at times, full of pain. And
her demeanor, while humbled, is
headstrong and independent. You
can tell that she is on a mission.
During a stop in North Carolina
on her first headlining U.S. tour,
I spoke with her about what
that mission was. From what
she relayed, and from what I
gathered, she wants to preserve
the integrity of her message in the
music, while connecting with the
people.
Simplistic in wording, but
challenging in application.
She’s done well so far.
She’s been through a few
roadblocks and setbacks, as any
artist experiences in an industry
that is always looking for the next
“Rihanna” or “Taylor Swift,” often
giving those on the come up one
shot to propel their career, before
someone with less baggage, or
someone more compliant, is
taking their spot.
And it can be particularly
harrowing for female artists,
vying for an autonomous,
unique voice and image, without
relinquishing some aspects of
themselves, especially when it
As her music developed, some
attempted to steer her toward
being solely a Latina artist (her
parents are Cuban). But Kat saw
restriction and entrapment.
“In my mind, I felt like it was
being exploited – ‘Oh she’s
Latina, let’s milk this.’ But I was
like no; let me be me,” she says. “I
love my roots and my family. I’m
so happy and proud to be Latina.
It’s just in me, naturally, but I
don’t want it to be forced.”
And then, as her breakout song,
“Gangsta,” accelerated her career,
everything abruptly halted when
she discovered a pseudocyst on
her vocal chords, early last year.
Her debut album, “My Garden,”
was pushed back. Her first U.S.
tour, canceled. There was a
looming question as to whether
this would be permanent.
“It was such a hurtful thing when
I wasn’t able to sing for six months
and really not know if I was going
to get my voice back. It was an
emotional rollercoaster.”
POTENT Magazine | THIRTY-TWO

Through the struggle, she’s had to
learn some hard lessons - starting
with her childhood in Miami
Beach, Florida as Katriana Huguet
– her given name. Growing up
with six brothers and sisters,
her parents went from having a
successful, affluent business to
scraping for rent money.
“We were doing well for a while,
but as I started getting older, little
by little, it dwindled,” Kat recalls.
“We were living in this huge
house and then, you know...it was
weird. You wake up one day and
we’re crashing with my dad in his
little two-bedroom apartment and
there’s eight of us,” she explains.
“My parents weren’t even together so
I was like, ‘why are we even here’”
“And we don’t even know where
we’re going to be in the next two
months because we have to get
out of there to move to another
space,” she continues. “It taught us
to adjust, all of us to adjust. You
learn to adjust with anything.”
Her singing ability spawned from
those adjustments, listening to
legendary Cuban artists, like the
Queen of Salsa, Célia Cruz, but also
delving into rock’n’roll, reggae and
pop. Her childhood imagination
went from pen to paper as she
began songwriting at age 15.
“I was always reading and writing
about my feelings and writing
stories,” Kat explains. “When I got
a little older, I started to put songs
together. Then three, four years
ago, I started recording.”
Her move to New York came at
18, after she realized that music
was an attainable pursuit. But a
turbulent relationship derailed her,
and she toiled through a period of
heavy depression. She eventually
broke free, but not without some
emotional scarring, and a collection
of songs, like the dark, abrasive
confessional, “Gangsta.”
As the track took hold of radio
and YouTube (almost 1 million
views, two weeks after the single
dropped), people rocked with her
telling, personal narrative and the
name “Kat Dahlia,” christened by
producer and friend, J. Dens, arose.
Her lessons of survival and
adaptability in the commotion
of everyday life - that for some,
can dampen the soul - for Kat,
extracted strength and humor.
“I feel, like, constipated; artistically
constipated,” she admitted when
we discussed “My Garden,” back in
November. “I’ve had this baby in me
[referring to her album] – 24 months
pregnant – and it’s just gotten so
big and fat. And oh my God, I’m a
terrible mother,” she jokes.
Her personality is often a mix of
sarcasm and optimism, but the
layers of vulnerability aren’t fully
present until you hear her music.
“You shut your light, you left
me blind/ But I could never turn
away/ Whether you’re black,
whether you’re white / You
always left me in the gray,” she
POTENT Magazine | THIRTY-THREE

“
If I can make music that
actually affects people and
affect the way that they think,
and changes things for them –
that’s the moving shit.
“

hauntingly sings on “Walk on Water,”
one of the 11 tracks off “My Garden.”
The slate of songs she’s written for
her first studio album, capsule the
receiving end of contemptuous
love, among other topics that
follow the natural progression of
a “girl meets boy” scenario. You
hear it in “I Think I’m In Love” and
“Just Another Dude” – both songs
of discovery, though going in
opposite directions.
And then there’s the attitude. Not
in a gruff, off-putting way, but
tenacious. She holds conviction. It
shines through on “Tumbao,” Kat’s
personal nod to Célia Cruz’s 2001
Grammy-nominated single, “La
Negra Tiene Tumbao.”
Or when she sings the feisty hook
on the kinetic, dancehall hit, “Mash
It Up,” alongside musical heavyhitters
(singing and productionwise)
- The Kemist, Nyanda (of
Brick and Lace), and The Wizard
who all hail from Jamaica.
It’s a combination of her dogged
willfulness, signature rasp and
purposeful songwriting that
makes Kat prevail. It’s why
influential producer and hitmaker,
Timbaland, called her “this
generation’s Nina Simone.”
“She’s that powerful,” he said in an
interview. “Her rasp and her whole
swag game is just incredible.”
She’s since recovered from the
cyst that struck her vocal chords.
Her U.S. tour wrapped up in
mid-December. Her debut album
released just a few weeks ago.
She hopes her music will show
the mistakes and lessons that
she’s witnessed and experienced
firsthand – in love, family, and
other components of her life.
But through that, she wants the
honesty of her message, and her
personal growth, to resonate with
the fans.
“I go through, and have gone
through, the same struggles –
depression, animosity toward
people…questioning the point of
life. It can take you to an honest
and scary place,” Kat explains.
“But that’s where the music comes
from. And If I can make music
that actually affects people and
affect the way that they think,
and changes things for them –
that’s the moving shit.”
POTENT Magazine | THIRTY-SIX

DJ SPICE

By Kristal Roberts
Just about any major reggae or
soca artist you can name, this
DJ has worked with---meet
DJ Spice.
He’s an internationally
respected DJ whose reach stretches
from hit makers in the Caribbean like
Beanie Man, Sean Paul and Rupee to
hip-hop legends, including KRS ONE
and RUN DMC. He’s also performed
for the likes of Bruce Springsteen.
The 38-year-old has won
International Soca DJ of the year
seven times. He’s a top requested
DJ for carnival celebrations across
the globe, from Boston to London,
to the mas in Trinidad.
But before he got big breaks with
superstar artists and international
gigs, he was a little kid who grew up in
New York and fell in love with music.
“I been deejaying from young,”
DJ Spice said.
DJ Spice, born Calvin Collins, has
been spinning records since the
tender age of 3, and you could
say it’s in his blood.
Born in the U.S., but raised in a
Trinidadian family, Collins grew
up watching his father, the late DJ
Rocking Mills, make a name for
himself spinning soca records.
DJ Spice would tag along with his
father, deejaying at Caribbean
parties, weddings, concerts and a
number of events.
“He showed me the ropes,”
DJ Spice said.
Because his father was also the
soccer coach for Team Caribe, Spice
would also travel with his father to
the international games and play
music afterward.
If you ask him about his musical
tastes, he’ll tell you that growing up,
he was all about hip-hop; from the
music and the clothes to the swag.
He played for artists like Funkmaster
Flex, and he felt that hip-hop was
where his heart was.
However, the more exposure he had
to different approaches to soca music
from different islands, the more he
fell in love with the music of his
Caribbean roots.
Over time, DJ Spice’s star rose, and
deejaying gigs took him all over the
U.S. and around world.
He won the International Soca
DJ of the Year award for the first
time in 2003, but a memorable
turning point for him was in 2004
when he was invited to spin at the
carnival in London. It was his first
European carnival performance,
and it hit him then that he was
truly respected as a Soca DJ.
He continued to reach significant
milestones, including hosting a
number of AM and FM radio shows,
and becoming the first Soca DJ to
perform at the Barclay’s Center in
2012. There he shared the stage with
the likes with Doug E. Fresh, Alison
Hinds and Machel Montano at a
massive Caribbean concert.
When he’s not traveling to play for
artists, he has a radio show on New
York’s popular urban station Power
105.1 on Sunday at 10 p.m. called
“Anything Goes” with DJ Norie.
While he has accomplished plenty as
a Soca DJ, Spice said the passing of his
father in August 2014 put things into
perspective about what he wants out
of his career long term.
He decided to work toward leaving
behind legacy, and that’s spreading
the heart and soul of soca.
TEAMSOCA.COM
“I came to the point in my life
where I saw that the world needed
to understand the culture of soca
and calypso. Not just Trinidad but
all the other islands. I asked myself
what could I do to help out the
industry,” he said.
He created Teamsoca.com, a site that
serves two functions:
1) Have an online source where
listeners can tune in and listen to
a soca set 24/7.
2) Have a retail store that sells
merchandise with the Team Soca
POTENT Magazine | FORTY

and to promote the website.
DJ Spice’s site features fellow Soca
DJs from around the world.
DJs can play a 3-hour set on the site
uninterrupted and anyone can go
there to listen. Soca DJs from all
around the world can share their
styles as well as listen to what
the latest soca trends are in other
parts of the globe.
When it came to the retail store,
DJ Spice, who is also a computer
technician and graphics designer,
was very hands-on, from building
the website to designing t-shirts. He
wanted a way to spread the word
about TeamSoca.com while giving
people a way to represent the genre,
so he started printing T-shirts with
the Team Soca Logo and started
giving them out all over the globe
when he traveled for work.
The retail store is already seeing
success, and DJ Spice says the
range of customers he’s getting
pleasantly surprises him.
“People are contacting me and ordering
from the U.K., Germany and Finland…
like some places I haven’t even been
and they’re going on the website, that
tells me there are people out there that
love soca music. Love Caribbean music.”
He’s looking to expand into winter
gear, accessories, gym wear and
pieces for carnival goers.
He hopes to continue promoting the
brand by having fellow celebrity
DJs like Angie Martinez or DJ Clue
wear the items, but right now he
is working toward linking up with
large Trinidad clothing stores to
distribute Team Soca gear.
When describing his goals for
teamsoca.com and his career at
large, DJ Spice says he will not be
done with soca music until every
person on the planet understands
and appreciates it.
“I come from a happy culture
with happy music. When people
understand it, they will love it as well.”
POTENT Magazine | FORTY-ONE

COMPELLING. DYNAMIC. PASSION. CARIBBEAN
Follow Us on Social Media:

FASHION

Bath and Body
JOLIE BLOOM
Good Vibes:
Carribbean Coconut
Salt Scrub— $14
Royal Oats
Shower Bar— $10
By Genice Phillips
Brownie Bliss
(Chocolate and
Peppermint)
Shower Bar— $10
Oats and Lavender
Bath Tea— $30
Momtreprenuer Jhéanell Adams has
melded her experiences of island
life in Jamaica with her passion
for beauty and fashion, creating a
superior line of organic, all-natural
bath and body products.
Memorializing her baby daughter,
Jhéanell launched her business under
the name, Jolie Bloom. And it’s been
blossoming ever since.
A range of decadent body scrubs,
candles, bath bars and lotions that are
excellent for your skin (and healthy,
too), Jolie Bloom is an “eco-luxury
beauty brand” for everyone. Check out
POTENT’s top picks:
1. Good Vibes: Caribbean
Coconut Salt Scrub - $14.00
2. Royal Oats Shower Bar - $10.00
Rose and
Chocolate Soap
3. Brownie Bliss (Chocolate and
Peppermint) Shower Bar - $10.00
4. Oats and Lavender Bath Tea - $30.00
POTENT Magazine | FORTY-FIVE
Another product coming soon, and
just in time for Valentine’s Day,
is their Rose and Chocolate Soap.
Sounds blissful!

ISLAND STYLING:
Guadeloupean Fashion
With
BLOGGER
Priscilla
Delannay
By Ariana Gordon
Photography by IDLine Studio

How many people can
say they get to live in
paradise while living out
their dreams Priscilla
Delannay can. This media maven
spends her days on the beautiful
island of Guadaloupe, working her
way up the ranks in the world of
communications and PR.
Her real passion though, lies in the
words and photos that she shares
with the world on her fashion
blog, Indiz (pronounced “in-deez”).
Priscilla, who grew up on the French
island and was educated in Europe,
got the idea for the blog with a little
help from friends. “A lot of friends
were asking me if I wanted to start
something like a blog, because I’m
always giving advice to everybody,”
she said. “I wanted to do something
to share my passion for fashion.”
Where does that passion come
from Delannay confessed that
her obsession might be genetic.
“My mom is a fashion lover,”
Delannay said. “So maybe that
came from her. She raised me up
like a little doll…carefully choosing
my outfits and everything.”
Her mother used to be a local model,
so even as a young girl, Delannay
was immersed and enthralled: “I
always followed the runways and
the collections…this world was
always a part of my life.”
POTENT Magazine | FIFTY-NINE

With love of the fashion world
and her experiences in it, Delannay
cultivated her own personal
style, which she calls a mix of
the French-soaked culture that
Guadaloupe maintains — one can
find Paris’ top magazines, brands
and shops on the streets of the
island — with hints of Caribbean,
European and African influences.
That style can be seen on the
webpages of Indiz, as Delannay often
shows off her uncanny ability to put
a killer outfit together — including
accessories and sometimes makeup
— using herself as a model. She also
highlights various fashion shows
and designers, street styles or even
notable red-carpet moments.
And while she’ll sometimes mention
international brands, Dellanay
always comes back to her roots —
even when it comes to the name of
her blog, which is a reference to the
West Indies and the fact that she is
partially Indian. “[The word] Indiz
meant a lot to me,” she said.
The blog also means a lot to
Delannay, who started this journey
two years ago with her best friend,
who’s a stylist for a well-known
magazine in France. And in just
these past two years, the blog
has over 40,000 unique views
and 3,000 “likes” on Facebook.
Delannay also has a Twitter and an
Instagram, and credits social media
for much of her blog’s success.
POTENT Magazine | FIFTY

“[Social media] is very
important,” she said. “If I had
only the blog, it would be
very, very different. Now that
everything is linked — from
Twitter to Instagram and
everything — a lot of people
started following the blog. So
it’s really important and I’m
reaching so many people from
everywhere around the world.”
Delannay confessed that
sometimes balancing it all can
be difficult, especially with a
full-time job and a full-time
blog that both need tending.
But she seems to manage it all;
working as a stylist for various
magazine shoots in addition to
her job and her blog.
“The blog is a great way for the
two worlds [fashion blogging
and communications/PR] to
meet,” she explained. “I’m doing
what I’m trained to do — I’m in
communications and media —
and with my passion, I’m adding
fashion to that.”
“
I Wanted to do Something
to Share my
PASSION
for
FASHION
“
Delannay has some big hopes
for the future of her blog, which
she said started as a hobby but
has now become so much more.
“I want it to be a place where the
girls from Guadaloupe and all
over the Caribbean find some
advice and important tips to
shop,” she said. “I want it to be a
place where everybody can find
something interesting to add to
their style .”
POTENT Magazine | FIFTY-TWO

Dressing for
ALL SEASONS…
And the Ones In Between
By Ariana Gordon
As we bid winter farewell and say hello to spring, there’s a little space
of time between seasons where sometimes our wardrobes get a bit
confused: Not quite warm enough for short-shorts and flip flops, but
not cold enough for heavy sweaters and gloves. Turn that dreaded
period into a time of experimentation and learn how to embrace the
cold-to-warm transition. Here’s how.

Melanie Fiona
Joan Smalls
1 2
Layer it up “Blouse
Invest in some good layered looks. Take
a little winter and combine it with a
little summer, and if you do it right,
we promise you’ll be taking on the inbetween
season in style. Cardigans,
denim jackets and lightweight scarves
in all colors (sometimes the brighter the
better) are great ways to layer your look,
and take you from chilly mornings to
warmer middays.
an’ Skirt”
No, literally, blouses and skirts are some
of the best ways to keep from getting
too hot or too cold. A pretty blouse in a
pastel or jewel tone can brighten any look.
Combine with a light jacket toward off
early morning chills.
Meanwhile a long, patterned skirt (or even
a short one paired with lightweight tights)
combined with some cute booties or even
a closed-toed sandal, can do wonders in
getting you in the mood for springtime.
POTENT Magazine | FIFTY-EOUR

3
Rihanna
Commitment
—Phobe
Non-commitment doesn’t have to be a bad
thing: Your toes still have time to flirt with
a sexy transitional shoe, like an open-toed
bootie or closed-toed sandal, before it’s
time to invest in fully-covered fashions.
Letting your feet breathe without too
much exposure is a great way to greet the
upcoming weather without saying so long
to cooler temperatures quite yet.
4
Just Pulling
Your Legg-ing
Leggings — no matter the hue — are a
fantastic way to transition from winter to
spring. Bright or patterned leggings with
a long, single-hue blouse and booties (or
sandals) is a low-maintenance ensemble
great to fill in whatever holes spring
cleaning has left in your wardrobe.
Tatyana Ali
Speaking of wardrobes, plain black
leggings are a staple that you can mix and
match. Use that as a base to start to your
outfits, then layer with long shirts, short
skirts and light jackets. Don’t be afraid to
try new things!

Kerry
Washington
When in Doubt,
Accessorize!
Nothing can pull an iffy outfit together quicker
than some stunning statement accessories.
From dangling earrings in various shades to
eye-catching bangles and bracelets, adding some
oomph to an ensemble can go a long way while
the seasons change.
5‘No White
After Labor Day’
is No Longer a
Thing
6
This is the time to start adding white
(resort white, not winter white) back to
your wardrobe. Whether it’s the form of
white pants with a bright or patterned
shirt, or a structured white dress paired
with a girly cardigan or an edgy denim
jacket, have fun playing in the snowwhite
of fashion, and getting your style
together before summer rolls around.
If wearing layers, pieces like a statement brooch
can give an ensemble a fashionable focal point,
and also keep you from having to worry about
earring lengths and wrist-wear getting caught
somewhere between your sleeves. Statement
earrings go well with blousy looks, as does KIS
(Keep It Simple) ensembles, such as leggings.
If sticking with white, colorful accessories —
jewelry, clutches or other handbags — are the
way to go.
Selita Ebanks

knitwear luxe
Aisling Camps
By Genice Phillips
Our penchant for knitwear heightens during the fall and winter, closets filled with thick, cozy
sweaters and bulky scarves. But Trinidadian designer Aisling Camps is redefining the knitwear
staple. Her intricate, imaginative designs are lightweight, relaxed and gender neutral.
With a background in mechanical engineering from Columbia University, the Bayshore local
has a distinct eye for her craft and others have taken notice. Renowned fashion designer and
mentor Meiling recently collaborated with Camps for their 2015 collections, each offering a
fresh take on menswear-for-women with their theme, “Borrowed from the Boys.”
Purple hues with splashes of white and yellow lined the bodies of models who showcased
an array of defined, naturally sophisticated pieces from the knitwear designer. She’s now
overwhelmed with orders – and we’re not surprised. Her eponymous label, Aisling Knits, is a
one-woman show moving with a striking edge that is changing the attitude of knitwear and
making us rethink our wardrobe.
POTENT Magazine | FIFTY-EIGHT

CULTURE

HappilyEverAfter:
A Bahamian Wedding
By Lisa Collins-Haynes
Photography by Gabretta Guerin
They say every dream
has to start somewhere;
but not even in her
wildest dreams did she
really believe that all her dreams
would come true. There’s a
Cinderella tale in all of us, as life
has its ups and downs, but the
one that gets the glass slipper at
the end—now she’s winning.
Funnily enough Deana Whitlow
and Henry Coleman’s love
story starts with a missing
item, much like Cinderella
and her Prince Charming, I
mean—Henry—located them.
In a magical place, we’ll call
Houston, Deana misplaced her
car keys at church one Sunday.
Prince Charming, I mean—
Henry located them. Which
led to a whimsical, whirlwind
romance. Okay, maybe not so
much whimsy and probably
a little less whirlwind, but a
budding romance was definitely
blossoming between the two.
Not only is Deana beautiful,
talented and intelligent,
but Henry also felt that she
possessed five distinctive
characteristics that solidified her
being the woman of his dreams.
He said, “First, she is a woman
who is spiritually focused, loves
God and I am inspired with
her love and relationship with
Him. Second she is a woman
who is emotionally strong, even
through failed relationships,
she still has a positive outlook
on love. Third, she is a woman
who is capable of fitting into
any setting. She has the ability
POTENT Magazine | SIXTY-THREE

to carry on conversations
with doctors, lawyers, parents,
coaches, athletes, dancers or
bankers. Fourth, she is a woman
who is economically sharp. I
am impressed with how Deana
handles her finances and she has
a financial plan for her present
and her future. Fifth, she is a
me; we just spoke of our hopes
and dreams, our hurts and
disappointments which created
a bond quickly.” She wasn’t
looking for a life partner that
was a divorcé with two children.
But Henry was different and life
teaches us not to judge a book by
its cover. Deana realized how
share my love of God with.”
Their relationship strengthened
and soon Henry was making
that call—the one to her parents.
With best wishes and Godspeed
from Deana’s parents and
brother, Henry picked the place,
time and cued the music. As K-Ci
The newlywed couple,
Henry and Deana Coleman,
cut their wedding cake
woman who has unquestionable
character. Whether at work,
church, home or [in] public no
one had anything bad to say
about her. She is everyone’s
favorite friend, niece, sibling
and co-worker.”
It speaks volumes when a man
can break down and pinpoint
exactly why he’s in love with a
woman. Deana shares the same
sentiment and says, “When
Henry and I would talk, it was
like he spoke directly to my
heart. He never tried to impress
true this was, as he had read
all the same marriage books
she had. He had listened to
all the different teachings on
marriage that she had listened
to as well. “I was impressed, he
had read ‘Five Love Languages,’
‘Seven Habits of Highly
Effective People,’ and so on. He
was passionate about being a
teacher, father and a football
coach. He also was a man that
would pray about everything
and this alone was something I
had longed for my whole adult
dating life; someone I could
and JoJo belted out “This Very
Moment,” Henry dropped to
one knee and presented Deana
with a very important question,
and a little box. Cue trumpets
and horns here. The royal scroll
reads: She said YES!
Without a moment to spare
the pair began planning for
the destination wedding of
their dreams. Deana recently
discovered her family roots
in The Bahamas and decided
it’s where she wanted to get
married. Her great-grandfather
POTENT Magazine | SIXTY-FOUR

was Ebenezer Woodberry
Franklin Stirrup, a carpenter
that migrated to Coconut Grove,
Florida from Harbour Island,
in The Bahamas. He went on
to become one of the largest
landowners of his time in
Coconut Grove, as well as one of
Florida’s first Black millionaires.
This must be where Deana
received her financial acumen
from, one of her characteristics
Henry noticed early on.
The saying that everything
happens for a reason rings true
throughout their relationship.
Just as a pair of lost keys led
them to each other, a series
of missed connections with
a wedding coordinator led
Deana to visit the official
www.Bahamas.com website.
There she saw the yearlong
promotion being spearheaded
by the Bahamas Ministry of
Tourism (BMOT), “16 Weddings,
16 Islands, 1 Priceless Day.” The
promotion was an effort to
showcase the many personalities
of the different Bahamian
islands as prominent wedding
and honeymoon destination
options. While the world is
familiar with Nassau and
Freeport, the BMOT wants to
invite more people to get to
know the Family Islands of The
Bahamas; with over 700 islands
and 2,000 keys, each one is
uniquely different.
Deana and Henry entered the
contest, had all their family and
friends vote online, shared their
love story with the judges and to
their surprise, were selected as
one of the 16 winning couples to
have an all-expense paid dream
wedding in The Bahamas.
With the assistance of the
BMOT’s Director of Romance,
Freda Malcolm, Deana was able
to select her dream dress, dream
set of rings, dream wedding and
dream destination, as she was set
to marry the man of her dreams.
On Jan. 16, 2015, 16 couples
on 16 different islands in the
Bahamas, all marched down a
powdery beach isle to say their
vows at 16:00 hours (4 p.m.). On
their own piece of paradise on
Harbour Island at the Valentines
Resort and Marina, Deana
and Henry were among those
couples. Their two children
served as the ring bearers and
40 of their closest family and
friends witnessed the intimate
ceremony and the traditional
Junkanoo performance.
“To say being a winner is a
dream come true is not enough
to describe how we truly felt.
It’s a full circle,” says Deana. “My
family origin in the Bahamas,
the winner’s reception at the
Atlantis’s Oceans Edge – where
we wanted our original wedding –
our rings; the ease of the planning
and the sheer joy seen on our
family and friend’s faces. It felt
like we received a kiss from God.”

COMPELLING. DYNAMIC. PASSION. CARIBBEAN
Follow Us on Social Media:

Spagnvola
Bean-to-bar Chocolate
from the Caribbean
Chocolatier
By Graciano Petersen
There is a burgeoning trend
among chocolatiers to have
more knowledge about
where the cacao bean, which
comprises their chocolate, is sourced.
From that we have the bean-to-bar
chocolates that are manipulated as
beans by manufacturers following
the farming to ensure a higher
quality result. At Spagnvola, a unique
chocolate company that offers farmsourced
Dominican chocolate, beanto-bar
doesn’t fully encapsulate the
experience, but it comes close.
The husband and wife owners of
Spagnvola, Eric and Crisoire Reid, ship
their farmed cacao beans from the
Dominican Republic and transform
them into premium chocolate for
their bars, bonbons and truffles at
their micro-factory in suburban
Maryland in the United States. The
Reids grow, harvest, ferment, dry
and grade their cacao on a familyowned
hacienda in the Dominican
Republic run by Crisoire’s sister.
As Eric, who handles most of the
business relationships, describes it,
he and his wife are “farmers first.”
They are firm believers of ensuring
the quality of the final product from
the onset; and for chocolate, that
all starts at the farm. The Reids are
working on finalizing the genetic
diversity of their farm. On the
hacienda, they have fingerprinted
the genomes of the trees and found
about 13 different genomic makeups.
Eric hopes that this will help to set
Spagnvola chocolate apart by being
able to give the consumer information

POTENT Magazine | SEVENTY-TWO

on quality from a genetic level.
As “you have to control the
quality from the harvest to the
finished product,” Eric says.
And with their close watch on
what beans are shipped from
the Caribbean, the Reids are
conscious of the quality.
At their micro-factory in the
U.S., the Reids make smallbatch
chocolate. Crisoire is
head chocolatier, and in charge
of making the confections.
She decides on the flavors
of the bonbons and truffles
and assures that the roasting
and winnowing of the beans
is carried out properly. The
bonbons and truffles come
in many flavors including
Olive Oil, Honey, Amaretto,
Cranberry and Dominican
Rum Raisin. “They are all
delicious,” says Crisoire, but
she is partial to Cappuccino,
Passion of the Sea, and
especially Passion Fruit
because it uses Dominican
fruit in the recipe. As someone
from the Dominican Republic,
Crisoire believes that “when
you eat a piece of [Spagnvola]
chocolate, you are taken back
to the Dominican Republic.”
Eric and Crisoire do not have
a big outfit; from the family
hacienda to the business
partners and small staff they
employ at their boutiques,
Spagnvola is a family
business. The children help
out and even the staff at the
boutiques are behind the
Reids’ approach to chocolate.
This may be because the Reids have a simple
chocolate philosophy: “the best chocolate can
only be produced by farmers.” This belief not
only inspired the Reids to begin their journey
in 2009 to create their own chocolate, but it
has kept them on their continued commitment
to transform the cacao industry. Eric and
Crisoire are giving back to the Caribbean with
education on how to grow and make premium
chocolate. This education is important to the
Reids because many Caribbean nations are
exporting the raw ingredient,
but have no connection to
the final product. “We have
to work with the farmers to
participate in the value chain,”
Eric explains. In May 2014,
Eric signed a memorandum
of understanding with the
University of the West
Indies in Barbados, to open
a chocolate academy where
people from all over the
Caribbean can come to learn
about growing and harvesting
cacao, and also how to make
chocolate bars and confections.
They are also taking the
knowledge of Caribbean
chocolate to West Africa.
Currently, Nigeria ranks
highest in the world for
the export of chocolate, but
according to Eric, the majority
of the chocolate made in West
Africa is bulk cocoa. Bulk
cocoa goes from “harvest to
drying,” while premium cocoa
gets a more refined flavor
from the “fermenting and
developing of the flavor,” says
Eric. Since the countries of
West Africa have the same
POTENT Magazine | SIXTY-NINE

Crisoire and Eric Reid
picture at the Spagnvola
boutique in Maryland
kinds of cacao trees, Eric feels
it’s important that they learn
how to improve the quality
of their final product and
export that chocolate as West
African chocolate.
The Reids have come a long
way; they have taken their
business from an idea and a
small start in the basement
of their home, and expanded
it to two boutiques all by
embracing the idea of quality
from beginning to end. From
the trees and beans in the
Dominican Republic, to the
bars and confections in the
United States, people of the
same family are handling the
making of chocolate from bean
to bar. Though, Spagnvola
chocolate exceeds the idea of
bean-to-bar and embraces what can be
considered “farm-to-table” chocolate.
The Reids’ “table,” so to speak,
includes their website (www.
spagnvola.com) where you can
purchase bars, bonbons and truffles
of “the world’s best chocolate,”
according to Eric. Crisoire offers
chocolate making classes at their
main boutique in Gaithersburg,
Maryland, while Eric extends
his educational knowledge on
chocolate via tours of the microfactory
in the basement of the
building. On my tour of the
building, I learned quite a bit about
chocolate. The most important
takeaway for me was how to
properly eat chocolate. I didn’t
know it, but I was eating chocolate
all wrong. Don’t misunderstand me;
I’ve been enjoying chocolate, like
really enjoying chocolate
most of my life, but all those
times I bit into a square of
chocolate to enjoy, it was
all wrong. When I sat down
with Crisoire and Eric, they
told me to “put it in your
mouth, let it melt and enjoy
the flavors. No biting.” I
didn’t know, but now I can
truly enjoy chocolate for
the rest of my life as I did at
Spagnvola café.
With Eric’s background from
a mixture of different parts
of the Caribbean, Crisoire’s
heritage form the Dominican
Republic and cacao sourced
from the same island, the Reids
bring powerful flavors of the
Caribbean to the Mid-Atlantic.
POTENT Magazine | SEVENTY

Ink-Slingers:
Meet 3 of the
Caribbean's
Baddest
F m l
a t o
By Nneka Samuel
The stigma of tattoos on the
female body bears a long
history - one steeped in
religion, the “tramp stamp”
assumption of promiscuity and
societal norms that dare dictate what
women can and cannot do with their
own bodies. Being simultaneously
an inked woman and a female tattoo
artist Not exactly something you
would expect of most Caribbean
women. But these aren’t your
everyday, run of the mill chicks.
From Puerto Rico, St. Lucia and
Jamaica, three pioneers and
businesswomen are making names
for themselves in a largely maledominated
industry; one still deemed
taboo by Caribbean society at large.
But their work, talent, and sheer
determination to be at the top of their
game is helping to change negative
perceptions, all while ushering in a
new wave of ink-slingers.
25-year-old Lidiette Del Valle, owner
of Crazy Tattoos in Carolina, Puerto
Rico, is fully aware that being a
female tattoo artist is not a common
practice in her native country.
Currently the sole artist at her shop,
Del Valle has deliberately taken a
female apprentice, Jojo Colón, under
her wing. Fully acknowledging how
“women in the tattoo world are
marginalized,” Del Valle’s plan is to
transform her growing business into
a one-of-a-kind venue that solely
employs female tattoo artists. She
even wants all of the art on the walls
to be made by women. And while
the majority of her former work
colleagues have been men, Del Valle
admits that they gave her a warm and
cordial welcome to the tattoo industry
when she first began in 2009. But, she
still had to prove herself.
POTENT Magazine | SEVENTY-ONE

that [tattoos] should be covered for work.” In
addition, Fraites claims some customers only
want a female tattoo artist and that many clients
treat her better, if at all different.
With over a decade of professional experience
under her belt, it is safe to say that Fraites
has created a lot of work. Asking her to pick a
favorite tattoo to date The proud mother of
three says that task is “analogous to asking a
parent which is their favorite child.”
St. Lucian tattoo artist Melanie
Fraites of Dragonfish Tattoo describes
herself as “a bit of a mad scientist
environmentalist” who dabbles in
everything from the cannabis movement
to website design, computer repair
and of course, body art. She has
been tattooing for over 11 years and
in that time has witnessed a change
in social norms. “The taboo about
tattoos is wearing off,” says Fraites.
“People are more concerned with the
design being tasteful and professional
and safe, but the majority still believe
“At [the] early stages of my career, I was treated
differently. In the shop where I first worked, I was
the only female tattoo artist. When male customers
came to the shop, they doubted my ability and
asked first to see my previous work to make sure
that I could tattoo, something they did not do to my
male co-workers and boss.”
Despite being called crazy by family and friends when
she decided to open her own tattoo shop, Del Valle
nonetheless had ample support. The “crazy” label
clearly stuck and became not only the name of her
business, but a means by which to gain ground on an
art she says was once deemed diabolic and obscene.

Ocho Rios-bred Candice “Needlez”
Davis has a law degree from Jamaica’s
University of Technology, but she’s way
too fun for law. Specializing in cover-up
tattoos, this self-proclaimed Olivia Pope
of tattoos, is “completely and hopelessly”
in love with her job. And while she has
been treated differently being a female
tattoo artist, she says it has its benefits.
“Being treated differently isn’t always a
bad thing. Most women prefer to come to
a female to get tattooed. They like to think
I’m gentler and more compassionate,
[which] I am. And of course, most men
like being touched by a woman.”
Davis opened her shop, NeedleZ Body
Candy Services, in 2010, and in addition
to cover-ups, enjoys portraits and
designs inked in black and grey. Like
her counterparts, she is well aware of
the fear that body ink conveys - fear of
its lasting permanence and of the pain
often associated with the needle. Her
take on the matter
“I believe tattoos are still taboo because
the morals, teachings and culture of most
Caribbean islands are founded on the
teachings of Christianity,” says Davis.
“Most Christians view the body as the
temple and as such, have taken this to
mean we ought not mark our bodies. I,
on the other hand, say if the body is a
temple, why not decorate the walls”
It’s a good thing she won’t be putting her
law degree to use any time soon. Davis’
passion is much better suited in ink. “My
work immortalizes me,” she exclaims.
“Who doesn’t want to live forever”
While Davis, Fraites and Del Valle have
already made a lasting mark with their
clients, the paths they’ve boldly forged
as women, artists, and history-makers
might have even more impact. For that,
they deserve all the respect.
POTENT Magazine | SEVENTY-THREE

TRAVEL

Be Warm
for the
Winter!
By Graciano Petersen
It’s February and if you are above the 31st parallel (about where the Florida-Georgia
border is), it’s cold and maybe even snowing, but the Christmastime joy of that soft,
fluffy precipitation has started to wane. So, why continue to be cold for the winter when
the Caribbean and its warm waters and white, sandy beaches are a short flight away
Whatever your excuse may be for keeping yourself on ice, here are POTENT’s top choices
for Caribbean destinations to visit and a total of 25 reasons to be warm for the winter.

TRAVEL
BELIZE
The warm waters of the Caribbean
bathe the eastern border of this Central
American nation making it part of the
Caribbean experience. Even so, many
people skip it when thinking about a
Caribbean getaway. Here’s why you
shouldn’t:
1. English. Maybe you’ve forgotten those
years of high school Spanish and aren’t
looking to be embarrassed by your lack of
language knowledge and that’s steered you
away from Central America, but Belize,
formerly British Honduras, was a colony of
the United Kingdom so most people speak
English!
2. Diving. This pastime has been a main
attraction for visitors to the country. With
the famous Blue Hole, Belize Barrier Reef
and whale shark season beginning in
March, Belize’s warm waters are waiting to
be deeply explored.
3. Fiesta de Carnival. There are a lot of
Carnival celebrations around the world
the weekend before Lent, but in Belize the
celebration is quite unique. In San Pedro,
there is body painting and flour fighting
instead of parades and costumes.
4. Belizean Tamales. Central Americans
love their tamales and each country has
a unique spin on the dish. In Belize, the
influence of the Caribbean comes through
as the typical maize meal mixed with
spices, beans and your meat of choice, is
wrapped in a plantain leaf instead of the
typical cornhusk.
5. No Currency Exchange. While prices
are normally in the local currency, the
Belizean dollar, American money is widely
accepted. This means that you won’t have
to worry about pesky exchange rates.
POTENT Magazine | SEVENTY-SEVEN

POTENT Magazine | FOUR

OMINICAN
REPUBLIC
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The beautiful beaches on this attractive island have been frequented by
college spring breakers for decades. Here’s why you should get in on the
fun before they get there:
1. Geographical Diversity. The
island of Hispaniola has four distinct
ecoregions. In the DR you can go hiking
and climb mountains in addition to
relaxing by the beach. The DR is unique
enough to house both the Caribbean’s
highest point (Pico Duarte) as well as its
lowest (Lake Enriquillo).
2. Waterfalls. The DR boasts the
Caribbean’s highest waterfall. At
492 feet, Salta Aqua Blanca is not to
be missed! Although, swimming into
crystal-clear pools of water beneath a
plunging waterfall should be enough
of a reason to visit.
3. Santo Domingo. The nation’s
capital, Santo Domingo, is the oldest
city in the Americas. Founded by
Bartholomew Columbus in 1496,
Santo Domingo has the largest
population of any city in the
Caribbean, with diverse dining and
happening nightlife to support its
inhabitants and visitors.
4. Rhythm. Put on your dancing
shoes and hit the town! You can’t
visit the DR without taking part
in one of the island’s most beloved
traditions: dance! Domincanos have
brought the world dances such
as merengue and bachata, but no
other dance truly resonates with
the sounds of the republic more
than perico ripiao – also known as
merengue típico.
5. Carnival. Dominican Carnival is
usually celebrated during the whole
month of February culminating
on Dominican Independence Day,
February 27. Carnival is celebrated
throughout the nation with each
town putting its unique spin on the
colorful and joyful event.

POTENT Magazine | EIGHTY
TRAVEL

Puerto
Rico

TRAVEL
PUERTO RICO
This island paradise has a rich
history of food, music and culture,
which is all summed up in its
name. Puerto Rico translates to
“rich port” and it definitely has an
abundance of attractions:
1. No Passport Needed. If you are
a U.S. citizen, traveling to Puerto
Rico doesn’t require a passport.
You can jump on a flight to the
island with just a state-issued ID.
2. Varied Archipelago. Though
known as one island, Puerto Rico is
an archipelago of one main island,
three smaller islands and several
islets. The diverse archipelago has
mountains, a bioluminescent bay
and several coral reefs to explore.
3. El Yunque Rainforest. On
the eastern side of the Luquillo
mountains lays El Yunque,
a mountainous, subtropical
rainforest that you can drive
through and hike the small cloud
forest at its top. The forest is home
to several unique plant and animal
species including the endangered
Puerto Rican parrot and coquis
(indigenous tree frogs).
4. Old San Juan. Old San Juan,
the historic colonial section
of San Juan, is the oldest
settlement in Puerto Rico. The
area is characterized by its blue
cobblestone streets and flat-roofed
brick and stone buildings. Get
absorbed in the colonial past of the
Caribbean with a stroll through the
city and to the beach where you’ll
find Fort San Felipe del Morro.
5. Mofongo. Considered among
many to be the leader of Puerto
Rican cuisine, this dish can be
found everywhere from a finedining
restaurant to a roadside
shack. Mofongo is a delicious and
filling mix of mashed plantain,
seasonings and the chef’s or the
guest’s filling of choice (veggies,
seafood, beef or pork). Every
Puerto Rican household and
restaurant does mofongo a little
differently so you can experiment
until you find your favorite recipe.
POTENT Magazine | EIGHTY-TWO

the
u.s .
virgin
islands

TRAVEL
Beautiful calm bays, white sand and
crystal clear waters are all features of
the beaches of St. Croix, St. John and
St. Thomas, the U.S. Virgin Islands. A
frequent port for many cruise ships,
here’s why you should think about
docking in one of these islands:
1. No Passport No Problem. Like
their larger, commonwealth neighbor,
the U.S. Virgin Islands are a territory
of the United States, so no passport is
needed for U.S. citizens to visit.
2. Cruzan Rum. Frequently
recognized to be among the world’s
best, Cruzan Rum is made in St. Croix
and sold at outrageously low prices
throughout the Virgin Islands.
3. Duty-Free Shopping. St.
Thomas is known for being the
biggest tax-free, duty-free shopping
hub in the Caribbean. Visitors are
allowed to leave the island with
$1,600 in duty-free goods.
4. Virgin Islanders. Virgin Islanders
are full of personality. In the Virgin
Islands people are talkative and direct,
but it’s also a place where manners and
Good Mornings are commonplace.
5. Snorkeling. I am not exaggerating when
I say that you can walk off the beach, jump
into the water and snorkel amid schools of
tropical fish. There are several great sites off
the coast of St. John, but you can snorkel
anywhere in the U.S.V.I.
POTENT Magazine | EIGHTY-FOUR

TRAVEL
The
BA
HA
MAS
Technically, the Bahamas are not
in the Caribbean, but Bahamians
have always been culturally linked
to the Caribbean so this stunning
archipelago gets to make the list. Keep
reading to find out why you should
skip over to the Bahamas now!
1. Proximity. The large archipelago
of islands that make up the
Bahamas stretch achingly close to
the coast of Florida. Only 50 miles
away from Miami, there are many
ways to get to the Bahamas.

2. Day Trips Available. Big-game
fishing is a short boat trip away
from Miami on the Bahamian
island of Bimini. The Bahamian
Ministry of Tourism has recently
opened up a new port on the island
to ease the welcoming of foreign
visitors to the paradise.
3. Nassau. The capital and largest city
of the Bahamas is only a 45-minute
plane ride from Miami. Nassau has
diverse attractions and a rich cultural
history. Festival Place is where the
artists gather to show off their work,
and it’s definitely worth a visit.
4. Numerous Islands. The Bahamas
has more than 700 islands with
hospitable people, fascinating
traditions and beautiful nature.
From Andros’ freshwater blue holes
to the fantasy vacation appeal of
the Out Islands, the Bahamas has
something for everyone.
5. Conch. Many Bahamans see conch
as the official food of their islands.
BAHAMAS
With conch fritters, cracked conch
and stewed conch, it’s hard not to get
your fill of this Caribbean delicacy.
No matter which of these five
destinations you choose, you will not
only have the sun to keep you warm,
but the secure knowledge that with
the help of POTENT, you’ve chosen a
great getaway for the winter. Now go
book that vacation!
POTENT Magazine | EIGHTY-SIX

SOCA
MOM
By Genice Phillips
Eva Wilson is the woman
behind SocaMom.com,
an award-winning site
for Caribbean-American
parents. Wife and mother of three
children, Eva has shared parenting
advice, children’s activities, news
and other facets of Caribbean
culture on her site for the past four
years. Building a community that
empowers parents and children to
learn more about the Caribbean,
POTENT caught up with Eva to learn
more about the start of SocaMom
and how she has bridged her love of
technology and Caribbean culture
with the everyday struggles and joys
of parenting.
POTENT: How did Soca Mom start
SocaMom: I got the idea to create a
place to help Caribbean American
parents connect their children to
the culture and reserved the domain
name in 2008. I stay busy, so at that
time with three kids, 2, 3, and 7, I
had no time to do anything with it,
so I just waited. In 2010, I went to
a blogging conference at the urging
of a friend of mine from college, and
in 2011 I just started. I am a big geek
at heart – and married one, so we
worked on the website together. He
did a lot of the more complex coding
for special things that I wanted,
and I did the basic coding, graphics,
and writing. I had a great group of
American and Caribbean friends
and family who helped me get the
word out – commenting on posts and
sharing my content. The community
has been very supportive.
POTENT: Why do you think it’s so
important for children to learn about
Caribbean culture today
SocaMom: When I was young, I
knew my family was different, and
that often made me feel isolated. I
couldn’t just go across the street, or
N
POTENT Magazine | EIGHTY-SEVEN

the state, to see my extended family.
The only way that I really could feel
a sense of belonging was after I was
able to really experience Caribbean
culture, and it changed me for the
better. The “where do I come from”
conversations that parents have with
children are important. To me, our
Caribbean roots are just like tree roots
– we go up from there. They provide
stability, and even though you can’t
see them, they matter so much to
who we are and what we become, the
branches and leaves. Without them –
we die. Immigrant communities that
keep that connection for four and
five generations are so much more
successful than those who don’t. I
think that is the best way that I can
explain it – it just matters.
POTENT: For American youth of
Caribbean descent, what resources
are available for them to learn more
about their culture and history
(websites, music, etc.)
SocaMom: There are a lot of great
websites out there, but unfortunately
a lot of them have been abandoned
and aren’t updated frequently
because of the lack of support. Most
are not based in the states, but with
some digging, there are plenty of
resources on YouTube. One that
I really enjoy, but isn’t specifically
geared to youth is from a Trinidadian
based in Canada, CaribbeanPot.com.
I always believed that one of the best
places to start introducing kids to the
culture is through food. The way to
one’s heart is often through the belly.
Some of the best old soca and Calypso
is on YouTube as well. The older
music is reasonably safe for them to
listen to because they won’t get the
double entendre in the lyrics, but the
newer music can be quite explicit – so
be careful when introducing your
children to some new and popular
artists. One song may be harmless,
but the others on the album can take
a disturbing turn.
POTENT: What Caribbean traditions
do you and your family participate
in
SocaMom: Most of them are focused
on food and family – we love to eat
and lime. I would like to make going
to Trinidad annually a tradition, but
with five of us it is very expensive.
After the last visit, they were ready
to move! My family (cousins, in-laws
and immediate family) helps me with
the Anancy festival every year, so
that has become an annual tradition.
We take them to festivals and events
like Caribana when we can, but as
far as annual traditions go We hang
with family on Boxing Day every
year. See… more food.
POTENT: You wrote the children’s
book, “Anancy’s Family Reunion,”
last year. Explain the importance of
this book and the feedback. Is there
another “Anancy” book in the works
POTENT Magazine | EIGHTY-EIGHT

(as part of the series)
SocaMom: It was supposed to be
a play actually, but when I wrote
the story and read it to my mom
and family, they loved it so much
it became a book. Feedback has
been great, but honestly, my favorite
feedback came from my grandmother
when I took a copy to her in St.
Vincent. She is the funniest lady I
know, and I made her laugh. That
was the biggest moment for me. The
next is “Winston Won’t Go” – also an
Anancy story, but a picture book. I
introduced it this year at the Anancy
Festival, and it will be available in
paper back at the first of the year.
POTENT: You’ve interviewed several
Caribbean artists – Fay Ann
Lyons, Iwer George, etc. What
were some memorable moments
from the interviews
SocaMom: Each one was amazing in
its own right. One of my favorites
was the late Bunny Rugs. He was so
encouraging. My son was 12 at the
time, and he was the camera man.
He [Bunny Rugs] could tell he was
nervous, and was so patient with
him. It was great. Another one that
I love is with Skinny Fabulous. He
was incredibly funny, and opened up
about his childhood dream of being a
pilot. That is what I love most about
interviewing people – you find out
that they are really people. When
I hit that perfect question, it is like
hitting the lottery for me. Whenever
POTENT Magazine | EIGHTY-NINE

I hit that question, those are my
favorite moments, and the ones that
seem to resonate with my audience.
POTENT: Naming your site
“SocaMom” it’s clear you have an
appreciation for soca music and music
of Trinidad, where your parents
are from. Do you have a favorite
soca song or artist
SocaMom: My mom is from Belmont
in Trinidad, and my dad is from
Tobago. My mom is a big soca fan,
and my dad enjoys Calypso. I like
artists that are mashups of the two.
While I love a good jump and wine
– if an artist can merge that with a
message I am in. Right now I really
can’t pick a favorite, but Bunji Garlin
is pretty high on the list. His BBC
freestyle was amazing. You have to
check that out. He’s the real thing.
POTENT: As a blogger, explain
some of the hardships you’ve had to
endure, and how have you been able
to balance running a website with
family life
SocaMom: I wouldn’t say it has
been a hardship because blogging
is a choice for me. It isn’t my bread
and butter, so I still enjoy doing it
without too much stress. When
I take on paid opportunities, it is
a job, so there are deadlines and
things like that, but I try to keep
it as light as possible. Do the
work, get it done on time, and
respectfully decline the things
that aren’t a good fit for me. My
husband is extremely supportive,
so I don’t have too much balancing
to do as far as family life, but now
that I am in law school, I have even
less time to blog – but I make it
work. It is a stress reliever for me.
When I have a lot on my plate, I
stop and design a coloring page for
parents to share with their kids,
or make a quick video. It is my
creative outlet.
POTENT: Caribbean women have
made significant contributions
to American history, culture and
communities across the world. But
there is still progress to be made.
What can we do to continue to make
a positive impact
SocaMom: I believe that one way
is to make progress is to continue
to push ourselves. You can’t wait
for someone else to tell you that
you are doing a good job, and you
can’t stop when people say you
have done enough. Figure out what
you can do, and do that better than
anyone else has done it, is doing it
or ever will do it… ever.
POTENT: What was a sage piece
of advice you received from your
mom growing up that informed you
about what it means to be a parent
and mother
SocaMom: None of my mom’s advice
was specific to parenting. I learned
what to do by just watching what she
did. She worked and she expected
me to work. She made sure I traveled,
and I learned as much as possible
outside of school. She supported me
in all of my dreams – every single
one. She thought outside of the
box and let me know that there
nothing wrong with being first to
try something. One of the most
important things that I learned from
watching my mom that I pass on to
my kids is that not every has to get
it. Do what you do, do it well and the
world will just have to catch up. And
if they don’t That is still okay.
POTENT: What do you love about
being a Caribbean-American woman
SocaMom: I love the connection
that I have with Caribbean and
American people alike. I can talk
to people about why you can’t eat
everyone’s curry and why you can’t
eat everyone’s collard greens. People
talk about how diversity unites
people, but I see it firsthand.
POTENT: Any future projects for
Socamom in 2015
SocaMom: So many! I can’t even
go through them all. 2014 was
an amazing year for Socamom.
My goal is to top it. This year
we were able to work (all with
our trademark Caribbean flair)
with great American companies
like Disney, Walmart, AT&T
and LeapFrog, and worked with
Caribbean companies like Beaches
Resorts. Right now we are set to
do some really amazing things in
2015 – some of them have been in
the works since we started! It will
definitely be the best year yet.
POTENT Magazine | NINETY

Pg.
91
INSPIRATION:
From the
QUEE

Voices of
NSBy Nneka Samuel
“
"
This collection of quotes by Caribbean
women from all walks of life, reminds
us to be our passionate, authentic,
POTENT selves.

“The biggest battle that I have
is being a woman in the world.
That takes center stage for me.”
ZOE SALDANA
ACTRESS AND DANCER
OF DOMINICAN AND
PUERTO RICAN DESCENT
“I don’t have to be perfect. All
I have to do is show up and
enjoy the messy, imperfect and
beautiful journey of my life.”
KERRY WASHINGTON
JAMAICAN
AMERICAN ACTRESS
“To live is to cross barriers.”
MARYSE CONDE
GUADELOUPEAN
AUTHOR Guadeloupean author
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence,
it is self-preservation, and that is an act of
political warfare.”
“To acknowledge privilege is the first step
in making it available for wider use. Each
of us is blessed in some particular way,
whether we recognize our blessings or
not. and each one of us, somewhere in
our lives, must clear a space within that
blessing where she can call upon whatever
resources are available to her in the name
of something that must be done.”
— Excerpts from the essay:
A Burst of Light.
“And when people tell you that you
are crazy, or it will never happen, or
that you’re not black enough or white
ain’t right or you’re too fat or too thin
and too young or too old or too smart
of just not dumb enough Well,
who said they know everything or
anything at all They are people just
like you and me.”
Sheryl Lee Ralph
JAMAICAN AMERICAN
ACTRESS AND ORIGINAL
DREAMGIRLS CAST MEMBER
“There’s always a place where, if you
listen closely in the night, you will
hear a mother telling a story and at
the end of the tale, she will ask you
this question: ‘Ou libere’ Are you
free, my daughter”
– Excerpt from Breath, Eyes, Memory
Audre Lorde
GRENADIAN
AMERICAN AUTHOR
Edwidge Danticat
HAITTIAN AUTHOR

“I believe nothing to be impossible; nor do
I absorb myself in any particular moment
or new discovery. For that reason, I find
no idea to be utopian. The essential thing
is to put each idea into practice. To Begin!”
LUISA CAPETILLO
PUERTO RICAN
LABOR ACTIVIST
“It’s easier to be simple and
natural than to be stretched
out and phony.”
CELIA CRUZ
CUBAN SINGER,
THE QUEEN OF
SALSA
“To heal…it’s all about having
no fear, no boundaries, and
no limit. It’s about forgiveness
and finally loving yourself. It’s
all about owning your power
as a woman and a queen.”
“Everyday I get better at knowing
that it is not a choice to be an
activist; rather, it is the only way
to hold on to the better parts of my
human self. It is the only way I can
live and laugh without guilt.”
DIANA KING
JAMAICAN SINGER
STACEYANN CHIN
JAMAICAN POET,
ACTIVIST
“Life has a truth to it, and it’s
complicated - it’s love and it’s
hatred. Love and hatred don’t
take turns; they exist side by
side at the same time. And
one’s duty, one’s obligation day
by day, is to choose to follow
the nobler one.”
JAMAICA KINCAID
ANTIGUAN
NOVELIST
“When you realize who
you live for, and who’s
important to please, a lot
of people will actually
start living. I am never
going to get caught up in
that. I’m gonna look back
on my life and say that I
enjoyed it - and I lived it
for me.”
Rihanna
BARBADIAN SINGER
AND ACTRESS

agazine | NINETY-THREE
POTENT MAGAZINE | SECOND ISSUE