Category: Books

Growing Out: Black Hair and Black Pride in the Swinging Sixties, by Barbara Blake Hannah

September 11, 2022

If you would like to hear Barbara talk about her book and more, tune in to Radio Jamaica tomorrow (Sunday, September 11) at 1:30 p.m. on Gerry McDaniel’s show “Palav,” where she will be special guest. A young, middle-class Jamaican woman, tired of the limitations of island life, arrives in London, England, to seek her … More Growing Out: Black Hair and Black Pride in the Swinging Sixties, by Barbara Blake Hannah

Jamaicans for Justice launch a booklet of our Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms – made simple

August 7, 2022

As I mentioned, Jamaica is currently recognizing – and in most cases, celebrating – its 60th anniversary of Independence. This is such a large, round number that special attention is being paid to “Jamaica 60.” What progress has been made in the past six decades since the flag of the “Coloniser” descended a flagpole in … More Jamaicans for Justice launch a booklet of our Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms – made simple

“I am NOT my breasts”: A Jamaican woman’s breast cancer journey

July 5, 2022

My dear friend Petre Williams Raynor has been cancer-free for a year now, and she looks really great, with her usual warm smile. It was a pleasure to meet up with her recently; it meant a lot to me personally, and I thought I would share something of our rather long conversation here. Petre has … More “I am NOT my breasts”: A Jamaican woman’s breast cancer journey

Jamaica’s Diana McCaulay wins Commonwealth Short Story Prize for the Caribbean, for the second time

May 23, 2022

Huge congratulations to Jamaican writer and environmentalist Diana McCaulay, who is the Caribbean winner for the 2022 Commonwealth Short Story Prize – her second win (she first won ten years ago). The regional winners were announced on May 23 (London time). Diana’s strong competitors were fellow Jamaican Sharma Taylor and 2019 winner Alexia Tolas from … More Jamaica’s Diana McCaulay wins Commonwealth Short Story Prize for the Caribbean, for the second time

Two rising stars in Jamaica’s art world go to AFJ Charity Gala through Kingston Creative

May 15, 2022

Kingston Creative “gets it”: Partnerships are key. American Friends of Jamaica is celebrating forty years (and I was happy to share a few of those years in helping to promote their charitable activities, at one time). They are “do gooders” in the best and most genuine sense of the word. This trip was a great … More Two rising stars in Jamaica’s art world go to AFJ Charity Gala through Kingston Creative

Three Caribbean writers shortlisted for 2022 Commonwealth Short Story Prize

April 27, 2022

There are three woman writers, from The Bahamas and Jamaica, vying for the Regional Prize for the Caribbean in the 2022 Commonwealth Short Story Prize. The shortlist, announced on April 25, includes two previous winners, Jamaican Diana McCaulay (2012) – who has just completed her sixth novel, stay tuned! – and the Bahamas’ Alexia Tolas … More Three Caribbean writers shortlisted for 2022 Commonwealth Short Story Prize

Talking to myself

April 6, 2022

I was reminded by a humorous meme on WhatsApp. It went something like: “I am at a committee meeting. It’s a committee of one, I’m talking to myself.” I talk to myself a great deal, although not necessarily out loud. I do it even more nowadays, since COVID and since, more recently, my husband’s illness. … More Talking to myself

436 Caribbean creatives apply for CATAPULT Grant; 10 creative entrepreneurs learn new skills, thanks to Jamaica’s Kingston Creative

February 12, 2022

Kingston Creative is forging ahead with its initiatives to boost cultural and artistic entrepreneurship in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Why do I think this is important? Because there is tremendous “untapped potential,” to use a well-worn phrase, in our creative community. I interviewed one brilliant young artist, Richard Nattoo, at the beginning of this year. … More 436 Caribbean creatives apply for CATAPULT Grant; 10 creative entrepreneurs learn new skills, thanks to Jamaica’s Kingston Creative