This episode of "Growing up Caribbean" takes us to the beautiful islands of THE BAHAMAS. My special guest, Theo Neilly, who is the Consul General of The Bahamas to Washington DC, carries us through his childhood living on the island of Eleuthera. He welcomes us to the beautiful pink sand beaches and warm shores that make up the array of islands currently inhabited in the Bahamas (there are 700 in the archipelago!). To hear his stories will make you want to teleport to this place where family, friendships and fishing are at its core. You will learn about what's really important to him. His recollection of growing up in this paradise will illuminate your thoughts of a place where even the pigs swim out to meet and greet you - you have to hear it to believe it! Join us as he takes us down memory lane and brings us into the future of knowing that we too can have the experiences he's had growing up Caribbean.

This episode of Growing Up Caribbean explores the Diaspora that has the ability to take the Caribbean islands further as they develop and find their place on the world stage. This growing entity has great power within the communities where they exist and work. But how can it grow? How can it utilize its resources rightly? These are some of the ideas and topics this episode will share and hopefully allow each of you to think about how you can be a part of the movement. 

This episode of Growing up Caribbean takes us to one of the Spanish-speaking islands in the Caribbean - Puerto Rico. My guest and very dear friend Cinthia Sharfman shares what "connects" her to her home and to other islands, and how making "connections" has been an important part of her life especially when moving to the US. In a place where language is important and knowing two is even better, she takes us on a fun and memorable journey that will find us trying to figure out how to get there. Please join us as Cinthia shares with us her love of food, the water, the people, and what has been important to her in her growth having grown up Caribbean.

This very SPECIAL EPISODE of "Growing Up Caribbean" has been created to address the crisis that is currently happening on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. On April 9, 2021, the island began experiencing explosive volcanic eruptions from its volcano, La Soufriere. This natural disaster which is taking place in the midst of a global pandemic has created an additional burden to the small Caribbean island in trying to relocate over 20,000 of its citizens to green zones and to protect all those who inhabit the island from further suffering. Parliamentary member for East Kingstown - Dwight "Fitz" Bramble joins me alongside my co-host for today, Simone Bramble, to discuss what is being done on the island and how others can help in the humanitarian effort. Join us as we cover as many topics as we can in an effort to divulge information on the status of the island and its neighboring affected sister islands. Thank You for your prayers for this beautiful island as it continues to navigate nature, attempt to recover and save lives. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION SHARED ON THE EPISODE: 

- N.E.M.O - National Emergency Management Organization: Official authority on the management of the events related to the volcano, including evacuation efforts. Contact information: website: www.nemo.gov.vc - phone number: 784-456-2975

- UWI Seismic Research Center: official source for volcanoes in the Caribbean. Currently managing the events related to the volcanic activity and science. Contact information: website: uwiseismic.com 

- Volcano Emergency Response Team: Contact information: phone numbers: 784-528-5050 & 784-491-6327. Email [email protected]

This episode of Growing Up Caribbean takes us to the sister islands of TRINIDAD & TOBAGO. My guest Glenda Laurent Dickonson sheds some light on her life growing up in Trinidad, the role the church played in her life and the diversity of the island itself. She takes us through the colorful scenes of Easter time, her school days, and provides some insights on the carnival season, one of the many seasons that are observed in the beautiful sister islands. Join us as she takes us through the memories that have shaped her and continues to be a guiding light for her now and what has made her grateful having grown up Caribbean.

This episode of Growing up Caribbean takes you through a musically journey as we hear about the different types of music that exists in the Caribbean. Music tells the stories of the lives of those living in this region and brings special meaning in terms of where it's all rooted. Get ready to skip island to island as we learn more about the music of our lives when you've grown up Caribbean.

This episode of Growing up Caribbean takes us to the island of JAMAICA through the eyes of one of its own. Through lively and vivid imagery of storytelling, Maple Benjamin shares her experiences of growing up on the island - the strange things she ate, the strange ways she spoke and the community that uplifted her and vice versa, and so much more. She also tells us of a special friendship to a cast member of the movie "Coming to America". Join us as we explore and relive some of the special ways in which she lived her life while growing up Caribbean. 

This episode of Growing Up Caribbean explores the Educational System in the Caribbean, beginning with a general overview (from the elementary level to the tertiary level) and closes with personal stories from the host about her own experiences going to school in the Caribbean. 

This episode features members of the Bramble Family who all grew up in the Caribbean island of St. Vincent. They tell stories of what it was like, the way they lived from a family perspective and what makes them want to return to the island paradise.