Today's episode features a very inspiring conversation with my good friend Simone Brown, the CEO and Founder of 876 Volunteer. This organization connects people to local non-profits, reducing the friction of discovering and supporting a non-profit that resonates with them.

In our conversation, we spoke about what inspired her to start 876 Volunteer, how she connected with non-profit organizations and some requirements to partner with 876 Volunteer. If you're interested in supporting any of the organizations mentioned in our conversation, I will post their contact info in the show notes.

This episode was recorded on Negril's 7-Mile white sand beach on the Travellers Beach Resort restaurant deck. So if you hear any ambient sounds such as waves crashing, people talking or music playing, it's because we were in an active environment.

Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Simone.

This episode on YouTube

CONTACT INFORMATION

Simone’s and 876 Volunteer

Negril Education Environment Trust (NEET)

The Angelic Ladies

Girls first JA

Ebonezer Rehad Center

Montego Bay Animal Have

Sophie’s Place

Street People Liberation

My Contact Information

Chapters

0:00 Intro

1:52 Simone’s Background

5:07 What Does it Really mean to be Jamaican?

8:44 Being More Appreciated as a Jamaican Outside of Jamaica

12:09 876 Volunteer: The Concept

17:16 Finding Jamaican Charities to Work With

21:24 Managing a Jamaican Nonprofit in Cananda

24:15 Jamaican Nonprofits 876 Volunteer Works With

34:53 Moving to Jamaica

40:43 Contact Information

42:06 Throp Channel Subscribers

In today's episode, I spoke with Deezer from Dat Mi Seh Tv, who emigrated from the United Kingdom on the spur of the moment. Deezer told us what inspired her to move to Jamaica, how she supported herself financially after moving, what she likes about St Mary, and why she would recommend it to anyone. We also talked about what inspired her to start a YouTube channel, how she chose the name and focus of the channel, and the business opportunities it provided.

Please enjoy my conversation with Deezer.

YouTube episode: https://youtu.be/TOwV_nGPoZ8

Deezer Contact Information

My Contact Information

In today's episode, I spoke with Irijah Stennett, a yoga instructor and entrepreneur from Brooklyn, New York, who relocated to Jamaica in 2018. We had a great conversation about why she decided to quit her job and move to Jamaica, her adjustment to life on the island, the types of businesses she believes would thrive in Negril, and advice for people considering moving to Jamaica. We also discussed her path to becoming a Kemetic yoga instructor, writing a book, and hosting her own yoga retreats.

Please enjoy my talk with Irie

This episode on YouTube

Irijah Stennett’s Contact Information

My Socials

Chapters

0:00 Intro

3:58 The Process Leading up to Moving to Jamaica

9:57 What is Kemetic Yoga?

12:35 The First Place she moved to in Jamaica

13:51 Yoga as a Career in Jamaica

16:20 What is it like to Live in Negril

18:16 How to Find a place to Live in Jamaica?

21:20 Good Businesses to Start in Negril

27:21 Starting a Business in Negril Jamaica

29:50 Would you Recommend People Move to Jamaica?

32:18 Best Advice for People Thinking About Moving to Jamaica

35:13 Have You Ever Feared for your life in Jamaica?

39:21 Social Life in Negril

42:54 Roadtrips in Jamaica

44:55 Yoga Retreats in Jamaica

48:16 Contact Information

Investing in Jamaica is a wise decision as it is well-positioned to take off economically as a country. Many political, economic, and social indicators back this up. Ultimately, this episode aims to increase awareness of some of the investment opportunities available in Jamaica to Jamaicans and non-Jamaicans alike.

I had the chance to sit with Sagicor Investment Advisor Jermin Vanzie, which is the first financial expert on the show, to discuss the potential of various investment opportunities in Jamaica. Our conversation was rich and value-driven, covering topics such as real estate investments, investing in the Jamaican Stock Exchange, creating generational wealth, and sound financial practices for the next generation. Jermin was gracious enough to share many personal and professional experiences as examples to learn from and be inspired by.

I hope you will find today's discussion helpful. Please, enjoy my conversation with Jermin.

This episode on YouTube

Jermin Vanzie’s Contact Information

My Socials

Chapters

0:00 Intro

02:45 Banking as a Career in Jamaica

04:59 Strong Jamaican Values

07:43 Growing Up Barefoot in Jamaica

09:38 Jamaican Financial Advisor

14:20 The Process of Investing in Jamaica

17:45 Real Estate Value Appreciation in Jamaica

21:36 Why NOW is the Best Time to Invest in Jamaica?

25:35 What is Driving the Jamaican Real Estate Market?

26:55 Why Invest in Portland Jamaica?

29:50 Why Invest in St. Thomas Jamaica?

32:30 My Dad’s Bad Investment Experience

35:01 Jamaica Stock Investment Strategy

41:57 Surround Yourself with Experts

45:05 Teaching Financial Literacy to our Children

47:15 Do Local Jamaicans have Access to International Stock Markets?

47:40 Buy Jamaican Stocks for your Children

50:02 Who is the Jamaican Stock Exchange for?

51:16 Investing to Create Generational Wealth

53:13 The Importance of Compound Investing

54:08 Requirements for Investing in the Jamaica Stock Exchange

55:03 Who can invest in the Jamaica Stock Exchange?

56:56 Investing for your Child’s Future Education Cost

59:48 Future Jamaica Investment Topics

01:00:18 Contact Information

01:01:03 Outro

In this episode, I had the great pleasure of speaking with John Liesenfeld, aka JP, the founder of the non-profit One Love Brigade, whose mission is to bring joy, mobility, and opportunity to the children and disabled of Jamaica through access to bicycles and wheelchairs. Typically they donate bicycles, wheelchairs, and walkers at random, but on this trip, they chose to donate 500 bags of locally sourced food and chicken to those having a hard time due to the pandemic.

JP discussed why he founded One Love Brigade, how it expanded to serve areas outside of Westmoreland, as well as his interactions with gang leaders while carrying out donations. As of the time of recording this podcast, they had donated 984 bicycles, with 300 more on the way.

We talked about a lot, and I hope you enjoy our conversation because JP is an incredible person doing amazing things for our island's most vulnerable.

This episode on YouTube

One Love Brigade Contact Information

My Socials

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:26 Who is John Liesenfeld?

02:41 Why did he choose Jamaica?

04:04 What inspired you to start One Love Brigade?

05:59 Deciding what to donate to Jamaica?

07:29 Prep to make food donations to Jamaica

10:43 Expanding island wide in Jamaica

11:46 One Love Brigade Team

12:49 2019 Bike Giveaway in Jamaica

15:25 The impact of giving away bikes

18:06 Giving away bikes at the Negril Police Station

19:45 Working with Gangs in Jamaica

23:50 Giving away food in Jamaica

28:03 2022 plans for One Love Brigade

29:40 One Love Brigade Contact Information

In this episode, I spoke with Kiona Yarbrough, an occupational therapist for seniors and the founder of Akua Yard, to learn more about the Jamaican Sea Moss, its health benefits, any precautions to take, and why it has recently become the most sought-after superfood.

My conversation with Kiona also included a brief history of sea moss and why we began eating it in Jamaica, and her production process. At the end of the show, we also prepared her staple sea moss breakfast smoothie.

Please enjoy the episode.

This episode on YouTube

Akua Yard Contact

My Socials

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:26 Covid & Sea Moss

04:09 How is sea moss grown?

07:29 The Nutritional Benefits of Sea Moss

12:17 How do you take Sea Moss?

13:47 The long term benefits of sea moss

15:37 What makes Jamaican sea moss so special?

20:23 The preparation process for shipping

22:58 Other items for sale

23:58 Akua Yard Contact Information

25:00 How much does sea moss cost?

29:37 Sea moss smoothie demonstration

In this episode, I spoke with Mr Daniel Grizzle. He is the owner and operator of Charela Inn, as well as an entrepreneur, mentor, farmer, and environmentalist. It was a pleasure to speak with him because he is a good friend of my family and one of the patriarchs of the development of modern-day Negril.

We discussed a variety of topics, such as how he acquired Le Mirage Resort and Charela Inn, his environmental work, how it has impacted Negril and some of the challenges. Our conversation also covered his work with the Negril Chamber of Commerce to help boost the town's growth and what he foresees as the future of Negril. Before we concluded our conversation, Mr Grizzle spoke about the Negril ex-pat and returning resident community, their economic impact, and some of the concerns surrounding safety.

This podcast was recorded on the restaurant deck of Charela Inn on Negril's 7-mile white sand beach. So if you hear sounds like waves crashing, people talking, or phones ringing, it's because we were in an active environment. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Mr Grizzle. 

This episode on YouTube

Mr Grizzle's and Charela Inn’s Contact Info

My Socials 

Chapters

0:00 Intro

1:58 Mr Grizzle intro

5:45 How to start a hotel

10:06 Charela Inn Now

10:38 Farming in Jamaica

13:11 Fighting for the environment of Negril

16:27 The biggest battle facing Negril

19:55 How the Negril Chamber of Commerce started

23:44 Starting the bus park

26:22 Trying to mine the peat

28:19 Rapid growth in Negril

29:50 Sewage system upgrade needed

31:36 Bypass road from Montego Bay to Negril

33:29 Affordable accommodations in Negril

37:38 The need for multilingual hospitality workers

38:49 The Power of Affordable Housing

42:41 Advice for expats to Jamaica

48:54 The safety of expats in Jamaica

55:21 Where Negril will be in a few years

1:02:21 The need for a high school in Negril

1:07:10 Contact Info

In this episode, I spoke with Lucinda Kay, a good friend of mine. She is the communications director for Great Shape Inc, an American non-profit organization that oversees some of the world's largest international humanitarian projects. We've worked together on numerous philanthropic projects over the years, and it was an honour to have her on the show.

Our conversation covered several topics, including why she and her family chose Negril, her visits to the island as a teenager and how Hurricane Gilbert created a ripple effect that has since impacted so many lives over the years. We also discussed a few of Great Shape's projects, some of which were carried out in partnership with the Sandals Foundation and my family's non-profit, Negril Education Environment Trust. We wrapped up our conversation by stating what we're looking forward to in terms of philanthropy.

Please enjoy my conversation with Lucinda.

This episode on YouTube

Lucinda’s Social Media

Great Shape Contact Info 

My Social Media

Chapters

Today's episode is part two of a two-part conversation with Ayanna who is a friend of my family and the daughter of the late Mr Dick Gregory, a great African-American freedom fighter and civil rights leader. Ayanna is also a civil rights activist, songwriter, singer, performer, educator, and motivational speaker.

We talked about a variety of topics in this section of our conversation, including how the pandemic has affected her visits to the island, some of her struggles and her future plans, as well as her mother's experience visiting Jamaica during the pandemic and being in Negril for the first time in 50 years. We concluded our conversation with a special message from Ayanna to you.

Please enjoy the show.

This episode on YouTube

Part one to this episode on YouTube

Ayanna's Contact Info

My Socials

Chapters

0:00 Intro

1:21 Being in Jamaica Often

5:58 Moving to Negril Jamaica

10:00 Ayanna’s Most Recent Trip

14:28 What’s Next for ayanna Gregory

20:54 Ayanna’s Contact Information

22:11 Closing Out

This episode is part one of a two-part conversation with Ayanna Gregory, who is a friend of my family and the daughter of the late Mr Dick Gregory, a great African-American freedom fighter and civil rights leader. Ayanna is also a civil rights activist, songwriter, singer, performer, educator, and motivational speaker.

In this episode, she talked about growing up in the 1980s with her father, how being a freedom fighter shaped her as a woman, some recent activism work, what keeps her coming back to Negril, and how that has evolved over time. We concluded the first part of our conversation with Ayanna sharing how my father, Winston Wellington, changed how she lives in Jamaica.

Please enjoy my conversation with Ayanna.

This episode on YouTude

Ayanna's Contact Info

My Socials

Chapter Markers

0:00 Intro

2:24 Dick Gregory

5:53 Health & Wellness

7:52 Freedom Fighting Today

20:58 Jamaica

32:53 Contact Info