Panda Radio

In this episode, we get to sit down with the creative designer behind designs by Regal. She shares with us what inspired her to become a designer and how she plans to share with the world the culture that is Virgin Islands madras.

On today’s episode of Panda Radio we meet with Magistrate Judge Morris. We discuss topics such as mental health, violence and homelessness in the community. Of course, we had to ask the probing question what your favorite tart flavor is?

Hey y’all ( felt like I haven’t said that in weeks). We are winding down the school year and with that our last few episodes are coming near. Don’t fret we’ll be back.

Now that we got that out if the way.

Today we sit down to speak to Zayd Saleem a Crucian, Veteran, Moko Jumbie, and Author. We dive right in with how he got into stilt walking under the guidance of Mr.Willard John who we had on the show a couple episodes back. Saleem shares how he hopes that more people get involved so that this piece of culture remains preserved.

Yes I said he is an Author, at 18 Zayd wrote his book and published it at 22 “When the Trees Come Alive” inspired by his grandmother. Saleem recalls the time he would go to her house and work in her backyard planting numerous fruits. Don’t be hard on yourself and be persistent the process isn’t easy. Shout out to Bryson Doc Valrica who guided him through the process.

Did you make it this far? This weeks emoji is the good ole coconut 🥥

On this episode we speak to Julio Peterson and Kirk Rojas about their amazing YouTube channel. They give us the background of how the started collaborative efforts and the birth of Apatna Media. And what’s an episode without our favorite question! Find out what are their go to tart flvors

In many parts of the Caribbean, moko jumbies survive primarily as part of folklore presentations and tourist shows. Beyond Trinidad, they currently have a strong presence in the Virgin Islands, with Willard John of St Croix as a missionary in their cause for forty years. John runs the Guardians of Culture moko jumbies, who appear weekly at local hotels, and made a 2009 documentary called Mokolution tracing the roots of the tradition in the Virgin Islands. John notes a long tradition of male jumbies dressing in skirts with petticoats or bloomers, which changed in the 1960s when teacher Ali Paul moved to welcome women as jumbies, leading to costumes in other styles. John continues to work with schools to get more young people to take up the art, exploring ever more adventurous choreography.

On today’s episode Ms.Makeda Okolo gives us a look at what NOAA really is and why STEAM is important to her. We also talk about her VI Faves

Tarik and Tamara McMillan co owners of Greater Changes join us to speak about Mental Health in the VI with a focus on trauma and stigma. Greater Changes is a Behavioral Health and Wellness Agency that provides individual, family, couples and group counseling, as well as training and workshops on a variety of topics related to wellness.

This week we had the pleasure of speaking with Chalana Brown. She shared with us the reasons why learning about VI History is important to her. Ms Brown clarified that citizenship was received in 1927 not 1923.

Are you keeping our culture alive? It’s Virgin Islands history month think about all of those who came before us a fought for what they believed in today we have Dr. Bryson a culture bearer who is sharing her thoughts.