In this episode of Platform and Possibilities, we highlight how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the future of many New York City Catholic schools. These schools have served their communities in multiple ways but require sustainable funding to keep their doors open. After decades of service to the Harlem Community, my child’s first formal institution of learning closes its doors this summer. The Ascension story is a reminder of the beauty of our communities as immigrants who play an integral role wherever we go. The beauty of the diversity that echoed in the classrooms at Ascension everyday will always make my heart smile and I know without talking about it to my child, she too will always remember how her heart smiled on those very steps she walked each day to learn, play and grow.

In this edition of Platform and Possibilities we celebrate Caribbean American heritage month and the splendor that surrounds the month of June, that special time of year for Caribbean Americans. However, we must take pause during the scorching summer months to examine a piece of our collective Caribbean truth that we seem to be challenged by; the current scourge of crime that is wreaking havoc across many of our tourism vested Caribbean countries.

YES, June is Caribbean American Heritage Month, but what about the ugly face of Crime? How will our islands cope with the challenges crime brings?

We have tough questions to ask on crime but even tougher challenges to find practical solutions to help keep our people safe. Let's not allow crime to spiral out of control.

In this edition of  Platform and Possibilities, we feature the tragic demise of Jordan Neely, a 30 year old black American man

whose life violently ended while riding on a New York City subway, subdued by a former US Marine, who deemed Jordan’s erratic behavior a threat to his safety and the public. A chokehold would end the life of Jordan Neely and not long after would come protests that sparked a deeper investigation into the case resulting in Daniel Penny being charged with Jordan’s murder. Penny faces up to 16 years in prison if found guilty of Jordan’s death.

About two years ago, a dear friend who wanted to remind me of the power of aging shared with me 20 SPECIAL NOTES TO live by as you age! Of course, these tidbits are no where new to most of us but we must be ever so mindful of how intimately we align with these and other words of wisdom to live by! These tidbits were shared on 20 business days in May and are now conveniently shared here so that whether you’re young or not so young, something meaningful may resonate with you in this month of “May” and beyond.

In this edition of Platform and Possibilities, we share a bit about Earth Day and the conversations around “Mother Earth in Crisis." The brainchild and the founder of ⁠Earth Day⁠ was Senator Gaylord Nelson, an American politician and environmentalist from Wisconsin who served as a United States senator and governor of Wisconsin. Inspired by the protests of the 1960s, Senator Nelson helped to launch a new wave of ⁠environmental activism⁠ in his home state and across the United States. By raising public awareness of pollution, Nelson hoped to bring environmental causes into the national spotlight. On Earth Day Saturday, April 22, 2023, the focus and advocacy is even more intense. After decades of the climate crisis conversation, the overall

approach to this ⁠#global⁠ challenge is not a one stroke painted canvas but a widely woven blanket of ideas and approaches that redound to the benefit of all, particularly the grassroots; those directly affected by food security challenges, water sourcing and conservation issues; those who bear the immediate brunt of climate change.

In this edition of Platform & Possibilities, we feature a drizzle of some of our many local and Diaspora based female authors. These women have helped me and so many other women along our life’s journey and their contributions to the development of their respective communities and the world for that matter, cannot be truly measured. I hope you enjoy learning about these women as much as I have. Bravo to female authors everywhere!!

In March each year, we celebrate all that is exceptional about the women in our communities. This March, we feature a few Kittitian and a Nevisian women residing in the Diaspora whose entrepreneurial skills serve others while allowing them to establish their brand and earn additional income doing what they love.

Women continue to excel in various fields globally and it’s fitting we continue to shine the spotlight on their accomplishments as successful women are beacons of hope for women and girls everywhere. Here, we feature three women in sports whose influence captures their indomitable spirit and their ability to inspire others long after they have left competitive sports. Each of these women in sports have shaped the lives of many women by the examples they have set. Their inspiration has helped to create excellence for others both personally and professionally. We are better because of their passion in sports.

Mrs. Edrice Lewis-Viechweg is the brainchild behind our uniquely designed national flag who hails from Newtown, Basseterre St. Kitts and currently resides in Connecticut, USA. Edrice has lived an exemplary life; one of honor, service, and devout patriotism. Given the caliber of a woman she has been, coupled with her expertly designed national flag which bears deep meaning for the people of our lands, it would be a remarkable honor in this 40th year of our independence to bestow the title of “National Recipient of the Star of Merit” upon Mrs. Edrice Lewis-Viechweg

Life is sometimes like the religion that we are taught as children. We are told to “believe in this way of worship” or “if you don’t abide by this doctrine, you will be forever cursed. We are inundated with stories about our fate as human beings if we don’t follow certain principles taught to us by man. In this episode, we speak briefly about how easily one can backslide or deviate from our goals. A true test of our character is realized in our backsliding. How do we get up when we fall down? How de we show up strong intent upon attaining our goals? We will fall down in life but it is in the getting up that we learn numerous lessons about life and our ability to WIN!