Platform and Possibilities

Desiree "Tracey" Venzen and Karen "Kaye-C" Crossman ae the epitome of woman power. Together, they use the lessons of the women trailblazers in their lives to help carve a path for themselves and the women who they encounter in their lives on a daily basis. They are determined to live their best lives to glorify our Creator and to bless others especially women. As seasoned career women with families and a host of other challenges, they still make time to serve others in their communities and beyond.

Desiree "Tracey" Venzen and Karen "Kaye-C" Crossman are the epitome of woman power. Together, they use the lessons of the women trailblazers in their lives to help carve a path for themselves and the women who they encounter in their lives on a daily basis. They are determined to live their best lives to glorify our Creator and to bless others especially women. As seasoned career women with families and a host of other challenges, they still make time to serve others in their communities and beyond.

In this episode, we feature the hard-working mom, wife, Entrepreneur and Corporate attorney Ms. Charleen Francis. Here, this go-getter and phenomenal woman speaks about life, her growing business and how diligently she works to live a life of purpose. Her contribution to Platform & Possibilities ensures we continue to Inspire, Inform and Empower.

With over 18 years in the finance industry, Regional Vice President & Investment Advisor with Primerica, Mervyn J. Boone Jr. owns a Financial Brokerage in New York and serves over 2000 clients which currently has $33 million in assets under management and over $400 million of Life Insurance inforce. His office brokerage alone has 150 Licensed Agents, and 22 Registered Representatives in 14 different states and the business is continuing to grow.

A native of the Bronx New York, Mervyn takes pride in providing financial services to all income groups, and all ethnicities. He believes in changing the money ethics of people across multiple communities.

In this episode, we feature the first National Calypso Carnival King of St. Kitts and Nevis, Levi Weekes also known as King Entertainer, Styler John and even Monarch. Weekes hails from Cayon in beautiful St. Kitts and Nevis. He has a special appreciation for the very strict and humble upbringing he had as a child and felt an even deeper love for his mother, who fought with all of her being to give her children a good life, despite her circumstances. 

It was on his trip to Trinidad and Tobago that he truly fell in love with the Calypso art form. Imagine the fire in the eyes of a 15-year-old boy, seeing Calypso Greats like Lord Ryno, King Fighter and the Mighty Sparrow rule the stage. He returned to St. Kitts with a passion for calypso that would eventually propel him to national eminence. By his early 20's, Entertainer was known for writing and singing masterful calypsos. His hit songs "Judge Calypso" and "Outspoken" earned him the coveted National Carnival Calypso King title in December of 1971. 

For 50 years, Entertainer has gone on to be an ambassador for his native land, proudly wearing his flag of service to others on his chest.  He reminds us in no uncertain terms that "Home is where the Heart is."

Levi Weekes resides in the United States, having had a long and rewarding career as an electrician. We are honored to have him share snippets of his calypso journey on Platform & Possibilities

Patricia Welsh of St. Kitts and Nevis has fulfilled one of her many dreams; She has written and published her first novel entitled Finding Jane; The Love Journey.

Set in Atlanta, USA, Jane and her childhood love Landon have developed an exciting relationship sprinkled with undeniable love. Jane could not be happier. Outside of her love life, her love for her friends and family is evident. Paula, a very close friend is a fixture of Jane’s life and together, they share a solid sisterhood and friendship. Jane’s love for Paula is undeniable and she tells the story of shared love between two women who greatly respect and love each other. Jane's life also features her love for Jerome, a very special friend at work who she eventually realizes is suffering from Alzheimers, a type of brain disorder that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. She is disheartened by Jerome's debilitating illness but sinks into the depths of despair at the loss of the man she has invested her entire life in. Landon. Jane's journey is carefully told by the author who mixes fiction with real pieces of her own journey as a first-time author.

The story of love, betrayal, and triumph.

Born on the island of St. Kitts, Patricia “Pat" Welsh is the third of 4 children who grew up on an estate and had a very happy childhood. She pursued advanced degrees abroad and returned to St. Kitts and Nevis and is an Economist at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. She has two beautiful children and enjoys living life to the fullest and even dancing when no one is looking in the comfort of her home.

Congratulations to Pat for sharing the story of Jane and best wishes for writing the remaining novels in the trilogy Finding Jane; A Love Journey.

Quandasha (pronounced Quan-day-sha) “Mzs. Quanny” Huggin is a rising American musical sensation of Kittitian and Jamaican heritage who was born in New Jersey and now calls Philadelphia home. She’s a music lover to the core who writes, sings, performs and embraces all genres of music. Be it R&B, Dance Hall, Rock, Rap, Reggae, Bachata, Soca, Meringue, Quandasha believes music is a mood that she proudly lives for. For over 2 decades, this musical genius has worked non-stop at perfecting her craft and with each song, each track, and every single performance, she continuously raises the bar. This music lover flexed her vocal muscle with her “Badness” track and has recorded many other well received singles including “Beast”, “No Wotless Performer” and “Bruk it Off.” In 2021, she produced her first album titled “Don’t Mean to Brag,” which truly boasts a blend of musical artistry and creativity. She’s a sound that turns heads, so much so that she’s working diligently on collaborating with DJ’s and other producers to help grow her music. In 2018, she released her first mixed tape called “Moods not Genres” including a mix of R&B and dancehalls. Her 2021 album shows a more polished version of Mzs. Quanny. “Don’t Mean to Brag” made its way on the Top 5 of the Reggae ITunes Chart and 23 on the Pop I-Tunes Chart. Mzs. Quanny is also quite busy because of “Don’t Mean to Brag” and she continues to focus on growing her craft and spreading her music. She promotes her music through word of mouth, ITunes, Pandora, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms. Quandasha is a driven young woman who uses numerous tools to help grow her craft and understands the importance of using her multiple business streams to ensure she accomplishes her goals. She is planting her seeds and watching them grow. And she’s standing up believing without question that the “Time is Now,” a song she wrote to remind all of us that love, respect, and unity are desirable qualities we all need NOW if we really want to see a better world for ourselves, our children and grandchildren.

In February and June of this year, I partnered with the University of Phoenix Online to run two workshops on “The Why’s of Email Etiquette.”  Both workshops were one hour in length and the question and answer segments dived deeply into aspects of e-mail writing that complement good communication. One of the major takeaways from these workshops is that email etiquette entails adhering to principles of behavior one should display when creating or responding to e-mails, and we ought to think clearly before we write, especially if the matter being addressed is contentious.

This episode of Platform & Possibilities features a ten minute exchange during the second workshop's question and answer segment held in June. Participants had a host of questions, from best practices for responding to a manager's e-mail, ways to introduce themselves to a business prospect, to how to reject a contract or how to accept an offer. We also discussed company structures and the appropriate protocol one should follow when writing to senior personnel.  

Participants also received periodic reminders that how we write is a reflection of who we are. We should write with clarity, respectfully, and meaningfully, all while being mindful that good e-mail etiquette is an integral part of our personal and professional reputation.

*Get smart e-mail etiquette tips or refresh your skills right here on Platform & Possibilities!!

In this episode, we hear from Heather Archibald, a national of St. Kitts and Nevis who spent years in New York City, all the while remaining close to the pulse of her birth land. Heather is an educator, author, and social activist who returned to St. Kitts to impart much of her rich experiences abroad to enrich the lives of others, especially young writers eager to realize their dream of publishing their own novels. Heather is the author of Pregnant these Past 20 Years and Home:Home.

A truly conscientious son of the St. Kitts and Nevis soil who believes in living in the moment even amidst life’s challenges. From Cayon, to Charlotte Amalie to Virginia, he has never lost his appreciation for family or for change. He’s a former soldier and an advocate of wellness and is an avid runner who believes in the magic of movement. Seko is the brain behind the Run SKN Challenge, a 104 mile run from August 1 to September 19 that coincides with St. Kitts and Nevis’ independence. Having changed his lifestyle to embrace healthy habits, he shares his love for life with others. In this conversation, he offers many takeaways including the powerful reminder to live in the now!