The pivotal role played by British-Trinidadian journalist and activist Claudia Jones in launching the world’s largest street festival, the Notting Hill Carnival, is the focus of a new Canada-UK co-production.
Leading the production is acclaimed Canadian director Frances-Anne Solomon (Hero: Inspired by the Extraordinary Life and Times of Mr. Ulric Cross). The film will be produced by Solomon’s CaribbeanTales Media Group (CTMG), in partnership with Nadine Marsh-Edwards’ UK-Based Greenacre Films and Lisa Wickham’s Trinidad and Tobago-based Imagine Media International Limited.
Set in London in 1958 as violent race riots ravaged the country, CLAUDIA tells the story of Jones, a Trinidad-born activist deported to England from McCarthyite USA, who comes up with an ingenious plan to unite Britain’s Black and white working classes.
“Claudia was a modern day superhero rooted in the real world, whose remarkable life and achievements straddled the USA, England and the Caribbean.” says Solomon. “I could not be more excited to work with this global team of accomplished Black women to tell this inspiring story.”
“Greenacre Films is proud to partner with Frances-Anne and CaribbeanTales to tell the story of a remarkable Black woman whose achievements helped to shape the London we live in today,” says Marsh-Edwards, whose many acclaimed productions include Been So Long, starring Michaela Cole.
Imagine Media’s CEO Lisa Wickham believes that, “Frances-Anne’s film shines a much-deserved light on a Caribbean-born woman whose rich and beautiful legacy amplifies Black voices and experiences as a whole.”
Joining the team as co-creator and co-writer is British actress, writer and director Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton, Dr. Who, Invictus) and rising British screenwriter Omari McCarthy.
“Claudia’s work promoting women’s rights, Black rights and the rights of the poor and disenfranchised laid the seeds for so much that followed – African and Caribbean independence, civil rights, Pan Africanism and inevitably, today’s Black Lives Matter movement,” adds Adjoa Andoh.
CLAUDIA’s development has been funded by Telefilm Canada. The project is one of thirteen (13) films selected for the Attagurl Program, a unique year-long lab supporting the development and distribution paths of amazing projects by women and non-binary around the world.
Source: Caribbean Riddims, Nov 9, 2020

My Trinidad - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
The project is a monthly, online literary magazine about our homeland and birthplace, Trinidad, what it was or where we came from, what it is and where it is heading or what it will be, especially if we don't help to influence the future of our country. No politics, no taking sides, but our country's best interests in the present and the long term. This is nostalgia as well as wishful thinking. It is yesterday, today and tomorrow. It is us. It is we. We Trinidad.  Slick on the link, or copy and post into your browser. 
​ www.mytrinidad.net

Anselm Gibbs is “the little boy from Laventille with a big forehead who always had big dreams.” After putting plans in motion to study aeronautical engineering, he took a break and formed Lizard Blizzard Sound System before heading to the US to pursue a degree in journalism and master’s degree in sports management. From being told that he will never be an anchor on American TV and having his career downplayed by some relatives, he proved many people wrong. His “big dreams” took him from the dasheen patch yard of his home to ABC News to anchoring T&T's number one newscast, the TV6 News. This is Anselm’s MENtions story:
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Granny always said "how you carry yourself" is important”.
I grew up in Success Village, Laventille in a house with my mother, grandmother, two aunts, my elder sister and younger brother. We didn't have much money but the adults in our home, did all they possibly could to make sure we always had something to eat every day, books in our school bags, shoes on our feet and clothes on our backs. I remember eating the same meal, dasheen and bhaji, for days. I wouldn’t trade those adults for anything: they provided the best childhood that my siblings and I could hope for. I thank God for putting me with the family I'm with. I'm so grateful for them.
God/church, discipline, education, love, honesty, kindness, helping others, education and CLASS... were strong values and watchwords in our home. I put "class" in capital letters, because my granny always stressed that "how you carry yourself" is important.
As child, granny didn’t like me nor my brother “liming” on the street. I didn't understand until later, what she was saving us from.
I always say there's a "missing generation" in the neighbourhood where I grew up. Most of the original residents who would be 35-45 years old now, are either dead, in prison or would have moved out of the area. This is a direct result of crime and violence in the area.
Growing up, I always had plenty "chat". I was (and I still am) always the person who "ain't fraid nobody." Part of it came from people teasing me about my big forehead. I was teased so much about it. That wasn't a nice feeling. As a result, I felt insecure about my looks for such a significant chunk of my life.
“My career found me: from aeronautical engineering to DJing to broadcast journalism”
I first wanted to become a scientist, until I realised that I was terrible at science subjects at school. I then made up my mind that I wanted to become a pilot/aeronautical engineer. I got accepted to a number of aeronautical schools in New York. In 2000, I accepted a partial scholarship and while signing up to begin classes, a school official told me if I got 40 more points on the SAT exam, I would get a full scholarship. So, I moved back to Trinidad to try to improve my SAT score.
While back home I started playing around with two portable CD players and a PC monitor speaker and began experimenting with DJ-ing. That led to me forming Lizzard Blizzard Sound System (DJ group). We were ruthless back then. We racked up a heap of dub plates (singers remaking their songs calling your DJ group's name in it) and were spinning in all the big clubs/parties and taking part in sound clash competitions, locally and abroad.
That love for DJ-ing, which I still have and always will, drove me to want formal training in media. I decided broadcast journalism was the way. With the writing ability I believe I possessed, my career path basically found me.
“You will never make it on the air in America with that accent."
Being a journalist has been a wonderful ride so far. I've written for newspapers and worked in radio and TV.
I distinctly remember a professor at the University of the District of Columbia (I attended UDC for my first year of tertiary education, then transferred) telling me, in front of the entire class, "you will never make it on the air in America with that accent." Also, some people (even some relatives) said I was studying "some chupidness" and that I wouldn't even finish university and would have to return to Trinidad, without a degree.
I absolutely love it when people say those things because it gives me an additional drive and desire to prove them wrong. I graduated from St. John's University (magna cum laude) with a Bachelor's degree in journalism and a Master's degree in Sport Management. Since then, I've worked for and have been on the air for ABC News, CBS Radio's WFAN in NYC (the #1 media market in America) and WPLJ 95.5FM, also in NYC.
“I am grateful. I am thankful. I enjoy what I do”
I've interviewed and met so many people: from celebrities to the regular man. I've been to places, locally and internationally, that most people may not visit in their lifetime. I am truly grateful. I am thankful. Don't get me wrong, the job may frustrate me at times and make me use words that I can't say on TV, but I still enjoy what I do.
Many people have helped me become the journalist and person I am today. Locally, Dominic Kalipersad took a chance on me and to this day, he still sends me texts whenever I mispronounce a word on the air. In the US, radio DJ, Rocky Allen, and NY1 (NY cable TV channel) anchor/reporter, Jeanine Ramirez, taught me so much.
In addition to those mentioned above, I also look up to Keith Morrison, TJ Holmes, Sade Baderinwa, Ancil "Blaze" Isaac and Lori Stokes.
“Journalism is often a thankless job and requires thick skin”
If you want to get into journalism, my advice is to do it because you are genuinely interested in becoming a journalist. If you want to do it because "ah want to be on TV and be ah news anchor and be popular and ting”, the industry will instantly sense you're there for the wrong reasons.
Journalism is a lot of hard work, long hours, working on holidays, getting cursed and chased by police, officials, over-zealous security guards and a long list of other people. The entire nation gets to judge and criticise your work. The job is often a thankless one and requires thick skin. But, it's that genuine passion for the job (and the bills you have to pay) that help you overcome those challenges and enjoy the good times.
“My heart hurts for our black boys. They are our boys.”
These are our boys and I wish they realise that they can be and do better. The issue with some of our young, black boys is that the "wrong crowd" is too often the most accessible and these become the role models they look to. But I believe that it's just a cycle because the present leaders of that "wrong crowd" were once young too, and they looked to similar role models to end up in the "wrong crowd." There are sufficient role models for black men in Trinidad and Tobago. People like Gervase Warner, Kieron Pollard, Machel Montano, Levi Garcia and so many others. They simply need to look at their journeys and be inspired.
“You will find your way”
To the young man out there, who may be a bit confused and still searching for a career path, I want you to know that there's a difference between pushing yourself to accomplish something and forcing yourself to do something. You will find your way, just be prepared for your opportunity, when it comes because it will come.
Continue to dream big. I am a little boy from Laventille with a big forehead who always had big dreams. Those dreams took me from the dasheen patch yard of my home to ABC News to doing amazing things in media. If I can do it….
Comedian Conan O'Brien said this years ago and I live by it: if you work hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen.
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Anselm is a past student of Richmond Street Boys Anglican School and St. Anthony's College
Source: MENtions-Stories About Us, Nov 1, 2020

To add to his long list of accolades, Slinger “Mighty Sparrow” Francisco will now be immortalised at the Caribbean Wax Museum in Norman Centre, Bridgetown, Barbados.
The life-like depiction of the ‘Jean and Dinah’ singer will be unveiled tomorrow on the premises of The Commercial Credit Division of Consolidated Finance Co. Ltd, Barbados.
The unveiling is a merged effort of the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Barbados, Corporate & Commercial Credit Division of Consolidated Finance Co. Ltd and the Caribbean Wax Museum.
The Grenadian-born Francisco gained the title “Calypso King” of the world through his music. Since 1956, he has remained the only calypsonian to have won the T&T Calypso Monarch title more than anyone else—eight times. He also took the Road March title on several occasions. Francisco also took his music to the US, Europe and even Africa.
For his contribution to the cultural and musical landscape of T&T and taking the art form to the world, the 85-year-old was bestowed several honours, including an honorary doctorate from the University of the West Indies in 1987, the honorary title of Chief of the Yorubas, Chaconia Gold Medal, Order of the Republic of T&T and the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Of this latest honour, Francisco yesterday told Guardian Media it was a very nice thing for the Caribbean Wax Museum to honour him in such a way. He said he was made aware of this five months ago and had no objection to it.
“I have been doing my thing for a very long time. It is good to see this…I wish I could be there to see it,” he said through laughter via a telephone conversation from his US-based home.
Asked whether more needed to be done in T&T honour its creatives, Francisco answered, “I think we should continue doing these things.”
Meanwhile, Trinbago Unified Calypsonian Organisation (TUCO) president Lutalo “Brother” Resistance” Masimba labelled the unveiling as “timely.”
Masimba said given that the honour has come during the celebration of Calypso History Month adds a certain “quality” to the celebration and fitted in nicely with its theme—Calypso Beyond Boundaries and Borders. He said TUCO was very pleased with the recognition of one of the Caribbean’s greatest calypsonians of all times.
In an email interview, directors at the Caribbean Wax Museum said, “As with everywhere else in the world where Caribbean people have settled, the Mighty Sparrow set the standard against which all calypsonians are judged. Barbados’s Mighty Gabby is in many ways a protegee.”
The wax figure of Francisco will join other regional artistes in the soca arena like Barbados’ Alison Hinds and Lil Rick, Barbadian-born US-based R&B singer Rihanna, as well as historical revolutionaries like Che Guevera and Fidel Castro
Souce: Stabroek News, Oct 29, 2020

Trinidadian-born entomologist Dr Michelle Samuel-Foo never had all her school books and had to study by the light of a candle whenever there was a power outage at her home in Baker Trace, Guaico. Still, she had a fire inside that would not go out.
At 44, and after just two years of being an assistant professor at Alabama State University (ASU), Samuel-Foo has been elected president of the Southeastern Entomological Society of America; becoming the first black woman to do so. On November 11, she will become the first black female feature speaker of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) at its Founders’ Memorial Lecture. There, she will be awarded the ESA Founders’ Memorial Award for her outstanding contribution to the study of insects and how they affect crops and humans.
Her winning formula for success is consistent hard work, making good first impressions and being unafraid to connect with others, she told Guardian Media via telephone from her Montgomery, Alabama, home recently.
“My dad really believed that I could do anything. He saw how hard I worked and encouraged me. Sometimes I would study by candlelight when the electricity went. I’d be doing homework without the text. My dad just really believed that I could be something. And I guess I always carried his belief in me,” she added.
Research in integrated pest management, pesticide regulations and legally cultivated hemp form part of Samuel-Foo’s expertise. The gifted entomologist has started a teaching garden at her campus where her undergrad students learn how to develop sustainable crops in an urban setting. She has also given expert testimony before the US House of Representatives on means of combating Asian giant hornets, a dangerous threat to honeybees which are vital to the pollination of crops. In collaboration with two other universities in Alabama, Samuel-Foo said she has also applied to tech giant, Apple Inc, for a US$ 20 million grant regarding the use of hemp to make plastic products.
Hailing the American mentors and professors who lined her road to achievement, Samuel-Foo credited her formative years in Trinidad with shaping her path.
The fourth of seven children, the Sangre Grande native reflected on her parents’ struggle to provide for their family. Her father, Winston Samuel, who dropped out of school in Standard 3, balanced working barefooted at a sawmill in Grande with cultivating crops on their small piece of land, she recalled. Her mother, Radica Samuel, who had a secondary school education, helped her husband and children grow produce which they sold at the Arima market on Saturdays.
“Our summers weren’t about going abroad. This was the time for us to make some extra money, working the land. There was this one summer when my dad said: we’re going to have a special treat today; a truck is coming by. And in my mind I’m thinking there’s going to be some kind of ride involved. That was not the case; the van actually had a big load of cow manure that wasn’t fully cured, so you could imagine the smell. It was our responsibility to take the manure in bags or buckets and put it on the base of citrus trees we were growing.”
Describing the experience as her first real introduction to agriculture and entomology, Samuel-Foo said while the others found it to be off-putting, she was fascinated by the process and the various insects inhabiting the soil and crops.
At her alma mater, North Eastern College, she never had all her textbooks and would have to walk to her friend’s house to do homework.
“It forced me to work really hard and persevere, and though I didn’t know at the time, that was a skill set that proved very fruitful for me throughout my university career,” she said.
With sheer grit, Samuel-Foo completed A’ Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths, aided by the late Ms Brenda Chaumette, her former English teacher, and Mrs Annette Brizan, her former principal, who both took a keen interest in her academic development.
It was while working as a bank teller at Republic Bank in Tunapuna two years later, that co-worker, Jacynth Blandin, encouraged her to take the SATs as a means of furthering her education in the United States. Again, prompted by Blandin, she attended a US College Fair in Port-of-Spain and made sure to introduce herself to admissions counsellors. Her solid SAT scores and amiable personality would win her a scholarship at Brewton-Parker College, Mount Vernon, Georgia.
Although the small town of Mount Vernon turned out to be a far cry from the big, bright lights of New York she had imagined, Samuel-Foo appreciated the quiet, 2,500-student university, taking every extra course and class available. She ended up completing her Bachelor of Arts in Biology degree in two-and-a-half years rather than in the usual four, summa cum laude, no less.
Unsure of her next move, the department chair at Brewton-Parker, who had recognised her academic prowess, encouraged her to do post-graduate work, a concept alien to her at the time.
“Looking back, I realise that many people were just looking out for me. I didn’t come from money, I didn’t come from means. It was just pure hard work and having the right attitude,” Samuel-Foo said.
This credo proved true again as she landed a graduate assistantship (tuition, room and board as payment for graduate work) to pursue her Masters and PhD at one of the US’ foremost research institutions, the University of Georgia (UGA). There, the daughter of an East Indian mother and an Afro-Trinidadian father was undaunted by being one of only two females of colour in the university’s entomology department.
“I was able to make friends regardless of race. To me, everybody is a potential friend. My humble beginnings helped me realise that everyone matters and you treat everyone with respect,” she explained.
Drawing on memories of her mother’s tactics for controlling pests on their crops back home, she nurtured a passion for taxonomy; agronomy; entomology and pest management.
Her belief in being optimistic, diligent and memorable is one she has tried to instil in not only her students but in her sons, Yohan, 17, Oliver, 14 and Noah, ten. At home, the boys readily capitalise on their mother’s skills in their vertical garden consisting of buckets on trellises (structure for climbing plants) where they grow tomatoes and cucumbers.
She makes sure to educate her sons about their Trinbagonian heritage, as well and often lets them read her childhood journal on her struggles to success. Trinidadians have a reputation for achieving academic excellence, she told Guardian Media. She hopes to inspire many to keep it that way.
Q&A with Samuel-Foo
Gillian Caliste talks further with trailblazer in entomology, Dr Michelle Samuel-Foo about her work and her pastimes.
Tell me about some of your work concerning hemp.
Hemp is very similar to marijuana. The main difference is the delta tetrahydrocannabinol content…The hemp plant is very versatile. You can use hemp to make plastics. We’ve submitted a proposal to Apple Inc for that type of research. A lot of the work that we’re looking at is the insect profile that affects this crop. As it’s a brand new commodity, we don’t know very much in terms of pest management and only a few pesticides are currently available to growers. Some people are brewing this commodity (hemp) as tea, they’re extracting the oils to use as tinctures, even as edibles, so you have to be very careful spraying with conventional materials because of human safety.
Any research or breakthroughs regarding Asian murder hornets?
The Asian murder hornets offer a first-hand view into invasive species and how they can decimate native species and habitats. Back in June of this year, I actually testified before the US House of Representatives as an expert witness on the Asian giant hornet. This is an invasive insect that is trying to get domiciled in Washington State. They just found the first live nest a couple of weeks ago. It presents a very different pest profile; it does not affect industrial hemp, the crop that I’m working on now.
How do you juggle all of your achievements with motherhood?
I actually had Yohan when I was a Masters student, I had Oliver as a PhD student and Noah when I had my first job at the University of Florida as a faculty member. I’ll admit that it’s been challenging, but as a parent you want to ensure that you’re setting the example for your children. When they see that their mum is receiving these accolades, I want them to know that it’s not something that’s being handed to me; I’m being recognised for my ethic of hard work. They see me pulling the long days and nights, but still coming home and cooking too.
What about hobbies, what do you do to unwind?
I absolutely love Carnival! I was in Trinidad for Carnival this year and I was so glad. I’m a late bloomer in terms of Carnival. It wasn’t until I finished my education that I participated with a friend in 2014 and now I just love it. And I’m a fitness enthusiast. I work out five days a week, doing CrossFit and weights. Gym therapy is how I start the day at 4:30 every morning.

Another trini in the world. Avion Harris, a Diego Martin native, sworn in  6th Nov.2020 as a Superior Court Judge in Newark/New Jersey.