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  • OPEN LETTER: Gregor Nassief to the Prime Minister on the simple, practical way to reset the Electoral Commission

    OPEN LETTER: Gregor Nassief to the Prime Minister on the simple, practical way to reset the Electoral Commission

    A prominent Dominican figure has reignited public debate over the integrity of the country’s electoral system with a scathing open letter calling for immediate leadership changes at the Electoral Commission, amid widespread allegations that the body has failed to uphold its constitutional independence and accountability.

    In the public correspondence addressed to the Prime Minister of Dominica, Gregor Nassief lays out a series of damning failures that he argues have eroded public trust in the commission’s ability to oversee free and fair elections, framing the current situation as a fundamental threat to the island nation’s democratic process.

    Nassief opens by noting a broad consensus across Dominican society that the current commission lacks perceived impartiality and requires a full reset to restore credibility. He pushes back against claims that the Prime Minister lacks the constitutional authority to facilitate this change, pointing out that under Section 119(3) of Dominica’s constitution, both the commission chair Duncan Stowe and the sitting Chief Elections Officer can voluntarily submit their resignations to the President, clearing the way for new, independent appointments. Nassief argues that the Prime Minister’s own history of interfering in commission affairs undermines any claim that he cannot act to prompt these resignations. He cites the recent case where the Prime Minister directly instructed the commission to reinstate birth certificates as a valid form of voter identification – a step many Dominicans supported in outcome, but one that Nassief acknowledges was procedurally unconstitutional.

    This contradiction, he argues, goes to the heart of the current crisis: because the commission has failed to assert its constitutionally mandated independence, the Prime Minister has repeatedly stepped outside his own constitutional bounds to intervene in its work. It is therefore inconsistent for the Prime Minister to now hide behind constitutional limits to avoid pushing for leadership changes, Nassief contends.

    The letter lays out specific changes Nassief is calling for: the reinstatement of Ian Michael Anthony as Chief Elections Officer, in line with a unanimous 2024 commission recommendation that has never been acted on, and the voluntary resignation of current chair Duncan Stowe. Nassief notes he has already privately shared with the Prime Minister a shortlist of widely respected potential candidates to lead the commission, candidates he argues would be broadly accepted across Dominican society and mark a critical first step toward reasserting the body’s independence. The leadership change is especially urgent, he adds, because key structural reforms recommended by Sir Dennis Byron to address the commission’s inherent imbalance have also been ignored.

    Nassief then outlines five core failures that make a reset non-negotiable:
    First, the commission violated the constitution when it suspended voter registration for more than a full year. To date, neither the chair nor the chief elections officer has held a public press conference to acknowledge the breach, apologize to the public, or explain how the suspension was allowed to happen.
    Second, the commission refused to publicly admit the obvious: the year-long suspension would have disenfranchised new voters and impacted outcomes of recent town and village council elections – a fact the Prime Minister himself also shockingly denied at a public press conference.
    Third, the commission has again violated the intent and spirit of electoral law by failing to issue a single voter ID card, eight full months after the voter confirmation and registration process launched. Once again, no public explanation or apology has been offered by the commission’s leadership for the delay.
    Fourth, the Prime Minister has repeatedly overstepped his constitutional authority by interfering in the commission’s independent mandate: speaking on its behalf, acting on its behalf, arranging unsolicited external assistance for it, issuing direct orders to adjust its regulations, and dismissing the voter registration suspension as inconsequential “water under the bridge.” Neither the Prime Minister nor the commission has acknowledged this extreme interference as a violation of constitutional separation of powers and a direct undermining of the commission’s independent authority.
    Fifth, the Prime Minister has publicly set an October 14, 2026 deadline for the conclusion of the voter confirmation process, despite knowing that the law grants the independent commission full authority to extend the deadline if needed. He has never apologized for this additional overreach that further erodes the commission’s constitutional autonomy. Nassief notes the deadline is even more problematic because both the Prime Minister and the commission knew full well that the commission was completely unprepared when the new electoral bills were rushed into law in March 2025, a lack of preparation that created the unprecedented chaos plaguing the current process.

    Nassief addresses personal pushback he has received since raising these concerns, noting that some of the Prime Minister’s supporters have questioned his motives, asking what grievance he holds against the Prime Minister, while others have suggested he must choose between working as a businessman and engaging in public affairs. Nassief recounts a conversation with mutual friend Floyd Capitolin, who raised that question, to which he responded by asking the same in return, with Capitolin acknowledging “it’s a fine line.” Despite claims from the Prime Minister that Nassief is acting out of malice, Nassief says most members of the public have thanked him for speaking out publicly about the crisis.

    He then lays out his clear, public intentions for the push for reform, which he frames as entirely focused on strengthening Dominica’s democracy, not advancing personal or partisan interests. His four core goals are:
    1. Establishing an impartial, fully independent Electoral Commission to oversee all electoral processes, so that public trust in future election results can be rebuilt.
    2. Mobilizing a unified call across all political parties and civil society – including the private sector, trade unions, academia, and religious groups – to encourage all eligible voters to complete the confirmation and registration process, resulting in a credible, accurate voter list of more than 55,000 eligible voters that is accepted by all sides.
    3. Encouraging strong candidates, from both established parties and independent backgrounds, to contest the next election and debate competing visions for Dominica’s future development.
    4. Securing an election outcome that is universally accepted as free and fair, overseen by an independent, impartial commission, and that accurately reflects the free will of the Dominican people.

    Nassief concludes by acknowledging that current political conditions favor the Prime Minister winning re-election in the upcoming vote. He poses a critical choice to the Prime Minister: will he allow the election to proceed with the current flawed commission, resulting in a victory clouded by public disillusionment and widespread doubts about the fairness of the process? Or will he seize the opportunity to implement a reset, securing a victory backed by renewed public confidence in Dominica’s democratic institutions?

    “As the arbitrator of all things in Dominica, the reset is entirely in your hands,” Nassief writes. “I appeal to you to act.”

    The letter carries a disclaimer that the views expressed are solely those of author Gregor Nassief, and do not necessarily reflect the position of Duravision Inc., Dominica News Online, or any of their subsidiary brands.

  • Pope Leo XIV has officially accepted the resignation of Bishop Clyde Martin Harvey

    Pope Leo XIV has officially accepted the resignation of Bishop Clyde Martin Harvey

    In a formal church development that closes a years-long transition process, Pope Leo XIV has formally accepted the resignation of Bishop Clyde Martin Harvey, the long-serving leader of the Diocese of St George’s-in-Grenada, the diocese confirmed in a public statement released this week. The resignation process first began back in November 2023, when Bishop Harvey submitted his formal notice of stepping down in compliance with the Roman Catholic Church’s canon law requirements for clergy retirement. At that time, then-Pope Francis declined to accept the immediate resignation, requesting that Harvey remain in his post to oversee diocesan operations through January 31, 2026, to ensure a stable, orderly transition of responsibilities.

    Following the passing of Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV took office as the head of the Roman Catholic Church in May 2025, inheriting the pending transition process for the Grenada diocese. On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, the new pontiff officially formalized the acceptance of Harvey’s resignation, bringing the transition period to a close. To lead the diocese through the interim period before a permanent new bishop is selected, the Vatican has appointed Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire, who currently serves the Archdiocese of Castries in neighboring St Lucia, as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of St George’s-in-Grenada.

    Archbishop Malzaire is already scheduled to make his first public appearance in his new interim role next Sunday, June 14, 2026. He will lead the monthly devotion service at the Marian Shrine located on Battle Hill, kicking off at 3:00 p.m. local time. For his part, Bishop Harvey is expected to wrap up his remaining administrative duties and depart the diocese next week, marking the end of his tenure leading the Grenada-based diocese.

    A disclaimer accompanying the diocesan announcement notes that NOW Grenada, the outlet that first distributed the statement, does not take responsibility for the personal opinions, public statements or third-party contributed media content included in the announcement. Members of the public are invited to report any potential abusive content via a designated channel provided by the outlet.

  • Man jailed for stealing windows from business

    Man jailed for stealing windows from business

    A 30-year-old man from Martindales Road has received a one-year custodial sentence after confessing to the theft of construction windows from a local Belleville business, in a case that highlights the persistent issue of repeat petty offending in the district. Tramane Michael Stuart, whose address is listed as Campaign Land, entered a guilty plea to the charge of grand theft before the No. 2 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court. Court documents confirm the offense took place in late May, when four high-value sash windows totaling $1,640 were taken from the premises of Kara’s Trading, located on 8th Avenue.

    As court proceedings outlined, employees of the local trading company had temporarily stored a batch of new sash windows in an outdoor lot secured by a perimeter of wooden pallets ahead of installation. When staff returned to the site the following working day, an inventory check immediately revealed that four of the stored windows were no longer on the property. Investigators from the local law enforcement reviewed closed-circuit security camera footage covering the lot, which clearly identified Stuart as the individual who removed the windows from the site. He was taken into police custody shortly after identification, and made a full voluntary admission of guilt during questioning.

    Magistrate Manila Renee handed down the one-year prison sentence after reviewing Stuart’s criminal record, which showed four prior convictions. The most recent of these convictions, which were entered in 2025, were also for drug-related offenses and additional theft charges, leading the magistrate to impose a full custodial term rather than alternative sentencing options like probation or fines.

  • Early intervention key to tackling crime, says counsellor

    Early intervention key to tackling crime, says counsellor

    A leading youth welfare professional is echoing the calls of Barbados’ top legal affairs official, urging policymakers to position targeted early intervention as the foundational pillar of the country’s national crime reduction strategy. Shawn Clarke, chief executive officer of Supreme Counselling for Personal Development, a long-running organization focused on youth support across Barbados, has publicly backed recent remarks from Minister of Legal Affairs and Criminal Justice Michael Lashley, who emphasized that addressing root social causes of youth crime requires proactive, early action. Clarke notes that Lashley’s assessment aligns with more than a decade of on-the-ground observations from youth-focused professionals across the island.

    Clarke argues that the framework for effective crime prevention does not activate only after a young person has already entered the nation’s criminal justice system. Instead, he says, the work begins far earlier, when the first subtle and overt signs of distress emerge — from persistent behavioural struggles and emotional dysregulation to social disconnection and academic difficulty. “If we are serious about cutting crime rates across Barbados, we must match that commitment with equal urgency to spot and address these warning indicators before they escalate into more serious harm,” Clarke explained.

    He went on to outline that the vast majority of young people who ultimately run afoul of the law display recognizable red flags years before their first interaction with law enforcement. These common early markers include chronic behavioural challenges, patterns of aggression, poor emotional management, underage substance use, disengagement from school, unresolved childhood trauma, unstable family environments, and repeated exposure to community or domestic violence. Too many of these at-risk youth slip through gaps in existing support systems, Clarke stressed, meaning that by the time they appear before a court, critical opportunities to redirect their lives toward positive outcomes have already been lost.

    Rather than framing early intervention as a discretionary social service, Clarke says the country should view it as a high-yield national investment. Beyond cutting crime rates, evidence-based early intervention drives a range of broader social benefits: it boosts school attendance, improves long-term academic performance, reduces rates of student suspension and expulsion, delivers better mental health outcomes for vulnerable youth, strengthens family functioning, and increases the chance that young people grow into productive, contributing members of Barbadian society.

    While Clarke acknowledges that updated, strong legislation remains a critical component of public safety, he insists that long-term success in cutting youth violence and reducing gang involvement depends on balancing punitive measures with equal investment in prevention. “Strong, clear laws are necessary to maintain public order, but the greatest return on public investment will always come from stopping young people from entering the criminal justice system in the first place,” he said. “Every child we successfully redirect away from harmful pathways is one future victim we prevent, one future offender we avoid, and one step closer to a stronger Barbados.”

    Clarke added that effective early intervention is not solely focused on correcting negative or disruptive behaviour. It should also center on nurturing young people’s potential and building the strengths they need to thrive long-term. “Early intervention isn’t just about finding problems — it’s about uncovering potential,” he noted. “It’s about helping young people recognize their strengths, build lasting resilience, develop healthy coping skills for life’s challenges, and create positive, sustainable pathways for their futures.”

    Supreme Counselling for Personal Development, Clarke’s organization, has been a leading advocate for and provider of early intervention services in schools and communities across Barbados for more than 15 years. He shared that the organization’s recently updated program framework continues to prioritize prevention, emotional skill development, targeted behavioural support, professional counselling, youth mentoring, and bullying prevention as core components of its community work.

    “The national conversation Minister Lashley has started is a critical one for our country,” Clarke said. “Barbados now has a historic opportunity to solidify early intervention as a central pillar of our national crime prevention strategy. The benefits will stretch far beyond crime reduction: we will see stronger families, safer school environments, healthier communities, and a more secure future for our entire nation. Preventing one young person from entering the criminal justice system is meaningful work, but building systemic support that helps hundreds of at-risk youth avoid that path entirely is transformative change for Barbados.”

  • GUT accuses education ministry of downplaying teachers’ pay delays

    GUT accuses education ministry of downplaying teachers’ pay delays

    As the Grenada Union of Teachers (GUT) marks 113 years of advocating for the island nation’s educators, a bitter dispute over persistent, months-long salary delays has brought long-simmering tensions between the union and the Ministry of Education to a head.

    According to GUT President Jude Bartholomew, dozens of teachers across Grenada have waited as long as eight months to receive pay they have already earned, with complaints about late and incomplete salaries first emerging as far back as September 2025. The union has repeatedly escalated the issue to top government bodies, including the Public Service Commission, the Department of Public Administration, the Education Minister and the Permanent Secretary, but Bartholomew says officials have failed to act with urgency.

    The conflict intensified last Friday, after the Ministry of Education released an official statement responding to the union’s public allegations of “extremely late payments.” In the statement, ministry officials claimed they had only received a formal list of 17 affected teachers with partial payment issues between September 2025 and April 2026. They asserted that all 17 teachers are now receiving their regular base salaries, that most outstanding back payments have already been processed, and that remaining claims would be resolved during the June 2026 payroll cycle.

    But Bartholomew has pushed back sharply against the ministry’s account, accusing officials of downplaying the scale of the crisis and misleading the public. “We receive complaints every day which are sent to the ministry,” he told reporters at a press briefing last Friday. “So, it’s much more than 17. And whether it is 17 teachers, 100, 500 teachers or one teacher, that is not the essence of the matter. You should move speedily to pay the teachers.”

    The GUT president also noted that while the ministry has temporarily suspended some in-office services starting June 3 due to facility challenges, this logistical issue cannot explain payment delays that have stretched on for months. He criticized the government’s statement for omitting critical context about how long educators have struggled with the issue, arguing that officials have deliberately framed the dispute to minimize the union’s concerns.

    For the GUT, which has represented Grenada’s teaching workforce for more than a century, the fight is about more than just correcting payroll errors. Months of delayed pay have placed severe financial strain on working educators who continue showing up to teach while waiting for owed compensation, and have severely damaged staff morale across the country’s education system. Bartholomew emphasized that educators deserve timely payment for their work, and called on officials to resolve all outstanding claims immediately rather than deflecting or downplaying the ongoing crisis.

  • SPECTO: Early closure of turtle watching tours for 2026 Season

    SPECTO: Early closure of turtle watching tours for 2026 Season

    The St Patrick Environmental and Community Tourism Organisation (SPECTO), a Grenada-based group focused on leatherback turtle conservation and responsible ecotourism, has announced an immediate, early end to all remaining turtle watching tours for the 2026 leatherback nesting season, marking the second straight year the organization has been forced to take this step.

    The difficult decision comes after weeks of sharply declining observations of nesting female leatherbacks on Grenada’s Levera Beach, one of the Caribbean’s key nesting sites for the vulnerable marine species. While SPECTO has always noted that wild turtle encounters cannot be guaranteed in its nature-focused tours, the ongoing sharp drop in nesting activity left the organization unable to deliver the consistent, high-quality visitor experience that tourists have come to expect from its programming.

    SPECTO leadership confirmed that the repeated early closure has raised serious alarm, as the organization’s core mission centers on protecting leatherback turtle populations and advancing community-centered sustainable tourism. Preliminary observations from regional partners have added further context to the concerning trend: similar dramatic declines in nesting activity have already been recorded in Trinidad, which hosts one of the largest and most significant leatherback nesting colonies in the entire Caribbean region. This cross-border pattern suggests that the drop in nesting numbers is not an isolated issue limited to Grenada, but may stem from broader regional or global ecological and environmental shifts impacting the entire species.

    Moving forward, SPECTO has announced it will collaborate closely with local government agencies, independent marine researchers, international conservation groups, and regional ecological partners to collect comprehensive data on the decline and identify its root causes. The organization aims to contribute to a robust, evidence-based understanding of the threats facing leatherback turtle populations, and to help develop targeted conservation actions that can support the species’ long-term survival.

    In a public notice, SPECTO also reiterated longstanding protections for Levera Beach during the annual nesting season, which runs from April through August. Under Grenada’s 2010 Statutory Rules and Orders No. 15 and the national Fisheries Act, the beach remains a restricted protected area throughout the nesting period. Unauthorized entry is strictly prohibited, as limiting human disturbance is critical to protecting nesting females, newly hatched turtle hatchlings, and the fragile coastal dune habitat that leatherbacks depend on for successful reproduction.

    The organization closed its announcement by extending sincere gratitude to all tourists, volunteer stewards, local community members, and institutional partners that supported the 2026 tour season. SPECTO noted that participation in its regulated ecotours delivers multiple benefits beyond direct conservation action, supporting local livelihoods and expanding public awareness of marine environmental issues across Grenada.

  • Sugar Mas 55 full schedule released as St. Kitts and Nevis prepares for biggest carnival season yet – WIC News

    Sugar Mas 55 full schedule released as St. Kitts and Nevis prepares for biggest carnival season yet – WIC News

    One of the Caribbean’s most anticipated cultural celebrations is gearing up for its 55th iteration, with the St. Kitts & Nevis National Carnival Committee officially dropping the complete event calendar for Sugar Mas 55 on June 9, 2026. Touted as the largest carnival the twin-island nation has ever hosted, the festival blends centuries-old African and European cultural traditions to create one of the region’s most vibrant annual attractions, drawing visitors from across the globe.

    Sugar Mas 55 will unfold across two overlapping tracks: national events, kicking off November 20, 2026, and running through January 2, 2027, and independently organized private events scheduled from November 28, 2026, to January 3, 2027. The core official celebration runs from December 11, 2026, to January 2, 2027, packing more than six weeks of programming that ranges from intimate cultural showcases to large-scale street parties.

    National event programming opens with the Senior Calypso Eliminations on November 20 and 21, building momentum through the Soca Monarch Eliminations on November 27 and the four-day Christmas-themed celebration *In the Spirit of Christmas* held December 7 to 10. The official opening of the carnival, the Midnight Escape, kicks off on December 11, followed by a packed lineup of competitive and cultural events: Senior Calypso Semi-Finals on December 12, Junior Calypso Finals on December 13, the Republic Bank Miss Teen SKN pageant on December 15, Folk Galore cultural showcase on December 17, Soca Monarch Finals on December 18, the Miss SKN Pageant on December 22, the iconic early-morning street party J’ouvert on December 26, the Panorama steelpan competition on December 27, Senior Calypso Finals on December 29, Junior Carnival on December 30, the much-anticipated Grand Parade on New Year’s Day 2027, and the closing Last Lap event on January 2.

    Complementing the official national lineup, the private event schedule offers even more options for attendees, ranging from family-friendly galas to exclusive cruises and brunches. Standout private events include Valour’s Masquerades Cultural Canvas and Traditional Trails Turns Two on November 28, Events R Us Ties & Tiaras Family Gala on December 5, Junior Jouvert on December 12, CaneJuice Carnival Fete on December 19, the ASAP Glow Parade on December 21, multiple holiday fetes and boat rides on Christmas Eve, a full day of events on December 27 including the Sundaze Premium All Inclusive Breakfast Fete and a BYOB catamaran cruise, the Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant on December 30, the Palm’s Court legendary New Year’s Eve party, and multiple wrap-up events on January 3, 2027.

    Organizers and local industry leaders are projecting that this year’s festival will deliver substantial economic benefits across the islands’ tourism and local business sectors. Hotels, restaurants, craft vendors, taxi operators, and small retail businesses are all expected to see significant revenue gains from the influx of regional and international visitors, with early booking trends pointing to record turnout for the event.

    Sugar Mas 55 has secured broad support from a coalition of corporate and institutional sponsors, including Republic Bank, First Federal Credit Union, the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Department of Creative Economy, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, and major local hospitality brands including Marriott St. Kitts Beach Club, Park Hyatt St. Kitts, and Royal St. Kitts Hotel.

    In a promotional post shared to Facebook, the St. Kitts and Nevis National Carnival Committee framed Sugar Mas 55 as “The Ultimate Vibe,” teasing the upcoming celebration for eager attendees. “Here’s a little Sunday sneak peek to get your blood pumping… Start packing your bags….Book those flights… Call your people…Like and Share because Sugar Mas 55 is coming and it’s going to be a VIBE!!” the post read.

  • Minister Michael Joseph Congratulates Dr. Vonetta George on International Recognition

    Minister Michael Joseph Congratulates Dr. Vonetta George on International Recognition

    A groundbreaking milestone for Antigua and Barbuda’s healthcare sector has put one of the nation’s leading medical professionals in the international spotlight. Dr. Vonetta George, Chief of Surgery at the country’s flagship Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, has been selected as a finalist for the 2026 Global Doctor, Innovation and Leadership Award, an honor bestowed annually by the Caribbean Global Awards.

    This nomination places Dr. George among an elite cohort of distinguished healthcare practitioners from across the Caribbean and around the globe, all recognized for their outstanding contributions to clinical excellence, groundbreaking innovation, and transformative leadership in medicine. Decades of relentless commitment to advancing surgical care, prioritizing patient-centered treatment, and upholding the highest clinical standards across Antigua and Barbuda have earned her this international acclaim.

    The Honourable Michael Joseph, Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs of Antigua and Barbuda, issued a public statement celebrating Dr. George’s achievement, framing it as a point of national pride. “Dr. Vonetta George’s selection as a finalist for this prestigious international award is a tremendous accomplishment that speaks volumes about her unwavering dedication to healthcare excellence,” Joseph said. “As Chief of Surgery at our nation’s top medical facility, she has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, rigorous professionalism, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of hundreds of patients across the country. On behalf of the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda, I extend our warmest congratulations and wish her the very best ahead of the awards ceremony.”

    Beyond her clinical work, the Ministry highlighted Dr. George’s far-reaching impact on Antigua and Barbuda’s healthcare ecosystem, noting her critical role in strengthening the national public health system and serving as a role model for emerging young medical professionals across the country. Her nomination also shines a light on the high caliber of medical talent currently serving the nation, and reinforces the critical, high-quality work carried out daily by teams at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre.

    The winner of the 2026 Global Doctor, Innovation and Leadership Award will be revealed at the Caribbean Global Awards Gala, scheduled to take place on September 26, 2026, in London, United Kingdom. The Ministry of Health has joined the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre staff, local medical communities, and the general public of Antigua and Barbuda in celebrating Dr. George’s landmark achievement, and offering well wishes for her continued success in all her future professional work.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Native, Dr. Dave Ray Awarded Honorary Doctorate at Grand Doctorate Convocation in San Francisco

    Antigua and Barbuda Native, Dr. Dave Ray Awarded Honorary Doctorate at Grand Doctorate Convocation in San Francisco

    On June 6, 2026, at a grand doctorate convocation ceremony hosted in San Francisco, California, Dr. Dave Ray — a dual-connected professional who is a US-based national of Antigua and Barbuda — received an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration from EuroAsian University, an international academic institution headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia.

    The honorary degree was conferred in recognition of Dr. Ray’s 37 years of transformative entrepreneurial work spanning both Antigua and the United States. Over nearly four decades of building and scaling his ventures, Dr. Ray has created and maintained stable full-time and part-time employment for 173 workers, lifting livelihoods across two regional economies. He was among 93 distinguished honorees at this year’s convocation, a truly global cohort of leaders representing 16 countries and territories across the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, North America, and multiple US states. The Caribbean honorees included representatives from St. Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas, and Belize, while African honorees hailed from South Africa, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, alongside peers from the United Kingdom and Canada’s Saskatchewan province.

    A rare combination of seasoned scholar and hands-on industry practitioner, Dr. Ray already holds two earned doctorates: a PhD in Business Management and Applied Sciences from Walden University, awarded in August 2010, and a Doctorate in Professional Cosmetology from the National Institute of Cosmetology — an accredited program affiliated with the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa — which he earned in July 2012. Beyond his private sector work, Dr. Ray currently serves as the official US Diaspora Representative for the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, acting as a key bridge between the island nation and its community of expatriates and professionals working in the United States.

    In remarks following the conferral of his honorary degree, Dr. Ray emphasized that professional recognition carries meaning only when it expands positive impact for others. “Inspiring others is not enough — we must influence action,” he stated. Dr. Ray went on to outline his ongoing commitments: setting a high bar of leadership for his five grandchildren, sharing decades of institutional knowledge to advance innovation in the global beauty industry, and expanding access to economic opportunity for underserved communities across regions.

    Throughout his decades-long career, Dr. Ray has positioned himself as a catalytic leader in the beauty and personal care sector. He has led industry-focused seminars and professional development workshops for emerging practitioners, led product research and development initiatives for major global beauty brands, and developed product lines tailored to both general consumer markets and underserved ethnic hair and skincare segments. His work uniquely blends visionary entrepreneurial leadership, applied market-driven research, and tangible, sustained workforce development that creates long-term value for workers and communities alike.

    EuroAsian University, the institution granting the honorary degree, is an international higher education organization centered on advancing cross-border academic excellence and celebrating outstanding leaders who drive inclusive social and economic progress across the globe.

  • Pretty Vee to host Rum Island Festival in Atlanta this July

    Pretty Vee to host Rum Island Festival in Atlanta this July

    ATLANTA, Ga. — June 9, 2026 — A new landmark Caribbean cultural event is gearing up to make its debut this summer in one of the American South’s most vibrant major cities, and it has locked in a high-profile host to lead the celebration. The first-ever Rum Island Festival, scheduled to take over Piedmont Park Promenade on Saturday, July 11, 2026, has named multi-hyphenate media personality, comedian and entrepreneur Pretty Vee as its official host, organizers announced this week.

    The announcement lands right in the middle of Caribbean-American Heritage Month, a nationwide observance honoring the far-reaching contributions and cultural impact of Caribbean communities across the United States. It also comes on the heels of a packed season of Caribbean cultural festivities in Atlanta, including the well-attended Atlanta Caribbean Carnival held just one month prior — a continuation of momentum event organizers call “di vibes nah stop,” as Caribbean culture grows its footprint across the city and the broader U.S.

    Caribbean cultural expressions — from music to fashion, language to daily lifestyle — have increasingly broken into the global mainstream in recent years. Genres including Dancehall and Soca dominate streaming platforms, viral cultural moments spread rapidly across social media, and Caribbean creative influence now shapes global music charts, digital trends and youth culture worldwide. Against this backdrop, Rum Island Festival arrives at a moment when Caribbean creative energy is reaching larger, more diverse audiences than ever before, cutting across entertainment, sports and digital media spaces.

    Pretty Vee, who boasts a massive following across entertainment and social media, is celebrated for her contagious high energy, sharp comedic timing and widespread cultural influence. As host, she will bring her signature one-of-a-kind charisma to every segment of the full day of live programming.

    “Listen, Atlanta is not ready! Rum Island Festival is about to bring some of the biggest Caribbean vibes the city has ever seen. The culture, the music, the rum, the food, the fashion, and everything in-between! I’m so excited to be the official host of this incredible celebration,” Pretty Vee said in a statement following the announcement. “As someone with Caribbean roots and so much love for Atlanta, this one is personal. July 11, we’re outside!”

    Pretty Vee joins a already stacked, star-studded lineup of talent for the festival. Iconic Dancehall artist Aidonia and fast-rising breakout Caribbean performer Ayetian will top the bill, with a roster of acclaimed DJs including Ricky Platinum, Yung Rage, Unique Soundz, Propa English, Boogy Ranks and DJ Fabb set to keep the crowd moving between sets.

    Built around the core ethos of “Culture. Community. Rum.”, the festival is far more than a standard music event. It is designed as a full premium cultural experience, spanning eight hours of live performances across multiple genres including Dancehall, Soca, Afrobeats and Reggaeton. Attendees will also get access to premium rum tastings, custom curated cocktail activations, immersive themed lounges and a dedicated Caribbean food village highlighting authentic Afro-Caribbean cuisine from local and regional vendors.

    Beyond entertainment, the event is rooted in intentional community impact through a formal partnership with Her Village Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on supporting families affected by poverty. A share of all ticket proceeds will go directly to the nonprofit, with additional on-site donation drives and community-focused initiatives planned to create long-term positive change that extends far beyond the one-day event.

    Organizers launched the festival in Atlanta as a starting point, with long-term plans to expand the experience to other major U.S. cities and Caribbean destinations in coming years. The goal is to build a global celebration platform centered on authentic Caribbean culture, connection and collective joy.

    Tickets for the 2026 inaugural Rum Island Festival are on sale now, and updates on the lineup and event logistics are available on the official festival website at www.rumislandfest.com.