Dale Ramirez, a 44-year-old serial entrepreneur from Trinidad, describes his journey in creating community hubs and spaces in the hospitality industry. Despite numerous challenges, including bureaucratic hurdles in obtaining permits and complying with outdated regulations, Dale remains committed to his mission.
He talks about reopening his business as District Cafe and launching a new restaurant, Toucan, which has received a positive response. Dale emphasizes the importance of understanding all facets of the business, from financial management to customer service.
He advocates for government deregulation and better stakeholder communication to foster small business success. Dale concludes by encouraging listeners to adopt discipline and focus, drawing inspiration from the host Denise’s running discipline.
Month: September 2025
Unlike his FIFA co-accused who pleaded guilty or went to jail, Warner has avoided extradition for over a decade — leaving Trinidad and Tobago to reckon with privilege, power, and justice.
Life, Love, and Theater – Cecilia Salazar
Cecilia Salazar, a Trinidadian actress and mother, shares her journey and the profound influences that shaped her career. She discusses her early passion for acting, her diverse work experiences before fully transitioning into acting, and the challenges of making a living in the arts.
Salazar emphasizes the importance of honing one’s craft, the shift to producing content during COVID-19, and the lack of commercial support for the arts. She highlights the evolution of theater in Trinidad and the need for continued support and documentation of its history. Salazar also touches on potential solutions for young artists, including training and producing opportunities.
She concludes with a motivational message to follow one’s passions with joy, love, and purpose.
Public Trust Erodes When Standards Fall
I was very concerned by the appointment of Jagdeo Singh as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Whenever I saw or heard his name, I remembered that he had once been imprisoned. The Speaker of the House of Representatives was once convicted on corruption charges, sentenced to seven years, and lost his appeal. In 2005, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council overturned the conviction due to misdirection during his trial. Despite this, I kept asking myself, “With all the bright, capable, and reputable people in our country, why couldn’t someone else be chosen for such an important position?”
If we want to truly develop our country, we must raise the standards of those we place in leadership. The Speaker is meant to be a symbol of fairness, dignity, and integrity. Someone should hold this office with an unquestionably positive reputation. Choosing a person with such a controversial past is likely to cause us to lack confidence in the current government.
And this is not the only worrying example. After ten years of legal battles, we are now told that the extradition order against Jack Warner was legally flawed and unconstitutional. Millions of dollars in public funds have been spent on this case, built on what is now said to be a non-existent agreement with the United States. To make matters worse, there are claims that successive Attorneys General and senior state lawyers may have misled both our courts and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Whether this was done deliberately or not, it shows serious carelessness at the highest levels.
We are a developing country, and we cannot afford poor examples of leadership. Every appointment either builds or breaks public trust. Our young people deserve to see leaders who are honest, ethical, and dependable. If we want a better future, we must do better now.
Appointing a leader with a tainted history, such as Jagdeo Singh, and supporting the failed extradition case of Jack Warner erodes public trust. Our developing nation deserves ethical, respected leaders who inspire confidence, not controversy.
#LeadershipMatters #IntegrityFirst
A Conversation with Brian Lewis — Past President of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee
In this interview, Brian takes us back to his roots. He grew up in a single-parent household in Belmont. He shares how those early years shaped his passion for social justice. They also influenced his belief in the transformative power of sport. He talks about how sport became more than competition for him. It became a lifeline. It was a way to discover who he was. It also showed him how he wanted to lead.
Brian doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff. He speaks openly about the harsh realities in the world of sport. He discusses the political manoeuvrings and the pressures that often tie the hands of Sports Ministers. He argues that real change won’t come from the top. It has to be built from the ground up. He’s honest about the personal cost of pushing for those kinds of systemic shifts.
What stays with me most is his reminder that meaningful change is not a quick fix or a final destination. It’s a journey. He insists that sport must be seen not as a luxury. Instead, it should be viewed as a fundamental part of human development. Sport is vital to both individual growth and strong, thriving communities.
Take Your Hands Off our Banks!
Citizens are concerned about the recent case of First Citizens Bank CEO Karen Darbasie. Reports indicate that on August 20, 2025, Minister Kennedy Swaratsingh instructed her to begin paid vacation leave immediately. This was earlier than the September 1 date previously discussed with the bank’s board. What should have been a board matter appeared instead to be directed from above.
A second troubling concern is the claim by former Central Bank Governor, Dr Alvin Hilaire. In a pre-action protocol letter, his attorneys state that on June 24, 2025, Minister Swaratsingh visited him. The minister pressed for his immediate resignation, offering full payment for the rest of his term. It is also alleged that threatened dismissal later that day was part of the discussion. Interestingly, hours later, his appointment was revoked by the President.
Whether taken together or separately, these incidents blur the line between political authority and institutional independence. If allowed to continue, they threaten public trust in both our financial and constitutional systems.
Governments worldwide must act through proper governance structures—not through direct ministerial pressure. Once these boundaries are breached, the costs are felt by the entire society through instability, bailouts, and weak economic growth.
What Trinidad and Tobago needs now is a clear recommitment to strong governance. Boards must act without fear. Regulators must defend the system. Politicians must respect limits. This is not about one CEO or one administration. This is about protecting confidence in our financial system. The system is the backbone of our economy and future.
For the protection of depositors, investors, and the public, the government must not interfere in the day-to-day management of banks. They must be allowed to function independently. Without trust, there is no confidence, and without confidence, there is no stability.
In the lead-up to the general elections, I interpreted this government’s promises and invitation for support as transformational. They suggested structural reform and fairness to all citizens. I also saw calls for honesty and integrity. The government promised to operate in the best interest of all. So far, I am concerned that these interpretations are not being validated. #wemustdobetter.
#integrity, #honesty #freedom
Meet Brenda Butler: a woman of faith, family, and music
Brenda Butler describes herself as a “lover of life in all its colors,” grounded in her deep faith as a disciple of Jesus Christ, devotion to her 90-year-old mother, and love for family, people, and music. She recalls being surrounded by music from childhood, growing up on vinyl records and diverse radio programming.
Although initially rejected from choirs, her resilience led her to seize an open-call opportunity, which launched her journey from school productions at St. Joseph’s Convent and Presentation College’s joint choir to professional choirs such as Belvedere in Port of Spain.
Her passion carried her abroad, where she sang with gospel choirs and performed at the Dove Awards, where she backed artists like Edwin Hawkins and Kirk Franklin. She emphasizes that music has always been both joy and ministry, a gift from God to share with others.
Brenda names Charmaine Forde’s “2023 Jazz in July” concert as a transformative performance where she felt most at home on stage. To young singers, she stresses persistence and resilience, reminding them that impact comes in many forms. Today, Brenda continues to embrace opportunities to perform while cherishing her full life with family.
Dennise Demming 