https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Euyafpp-JLjD5moNAq6VADAp1ItDqMco/view

In this program, Mikhail discusses his introduction to playing the steel pan through school and music festivals, and the progression of his career from solo performances to playing a diverse range of music on ships.
He emphasizes the versatility of the steel pan, advocating for its recognition as an instrument beyond Caribbean genres like soca and calypso. Mikhail highlights the importance of exploring opportunities abroad for pan players and detaching the instrument from geographical and cultural confines to allow its true potential to shine globally.
He also touches on adapting to audience requests and the value of reading music for quick learning. The conversation concludes with Mikhail’s vision for the future of the steel pan, advocating for it to be appreciated as an instrument on par with the piano or guitar.

I sat in this hall years ago, wondering what my future would bring. For five years, Holy Name Convent was my safe space, a refuge from the challenges I faced at home. Growing up on Quarry Street in East Dry River, Holy Name provided me with the environment I needed to grow and dream.

In this presentation at the Prize Distribution ceremony, I encouraged the young women to reflect on their futures and recognize their potential to make meaningful contributions to Trinidad and Tobago, despite societal challenges and stereotypes. I emphasized the critical role of women in minimizing criminality and corruption, urging them to reclaim their voices and leadership roles. By doing so, women can drive positive change and help rebuild the nation.

I also highlighted the importance of personal well-being, including physical fitness, balanced living, and intentional decision-making, as foundational to this transformation. Drawing from my overcoming adversity and achieving academic and professional success, I hope to inspire young women to take charge of their futures with truth and purpose. They were challenged to commit to their communities, embrace change, and lead by example, fostering a vision of empowered women driving progress and unity in Trinidad and Tobago. Ending on a hopeful note, I underscored the importance of balance, transformation, and truth in shaping a better future.

In this interview, Brian Lewis, the past president of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC), shares his commitment to sports volunteerism, background, and passion for fostering gender equality and empowering women in sports. He explains how he has never been financially compensated for his decades-long involvement in sports, emphasizing his commitment to improving the sector.

Lewis discusses the importance of bridging the gap between governance and management in sports and acknowledges the challenges that volunteer leaders face, such as burnout and the difficulty of effecting change within a culture that sees sports as recreational rather than essential. He highlights the need for cultural change, advocating for sports to be viewed as an investment in youth, rather than just a hobby. His ideal transformation would integrate physical education within the educational system, supported by trained PE teachers, as seen in Jamaica, to build a healthier, socially adjusted population.

A significant part of his legacy is the “Future is Female” initiative, inspired by his mother and dedicated to promoting gender equality. This program aims to increase female representation in sports leadership and support for female athletes.

Addressing Trinidad and Tobago’s Olympic prospects, Lewis stresses the long-term effort required to produce elite athletes and the impact of challenges like crime, the COVID-19 pandemic, and societal attitudes toward sports on youth participation. He believes in the need for better community-based talent development systems and innovative support to retain young people in sports. For sustained progress, he emphasizes the importance of setting ambitious goals, such as TTOC’s “10 Goals.

As a music sociologist, Dr. Meagan Sylvester delves into Calypso, Soca, and Kaiso Jazz music, genres deeply rooted in Trinidad and Tobago’s culture and Carnival. Her research examines how these genres reflect societal issues like race, class, and identity, as they emerge through lyrics, rhythms, and performance in festivals worldwide, from Notting Hill to Caribana.

In her doctoral research, Dr. Sylvester analyzed Ragga Soca as a continuation of Calypso’s tradition of social commentary. Calypso has historically voiced public concerns, challenging the status quo. From Singing Sandra’s “Voices from the Ghetto” to Bunji Garlin’s “In the Ghetto,” these songs echo similar themes across generations, highlighting societal struggles that remain relevant. Sylvester underscores that Ragga Soca maintains this tradition, mirroring Calypso’s earlier role as a voice of resistance against societal injustices.

In addition to her research, Dr. Sylvester is committed to educating youth on the cultural importance of these art forms. As a former education officer for the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organization (TUCO), she visited schools, collaborating with teachers to expose students to Calypso. However, she notes ongoing challenges, such as resistance from some school administrators who view Calypso negatively. Despite these barriers, she continues advocating for Calypso’s inclusion in school curricula, citing its potential as a literary device in subjects like history and social studies.

Dr. Sylvester emphasizes the power of music to reflect and influence society. By examining lyrics, she believes we can gain insights into pressing issues like violence and social inequality. Her hope is that these stories, embedded in Calypso and Soca, will inspire positive change and a deeper understanding of Caribbean identity.

15,000 people marched – 300 lay on the road in front of the Red House with a red ribbon symbolizing blood … 127,000 signed the petition.

Despite allocating 14% of the national budget to the Ministry of National Security, crime poses significant challenges, affecting sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and small businesses. In this Power Conversation on August 30, 2024, Indera Sagewan discusses the complex issues facing Trinidad and Tobago, with a focus on crime and the economy. She suggests exploring international support to complement ongoing local efforts, recognizing the strain that crime places on business costs, operating hours, and industries like entertainment. Indera also highlights the importance of enhancing accountability and developing key performance indicators within the police force to improve resource management. On a regional scale, Indera suggests the potential for greater efficiency within CARICOM and advocates for thoughtful reforms. Shifting to the economy, she emphasizes the need for more job creation to open up opportunities for the younger generation. She also acknowledges the burden of inflation and rising living costs. While some leaders propose planting kitchen gardens to address food prices, Indera points out the associated challenges and costs and proposes that increasing support for farmers could be a more effective strategy. Her overall message emphasizes the importance of structural changes, both locally and regionally, to address these evolving challenges.