Trinidad-born entertainment blogger Jay Blessed’s “very real, very raw, very relatable” increasingly-popualr podcast was a hit on the road — addressing relationships, grief and loss, financial wellness and other life issues in her debut “In My Head Live Experience” last week in Brooklyn.
The sold out Aug. 7 event — sponsored by the Jay Blessed Media firm and co-curated by Char Bogle of Front Paije — attracted participants across the city and from as far away as Boston, Connecticut and Maryland to hear and see the blogger-podcast host live.
The “In My Head Live Experience” had a full course of happenings — one-on-one interviews, special guests, a “Meet & Greet,” wine tasting sponsored by Bartenura, music provided by Foreign Bass Gary and an after work mixer. An audio recording will be made and used in a future podcast episode, said organizers.
Jay Blessed is Jamie Alleyne-Morris — a longtime award-winning Caribbean entertainment blogger who started podcasting about three months ago.
Photo credit: FWL Ent.
“I met people for the first time who have been supporters of my brand for years,” she said. “Some took days off work just to travel to Brooklyn for the event. This is a testament to why it is necessary for us to share our authentic and honest stories,” said Alleyne-Morris whose podcasts are created for “African- American, Caribbean-American and Caribbean listeners.”
She has also been a consistent advocate for immigrant rights, mental health issues and “the Caribbean’s LGBTQ community” through her podcasts, website and contributions to Trinidad Express, OCEANstyle Magazine, Jamaica Observer, St. Vincent News, The Wendy Williams Show, WPIX 11, Essence Magazine and other media.
Prior to the podcasts, she was called “The Queen of Caribbean Entertainment News and Gossip,” bringing TMZ-style Caribbean information to online audiences through her JayBlessed.com website since 2011.
The first 12 episodes of her “In My Head” podcast — including “Letting Go Of Toxic People, Including Family,” and “I See A Therapist, So Should You” — are available on social media platforms, such as Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play and on her jayblessed.com site.
Send email to info@jayblessed.com and visit jayblessed.com for more information.
‘Merritone’ fun and music
Look for some of the best roots-reggae performers in the music business — such as The Mighty Diamonds, Leroy Sibbles and Marica Aitken — at today’s 8.11 Merritone Family Fun Festival at Hecksher Park, Pavilion No. 2, in East Islip , L.I., from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
And this year’s event will celebrate broadcasting pioneers with a “Jamaican Radio Day” presentation honoring famed celebrities such as Pat and Gil Bailey, Ken Williams, Jeff Barnes, Safia Seivright, and Gem Morrison.
The GenaRoots Band will back the performers and there will be music provided by Road International with DJ Roy and Oxtail and Stretch with DJ Desu.
For tickets and information, call (917) 202-2435 or (917) 779-5827.
New York Carnival kickoff
The New York Caribbean Carnival gets it official launch this week in an invitation-only event at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum in Crown Heights.
Presented annually by the West Indian American Day Carnival Association, the five-day colorful music-filled carnival begins Aug. 29 and climaxes Sept. 2 with the carnival parade along Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway on Labor Day, Sept 2.
Visit wiadcacarnival.org for carnival.nyc for information and events. Or call (718) 467-1797.
High-profile Jamaica ball
Former New York Mayor Dinkins, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Grammy Award-winning music star Shaggy and stars are taking center stage at the Jamaica’s 57th Independence Grand Ball on Aug. 17 at the New York Marriott Brooklyn Bridge hotel, 333 Adams St. in Brooklyn, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The Grand Ball is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. with a lavish cocktail reception and silent auction,followed by dinner, community awards ceremony, entertainment and dancing in the ballroom
With Ambassador Courtney Rattay, Jamaica’s representative to the United Nations, on hand to mark the island nation’s birthday, Dinkins, Clarke and Shaggy (Orville Richard Burrell) are honorees at the affair along with state Supreme Court Associate Justice Sylvia Hinds-Radix, attorney Hettie Powell and JP Morgan Chase executive Wayne Willoughby.
There will also be a special tribute at the affair honoring Marcus Garvey, Jamaica’s first “national hero.”
Sharing a quote from Garvey, JICFI chairperson Paulette Smart Willoughby said, “Never forget that intelligence rules the world and ignorance carries the burden. It’s our duty to develop the best and creative minds for service, while remembering charity begins at home.”
Proceeds from the annual ball are directed to various charities and scholastic beneficiaries. Among the charities that have received support are: the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, Inc., American Cancer Society, Jamaica Cancer Society, Jamaica Aids Support, American Foundation for the University of the West Indies, and the Jamaican Association of Vintage Artistes & Associates.
Jamaica’s legendary dance band, the Fabulous Five Band, a.k.a. Fab 5, promises to please with the best of authentic Jamaican music, along with guest artists; including Gem Meyers. Famed Dee-Jays with Road International will complement the evening’s entertainment.
Tickets are $250 per person and available on Eventbrite.com by searching for “Jamaica’s 57th Independence Anniversary Grand Ball in Brooklyn New York” or by emailing JICFI at JICFI@yahoo.com.
Sponsors include Caribbean Food Delights, Tower Isles, Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery and Grill, Future Movement Radio, Carib News, VP Records, and the Jamaica Tourist Board.
Tickets are $250 per person and available on eventbrite.com under “Jamaica’s 57th Independence Anniversary Grand Ball in Brooklyn New York.” Questions? — send email to JICFI@yahoo.com.
‘Gladioli’ memoir on Amazon
Mildred Antenor
Simply said, “The Gladioli Are Invisible: a Memoir,” by Haiti-born Seton Hall University professor Mildred Antenor, is a book about the experiences of a black Haitian American woman fighting to survive in the U.S.”
But the new publication — now available on Amazon.com — is far from simple. It is a detailed recounting of the “the grit, resilience, pain and determination” displayed by newcomers to America. Antenor, who is also a commentator at WBGO radio (88.3 FM), tells of “the drug abuse, mental illness, alcoholism and domestic violence” she witnessed growing up in her Brooklyn neighborhood, through “compelling, thought-provoking” stories.
“However, interlaced with the difficulty, there is an undercurrent of the warmth of Haitian cultural nurturing that is seen and felt as it is illustrated in this extended view of a migrant experience,” said Antenor.
Mine some ‘Reggae Gold’
On the top from the start, VP Records just announced that its anticipated “Reggae Gold 2019” has shot to the top of the Billboard Reggae music chart since its recent release.
The 19-track compilation features superstar entertainers such as Nicki Minaj and Vybz Kartel on Stylo G’s “Touch Down Remix” and Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley backing Jah Cure on his “Marijuana” tune.
Other performers on he album include Beres Hammond, Queen Ifrica, Tarrus Riley and others.
Launched on leading digital streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Pandora and Deezer, the compilation is fueled by “current and upcoming projects on VP Records” and “mainstream tracks from the past year.”
Chisholm lives on stage
The spirit and accomplishments of the late pioneering U.S. politician Shirley Chisholm will come to life in “Unbossed & Unbowed,” is a new solo from veteran playwright-performer Ingrid Griffith being staged next Sunday 8.18 in Manhattan.
Griffith vividly tell the story of Chisholm — first black woman elected to the United States Congress and the first African American and the first woman to seek the nomination for U.S. president.
Directed by Olga Levina, the show will be held at The 13th Street Repertory Theater, 50 West 13th St. on Aug. 18 at 4:15 p.m.
To purchase tickets, visit brownpapertickets.com/event/4263797. For information on the play, visit UnbossedUnbowed.com
Dr. Douglas’ memoirs
“An evening of inspiration, discussion, and book signing” for Dr. Frank Douglas — author of the autobiography “Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream” will be held Thursday in Manhattan at the Guyana Consulate, 308 W. 38th St, (between Eighth and Ninth Aves.), from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Presented by the Cambridge Academy Alumni Association International and the Guyana Consulate, the affair touts Douglas’ book about his roots, his move into the ranks of the pharmaceutical industry and his role developing of important disease-fighting drugs.
To RSVP call (646) 213-9793 or send email to rsvp@guyanaconsulatenewyork.org.
Student aid for USVI
The numbers from the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands are great — more than $205,000 in 2019-2020 academic scholarship awards and grants were given to undergraduate and graduate students.
“At CFVI, we are committed to continuing our efforts to increase the level of support available for talented and dedicated Virgin Islands students,” said
Marie Thomas Griffith, CFVI’s Scholarship Committee chair.
With strong support from the CFVI donors, the recipients will be attending the University of the Virgin Islands and U.S. insitutions, including the Berklee College of Music, Howard University, Boston University, Temple University and Florida State University.
Scholarships and grant awards amounts ranged from $500 to $5,000. Heavy Materials of Charlotte Amalie, USVI, provided the single largest donation for the CFVI educational assistance effort — $57,500 which provided scholarships for 23 students.
