Unstoppable Yes You

Gherdai Hassell is a contemporary artist, writer, and storyteller who celebrates Black females through multimedia and collage-like art. The 2022 Winner of the Best of Bermuda Visual Artist Award and has participated in solo and group exhibitions in her home country, Cape Town, South Africa, the United States, and China. Gherdai received an MFA from the China Academy of Art and currently lives in Manchester, UK.In this episode, learn how Gherdai ties her experiences and academic research to cultural, historical, and political understandings to create unexpected narratives surrounding identity. Listen and share with art lovers and aspiring artists.

For Martiniquais artist Lionel Perrot, painting is an opportunity to let go to the rhythm of the music that systematically accompanies his creative process. Lionel let himself get carried away by the color, canvas, and tools. The modern artist has exhibited locally and hopes to one day take his works to an international stage.In this episode, Lionel Perrot gives us an introduction to the origin of his works. Listen and share with art lovers and aspiring artists.

Akilah Watts is a 27-year-old contemporary artist from St. James, Barbados. Her life-like portraits draw inspiration from her personal life, as she recreates images of her childhood in the backdrop of the island's beautiful scenery. In 2022, Akilah completed a residency with ArtleadHER and the Monira Foundation. She has exhibited locally and internationally - from New York to San Francisco to Miami.In this episode, hear how Akilah is pushing the age-old portraiture genre in new directions.Listen and share with art lovers and aspiring artists.

For over a decade, Trinidadian-Korean impressionist artist Marissa Lee has been perfecting her work, which consist of portraits and figures in oil, watercolor, charcoal and pastel. Known for her oil portraits of Caribbean Mas performers, Marissa draws inspiration from the connections with her subjects. Marissa's work has been exhibited locally and internationally, including the Art Society of Trinidad & Tobago, the Coco Vivo Gallery in Charleston, South Carolina, and the Rotunda Gallery.Learn how Marissa brings her ideas to life.Share this episode with aspiring artists and art lovers.

Virgin Islands native Ama Dennis had an interest in art for as long as she can remember. So upon her return to the Virgin Islands after hurricane Maria, she made a career change from electrical engineering to photography. Today, she showcases the beauty of her hometown and its rich history and culture in her gallery.In this episode Alma shares how she made the transition successfully.Listen and share with art lovers and aspiring artists.

April Bey is a Bahamian-American visual artist whose work represents icons and anti-heroes of Bahamian and American culture and contemporary pop culture. April's work is crafted around the perspective of the fictional planet Atlantica, an Afrofuturist alien world which redefines Blackness outside the context of white supremacy and colonial suffering.Listen to this episode to learn how April uses painting, printmaking, collage, and video to broaden her vision for acts of reparation.Share with art lovers and aspiring artists.

Kishawnie Henry grew up in the Paul M. Pearson Gardens housing projects, also known as the ghettos, in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. He became a product of his environment and was shot and paralyzed at seventeen.While writing music was Kishawnie's first love, he decided to explore his talent as an author. In this episode, Kishawnie discusses his upbringing, and how it influenced his debut novel, Dark Paradise. Listen and share with book lovers and aspiring writers.

Shakirah Bourne is an award-winning author and filmmaker based in Barbados. Her novel, a Caribbean middle-grade fantasy, Josephine Against The Sea, was published by Scholastic, a multinational publishing and media company, as part of a three-book deal. It also won the School Library Journal Best Book of 2021 Award.In this episode, Shakirah talks with host Curlis Phillip about the authors who influenced her work, her inspiration for the Caribbean folklore Josephine Against The Sea, and how publishing her first novel influenced her writing process including embracing her Bajan dialect.Listen and share with book lovers and aspiring authors.

Sharma Taylor is a lawyer by profession and a writer by passion. This celebrated Jamaican author won the 2020 Frank Collymore Literary Endowment Prize for her collection of short stories. She was also the winner of the 2019 Bocas Literary Festival's Johnson and Amoy Achong Caribbean Writers Prize for emerging writers and was shortlisted four times for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize.In this episode, Sharma discusses her debut novel, What a Mother's Love Teaches You, which has been described as a powerful story of belonging, identity, and inheritance. She also offers tips on how to select a literary agent and get a book deal.Listen and share with book lovers and aspiring writers.

Jeunanne Alkins is a prize-winning author and creative director from Trinidad and Tobago. She is passionate about design and the difference it can make in how children learn. Jeunanne has published three children's books, including The Most Magnificent Stories, which launched May 2022. In this episode, we talk with Jeunanne to learn how she channels the spirit of her Caribbean childhood in her books to showcase the little things that make these islands special. Listen and share with book lovers and aspiring writers.

Janice Lynn is a Bahamian-Canadian author of two-acclaimed young adult fiction novels Learning to Breathe and Facing the Sun. Learning to Breathe was a 2018 Governor General's Award finalist, a British Columbia Book Prize finalist and it won the Joan F. Kaywell Books Save Lives Award. Facing the Sun won the Amy Mathers Teen Book Award and was named one of the the best Canadian young adult and middle-grade books of 2020. She recently published her first adult fiction novel, Uncertain Kin.In this episode, Janice discusses her journey as an author and Uncertain Kin, a collection of stories about women and girls searching for identity and belonging. Listen and share this episode with book lovers and aspiring authors. 

While she did not think writing could become her full-time career, Jasmine Sealy is one of the most exciting and powerful new voices in fiction. Hailing from Barbados, she is now based in Vancouver, British Columbia. In 2020, Jasmine won the University of British Columbia HarperCollins Fiction Prize for her first novel – The Island of Forgetting, a hauntingly beautiful intergenerational saga.In this episode, the prize-winning author joins Unstoppable Yes You host Curlis Phillip to talk about her novel and shares how her Bajan roots and bi-racial background influenced this story.Listen and share with book lovers an aspiring authors.

While going through an emotional divorce, Tamara Walcott found comfort in food and gained over 400 pounds. In 2018, she decided to take control of her life and joined a gym. This set the mother of two on a path of losing nearly 200 pounds and competing against legends to become a powerlifting champion. In this episode, the St. Croix native and all-time deadlift world record holder discusses how she transformed her life for the better and how she is using her social platforms to inspire others.Listen and share with others interested in powerlifting and the content creator space.

Akhnaten Burrowes is an up and coming actor and the award winning Bajan social media influencer behind the web series Bev. His blend of humor and Bajan culture connects his fans at home and around the world with nostalgia and laughter.In this episode, Akhnaten discusses his inspiration for Bev, his upcoming sitcom, and his aspirations to work with award-winning playwright and cinematic innovator Tyler Perry.Listen and share with others interested in becoming a social media personality and the content creator space.

At the age of 13, Gabrielle Gay founded the Gabrielle Gay Award for Excellence in Reading and Literacy, a Reading Award and Literacy Mentorship Program. She has been on a mission to positively transform lives through education ever since.In this episode, learn how this social media Influencer, motivational speaker, and young entrepreneur is using her influence to uplift and empower students in her hometown of Barbados, the Caribbean, and around the world, while securing major brand collaborations.Listen and share with others interested in literacy mentorship and the content creator space.

Summer Corbin is a phenomenal cosplay model who uses cosplaying to celebrate her Blackness unapologetically. Her love for Japanese cartoons and obsession with make-up has helped Summer build a community of over 400k fans across Tik Tok and Instagram and major brand collaborations including the Cartoon Network and Got 2B Glued.In this episode, Summer discusses her love for anime, overcoming fat shaming and racist comments, and how she is building her brand through authentic collaborations.Listen and share with others interested in anime and the content creator space. 

The 23-year-old comedic personality and social media influencer is a content creator on the rise. Daniel Loveless took a chance on himself and built an extremely successful entertainment platform asking trivia questions to everyday people around the world.In this episode, the Trinidad native shares how What Yuh Know became the number one YouTube series from the Caribbean. Listen and share with others interested in the entertainment and content creator space. 

Nicole Spence-Goon helps Federal agencies make the most out of their software and human capital. The Jamaican native specializes in team coaching and facilitation of best practices for Agile adoption and execution. Nicole is also a core member of Agile in Color, where she helps support the growth of equity and diversity in the Agile community. If you would like to learn what it takes to be an Agilist, listen to this episode and share with others interested in this in-demand skill. 

Chelsea Hinds-Charles' childhood interest in mathematics and science morphed into a deep desire to understand "how things work". It was this desire that led the Gates Millennium Scholarship recipient to pursue a dual degree in engineering and economics. In this episode, learn how the Guyanese native applies her engineering expertise at work at Twitter as well as in mission-critical projects outside of her workplace. Listen and share this episode with others interested in identifying the engineers within themselves. 

Melissa Daley is a Systems Engineer and the founder of Orca Intelligence, an IT consulting and product design firm based in Maryland. Melissa has helped companies like Accenture and Booz Allen Hamilton deliver best-of-breed products to the market. The Jamaican-American is also the creator of Swiftly, a software that automates the product requirements documentation process. As a Black female IT business owner, Melissa has had her share of challenges in this male-dominated field. In this episode, she shares why she stopped seeking validation and believed in her skills. Listen and share with aspiring tech entrepreneurs.

LaToya wanted a career change and the tech industry was on the top of her list. But first, the Bahamian-American needed to clarify her personal goals and expectations. Hear how LaToya set herself up for a smooth transition from a business analyst at JP Morgan Chase to a Senior UX Researcher at Facebook. Listen and share this story with others considering a similar transition. 

Stacey Johnson used her in-depth knowledge of Rehrig Pacific's business and her work-life experiences to secure a new role as the company's Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Despite the challenges she faced over her 20-year career, Stacey did not give up. In this episode, learn how Stacey Johnson found her purpose at work and how she is helping Rehrig Pacific champion inclusivity and create a sense of belonging in employees who may feel otherwise. Listen and share her amazing story. 

Monica Dillingham is one of the few Black female Chief Technology Officers (CTO) who is accustomed to standing out in executive meetings at the National Association of College and University Business Officers. Now, she finds herself advocating for and promoting tech careers to women of color. In this episode, Monica shares what it takes to serve as the highest technology executive at her organization and how her West Indian roots prepared her to handle the challenges faced by Black women in tech. You don't want to miss this episode. Listen and share this story of tenacity.

Virgin Islander Kayra Clouden is a co-creator of Adultin', a web series that captures the lives of young people as they navigate adulthood. She is also an associate producer at ViamcomCBS's MTV & VH1. In this episode with Behind the Scenes host Patreece DeChabert, Kayra shares her journey to becoming a producer, what her day-to-day looks like, and how she continues to build and hone her craft.

Shaheed has worked as a boom operator in the sound department on television shows like Love and Hip Hop and Young Dylan. He has even co-produced under his production company, a horror film that is soon to be released - Dog Face. In this episode, Shaheed speaks with Behind the Scenes host, Patreece DeChabert about his role as a boom operator and provides advice for those interested in this gig. Listen and share.

Originally from Jamaica, Vinnetta Hylton is a Channel Operations Manager at Encompass Digital Media. She is responsible for the news and shows that hit your tv screen from companies like CW, NBC, CBS, and ABC. In this episode with guest host Patreece DeChabert, Vinnetta takes you through a day in her work life and offers tips to be successful in this job. Listen and share. 

What goes on behind the scenes in television and film production? St. Thomas native Glenn Callwood is going to tell you all about it including how he got his start. Glenn has worked on television and film productions including Jumanji 3, BET's House of Payne, TruTV's Misfits and Monsters, and If Loving You is Wrong on OWN. In this episode, Glenn shares with guest host Patreece DeChabert what it takes to be a great candidate for this role. Listen and share.

Sean Michael Field is an actor, award winning filmmaker, and producer. He has worked on commercials for major brands such as Burger King and Ciroc Vodka. The Bajan native also directed the short film 'Soucouyantant', a thriller shot on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. In this episode, Sean shares his journey in this exciting industry with guest host Patreece DeChabert. Listen and share. 

Jolie Pollard, the CEO of Ikooma Hair, was struggling to care for her dry and frizzy hair. Jolie experimented with different products with no luck. While experimenting, the Belizean entrepreneur discovered a solution in an unlikely place - the sea. Learn how she has turned a home-made remedy into an eco-friendly haircare brand. Listen and share.

Growing up, Danielle Hodge enjoyed swimming and lodging at the pool with family and friends. Her desire to make a little lime at the pool more fun, enjoyable, and inclusive gave birth to Alma Ocean, a unique inflatable pool line. The Guyanese-American is on a mission to disrupt the inflatable pool market and a whole lot more. Listen and share.

Growing up in Rendezvous Bay, Anguilla, Tahirah knew that one day, she would be her own boss. As a young girl, she was one of the lead singers in a popular local soca band. So naturally, music served as her initial pathway to entrepreneurship. After returning to Anguilla from her studies in Houston in 2013, she embarked on multiple business ventures before landing on the Thoughtful Digital Agency. Learn how she helped grow the business with focus and clarity.

Darilyn Smart is the owner of Smart Foods Caribbean. Her company produces and sells specialty soaked fruits for Caribbean fruit cakes. Darilyn is also the founder of Salt Consulting, an agri-business consultancy in Tobago. Together with her team, Darilyn helps start-ups and small business owners make their agro-processing business operations more efficient and effective. Listen to her story of tenacity and grit.

A chance encounter led Abelardo Guerrero "Mr. G " to pursue photography. Since then, he has worked as an executive producer of Behind the Scenes at The Wendy Williams Show. Most recently, Mr. G partnered with comedian Nick Cannon to produce the official Dr. Sebi documentary, a film that chronicles the work of the Honduran herbalist, including his battle with the federal government. Mr. G is also the author of the book, My Journey with Dr. Sebi. Learn how he created new opportunities to grow his business.

One night while out dining with his wife, the St. Thomas native decided to quit his job to become a janitor. This decision gave birth to Clean Slate Janitorial Services. Gerren's business venture has taken him on a journey of self-actualization and inspired him to write the book, Fast Track Your Calling: How To Fuel Your Drive With Every Assignment. In this episode, Gerren shares how he found his calling in a toilet bowl.

Raquel Horsford is the founder of the health, fitness, and nutritional lifestyle brand, Rock Your Best. She has appeared in HBO's Stomp Out Loud, in the Off-Broadway sensation STOMP, and in music videos with Lenny Kravitz and Mary J. Blige. Most recently, you may have seen her in the role of Connie in the Amazon movie Sylvie's Love. In this episode, Raquel shares how she turned her passion for dance and her work as a celebrity fitness coach into a thriving fitness business.

As a child, Kemai flaunted his natural afro and embraced his Rastafarian upbringing.  However, this was not something that was appreciated and embraced by his teachers and principal at school. Their draconian policing of his hair left Kemai feeling inadequate. Kemai later regained his confidence as a community leader. Listen to Kemai's story and be inspired.

Avril grew up in a strict religious family with excessive rules and dogma on how she should live her life. So, when Avril became pregnant in her early twenties, she rushed to the courthouse to get married. This marriage would pose a set of problems that caused Avril to lose her identity and self-esteem. Listen to Avril’s story and be inspired.

Like many children, Caroline Gaynor grew up playing out in the street until dusk in Jamaica. Tragedy would first strike Caroline when her father passed away when she was in high school, and later when her older brother was murdered during her senior year of college. Although she did not graduate from college due to the emotional trauma, this did not stop Caroline from becoming a doctor. Listen to Caroline’s story and be inspired!

There are many hardships children bear the brunt of during their lives. Hardships that Vernae is no stranger to. The little girl from the Virgin Islands who grew up struggling emotionally from her parent's divorce and uncertain of her path has grown up to serve the United States as a Chief Master Sergeant. Listen to Vernae’s story and be inspired!

Andre’s parents moved from Barbados to New York City to chase the American dream, leaving him with his grandparents. When he reunited with his parents in New York, they felt Andre’s best chance at success in the U.S. would be to assimilate, quickly. This meant eliminating any trace of his Caribbean identity. Listen to Andre’s story and be inspired!

In her early teens, Amber experienced and witnessed violence at school and in her surrounding neighborhood. As you would imagine, this constant violence was not conducive to a steady learning environment and state of mind. Listen to Amber’s story and be inspired!

The third of seven children, Carol and her siblings were largely raised by their maternal grandmother – Ms. Allen. Ms. Allen showed Carol how to survive and thrive. So, when Carol moved to New York after high school, became a single mom, and later lost her job, her survival skills kicked in. Listen to Carol’s story and be inspired!