Island Archives
By Island Archive
Island ArchivesMar 01, 2024
Island Archives Entry C-10: Frank Bowling: Art Imitates Life
On today's episode of the IAP, we will peer onto the canvas of an individual who certainly made his mark in the pantheon of art history. Frank Bowling was born in British Guiana (now Guyana) in 1934, he arrived in London in 1953, graduating from the Royal College of Art with the silver medal for painting in 1962. Bowling went on to divide his time between the art scenes in London and New York, maintaining studios in both cities. This transatlantic orientation was to see his early engagement with expressive figuration and pop art shift to an immersion in abstraction which continues in his practice today. Visible in his work are the legacies of both the English landscape tradition and American abstraction from which Bowling honed a distinctive vocabulary, combining figurative, abstract and symbolic elements. For over six decades, Frank Bowling has relentlessly pursued a practice which boldly expands the possibilities and properties of paint. Ambitious in scale and scope, his dynamic engagement with the materiality of his chosen medium, and its evolution in the broad sweep of art history, has resulted in paintings of unparalleled originality, power and influence all which make him a certain stroke for the IA.
Island Archives Entry C-9: Bert Williams: No Blackface; No Case
Egbert Austin Williams was born on November 12, 1874 to parents Frederick and Julia in Nassau, the Bahamas. Due to an economic depression, the family decided to leave the Bahamas in 1884 and make a new home in Riverside, California. There young Bert became fascinated with medicine shows while his father was ambivalent about show business at first, but after watching his son delivering a confident spiel he knew Bert had a great talent. He later gained much success as an actor, comedian, playwright and recording artist. Bert Williams is not only a vital part of pop culture, but an inspiring figure in history. He was a man who against all odds had the perseverance to make it to the very top of his field. He patiently endured prejudice to lay the foundation for the many black performers to follow. His influence is extensive and his story is one that had to be included in the IA.
Island Archives Entry C-8: Al Horford: Ballin'
Alfred Horford Reynoso, more commonly known as Al Horford was born on June 3, 1986, in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. His father's influence and guidance played a significant role in shaping his passion for basketball and laying the foundation for his future success in the sport, as his dad played in the NBA as well in the 1980’s. Horford has collaborated with Basketball Without Borders, the NBA’s fight against AIDS, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and local charities in the Dominican Republic. Overall, Al Horford's life and upbringing have been defined by his passion for basketball, his commitment to excellence, and his desire to make a positive impact in the world. From his early days in the Dominican Republic to his success in the NBA, Horford's journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes everywhere and makes him a slam dunk for the Island Archives.
Island Archives Entry C-7: Carlos Acosta: 'Poetry in Motion'
Carlos Acosta was born in Havana, Cuba, on 2 June 1973, the eleventh and last child in an impoverished family. At the age of 16, he won a scholarship with the Turin Ballet, winning the Gold Medal at the Prix de Lausanne. Acosta is that rarest of things -- a ballet dancer who has pirouetted into the public consciousness. He often speaks of the need for ballet to take risks, to evolve and to speak a contemporary language -- ideals that Acosta embodies. Not just a virtuoso performer, it is Acosta's ability to connect with his audience that has made him an international star and a deserved leap into the Island Archives.
Island Archives Entry C-6: Forbes Burnham: "A slow burn: Can horses really vote?"
Forbes Burnham was born on February 20, 1923, in Kitty, Georgetown, one of three children born to poor but strict parents. Some individuals make for difficult subjects to write on. Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham is such a person. He is either well admired or passionately despised. Either way, or altogether, he remains, unquestionably, one of the Caribbean’s most controversial personalities of the twentieth century and his tale is one that had to be told, in the Island Archives.
Island Archives Entry C-5: Jennifer Hosten: "More than meets the eye"
Jennifer Hosten was born in 1947 in St George’s Grenada, the youngest of five siblings. She is a mother, diplomat, queen, ambassador and a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. Her contributions and legacy will be observed and revered for generations to come. Her status as a beacon of hope, strength and liberty make her a perfect addition to the Island Archives.
Island Archives Entry C-4: Saint-John Perse "Look in that trunk"
Alexis Léger (Saint-John Perse) was born on a small family-owned coral island in Guadeloupe on May 31, 1887. Perse's dual life as a poet and diplomat serves as an inspiration. His commitment to both creative expression and diplomatic service underscores the idea that individuals can excel in multiple spheres, fostering a holistic approach to life and contributing to a more interconnected global society. His story had to be recognized in the Island Archives.
Island Archives Entry C-3:CLR James: "The boundaries of revolution"
CLR James was born in Trinidad on 4 January 1901 to parents who were part of a distinctive generation of blacks – the generation which followed slave emancipation and whose contribution profoundly shaped the future of those small island societies. His vision of humanity was animated by the simple but profound belief in the creative capacities of ordinary men and women and he felt that they were the force for civilization. CLR James was a revolutionary to the core and an absolute no-brainer for the Island Archives
Island Archives Entry C-2:Queen Nanny of the Maroons: "Welcome to the Queendom"
Nanny of the Maroons was the first and foremost leader of the Windward Maroons of Jamaica, a community of self-emancipated formerly enslaved people. She was Queen, the mother of her people, the most brilliant strategist and guerilla general the British were ever going to encounter , not to mention a spiritual guide for her people. Nanny’s story is truly unique and it is one that deserves to be told, in the Island Archives.
Island Archives Entry C-1: Marcus of the Woods: "Catch me if you can"
Marcus Of The Woods was a slave who had been born in St. Kitts some time in the PROBABLY in the late 1700’s. He first gained notoriety in 1813 when he ran away from Hutchinson’s Estate and took refuge in the safety of the green haven that surrounded what would come to be known as Mount Misery, and then Mount Liamuiga.The tale of Marcus of the Woods personifies bravery, resistance and the fight for freedom, his story should be held in the highest regard and is a perfect fit for the Island Archives.
Island Archives Entry B-10: Papa Doc: Drawing First Blood: Just what the Doc Ordered?
François Duvalier was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in 1907. Duvalier was the President of Haiti from 1957 to 1971. He was unanimously "re-elected" in a 1961 referendum in which he was the only candidate and remained in power until he died in 1971. In April 1964 he declared himself president for life. Doc was able to stay in power longer than any of his predecessors and his regime caused nearly 30,000 deaths, but at the same time achieved for Haiti an unusual degree of political stabilization. His story is one that had to be told, in the Island Archives.
Island Archives Entry B-9: Garcelle Beauvais: "Fancy this: No Freebies"
Today’s episode of the IAP features a Hollywood star whose face you may recognize but story you may not.
Garcelle Beauvais was born in St. Marc, Haiti, on November 26, 1966, as the youngest of eight children. From modelling to The Jamie Foxx Show to NYPD Blue, Garcelle Beauvais has shown herself to be a star. From not speaking English to Hollywood supernova, her story reminds us that it's not where you begin, it's where you’re, which clearly, makes her an easy choice for the Island Archives.
Island Archives Entry B-8: Keith “KAYAMBA” Gumbs: "Can I borrow those boots?"
On this episode of the IAP, we will take a free kick at tackling a story that shows us the importance of mentality in life. Keith “Kayamba” Gumbs.
Keith 'Kayamba' Gumbs is an iconic national sports figure who features among the pioneers of sportsmen and women who blazed the trail before embarking on their professional path from small islands.
His passion for the game, distinctive character, and resolve all combine to make him a tap-in for the Island Archives.
Island Archives Entry B-7: Grace Jones "Spanish Town x Spanish Talk"
Grace Beverly Jones was born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, on May 19, 1948, to Marjorie and Robert W. Jones. Her father was a local politician and Apostolic clergyman. When she was 13 years old, she and her family moved to Syracuse, New York. Her family were devout Christians, particularly of the Pentecostal denomination, and Grace had to participate in prayer meetings and Bible readings every night. Jones is a superlative creator: a talented model, quality singer and dynamic actress. Her style, attitude and persona have made waves in the creative space and make her a great fit in the IA.
Island Archives Entry B-6: Alexander Hamilton "Duels & Jewels"
Alexander Hamilton was born in January 1755 on the Caribbean Island of Nevis. Hamilton accomplished a lot in his relatively short life. The achievements that are usually publicized most include his role in securing America’s independence and getting the U.S. Constitution signed; his revolutionizing of the country’s financial system; founding the Federalist Party, the first voter-based political party in the United States; and establishing the United States Coast Guard and the New York Post newspaper. Alexander Hamilton’s story is impressive, not just because of what he achieved but also because of the obstacles he had to overcome to get there. His story is one that had to be told in the IA.
Island Archives Entry B-5: Caryl Phillips 'TRIANGLES'
Caryl Phillips was born in St. Kitts to Malcolm and Lillian Phillips on 13 March 1958. He came from very humble beginnings, having been born in a rum shop owned by his mother’s family. Phillips’ work has been translated into over a dozen languages, and he has tackled themes on the African slave trade from many angles, and his writing is concerned with issues of "origins, belongings and exclusion", and his interest is in how individuals survive, or succumb to, historical storms and social pathologies. He has written many dramas and documentaries for radio and television, including, in 1996, the three-hour film of his own novel, The Final Passage. Suffice it to say, Caryl Phillips has made tremendous contributions to the literary world, and his depth and decoration have earned him a well-deserved place in the IA.
Island Archives Entry B-4: Sir Simeon Daniel 'A King from Queen City'
Sir Simeon Daniel is an individual who is considered the father of a tiny island that left a lasting legacy. The Right Excellent Sir Simeon Daniel was instrumental in laying the foundation for Nevis's development, making him a laudable addition to the IA.
Island Archive Entry B-3: Dwight Yorke 'Goals'
Dwight Eversley Yorke CM is a Trinidadian and Tobagonian former professional footballer and current manager of Macarthur FC. Throughout his club career, he played for Aston Villa, Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, Sydney FC and Sunderland, mainly as a forward, between 1988 and 2009.
Island Archive Entry B-2: Frantz Fanon 'Mask on, Mask off'
Author and Professor Fantz Fanon.
Island Archive Entry B-1: Janelle"Penny" Commissiong: Long May She Reign
Born in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Janelle "Penny" Commissiong was the first woman of African descent ever to secure the title of Ms Universe. This feat sparked a legacy of advocacy and service that makes her a worthy entry in the Island Archives.
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Island Archive Entry A-15: Derek Walcott: The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword
St Lucian-born Derek Walcott was a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. He was awarded the honor in 1992 for his outstanding works of poetry and theatre production that led him to superstardom. He even won a McArthur Fellowship aka the “genius grant” along the way. Walcott has been credited with being one of the most technically acute literary pioneers of the 20th century and we discuss his contributions in today’s episode.
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Island Archive Entry A-14: Tim Duncan ‘The Big Fundamentals; Dedication, Teamwork, Humility’
Hailing from St. Croix, Tim Duncan is one of the greatest basketball players to ever lace them up. At Wake Forest University, he was an NCAA rebounding leader, 3x NABC Defensive Player of the Year, and the 1997 National College Player of the year. After getting drafted #1 overall in the 1997 NBA Draft (and winning Rookie of the Year) he would become a 5x NBA Champion, 3xFinals MVP, 15x NBA All-Star while collecting a litany of other awards all with the San Antonio Spurs. We discuss his on and off-court greatness on today’s episode
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Island Archive Entry A-13: Eugenia Charles ‘The Iron Lady, Pigs and Red Dogs’
Buckle up as we cover the wild story of Dominican politician Eugenia Charles the first woman elected as head of Government in the Americas. The Klu Klax Klan tried to overthrow the Dominican government in 1981, and it wasn’t the only attempted coup that year. We discuss why she’s called the “Iron Lady of the Caribbean” as well as discussing ‘Operation Red Dog’ on today’s episode.
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Produced by Pelican Media Group
Island Archive Entry A-12: Viv Richards ‘Swagger in a Stoic Sport; No Blank Checks Please’
Sir Vivian Richards is an Antiguan cricketer who attained widespread popularity for his contributions on and off the pitch. Richards was offered a “blank check” to entice him to join the South African Rebel Tours of 1982 and 83 and both times, turned it down. He captained the West Indies from 1984 to 1991 and remains the only captain in their history to never lose a Test. Richards was a prolific batsman scoring 8,540 runs over his career. His playing style has commonly been described as destructive, powerful, and explosive, we cover his incredible life on today’s episode.
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If you’re looking to find out more about the topics covered in this episode visit us on www.islandarchive.com.
Produced by Pelican Media Group
Island Archive Entry A-11: Eric Williams ‘Mathematician vs Prophet; 10-1=0?!’
Dr. Eric Williams was a Trinidad historian and politician, who was one of the first major figures in history to dispel the theory that slavery ended because of a change of heart of the slave owners. He outlined that this shift was economic, not benevolent. Williams inaugurated his own political party, the People's National Movement (PNM) in 1956, which would take T&T into independence in 1962, and dominate its post-colonial politics eventually being a driving force for the West Indies Federation. We discuss his life and “curious mathematics” on today’s episode.
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Produced by Pelican Media Group
Island Archive Entry A-10: Betto Douglas ‘A Legal Mind Ahead of Her Time’
Betto Douglas was a slave born in St. Kitts who eventually became one of the drivers for the Abolition Act in 1833. Her fame came after she attempted to buy the freedom of her two sons from the Earl of Romney, and went to court on the matter reaching up to today’s version of the Privy Council- “The Colonial Courts” which eventually became an emblem for the freedom movement. We detail Douglas’ astonishing story on today’s episode.
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Produced by Pelican Media Group
Island Archive Entry A-09: V.S Naipaul: ‘From Miguel Street to Your Street’
V.S Naipaul was a Trinidadian Nobel Peace Prize-winning writer and one of the masters of 20th-century literature. He was incredibly prolific, often publishing a book every year or two for much of his career. Naipaul gifted the world with “A House for Mr. Biswas” in 1961, highlighting his ability to tell people’s stories and blend their emotions with overarching symbolism and laser-sharp detail. We discuss his journey on becoming one of the most widely read and admired literary figures of the contemporary world on today’s episode.
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Produced by Pelican Media Group
Island Archive Entry A-08 : Maurice Bishop ‘Diamonds are Forever; Ready for Revolution’
Episode 8- Maurice Bishop: ‘Diamonds are Forever; Ready for Revolution’
Maurice Bishop was a Grenadian activist and political revolutionary who created the New Jewel Movement Political party in order to change the politics of Grenada. The year he started it, there were two riots in which Bishop was beaten and his father was even killed. He would eventually overthrow the Eric Gairy government and usher in a new regime that was headlined by humanitarian and gender rights programs that were incredibly innovative in the region. We cover his fascinating life on today's episode.
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Island Archive Entry A-07 : Joan Armatrading ‘A Nice Piece of Furniture Meets Love and Affection’
Episode 7- Joan Armatrading: ‘A Nice Piece of Furniture Meets Love and Affection’
Born in St. Kitts, Joan Armatrading is a talented songstress, composer, and performer. To date, she has released 20 studio albums as well as several other live albums and compilation tapes. Armatrading is a three-time Grammy Award Nominee and two-time Brit Award Nominee as best female vocalist. We discuss her contributions to the musical world on today’s episode.
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If you’re looking to find out more about the topics covered in this episode visit us on www.islandarchive.com.
Produced by Pelican Media Group
Island Archive Entry A-06 : Walter Rodney ‘Rodney Riots; The Revolution Will Not Be Televised’
Episode 6- Walter Rodney: ‘Rodney Riots; The Revolution Will Not Be Televised’
Dr. Walter Rodney was a preeminent Guyanese political activist, academic, historian, and orator. In 1968, the ‘Rodney Riots’ swept Jamaica after Prime Minister Hugh Shearer banned Rodney from returning to his teaching post at UWI-Mona while he was away; eventually leading to several deaths and millions in damages. We discuss his life and exploits as a black revolutionary on today’s episode.
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Produced by Pelican Media Group
Island Archive Entry A-05 : Jamaica Kincaid ‘The Au Pair From Up Here; Jamaica in Antigua?’
Episode 5- Jamaica Kincaid: ‘The Au Pair From Up Here; Jamaica in Antigua?’
Elaine Potter Richardson became known as Jamaica Kincaid partly so that the people of Antigua (where she was born and raised) wouldn’t know she was writing and described the change as a “way to do things without being the same person who couldn’t do them- the same person who had all these weights”. On today’s episode, we discuss her remarkable life and outstanding literary achievements.
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Island Archive Entry A-04 : Bertil Fox ‘A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Brutal Bertil’
Episode 4- Bertil Fox: ‘A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Brutal Bertil’
During the 70s and 80s, Bertil Fox was a prolific bodybuilder, bagging Mr. Universe twice as well as securing a top 5 finish in Mr. Olympia. “Brutal Bertil” as he was called, was not without controversy however later on he was implicated in a double murder after returning to St. Kitts (where he was born). This became a case that gripped the world and led to some fascinating humanitarian discussions about the death penalty. On today’s episode, we take a look at his life.
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Produced by Pelican Media Group
Island Archive Entry A-03 : Sir Arthur Lewis ‘Currency Meets History; Who’s That Guy In Your Pocket?’
Entry A-03: Sir Arthur Lewis: ‘Currency Meets History; Who’s That Guy In Your Pocket?’
Sir Arthur Lewis was a Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist who was born and raised in St. Lucia. He was a particularly interesting individual and a prodigy from an early age. On today’s episode, we cover how Lewis broke down the racial and economic barriers of his time with his sheer brilliance.
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If you’re looking to find out more about the topics covered in this episode visit us on www.islandarchive.com.
Produced by Pelican Media Group
Island Archive Entry A-02 : Sidney Poitier ‘From Negro Media to Just…Media’
Entry A-02: Sidney Poitier ‘From Negro Media to Just…Media’
Sidney Poitier was one of the most groundbreaking actors in history. Hailing from the Bahamas, h. was the first black actor to receive an Academy award and became a star in American movies and plays which went against racial stereotypes, making black actors more respected in mainstream roles. On today’s episode we chronicle his life, achievements and his unique journey to the big screen.
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If you’re looking to find out more about the topics covered in this episode visit us on www.islandarchive.com.
Produced by Pelican Media Group
Island Archive Invitation
The Island Archives Podcast is an audio series created to honor the Caribbean heroes and sheroes of the past and present, and highlight their immeasurable contributions in different areas and disciplines. The goal is to feature their achievements by retelling their stories in an interesting engaging and insightful way, by blending humor, history, and highlights.
We love those, "Ah ha" moments that inspire thoughts such as "Oh wow", and "I didn't know that", and especially the good ole', " I need find out more". So join us as enter the archives where we curate culture one entry at a time.
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If you’re looking to find out more about the topics covered in this episode visit us on www.islandarchive.com.
Island Archive Entry A-01 : Livingstone Bramble ‘Float Like a Butterfly, Sting like a Bramble’
Entry A-01: Livingstone Bramble: ‘Float Like a Butterfly, Sting like a Bramble’
Livingstone Bramble was a WBA lightweight champion born in St. Kitts. In 1984, he beat Ray “Boom-Boom” Mancini in a bout in which he was the HEAVY underdog. Bramble claimed that he beat Mancini with his mind before his fists, showing up at the pre-match press conference with a skull, a voodoo doll and his old basketball coach dressed up as a witch doctor. We discuss his exploits on today’s episode.
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If you’re looking to find out more about the topics covered in this episode visit us on www.islandarchive.com.