Nine-year-old writes book about challenges of maintaining afro hair Loop Barbados

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Barbados News

Nine-year-old Amaya James has written her first number 1 bestselling book in the beauty category on Amazon in Canada called ‘Afro No’. The book tackles the sometimes-complicated relationship that young black girls have with their hair and alludes to the beauty, individuality, and satisfaction that comes with the agony and difficulty of getting their hair done.

Amaya, the daughter of St Lucian mother Juli-Ann James and Canadian father Andrew James, began drawing at the age of four, and when her parents realized her skill, they equipped her with the digital tools she needed to develop it.

According to her mother, Amaya’s drawings were more advanced than the average four-year-old drawings.

“Amaya started drawing first actually, her primary passion is drawing. She has been drawing since the age of four and her father and I recognized that she had a talent for drawing. We wanted to equip her with not just a pen or pencil and paper, but also the digital skills to capture her drawings. So, we got her an iPad and installed a program called Procreate on the iPad where she can actually draw with pencil and paper, take a picture of her drawing and digitize it in Procreate. You could see the difference in her drawings at four and other four-year-old drawings because she has siblings. We could see the difference and we knew that she had a talent so we tried to encourage her.”

The idea of the book came about when Amaya drew this character, a girl with an extremely enormous afro that would pick up objects while she walked because her hair was so big. She showed it to her older sister who encouraged her to show it to her parents, who took it a step further and helped her publish a book.

Amaya wrote and illustrated the book, which was published on October 31 by her parents’ publishing company Summerhill Publishing.

“The book was published on October 31 but the concept of the drawing started in August this year. The book was published by Summerhill Publishing which is a publishing company that her father and I started. We both published a book under it but it had been dormant until she came up with the book idea and brought everything together, we just figured we would publish under Summerhill Publishing. The book became live on Amazon on November 1 and within a day it hit the number one bestselling spot in the beauty category on Amazon in the Canadian marketplace.”

“People think that the book is quite exceptional being that she is nine years old and she wrote and illustrated the entire book herself. The feedback has been very positive, she has done a few interviews. The story in the book is very much about her even though the character is not named Amaya, it’s very true to her own story. She has a lot of hair and is very tender-headed so that’s been a source of trauma. I know a lot of young black girls can relate to this that pulling and doing your hair can be a very painful process for both the child and the mother. She is just happy at the fact that something that is painful to her is bringing such joy to other people.”

Andrew, Amaya’s father, believes that empowering children to finish tasks they start, see things through until the end, and do what they want is something that parents should do, and seeing Amaya do what she has is something that encourages him and warms his heart.

“You see her doing her interviews and answering the questions so articulately, you’re like wow, this is our kid. So, we are proud and honoured. I think that if we as parents listen to our kids, don’t think that their ideas are too farfetched and really empower them to be able to do it, it will really give them a sense of knowing that there is no limit to what they can do.”

‘Afro No’ can be purchased on Amazon for US $10.97 and is also available at a Booklore in Orangeville, Canada.

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JAMAICA-TOURISM-Jamaica to hold talks with travel partners and investors in Canada

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Cana News Business

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GRENADA-LABOUR-Government commences payment of retroactive pension and gratuity

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Cana News Business

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Increase in murders pushed security chiefs to request SOEs – Anderson Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

Commissioner of Police, Major General Antony Anderson, has pointed to the increase in murders as the main reason that necessitated the imposition of states of emergency (SOEs) in seven parishes including the southern arc of Kingston and St Andrew, St Catherine and Clarendon and the tri-parish area of Westmoreland, Hanover and St James.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the SOEs during a media briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister Tuesday morning where he too cited the increase in murders and gang activities as justification for the security measure.

Speaking at the same briefing, Anderson noted that up to Sunday, November 13 a total of 1,360 murders had been committed in Jamaica. This represents an increase of 6.8 per cent over the corresponding period last year.

The country’s top cop said that 10 of the 19 police divisions that fall in the areas where the SOEs have been declared account for 72 per cent of the murders and 75 per cent of the shootings carried out in the country this year.

“The main drivers of these violent crimes continue to be gang violence which accounts for 71 per cent of all murders and inter-personal conflicts which account for another 16 per cent of these murders,” Anderson stated.

He said the police have reaped some successes since he announced at a press conference in February that they would be targeting guns, gang and gunmen. He pointed out that year-to-date some 675 illegal firearms have been seized, a 10 per cent increase over 2021, while the police have disrupted gun runners and contract killers on their way to perpetuate crimes. Anderson said the Jamaica Constabulary Force has achieved these successes in collaboration with its partners including the Jamaica Defence Force, detailed policing and security plans.

“There is an urgency to what we do as a society and it’s on this basis that there’s no place for reticence in using every tool that is available to us collectively in order to deal with this situation. It’s how we’re going to staunch the bloodletting,” he argued.

Anderson told the media briefing that it was against this backdrop, in conjunction with Chief of Defence Staff, Rear Admiral Antonette Wemyss Gorman, that he requested the use of emergency powers under a limited state of emergency. He highlighted that during previous SOEs there was an average 40 per cent reduction in murders.

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US travel guide lists Trinidad among 50 top places to visit in 2023

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Flamingoes and scarlet ibises coexist in the Caroni Bird Sanctuary. File photo/Jeff K. Mayers

SIX days after the US State Department put Trinidad and Tobago on its Level III tier – which means travel here should be reconsidered – a popular US travel guide listed Trinidad as one of the top 50 places in the world to visit in 2023.

The US uses four levels to advise its citizens on visiting or working in a specific country – Level I: exercise normal precautions; Level II: exercise increased caution; Level III: reconsider travel; and Level IV: do not travel.

TT was previously on a Level II tier until last Wednesday, with the State Department saying the reason for upgrading it was crime.

The advisory said US government personnel are prohibited from travelling to Beetham Gardens, Laventille, Sea Lots, Cocorite and the interior of the Queen’s Park Savannah, and after dark, downtown Port of Spain, Fort George overlook and all beaches.

It said terrorism, kidnapping, murder, robbery, assault, sexual assault and home invasions are common in TT and urged those who still choose to visit to be cautious.

Despite this, US travel guide Travel Lemming placed Trinidad – omitting Tobago – at spot 43 on its 50 Best Places to Travel in 2023 list.

“Trinidad is full of gorgeous spots. And the best part? No one else is there!” it said.It said the best time to visit is January-May and suggested activities like watching turtles nest at Grande Riviere, touring the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, visiting the Asa Wright Nature Centre, Maracas Bay, Bamboo Cathedral, and Mermaid Pools of Matura.

Bamboo Cathedral. File photo/Jeff K Mayers

It said Trinidad is a “lesser-travelled island” with a “vibrant landscape and lifestyle…swathed in the tropical jungle” and home to a variety of unique flora and fauna, hidden waterfalls, wild rivers and diverse wetlands.

“Its unique cuisine blends Caribbean, Chinese, and Indian flavours to create delicious dishes. When visiting, try locals’ street food favourite – doubles – a curried chickpea sandwich topped with spicy mango chutney.

“From incredible food to fun festivals and the rhythm of Calypso music, Trinidadians’ warm, welcoming culture will be the highlight of your experience.”The travel guide has over sixmillion readers annually.

The top ten destinations on the list are: Lafayette, Louisiana; Bhutan; Utila, Honduras; Ile Sainte Marie, Madagascar; Kosovo; Salento, Colombia; Vanuatu; Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia; Uzbekistan; Detroit, Michigan.

The only other Caribbean destinations on the list of 50 are Caye Caulker, Belize and St Croix, US Virgin Islands.

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3 Chinese nationals freed of money laundering charges

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

File photo

THREE Chinese men were freed of money laundering charges by the chief magistrate on Monday.

Chief Magistrate Maria Busby Earle-Caddle discharged them after upholding a no-case submission advanced by their attorneys Wayne Sturge, Mario Merritt and Karunaa Bisramsingh.

The three – Yaun Fu Wu, Du Feng Wu and Yanbin Huang Liam – were charged in October 2015 after they were arrested at a house on Allan Street, Diego Martin, where a little over $1 million in TT, US and Venezuelan currency was found.

The State contended the money – TT$482,337, US$7,724 and 44,012 Venezuelan bolivares – was from an illegal gambling ring.

In upholding the no-case submission, Earle-Caddle agreed with the defence attorneys that the police failed to do a proper investigation to determine the exact source of the money.In their submission, the three attorneys argued the money was legitimate cash from businesses they had in Venezuela and they they intended to open and register another business in Trinidad and Tobago.

In objection, prosecutors argued the money was obtained contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act.However, the defence contended the police failed to verify the information the men gave when they were arrested, although they told investigators their business plans.

In evidence, policesaid they went on the suspicion that the men were involved in illegal gambling and there were bar owners who told them Chinese nationals had approached them to instal roulette machines at their establishments to facilitate illegal gambling. However, no one ever identified the men.

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Bassarath: Youth cricketers remain top priority in 2023

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Sports

President of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board Azim Bassarath at the Alloy Lequay Administrative Centre, Balmain, Couva, on July 8. – Photo by Ayanna Kinsale

Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) president Azim Bassarath has said youth development remains an integral part of the board’s plans for the 2023 season.

As the preceding season winds down with the two-week Dream XI T10 Blast third edition from Monday, Bassarath confirmed TT’s U23 players will also get a chance to hit the pitch before year’s end, in a four-team tournament from December 28.

This competition concludes in early January and the board is intent on delivering since the U19s were unable to compete at this stage in 2020 and 2021, owing to the pandemic.

The U19 tournament also sets the pace for a packed schedule of youth matches in 2023.At Monday’s Dream XI T10 Blast player draft, at the National Cricket Centre in Couva, Bassarath said youth development and competition remained a top priority. He wants youth cricket played regularly in an effort to better TT’s chances at capturing Cricket West Indies (CWI) youth titles.

“In 2023, we start with the same youth tournaments, beginning with the inter-zone. From there, we’ll select four teams to play in an U16 and U19 tournament, and then we’ll select teams for the North/South Classics.

“We are providing, for the youngsters, a lot of cricket to play in preparation for the regional tournaments.

“We did not do too well in the regional tournaments in 2022, and because of changes, all the teams had to go through the same thing, but because there were changes mid-way through the tournament, we felt that affected our plans in place for those tournaments.”

Bassarath confirmed that the CWI U19 tournament will be played in July 2023 and the U15 competition will be brought forward to the Easter vacation.The National League bowls off in February.

“We have to ensure that we put everything in place for our youth cricket for 2023. The more cricket you play, the better you’re going to become.”

On the final edition of the Dream XI T10 Blast, which begins at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, on Monday, Bassarath said, “I’m quite sure that when the National League starts, all of these players (competing in the Dream XI) will be well prepared for the resumption.”

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Santa Cruz Green Market celebrates 10th anniversary

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

FILE PHOTO: Patrons at the Santa Cruz Green Market on September 18. –

The Green Market, Santa Cruz, will be celebrating its 10th anniversary on November 26, by joining the global Slow Food Earth Market network.

Founder Vicki Assevero said, “Joining this amazing global network offers all of our community members and supporters an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to good, clean and fair food and food systems. We are privileged to start a new decade and innovate our original model for greater sustainability.”

Celebrations including parang, free horse rides, a bouncy castle and more, will begin at 6am, followed by a formal ceremony at 10am, honouring loyal vendors and other supporters for their contribution throughout the years.

Cake sponsored by Linda’s Bakery and ice-cream by B&M ice-cream will be free for the first 100 people.

Some of the market’s most popular vendors are invited back for a “culinary stroll down memory lane” with Debbie’s coconut bake, Antonio’s empanadas and Astrida’s chocolate drinks, among others.

A media release said, “The public will be invited to help inaugurate a pollinator garden as part of the worldwide BES Net which is seeking to preserve biodiversity. The market has also been an avid advocate for sustainable practices including but not limited to zero waste initiatives, saving the soil, recycling, farmers’ education and most recently, our affiliation with Slow Food earth market and the inauguration of a pollinator garden.”

Visit Green Market’s Instagram and Facebook pages @greenmarketsantacruz for vendor stories and product highlights.

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WATCH: Department Of Finance Fine-Tunes Its Business Continuity Strategy – St. Lucia Times News

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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The Department of Finance supported by the World Bank is focused on responding to the next hazard or threat to its operation by building resilience into its business continuity strategy.

More in this report from Glen Simon:

SOURCE: National Competitiveness and Productivity Council

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NTRC’s I-CODE finals set to take place this Friday

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: NBC SVG

The finals of the I-CODE Competition hosted by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission NTRC is set to take place this Friday at the Methodist Church Hall.

Consumer and Public Relations Manager at the NTRC Rhea Lewis said the competition will be judged in three categories.

https://www.nbcsvg.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/ICODE-1.mp3

Ms. Lewis is encouraging persons to view the finals online or attend in person for a chance to win a prize.

https://www.nbcsvg.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/ICODE-3.mp3

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