Clara Lionel Foundation And Mellon Foundation Unite To Amplify Caribbean Arts And Culture On Global Stage

News Americas, BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS, August 11, 2025: The Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) and the Mellon Foundation today announced a key initiative of their groundbreaking partnership – The Ripple Effect – to elevate the Caribbean arts ecosystem.

The Ripple Effect exhibition, curated by Fresh Milk Barbados, is now open to the public at Caribbean Brushstrokes in Bridgetown through August 30. (Credit: Dondré Trotman)

The initiative represents a bold goal of building a future where artistry thrives not in isolation but as a shared, collective force. By empowering Barbadian artists through direct funding and support, CLF and the Mellon Foundation foster community-driven creative solutions and ensure broad access to art across Barbados and the wider Caribbean region. The partnership provides monetary support for cultural organizations like Fresh Milk Barbados, Operation Triple Threat, and Pinelands Creative Workshop to serve as regional arts hubs, while creating sustainable pathways to economic stability for artists and arts-focused organizations through specialized fellowships that allow artists to develop and market their work locally.

The Ripple Effect is marked by the public opening of a new exhibition in Bridgetown, Barbados. The exhibition, curated by Fresh Milk Barbados, is now open to the public and running through August 30 at Caribbean Brushstrokes in Bridgetown. It features works by various Barbadian artists, including CLF fellows Simone Asia, Russell Watson, Anna Gibson, and Ronald Williams. These artists are creating works that interact with CLF’s core pillars, spanning climate solutions to health access to women’s entrepreneurship and more, and intersecting these themes with authentic Caribbean cultural expression. The exhibition highlights how Caribbean voices are pioneering artistic innovation as a pathway to bolster economic development, drive career opportunities, and amplify cultural expression while creating avenues for Barbadian artists from diverse communities to showcase their talents locally, regionally, and globally.

“Thirteen years after CLF’s founding, our partnership with the Mellon Foundation represents a full-circle moment – amplifying the voices and talents that have always been part of our organization’s DNA, starting right here in Barbados,” said Jessie Schutt-Aine, Executive Director of the Clara Lionel Foundation. “What visitors will experience in this exhibition is the incredible artistry that has always existed here, now with the institutional backing to reach an international stage. This partnership honors CLF’s beginnings while leveraging our years of proven community-led impact across the Caribbean and beyond.”

“This partnership beautifully represents Mellon’s philosophy of cultural investment,”said Justin Garrett Moore, Program Director of the Mellon Foundation. “We’re recognizing Barbadian artists as essential voices in addressing the challenges that affect us all. These creators have been developing innovative, community-rooted solutions for generations, and our goal is to amplify their work to ensure it reaches the global stage it deserves.”

Building on CLF’s 13 years of experience delivering multi-year support to community-led innovators across five core impact areas, the CLF-Mellon partnership ensures local artists and cultural organizations have the support to build a self-sustaining creative ecosystem. The initiative supports Barbadian artists and creatives who push boundaries and reshape the meaning of Caribbean art, while ensuring all Barbadians can access and experience art regardless of their socioeconomic background. Organizations, artists, and community leaders now have the resources needed to imagine innovative climate solutions through art.

To learn more about the partnership between CLF and the Mellon Foundation and their ongoing efforts in the Caribbean, please visit claralionelfoundation.org.

About The Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF)

Founded in 2012 by Robyn Rihanna Fenty, the Clara Lionel Foundation builds thriving & resilient communities across the Caribbean, Africa, and US South by equipping community innovators to lead change from within. Taking a community-led and -centered approach, we create impact through five inter-connected pillars – climate solutions, women’s entrepreneurship, arts & culture, health access & equity, and future generations.

About The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is the nation’s largest supporter of the arts and humanities. Since 1969, the Foundation has been guided by its core belief that the humanities and arts are essential to human understanding. The Foundation believes that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity, and that everyone deserves the beauty, transcendence, and freedom that can be found there. Through our grants, we seek to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive.

Guyana Urges Israel To Reverse Gaza Occupation Plan

By NAN Staff Writer

News Americas, UNITED NATIONS, NY, Aug. 11, 2025:The oil rich South American CARICON nation of Guyana has joined mounting global calls for Israel to reverse a controversial cabinet decision to take control of Gaza City by October 7, 2025 – a move critics say will expel thousands of Palestinians, deepen the humanitarian crisis, and effectively end the two-state solution.

Students of Birzeit University stage a protest for Al Jazeera reporters who were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a tent reserved for journalists at the entrance to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, near Ramallah in the West Bank on August 11, 2025. (Photo by Issam Rimawi/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Speaking at the UN Security Council on Sunday, Guyana’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, warned that the planned occupation threatens not only the stability of the Middle East but also global peace.

“We, the Security Council, must respond to the fact that over 61,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7, and this number increases every single day,” she said, condemning any form of collective punishment against Gaza’s civilian population.

FLASHBACK – Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the UN and president of the Security Council for the month of June, speaks during a UN Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security at the United Nations Headquarters on June 13, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

While reaffirming Guyana’s condemnation of Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel, Rodrigues-Birkett stressed that no act of violence can justify what she described as “the mass displacement, death, and destruction now unfolding.”

Guyana outlined key demands, including:

Reversing the planned occupation of Gaza City.

Agreeing to an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire.

Withdrawing to pre-1967 borders in line with UN resolutions and the International Court of Justice advisory opinion.

Granting unrestricted humanitarian access to civilians in need.

The envoy also called for the release of all hostages and stronger protections for UN personnel and humanitarian workers operating in the besieged territory.

Two top UN officials echoed the warnings. Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, cautioned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s push for “total military control” and an alternative civilian administration in Gaza could “ignite another horrific chapter of displacement, death, and destruction.”

“If implemented, these plans will likely trigger another calamity in Gaza, reverberating across the region,” Jenča said, urging full compliance with international humanitarian law.

Senior humanitarian official Ramesh Rajasingham warned that hunger-related deaths in Gaza are already rising, with humanitarian lifelines collapsing under sustained bombardment and insufficient aid.

The Israeli government has defended its military operations as essential to defeating Hamas, but critics insist the latest decision risks plunging Gaza — and the wider region — into an even deeper humanitarian disaster.

Over 60,000 Dead in Gaza as Israel Expands Offensive

More than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, compared to 1,200 Israelis killed and 250 taken hostage in Hamas’ initial attack. The Israeli military admitted Sunday to deliberately killing Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif and four colleagues in a strike on their tent outside al-Shifa Hospital, bringing the toll of media workers killed to over 230.

Fresh bombings continued across the enclave as Israel allowed only limited airdrops of aid, while the UN Security Council met to condemn Israel’s occupation plans. Most members rejected the move, but the US defended Israel and blamed Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters that seizing Gaza City was “the fastest way” to end the war.

Meanwhile, violent Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in the West Bank, including a village in Hebron, as soldiers carried out new raids and supported the settler assaults.

iQor CXBPO™ Acquires JumpCrew to Expand End-to-End CXBPO Capabilities

News Americas, FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. , Aug. 11, 2025: iQor CXBPO, a global leader in customer experience business process outsourcing (BPO), today announced its acquisition of JumpCrew, a premier provider of outsourced B2B sales and marketing solutions. This strategic move expands iQor’s ability to deliver seamless, tech‑enabled support across the entire customer lifecycle — from acquisition to retention — and reinforces its position as a full-service CX partner for leading brands.

Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, JumpCrew delivers Growth as a Service (GaaS) through an integrated stack of lead generation, content creation, RevOps automation, and dedicated sales teams. The company has generated over $1 billion in new revenue for its clients — the fastest-growing and most innovative brands.

“iQor’s CXBPO expertise and JumpCrew’s unique Growth as a Service execution will deliver a seamless end-to-end customer lifecycle service. This powerful combination, leveraging iQor’s global delivery network and next-generation Voice-of-the-Customer insights, will allow our clients to grow, retain, and optimize their business with enhanced efficiency and performance outcomes,” said iQor President and CEO Chris Crowley.

Clients will now benefit from a unified solution that offers:

Lead generation, pipeline conversion, customer service, and retention

Integrated CX and sales execution, backed by Insights iQ real‑time analytics

ROI optimization across the customer lifecycle

JumpCrew’s proprietary AdPost platform further enhances iQor’s technology stack and infinityAiQ platform, providing businesses with a powerful toolset for managing digital campaigns, tracking performance, and centralizing customer acquisition data.

“Joining iQor unlocks unprecedented scale for JumpCrew’s proven Growth as a Service approach. With a world-class client portfolio, we know what it takes to drive pipeline growth. Backed by iQor’s global infrastructure and CX intelligence, we’ll deepen those relationships, accelerate lead generation, and innovate faster while preserving the agility and client focus that define JumpCrew,” said Robert Henderson, CEO of JumpCrew.

This acquisition continues iQor’s evolution as a digitally enabled CX service provider, combining human problem-solving with AI‑driven insights from millions of service interactions. The combined companies of iQor and JumpCrew will be led by Chris Crowley as President and CEO. JumpCrew will preserve its brand name and entrepreneurial culture under the leadership of Robert Henderson, who will report to Chris Crowley.

About iQor CXBPO
iQor CXBPO is a trusted partner in intelligent customer experience solutions, delivering exceptional results for global brands. With 40,000 employees across 10 countries, we combine 30 years of industry expertise with cutting-edge AI-driven innovations to optimize customer interactions at every stage. Our agile, scalable solutions ensure seamless omnichannel engagement, driving loyalty and measurable business success. Recognized as a Great Place to Work® and a leader in CX excellence, we elevate performance through a people-first approach, operational expertise, and secure, technology-enabled solutions. Learn more at iQor.com.

About JumpCrew
JumpCrew is a Nashville‑based Growth as a Service agency specializing in outsourced B2B sales and marketing. Founded in 2016, JumpCrew helps companies generate leads, build pipeline, and close more deals through a proven stack of content, automation, and dedicated sales teams. Learn more at www.JumpCrew.com.

All-Inclusive, Redefined Again: Blue Diamond Resorts Is Now Royalton Hotels & Resorts

News Americas, ST. MICHAEL, Barbados, Aug. 11, 2025: After fifteen years of redefining the all-inclusive experience, Blue Diamond Resorts is taking the next step in its evolution. Beginning August 11, 2025, the company will officially transition to Royalton Hotels & Resorts, consolidating its brand identity under the name that has defined its guest experience across the Caribbean.

This change marks a natural evolution for the company, whose success has been closely tied to the growth and recognition of its Royalton-branded properties across seven leading sun destinations. With an aligned portfolio and refreshed visual identity, the move consolidates brand equity and reinforces the company’s leadership in the modern all-inclusive space, while maintaining the same essence and operations.

“This is more than a name change. It is a strategic alignment of our brand portfolio that highlights the strength and recognitionof Royalton,” said Jordi Pelfort, President of Royalton Hotels & Resorts.

As part of the brand realignment, the adults-only brand formerly known as Hideaway at Royalton will now be referred to as Royalton Hideaway, A Resort Within a Resort. The refreshed name reinforces its place within the Royalton ecosystem, while continuing to offer the same Togetherness concept and elevated adults-only experience that guests have come to expect.

Planet Hollywood Hotels & Resorts will also evolve to become Planet Hollywood Hotels & Resorts by Royalton, reinforcing the connection between its all-ages cinematic concept and the strength of the Royalton name. Guests can continue to enjoy its signature Vacation Like a Star experience, now under a unified identity.

Pelfort added: “With every brand now part of the Royalton family, our identity has never been more unified or more powerful. Royalton is no longer just a brand. It is a household name that guests remember and trust. As we celebrate 15 years of excellence, this evolution marks a defining moment in our history. Blue Diamond Resorts will always be part of our DNA. Its mission, vision, and spirit remain at the core of who we are.”

With this transition, the company’s portfolio will continue to include well-known brands such as Royalton Luxury Resorts, Royalton CHIC Resorts, Royalton Vessence Resorts, the rebranded Royalton Hideaway Resorts, Planet Hollywood Hotels & Resorts by Royalton, Mystique by Royalton, and Grand Lido Negril.

This announcement follows a year of expansion and innovation for the company, including the launch of Royalton Vessence Resorts, the recent announcement of Royalton CHIC Jamaica Paradise Cove, and new resort developments underway in the Caribbean.

For more information, visit www.royalton.com

About Royalton Hotels & Resorts

Royalton Hotels & Resorts is a leading all-inclusive hospitality company with a curated portfolio of 24 resorts across seven of the Caribbean’s most sought-after destinations, each offering a distinct and immersive signature experience. Its eight brands include the award-winning All-In Luxury® Royalton Luxury Resorts, where Everyone is Family, known for elevated comfort and thoughtful service through signature features like All-In Connectivity and DreamBed. Royalton Hideaway delivers an upscale adults-only escape designed around Togetherness, with exclusive dining and modern accommodations. Royalton Vessence Resorts introduces The Art of Vacation through a wellness-forward approach to all-inclusive travel, centered on balance and mindful connection. Royalton CHIC Resorts invites guests to Party Your Way with vibrant, adults-only getaways full of style and spontaneity, while Mystique by Royalton offers Miles from Ordinary boutique retreats that celebrate natural beauty, local culture, and laid-back sophistication. In Jamaica, Grand Lido Negril presents a unique Au Naturel experience for guests 21 and over, with secluded beachfront luxury.

The portfolio also includes Planet Hollywood Hotels & Resorts by Royalton, where guests can Vacation Like A Star in entertainment-infused settings surrounded by iconic memorabilia, and Planet Hollywood Adult Scene by Royalton, where guests can Dodge the Paparazzi in glam, adults-only escapes defined by privacy and exclusivity.

To learn more about Royalton Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.royalton.com