Successful Caribbean People...
People of the Caribbean are celebrated for their liveliness, their food, culture and music. Dreamers from all over the world hope of a chance to experience the sights tastes and sounds this region of the globe has to offer. The Caribbean is so rich with vibes and excitement that it is easy to forget and overlook one of the strongest traits Caribbean people: Our industrialness. Caribbean people are industrial and hardworking. We are entrepreneurial and clever. We are a successful culture of people and hidden behind the allure of carnival and rum punches on the beach lie vast communities with individuals who hold the potential to become some of the greatest outliers the world has ever known. So in case you forgot how fabulously successful and goal oriented West Indians can be, here are a list of Caribbean people who have developed world class success.
Usain Bolt
Born on August 21, 1986 in Sherwood Content, Jamaica
Considered as the fastest sprinter of all time, Usain Bolt has earned his moniker as the “Lightening Bolt”. He’s an eight-time Olympic gold medalist, eleven-time World Champion, an IAAF World Athlete of the Year winner, three-time BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year winner and four-time Laureus World Sportsman of the Year holder. He finally decided to retire in 2017 at the ripe old age of 31. However, that hasn’t stopped him from pursing new dreams. As of 2018, Bolt started training with the Australian A-League club as a left winger in association football with the goal of playing for Manchester United. After a brief stint with the Mariners he chose to leave sports completely opting to continue on with philanthropic and entrepreneurial endeavors.
Vashtie Kola
Born on April 23rd, 1981 in Albany, New York to Trinidadian parents
Vashtie Kola is a renowned filmmaker, video music director, designer and artist. Graduating from the School of Visual Arts in 2004 with a degree in film, Kola went on to become an industry standard in the world of urban art and music. In 2005 she was signed on to Box Fresh Pictures as a director and in 2006 she moved onto Island Def Jam as director of creative services. Then president of Def Jam, Antonio “L.A.” Reid recognized her ability to stay current with their market and revamp Island Def Jam into something more “in tune with downtown cool and pop mainstream.” During that time she started promoting an event called 1992 which Paper Magazine nominated as Best Party for their Nightlife award in 2008. That same year she started her own clothing line named VIOLETTE which helped to list Kola as the 23rd Most Stylish People Under 31.
Colin Powell
Born April 5, 1937 in New York City, New York to Jamaican parents
Colin Powell is a retired four-start general and politician who served as Secretary of State from 2001-2005 during the Bush administration. He is a Vietnam war vet who openly criticizes the lack of leadership and the horrors of the war. After the war he served a White House Fellowship under President Nixon from 1972-1973. He continued on his political career where he eventually rose to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs from 1989 to 1993. During this time, he oversaw responses to 28 crises, including the invasion of Panama in 1989 to remove General Manuel Noriega from power and Operation Desert Storm in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. He also earned an MBA from the competitive George Washington University.
Donna Christensen
Born September 19, 1945 to Virgin Islands Federal District Court judge, Almeric Christian
Donna Christian-Christensen earned her Bachelor of Science from St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana in 1966. Christensen then attended the George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., where she received an M.D. in 1970. She interned at San Francisco's Pacific Medical Center from 1970 to 1971 and performed her residency in family medicine at Howard University Medical Center from 1973 to 1974. She continued on to work in the emergency room and eventually maternity ward. She was the Commissioner of Health for the Virgin Islands in 1993 and 1994 and also ran a private medical practice until 1996. Christian was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions from 1994 through 2012 elections. She has also previously served on the Status Commission and the Board of Education for the USVI. She then went on to serve as the non-voting Delegate from the United States Virgin Islands to the United States House of Representatives from 1997 until 2015.
Sir Trevor McDonald
Born August 16, 1939 in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago
Trevor McDonald is a Trinidadian-British journalist who’s career was made prominent as a news presenter for ITN. He started his career in print and broadcast journalism in Trinidad throughout the 60’s and eventually moved onto BBC radio as a presenter and producer. He eventually moved on to being the sole presenter of the News At Ten which brought him his notoriety as a newscaster and journalist focusing on international news. In 1999 McDonald was knighted in honor of his contributions to journalism.
Cecily Tyson
Born December 19, 1924 in Harlem, New York City to parents from Nevis & St. Kitts
Cecily Tyson is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood history earning herself three Primetime Emmy Awards, four Black Reel awards, one Screen Actor Guild Award, one Tony Award and an honorary Academy Award. She also earned herself an Academy award nomination and a Golden Globe nomination for her role in as Rebecca Morgan in “Sounder”. He career spans more than six decades which is inspiring considering her humble beginnings. Tyson was born to immigrant parents who were processed at Ellis Island in 1919. Her mother worked as a domestic worker and her father a carpenter but their greatest job was producing this world beloved star.