The Importance of Cultural Events
I wanted to take this time to reflect on the passing of October which is Black History Month in the UK. This year’s celebrations were even bigger and better than previous years following the impact of the tragic death of George Floyd in America and the rise
Meet Elizabeth Flanders
As the Founder of Event Connoisseurs I started this business because I could not find any Caribbean focused events that remembered our culture and heritage whilst celebrating the positive contribution, we, the Caribbean and those of Caribbean descent, have made to society whilst also honouring our history.
Elizabeth Flanders
Elizabeth Flanders My name is Elizabeth Flanders, Founder at Event Connoisseurs. I started this business because I could not find any Caribbean focused events that remembered our culture and heritage whilst celebrating the positive contribution, we, the Caribbean and those of Caribbean descent, have made to society whilst also honouring our history. Many Caribbean islands celebrate their individual history, yet I see the Caribbean as a community, and therefore all three of our events will focus on the Caribbean as one community with a shared heritage. I also feel that the Caribbean could be better represented as a stand-alone nation and, although there are strong links with Africa, we should not allow this to consume our unique identity born out of our own struggle. Therefore, I am passionate about creating inspired, exceptional, and unforgettable events for you. I want to showcase the best of the Caribbean to a UK audience, to celebrate, preserve and grow our rich culture and heritage. To inspire UK based individuals from a Caribbean background to explore the richness of their culture, take pride in their heritage and discover (or rediscover) their cultural identity. Why this is important to me. To quote Marcus Garvey…. “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots”. Cultural events have a huge role to play in sharing knowledge and information and in promoting understanding, tolerance, and acceptance. These events also provide a better understanding of self, of identity and of belonging; cultural events build community. Let’s be proud to be Caribbean and let’s explore what this means together. Let us pass on our folk stories, how to make sorrel, sweet potato pudding (ok now I am just thinking about food), what the celebration of carnival truly represents; our cultural landmarks – Community! My events credential. With over twenty years of event planning and management experience from the corporate world and private clients; I first entered the world of event planning as a Conference Administrator in the 1990s and soon worked my way up to become the Events Team Leader. Over the years I organised hundreds of events ranging in size and complexity and did a lot of travelling. My experience is varied and ranges from Staff Awards and AGMs, large-scale corporate conferences to birthday celebrations and Family Fun Days. It is time for the Caribbean to be seen in a new light – we are so much more than sun, sea, music, food and rum! We have a culture worth preserving and at Event Connoisseurs, we plan to be at the front leading this change.
Joseph Charles
Joseph Charles Joseph Charles is the publisher of Soca News which has been going for over 25 years, and specialises in and is dedicated to music, news, culture, carnival and lifestyle. Arguably, Soca News was the first non-academic publication in the UK to take these artforms seriously by publicising and reviewing previously neglected forms of Caribbean music – including from UK-based artistes – and mas (carnival costume). Additionally, Soca News has carried numerous interviews and features on subjects spanning Caribbean art and literature, food, travel, traditions, history and personalities. Joseph is something of a visionary, constantly trying out new approaches to promoting and popularising in the UK distinctive aspects of Caribbean culture – especially soca, calypso and steelpan music, and the carnival arts. In this respect, he has been a strong, if behind-the-scenes, ambassador for these artforms and as a result is widely respected in the UK Caribbean community for his efforts. Joseph’s mantra is all about Spreading Our Culture Around.
Jordan Hamilton
Jordan Hamilton Co-Founder, Care by Jords Hi I’m Jordan, Co-Founder of the natural & organic skincare company Care By Jords. In my past I haven’t always made the right decisions and this led me down a dark path. With that said thanks to faith and the love of my mother I was able to turn my life around. Care By Jords is our attempt to do the same for others. I found that the main reason I did what I did was a lack of confidence. We want to increase the confidence of our customers with our natural & organic skincare products. Which will in turn raise the confidence of our community as whole and ridding us of all of the problems that a lack of confidence brings. Since starting 2 years ago we now serve customers from all around the world. From the UK & the US to Belgium to Kenya we are increasing the confidence of people all over the globe. Recently we were announced as winners at the Natural Health & Beauty Awards for the quality of our entire range of products. Beating well established brands with larger teams and more financial backing than we have. This is just the beginning of our journey and we cannot wait to see what comes next.
CALVIN ANTHONY RATTRAY
Calvin Anthony Rattray Managing Director, Hype Coiffure Hairdressing Group. Calvin Rattray has been associated with the world of hair and beauty for the last two decades. Formally working in a Blue-Chip Company Mr Rattray decided to venture into the world of hair and fashion. After seeing a niche in the market for a modern Afro hairdressing salon using professional stylists’ and branded products, Calvin and his team set about building this vision of a salon that would provide first-class hairdressing services in a welcoming and embracing environment. The first Hype Coiffure salon was launched in Balham South West London in 1995. Soon after a salon in Tulse Hill Brixton was launched and then later their flagship branch in Clapham Junction Battersea followed. Calvin’s main philosophy has been wrapped around the education of his staff in order to give them the ability to operate at a high level not only in hairdressing but also in customer care and in life skills. “I am a true believer of motivating my staff in order for them to progress in their future careers” says Calvin Rattray. Under the leadership of Mr Rattray his team has won over 40 prestigious awards, including the coveted British Hairdressing Award – Calvin has sat on a number of community committees and industry panels and believes in giving back to society to motivate, inspire and empower the youth of today and believes they are our rising stars and the leaders of the future.
Akima Paul Lambert
Akima Paul Lambert Partner, Hogan Lovells Akima Paul Lambert focuses on high-stakes commercial litigation and arbitration. She often works with clients on large, multijurisdictional disputes. She has experience in commercial and investment treaty arbitration, and is dual-qualified in the UK and in the U.S. Akima has significant experience acting for financial institutions, corporations and professional firms in litigation and arbitration proceedings arising out of commercial, banking and financial disputes. According to Benchmark Litigation Europe (2020), Akima is “professional, brilliant and dedicated to the task,” and “a very responsive and diligent lawyer” who is “very capable of handling complex matters and always delivers what she promises.” She has also been listed as an EMpower Ethnic Minority Future Leader Role Model 2020 which recognises worldwide future senior leaders who are making a significant contribution to ethnic minority inclusion at work. Akima is significantly involved in pro bono and has worked on and co-ordinated a range of pro bono matters in relation to international economic development and human rights.
Janet Charles
Her Excellency Janet Charles Acting High Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Dominica to the United Kingdom. Her Excellency is a career diplomat having worked with the Government of Dominica for over 30 years. In 2014 H.E. Charles started her second tour of duty as Acting High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, returning after a two-year visit in 2010. Along with this role the High Commissioner is also Charge d’Affaires a.i. to the: United Nations Office at Geneva and other Specialised Agencies in Europe; World Trade Organisation Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Charge d’Affaires a.i. to France, Germany, Sweden, The Netherlands, Slovenia The High Commissioners passion for the UK began when she successfully completed a BA (Hons) Business Studies – International Business at the University of Westminster, London. When able to find some spare time, the High Commissioner support various voluntary charitable initiatives and has a keen interest in sports; in particular cricket, netball and football.