New York City, NY – The spirit of Caribbean American Heritage Month came alive at the highly anticipated “Reels & Riddim” event, where Caribbean artists in the entertainment industry took center stage.
Hosted by Dennis Creary, President and CEO of Blacks on Wall Street, “Reels & Riddim” brought together the V&P Foundation and MProjekts Creative Group in a groundbreaking partnership, held at The Players in Gramercy, New York City, on June 16, which celebrated the exceptional contributions of Caribbean artists and showcased their unwavering commitment to preserving and advancing Caribbean arts and culture.
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The evening commenced with an illustrious panel of industry trail blazers, led by Ms. Patricia Chin, the legendary Co-Founder of VP Records and V&P Foundation; Meschida Philip, Founder of the 12°N, 61°W Grenada Film Festival; with Screenwriter and television Dramatist, Tricia Keens-Douglas, coined as The Nurse Who Writes. The discussion, expertly moderated by Natasha Sam, the Director of Influencer Marketing at Live Nation, delved into their journeys of breaking barriers in the entertainment business with emphasis on the significance of preserving the past and shaping the future of Caribbean content. The trio’s resolve to being torch bearers in an emerging film market, ignited the audience, who seconded their call to action.
The event was further elevated by the ensemble of musicians and vocalists coordinated by LeRoy Graham Jr. of the True Tribute Organization, who delivered show-stopping performances with acknowledgement to acclaimed artist Emmy, Tony & Grammy Award-Nominated Singer N’Kenge for her salute to the pioneer Harry Belafonte, recently deceased and even more praises to the virtuosity from performers Kendal Williams (Steel-pianist) and Majid on the Violin and Kirton Roberts, also known as “Alma-boy,” popular for his infectious Soca rhythms and dynamic stage presence.
Seamlessly, “Reels & Riddim” merged Caribbean cinema, music, and culture to create a one-of-a-kind experience with a curation of thought-provoking films, chosen by the 12°N, 61°W Grenada Film Festival team, which expanded on the diversity of the Caribbean landscape, challenging conventional narratives.
Beyond celebrating Caribbean talent, “Reels & Riddim” had a charitable mission. All proceeds from the event supported the V&P Foundation and the 12°N, 61°W Grenada Film Festival initiatives aimed at nurturing vibrant and sustainable creative ecosystems in the Caribbean.
By attending the event, guests enjoyed a night of entertainment and contributed to the growth and development of Caribbean arts and culture. Special thanks to our Partners, The Players, The Nine restaurant, NYC Tourism and Conventions, Grenada Tourism Authority, Jouvay Chocolates, Mosheen Spice Naturals, Tara Tomlinson and all our private donors and attendees.
For more information, please contact: Meschida Philip at [email protected]
