Ozzie Stewart, the Trinidadian-born founder and president of Past The Name 24 7, Inc., a New York Metropolis-based nonprofit group that focuses on supporting the individuals and populations of the Caribbean Diaspora, has described as “a convincing success” an modern and culturally immersive occasion geared in the direction of empowering members of the neighborhood by their therapeutic journey.
Stewart informed Caribbean Life over the weekend that the Sept. 12 epic Caribbean paintings was held at 1 Vanderbilt Ave., twenty first flooring, forty second St., close to Grand Central, in midtown Manhattan.
She stated the inaugural occasion was dubbed “Therapeutic Abuse By West Indian Heritage.”
“What started as a imaginative and prescient final 12 months on Trini soil on the Trinidad and Tobago Consulate has now blossomed into actuality,“ Stewart stated. “Past The Name 24 7, Inc.’s first Therapeutic Abuse By West Indian True Heritage occasion unfolded at TD Financial institution’s company area in Manhattan, and the response has been nothing in need of extraordinary,“ she stated.
Stewart stated friends from Connecticut, Florida, Harlem, and New York gathered to replicate, rejoice, and heal by “a uniquely Caribbean lens.”
She stated Trinidad and Tobago New York Consul Normal J. Andre Laveau delivered “a keynote that stirred the viewers to deep reflection, whereas audio system and artists amplified the theme of resilience.”
Stewart stated GRAMMY Award–profitable, Trinidadian-born musical artist Anslem Douglas additionally “moved hearts together with his highly effective tune on abuse, complemented by Elspeth Duncan’s vibrantly calming therapeutic movie.“
She stated the night “flowed seamlessly below the steerage of an attractive MC, who stored this system sharp and led members by a therapeutic train that resonated throughout the room.“
Stewart stated that “floral designs that captured the spirit of the islands and the stirring sounds of pannist Earl Brooks, Jr, added to the immersive cultural environment.
“The end result? An occasion that was equal elements thought-provoking and celebratory— ‘the very best tambrin (tamarind) sauce on the Pho lourie,‘ as one attendee joyfully described – an ode to Aunty Wendy’s implausible hand,“ she stated.
“To name the inaugural ‘Therapeutic Abuse’ gathering successful could be an understatement,“ Stewart added. “It set a brand new customary for mixing tradition, dialog, and neighborhood therapeutic.”
Cecile Ford, a Trinidadian-born director of the West Indian American Day Carnival Affiliation (WIADCA), stated, “What a beautiful expertise to be within the presence of a room full of those that acknowledge the topic of abuse and the therapeutic {that a} neighborhood can convey.
“Congratulations, Ozzie, for making this doable,“ she added.
Dr. Farley Cleghorn lauded Stewart for “reaching for brand new heights in her annual occasion.
“She rouses the Caribbean neighborhood and allies within the larger New York space and nationally to showcase their excellence, meals, and style whereas maintaining the give attention to core points affecting us all,“ Dr. Cleghorn added.
Michelle Lewis, CEO of Gotham Well being, New York Well being + Hospitals, stated she “loved the area, which set the tone for a relaxed vibe for a vital dialogue.
“Everybody appeared engaged and attended for the trigger, however principally to help Ozzie and the groundbreaking work she and her group are doing to push these points to the forefront,“ Lewis added.
Marcus Gonzales, TD’s vice chairman and neighborhood enterprise improvement officer, stated, “What an incredible gathering of excellence.
“Celebrating Caribbean tradition is at all times essential to me, and the room was full of the humanities, music, wonderful delicacies, and unmatched power – all items of what Caribbean tradition means to me,“ he added.
Stewart stated the occasion featured creatives from the worlds of artwork, music, movie, and wellness professionals.
She stated the artwork and works of Hollis King, Sherwin Banfield, and Alicia Aberdeen-Jones had been on show, specializing in abuse and therapeutic.
Stewart stated that filmmakers Asha Lovelace and Elspeth Duncan spotlighted the therapeutic facet.
She stated metal drummer pannist Earl Brooks, Jr., and Douglas added to the occasion’s theme.
In addition to Laveau and Dr. Cleghorn, Stewart stated different featured audio system included Dr. Tulsa Knox, licensed psychologist/psychological well being practitioner, and Edvardo Archer, govt therapist and household therapist.
Stewart stated Past The Name 24 7 companions with “The Onerous Points“ phase of the On The Name Podcast Community Expertise to give attention to uplifting the neighborhood whereas realizing that individuals want neighborhood and a protected area.
“That is our name to motion by Past The Name 24 7,“ she stated. “By this community-minded group, the nonprofit speaks to the world at massive, in addition to the current give attention to the Trinidadian populations dwelling exterior their homeland.
Stewart additionally stated she is engaged on “opening up conversations with the Caribbean Basin.“
With premier sponsorship from TD Financial institution, FWBK, and different neighborhood help, Stewart hopes to create “an area wrapped across the energy of the Caribbean neighborhood, whereas making room for engagement on the very troublesome international conversations of abuse – whether or not home or sexual.”
With the primary milestone behind them, Stewart stated Past The Name 24 7, Inc. now seems forward to “an excellent larger imaginative and prescient for 2026.”
For extra info, electronic mail Stewart at beyondthecall23@gmail.com
