Kayla Harley

Every now and then in my travels, I come across a GEM.
Why strolling through the Craft Market I found myself in a spot that stood out from the rest of the trinkets and specialty items. Premium ostrich leather bags layered with zebra fir patches, colors of Mahogany, Beige and Black firmly stretched and tied along the side of Messenger Satchels, Pouches, Purses, Chairs and even a fully framed piece of Art work with the story of African capture and enslavement etched into the material hung on the back wall. It was powerful. And I felt honored to experience such quality pieces of work in a casual and intimate place such as a Carifesta XIV.

I stood at a distance for a moment gazing at the sight and taking it in, recognizing that where I was Sacred and Godly. I approached a tall gentleman sitting calmly on a chair hovering over something he was reading and asked him about his work. There was description, his Artistic Statement that pointed to which proclaims his intent and purpose behind the…

Cultural Fabrication, A Traveling Black Woman

"You see we don't have the kind of problems that other counties do....we are not Culture Appropriators, we are the Officiators." Graduate Student in Trinidad & Tobago

Her statement was with such conviction, strength passion as she speaks to the cultural and ethnic divide that we face today--she speaks to the fact that the island of Trinidad & Tabogo is has such an interwoven existence-- a Mural blend of Indigenous of "First Peoples", Africans, Spanish, British, Portuguese, French Creole, Indian and Chinese.

After seeing one the submitted stories in the TTFilm Festival called, "Calcutta to Caribbean", I came realize that the Indian presence in this country has influenced significant parts of what is now a the fabric of everyday life. Hindu Temples including, the Temple at the Sea in Caroni (built by a spiritual zealate) were erected all over the island whereas Indians can worship, pray and live freely a similar. The temple provides a remembran…

Day #3 L'Acado Dance Workshop - A Traveling Black Woman

No Yoga for me this Morning.

Instead, I was eagerly anticipating L'Antoinette Stiles company class and workshop featuring her specialized technique: L'anTech being held at the National Performing Arts Building as part of the University of Trinidad & Tabago. I first encountered this woman as gazed at a piece of fruit to eat one early morning in Dayton, Ohio at the International Association of Blacks in Dance Association Annual Conference in Festival 2019. Typical gypsy scenario, coming from long travels in need of nourishment after thing is all said and done. She bit into an apple that rested on a table beside me, she picked it up--looked at me it that was the beginning of my admiration for a such a this deeply rich cultured person.

Her company brought Kingston to the stage for in the U.S. with only a taste of Caribbean culture through Katherine Dunham, deemed the mother of Modern dance who brought the classic style and folklore dance of various islands throughout the Rainb…

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Independent Artist

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