AfriCaribbean: Celebrating Africa and Emancipation in Grenada

To celebrate the recent connections with African brethren who were in Grenada this past week for the 4th Annual AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2025), where I displayed my work, I started to paint this during the 3 days there, inspired by the stories and the people who gave me encouragement.

With Prime Minister Dickon MItchell (left) and Mr Killa, Grenadian soca artist and cultural ambassador (right).

The forum was all about networking and sharing ideas. I met up Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell and Mr Killa; Rolf Hoschtialek of Concepts Communications; David Ambrose and Marcus Alexander of Grenadian Published Authors; colleagues from Nigeria, Dominica, Guyana and two filmmakers.

Today, 1 August, Grenada marks the 191^st anniversary of Emancipation from slavery and that too will give me inspiration to add to this painting which represents the union of Africa and the Caribbean.

It was an honour for me to meet and speak with French, Spanish and Creole-speaking African visitors, and to be interviewed by an international news agency about my work.

Thank you so much for the kinds words and support. I look forward to connecting with the people I met and one day to stand in my ancestral homeland and exchanging artistic skills and information. Photos by Ucal Geneste.