CARIFESTA Secretariat
At the heart of the festival’s vibrant execution is the CARIFESTA Secretariat. This dedicated team of culture lovers, artists and administrators, provides crucial administrative support, ensuring the smooth flow of events and seamless participation for country delegations, stakeholders, artists, and lovers of Caribbean arts and culture.
We work tirelessly to coordinate a diverse array of performances, exhibitions, and cultural exchanges that make CARIFESTA so dynamic and fabulous. From liaising with participating artists and cultural delegations to managing logistics and fostering collaborative initiatives, the Secretariat is instrumental in creating the unforgettable experience that awaits you.
This Is Who We Are!
For generations, the Caribbean Festival of Arts also known as CARIFESTA has been the ultimate stage where diverse and imaginative expressions of our beautiful region explode in a symphony of creativity.
Think of it as the Caribbean’s biggest, brightest, and most unforgettable festival and party – a celebration of who we are, our stories, our passions, and our incredible talent. Our roots are in the region but our excellence is next level! So meet the Barbados team who will make XV memorable!
MESSAGE FROM THE FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
Here are my reflections on the significance of CARIFESTA XV for Barbados and the wider Caribbean region. This festival is truly a significant moment for our region. It’s our time to reflect together, to celebrate our journey and achievements, and more importantly, to open up a dialogue with the rest of the world. CARIFESTA gives us the space to look honestly at where we’ve come from, to really appreciate who we are right now, and to seriously consider both the challenges we face and the incredible promise that the future holds.
During CARIFESTA XV, you’ll see us bringing our culture and traditions, both time-honoured and contemporary, to life through every kind of artistic expression imaginable. We’re throwing open our doors to welcome everyone here to Barbados and those joining us online too. We are very aware that we’re hosting this gathering at a time when our region is particularly vulnerable, especially to the forces of nature. But choosing to celebrate now, in this context, is itself a powerful statement about our inherent resilience and our boundless creativity. We are absolutely determined to embody our theme, “Caribbean Roots. Global Excellence.” And underpinning all our efforts is a clear commitment – we aim to contribute positively and leave the cultural landscape stronger and more vibrant than before. So welcome my island home Barbados! Enjoy our hospitality and the culture of our region. I promise you CARIFESTA XV will live on in your memories long after the festival has ended.
Carol Roberts
Festival Director
Michelle Hinkson-Cox (Artistic Lead) is the Coordinator for the Associate Degree programme in Theatre Arts at the Barbados Community College. Since 2014, she has been focusing on using oral and written narratives to write and produce plays that focus on Barbadian history and heritage, leading to her writing and staging nearly 30 original Bajan theatrical productions over the last 10 years. Her work reflects and experiments with Caribbean language, movement and aesthetic, while sharing lesser-known narratives from our history, with an aim to use Theatre as a medium of building national identity in post-colonial Barbados. In 2023, she received a full scholarship from the Scottish Graduate School of the Arts and Humanities to pursue her PhD in Theatre and Archaeology with the University of Glasgow.
Dr. Marielle Barrow Maignan is a Fulbright Scholar, cultural strategist, ecosystem-architect, and visionary leader transforming the Caribbean creative landscape. Founder of Caribbean InTransit, Editor-in-Chief of the Caribbean InTransit Arts Journal and co-founder of the Synapse Zone platform, she served as the incepting coordinator for the Caribbean Development Bank’s Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund, —building a regional community of practice, curating knowledge resources, crafting calls for over ten accelerator programmes and managing over 40 projects across 19 borrowing member countries.
Nailah Folami Imoja, winner of Barbados’s Frank Collymore Literary Endowment Competition 2024, and Bermuda Writer in Residence 2025, is a Barbadian/British novelist, poet, spoken word artist and educator. A teacher by day, she relies on more than three decades of teaching experience (from kindergarten teacher to university tutor) and a keen sense of humour to survive each day in the classroom. As poet, novelist, journalist and editor, Nailah has contributed significantly to the Barbadian litscape and aims to entertain and enlighten with her work. She is author of numerous novellas including Pick of the Crop, Colourblind, To Protect & Serve and Fantasy Fulfilled which are available via smashwords.com. Her greatest opus thus far is her young adult daughter.
Chantal Graham is a multidisciplinary artist and production event manager with over 15 years of experience in the creative industries. As a filmmaker, she has produced work in narrative, documentary and commercial productions, with a more recent focus on the artistic direction.
Chantal is ready to expand her practice in producing, having completed a course in Producing for Film and TV with the New York Film Academy, in 2023. She holds a Master’s of Arts degree in Creative Arts- Entrepreneurship, where her research explored The Role of Film Festivals in the Development of Film in Barbados. Passionate about the intersection of arts and identity, Chantal's objective is to shape stories that reflect the depth and diversity of Caribbean culture.
Rashida Brereton is a dynamic cultural practitioner and devoted educator whose work is deeply rooted in the rich traditions of Caribbean performing arts. With over fifteen years of experience, she has had the honour of contributing to the regional and international arts landscape as a producer, director, and performer, bringing to life stories that honour the vibrancy and resilience of Caribbean identity.
Holding a Master’s in Education and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Arts, Rashida blends academic insight with creative expression, championing the preservation and celebration of Barbados’ intangible cultural heritage. Her artistic practice bridges the past and present, inspiring future generations to embrace and continue the cultural legacy of their homeland.
Guided by the powerful mantra - “Barbados has a culture!” - Rashida serves as a proud cultural ambassador, dedicated to sharing the richness of Barbadian culture with the world.
“If ‘Better belly buss than good food waste!’ is a thing, then meet Jennifer V. Barrow, a true gem in the world of hospitality and tourism! With over 25 years in the game, Jennifer’s not just a pro; she’s a passionate foodie and storyteller who lives and breathes the industry across the UK, USA, Canada, and right here in the Caribbean.
Recently she was at the helm of the Jean and Norma Holder Hospitality Institute, including the fantastic Hotel PomMarine but her influence doesn’t stop there! An adjunct lecturer in Tourism at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, she shares her vast knowledge with the next generation.
Jennifer is a seasoned traveler with a deep appreciation for diverse cultures who truly believes in the incredible power of culinary experiences to bring people together. For her, food isn’t just sustenance; it’s a vibrant language, a way to share stories, connect across cultures, and celebrate our shared humanity.
From the bustling markets of the Caribbean to kitchens across the globe, she’s seen firsthand how a delicious meal can weave tales and forge unforgettable bonds. And if you really want to get her talking, ask her about Caribbean regional development and integration – it’s a topic close to her heart, much like the perfect home-cooked meal that unites a family! We’re thrilled to have her bring her vibrant energy and culinary insights to CARIFESTA!”
Let’s get loud for the legendary Lowrey Leon, a one-man musical explosion! This keyboard wizard, bad bass player, drum dynamo, and mixing master also rocks a Diploma in Education and a First Class Honors degree in Arts Management – and he’s not stopping, currently conquering a Master’s! He’s shared the stage with global giants like Yolanda Brown and John Lodge, plus Caribbean stars galore! As the owner of the mighty Mousike production house and the Musical Director for the Christ Church Foundation School Steel Orchestra, the Barbados National Youth Steel Orchestra, Black Banana & The Project Band, and the hilarious Laff It Off Theater Company, Lowrey Leon is a non-stop force of musical fun! Get ready to groove!
Strike a pose for the fabulous Candi “Fab” Nicholls, a true icon in the world of Caribbean fashion and pageantry! Candi honed her style at the prestigious International Fine Arts College before being snapped up by top Miami modeling agencies like Next and Wilhelmina, gracing international runways with top designers and Vogue. Now the National Director of Miss Barbados Universe and head of S.C.O.U.T Management, she’s shaping the next generation of stars. You can catch her dishing out fashion wisdom on TV and in CIRCUIT Magazine, all while being a supermom to her daughter, Nalia! Candi Nicholls: a fashion force to be reckoned with!
Meet the magnificent Dawn-Lisa Callendar-Smith, a Caribbean arts and entertainment queen who’s been lighting up stages and screens for years! As the Managing Director of D.L. Smith Productions Inc., she conjures spectacular events and TV shows, blending her Boston Conservatory artistry with strategic brilliance. From national celebrations to global launches and heritage experiences, she’s a powerhouse producer who also shares her magic as a lecturer at the University of the West Indies! Dawn-Lisa Callendar-Smith: making every event a showstopper!
Aisha Comissiong is an award-winning dancer and choreographer. With a passion for “dance-theatre edutainment”, she uses the Arts as a tool for education, cultural preservation, and storytelling. Aisha holds degrees in Dance–Performance and Choreography, Cultural Studies, and Law, and she currently lectures in the Faculty of Culture, Creative and Performing Arts at The University of the West Indies (Cave Hill Campus).
Akilah Watts is a Barbados-based visual artist and arts professional dedicated to fostering creativity and cultural expression across the Caribbean. With a background in fine arts and arts administration, Akilah brings a blend of creative insight and organizational expertise to her role as Visual Arts Coordinator for CARIFESTA XV.
A graduate of the Barbados Community College’s Fine Arts program and an alumna of exhibitions and residencies, Akilah’s artistic work explores identity, heritage, and storytelling through vibrant visual language. Her passion for visual culture is matched by her commitment to creating platforms for artists to share their work.
At CARIFESTA XV, Akilah is curating the visual arts programming, showcasing the talents of Caribbean artists with excellence and care. With respect for the region’s artistic legacy, she aims to shape a festival experience that is memorable and meaningful.
Meet Janice Whittle – a dedicated Barbadian curator, educator and champion of the visual arts. With decades of experience in the cultural sector, Janice has made a lasting impact on Barbados’ artistic landscape through her work in education, exhibition curation and arts advocacy. She previously served as the Curator of the Queen’s Park Gallery, where she spent over two decades shaping the gallery into a vibrant space for showcasing Barbadian and Caribbean talent. During her tenure, she curated countless exhibitions, supported emerging artists and created educational materials to deepen public appreciation for the arts.
Beyond the gallery, Janice has contributed as a teacher, writer and mentor, always passionate about cultivating creativity and preserving the island’s cultural identity. Her influence continues to resonate through the artists she has guided and the artistic spaces she helped bring to life.
