By Karen Pierce-Brown
The Caribbean region has always been a wellspring of talent, resilience, and ingenuity. The evidence is rooted in the people who came before us and led the charge against all odds to effect change, to do something different, to break any and all chains and accomplish greatness. Shirley Anita Chisolm of Barbados & Guyana, Marcus Mosiah Garvey of Jamaica, Maya Angelou of Trinidad, Stokely Carmichael of Trinidad, Toussaint Louverture of Haiti, Reggie Fils-Aimé of Haiti, James Weldon Johnson of The Bahamas and the list goes on. In 2024, numerous individuals from the Caribbean diaspora achieved remarkable feats across various sectors, amplifying the region’s influence on the global stage. Here’s a detailed look at some of these exceptional Caribbean trailblazers and their accomplishments.
Politics and Diplomacy
Mia Mottley (Barbados)
- The Prime Minister of Barbados continued her leadership on climate change in 2024, spearheading international agreements to support small island nations. Her advocacy has positioned Barbados as a global leader in sustainable development. PM Mottley is the first female Prime Minister of Barbados, a transformative leader on global environmental policies.
Kamina Johnson Smith (Jamaica)
- Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs & Trade played a pivotal role in advancing regional cooperation, brokering agreements that strengthened economic ties among Caribbean nations. Johnson Smith has become a trailblazer in Caribbean diplomacy, advancing economic ties across the region.
Dr. Carla Barnett (Belize)
- As the first female Secretary-General of CARICOM, Dr. Barnett launched initiatives in 2024 to enhance regional disaster preparedness and resilience in the face of climate change. Dr. Barnett broke barriers as a female leader in regional politics, championing Caribbean unity and sustainability.
Wes Moore (Jamaica)
- Governor Wes Moore, the 63rd Governor of Maryland, has a diverse background encompassing military service, authorship, business leadership, and public service. As the first Black Governor of Maryland, Moore has implemented transformative policies on economic equity and education reform, including a landmark bill addressing generational wealth disparities. He authored “The Other Wes Moore,” a New York Times bestseller exploring the impact of choices and opportunities in America. Moore served as a U.S. Army officer, leading paratroopers in Afghanistan. In 2024, he was awarded the Bronze Star for his meritorious service during this deployment.
Arts and Entertainment
Rihanna (Barbados)
- Beyond her successful business ventures, Rihanna launched a 2024 global music mentorship program based in Barbados, nurturing emerging Caribbean artists and amplifying their voices internationally. Rihanna is regarded as one of the most influential artists and entrepreneurs of her generation, promoting Caribbean culture worldwide.
Shenseea (Jamaica)
- The dancehall artist had a breakthrough year in 2024, headlining major international music festivals and collaborating with global superstars, further cementing the Caribbean’s influence on contemporary music. Shenseea has become a leading figure in modern dancehall music, showcasing its global appeal.
Machel Montano (Trinidad and Tobago)
- Known as the “King of Soca,” Montano celebrated his legacy by producing a documentary in 2024 showcasing the history and cultural significance of soca music. He revolutionized the soca music genre by blending traditional soca rhythms with elements of pop, reggae, and dancehall, which created a new sound and further popularized soca.
Education & Environment
Dr. Michelle Mycoo (Trinidad and Tobago)
- A renowned urban planner and climate scientist, Dr. Mycoo led groundbreaking research in 2024 on sustainable urban development for small island states. Her work focuses on urban planning strategies that balance environmental conservation, economic growth, and social equity. She has conducted extensive research on climate change adaptation for Caribbean nations, offering practical solutions to address rising sea levels, hurricanes, and other climate-related challenges.
Dr. Wendy Grenade (Grenada)
- The political scientist and educator published a seminal work in 2024 on governance and integration in the Caribbean, offering a blueprint for regional development. Formerly a senior academic at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Dr. Grenade mentored countless students and emerging scholars, contributing to the intellectual development of the region. She has developed curricula and programs that reflect the unique needs and challenges of Caribbean societies.
Sports
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica)
- Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is the first woman from the Caribbean to win the 100m gold at the Olympics in 2008. She is the second fastest woman in 100m history, a 10-time World Champion, making her the most decorated sprinter in World Championships history. At the 2024 Olympics, the legendary sprinter defied expectations, adding more medals to her already illustrious career, making her an 8-time Olympic medalist, and inspiring the next generation of athletes. Some of her honors include the Order of Distinction for athletics achievements, received in 2008 from Jamaica, IAAF (now World Athletics) World Female Athlete of the Year in 2013, a bronze statue at the Jamaican National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, erected in 2018, and the Order of Jamaica in 2022.
Nicholas Pooran (Trinidad and Tobago)
- Professional Cricketer Nicholas Pooran saw a record-breaking year in 2024, which included an accumulation of 2,331 runs in 76 T20s in 2024 at an average of 40.89 and an impressive strike rate of 157.39. He slammed one century and 15 fifties in cricket’s shortest format in the calendar year of 2024. He recorded the most runs in a calendar year in T20 cricket with 2,331 runs in 76 T20s and also broke the record for the most sixes in a calendar year in T20 cricket. Known for his explosive batting and sharp wicketkeeping, Pooran is considered one of the most talented cricketers in modern West Indies cricket.
Business and Entrepreneurship
Rohan Marley (Jamaica)
- Former athlete turned entrepreneur and philanthropist, Rohan Marley is the son of the legendary Robert Nesta Marley and Janet Hunt. Rohan played college football at University of Miami and later played professionally in the Canadian Football League. Building on his family’s legacy, Rohan founded Marley Coffee in 2009. The company produces ethically sourced, organic coffee, grown sustainably in Jamaica and Ethiopia. Marley Coffee has gained international acclaim for its commitment to fair-trade practices and environmental responsibility. Under his leadership, Marley Coffee has grown into a global brand, available in major markets across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. The company’s success has highlighted the global appeal of Jamaican coffee, particularly the world-renowned Blue Mountain coffee.
Marc-Kwesi Farrell (Trinidad & Tobago)
- Before becoming an entrepreneur, Marc-Kwesi Farrell, born and raised in Port of Spain, Trinidad, earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from MIT and an MBA from Harvard University. In his last corporate role, Farrell was the youngest Vice President at Starbucks. He went on to become the founder and CEO of Ten To One Rum, a premium Caribbean rum brand established in 2018, which boasts former Starbucks CEO Howard D. Schultz as an investor. Since its launch, Ten To One has become one of the fastest growing premium rum brands in the U.S., catching the attention of R&B/Hip-Hop sensation, Ciara, who is also an investor and co-owner of Ten To One.
