CRNF Board Meeting

Some of CRNF board members meeting to strategize on 2013/2014 projects.




(left to right) Curtis McNish, Thomson Fontaine, Charmaine Robinson, Arlene Graham, and Sherwyn Williams

CRNF Member Spotlight

CRNF Member Spotlight: 

SHEDISHA ABENA MATTHIAS, BS, MA: Students for Students International Coordinator

Shedisha Abena Matthias hails from Jamaica but was raised in New York City. Her formative years were spent in a high school that cultivated her love of international finance and economics. She attended Carnegie Mellon University and majored in economics before joining IBM Public Sector Consulting Practice. She took a two year hiatus from consulting to serve as foreign expert for the Shenzhen Education Bureau; where she taught English at Shenzhen Normal University Middle School in China. After several years abroad, Shedisha returned to the states and earned her Master’s in International Policy at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, while honing her skills in trade, entrepreneurship and management. She would later go on to work briefly as a knowledge management consultant at a San Francisco-based international organization focused on social entrepreneurship in emerging markets. Shedisha can now be found working in the nation’s capital at well-respected consulting firm bringing innovative technology solutions to government agencies.

CRNF CEO met with President Hugh Howard, American Chamber of Commerce in Trinidad & Tobago

CRNF CEO met with President Hugh Howard, American Chamber of Commerce in Trinidad & Tobago (AmChamTT). Details of the meeting are forthcoming…

CRNF was selected by the University of Florida, Caribbean Students Association to be their philanthropy recipient

CRNF was selected by the University of Florida, Caribbean Students Association (UF CaribSA) to be the philanthropy recipient of their 2014 Fashion Talent Show on January 11, 2014 in Gainesville, Florida. FTS is an annual show that displays the Caribbean culture through music, fashion, and dance. It is a tradition for FTS to choose an organization/cause in which they raise money for. This year Caribbean Returning Nationals® Foundation, Inc. was chosen because UF CaribSA believes that our organization gives back to our homeland in a number of ways and they would love to support such a great cause. UF CaribSA has a number of fundraisers planned where they will raise money for both the show and the Caribbean Returning Nationals® Foundation.

The 11th Annual Fashion Talent Show will be on January 11, 2014, doors will open at 6 p.m. and the show will start at 7 p.m. Approximately, 1000 students throughout the Florida area support this event each year. Click the link below for additional information.

http://ufcaribsa.webs.com/fashion-talent-showcase

We are thankful to be chosen! Thank You University of Florida, Caribbean Students Association

CRNF In Action: CEO speaks with Fitzroy John, Comptroller, Customs & Excise Division about issues returning nationals experience

While attending the Mastering Export Logistics Workshops at the exporTT conference, Ms. Arlene Graham spoke with Fitzroy John, Comptroller, Customs & Excise Division.  Ms. Graham introduced CRNF to Mr. John (who was unaware of the organization’s existence) and informed him about the issues Returning Nationals face when trying to transition back to Trinidad & Tobago.  Mr. John was very receptive to these concerns and said that the Customs & Excise Division has revamped their website in order to better assist individuals with the transitioning process.  He also encouraged Ms. Graham and the CRNF network to go to the Customs & Excise Division website and provide feedback to him directly if there are any items CRNF or its members would like to see added to the site. CRNF thanks Mr. John for taking the time to listen to the people’s concerns and for diligently working towards a solution.

Feedback can be sent to: info@caribbeanreturningnationals.org

CRNF Launches Students for Students Initiative

CRNF is launching the first ever, “Students for Students” Initiative (SFSI). The purpose of SFSI is to connect students and young professionals in the global Caribbean community to create a network of support by enhancing cultural awareness, providing a sense of community, and offering career development resources to foster a commitment to Caribbean development and investment. This initiative will serve as a hub for students and young professionals seeking educational and professional development information by leveraging the network of Caribbean Returning Nationals® Foundation members and partners. SFSI members will have the opportunity to gain experience through internships, virtual assistant jobs, and performing interviews.

Here are a few opportunities for students and young professionals.

(1) Virtual Assistants (VAs): Students will work or intern with companies and individuals that are members of the CRNF network remotely. Special considerations are made for new graduates and existing studentss

(2) My Story Interviews: Students will interview individuals in the diaspora and beyond who are making a positive difference in the global community. This is a great opportunity for students to showcase their interviewing, writing and editing skills internationally.

(3) Internships: Students interested in developing their skills and talents by interning with individuals and companies.

Students MUST BE MEMBERS OF CRNF. The annual membership fee is $35.00 USD. In the interest of inclusiveness, the annual membership fee may be waived or deferred. Students must provide proof of enrollment. To join send an email to: students@caribbeanreturningnationals.org

Please view our PSA video for SFSI: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2rcqzlMS4A

CRNF CEO speaks at exporTT conference

CRNF CEO and Founder, Arlene Graham, spoke on harnessing the diaspora at exporTT conference in Trinidad and Tobago on October 29-30, 2013. “The Caribbean global Diaspora is a powerful, untapped resource for governments and businesses of the Caribbean region”, said Ms. Graham. She further went on to discuss how tapping into the resources of the Diaspora has proven to be elusive.

Trinidad and Tobago, as well as other CARICOM nations, have been somewhat successful in promoting trade abroad, as well as cultural, athletic, and exchange programs with the global community. However, tapping the resources of its extended population community has proven to be elusive. The challenge of integration, dialogue, and ongoing communication with the Diaspora however defined is persistent. A few CARICOM nations if any, have found the solution to assist cultivating human capital and other resources that sit waiting at our doors for discovery. Ms. Graham further went on discuss the goals and ways to engage the Diaspora.

exporTT Export Development Conference

BUSINESS NETWORK FORUM!


One race (de Caribbean man)
From de same place (de Caribbean man)
Dat make de same trip (de Caribbean man)
On de same ship (de Caribbean man)
So we must push one common intention
Is for a better life in de region
For we woman, and we children
Dat must be de ambition of de Caribbean man
De Caribbean man, de Caribbean man- Caribbean Unity- Black Stalin

 Woi Woi! Diaspora Massive! This is Caribbean Girl.

Today I am excited and proud to speak about our historic and groundbreaking event taking place in the next few days in Port- of- Spain, Trinidad.

Join Us As We Make History!

Caribbean Returning Nationals Foundation Inc. is excited to invite you to our 1st Business Networking Forum.

"Banking on Returning Nationals: A Solid Investment"

Date:                  Friday, August 23, 2013

Time:                  6:00-9:00 pm

Venue:                Central Bank Auditorium, Eric Williams Plaza

                            Port- of- Spain, Trinidad

Registration:      www.caribbeanreturningnationals.org

  

THE EVENT IS FREE AND SEATING IS LIMITED.

REGISTER TODAY!

"Banking on Returning Nationals,” conveys the best ideas and approaches to leverage the financial assets and skills of the Caribbean diaspora to connect them to local opportunities, build stronger economies, enhance broad-based development, and bring about a positive social change.

As a united Disapora, Caribbean people from every nation are preparing to become more of a defined presence on the World Stage. We are growing stronger in all areas of Business, Economics and Commerce. This is an exciting time and we at Caribbean Returning Nationals Foundation Inc. are inviting you to share with us at this groundbreaking forum. 

Come listen to noted speakers from throughout the Caribbean region. Come network with Caribbean nationals of like mind and purpose. Discover exciting investment opportunities for Returning Nationals from each Caribbean region.

This will be an historic event. Don't miss out.

Remember,The Caribbean Returning Nationals Foundation, Inc. (CRNF) was created to inspire the Caribbean community living abroad to reinvest in and contribute to the land they love through community outreach programs, local investment opportunities, and other methods of philanthropy.

Our motto is:

"Giving back because we care"

 For more information feel free to contact us:

Caribbean Returning Nationals Foundation, Inc.
9103 Woodmore Centre Drive, #304
Lanham, Maryland 20706
Email:  info@caribbeanreturningnationals.org
Phone:  301-256-7908

Website: www.caribbeanreturningnationals.org

So, until next time, this is Caribbean Girl leaving you with the words of the great Robert Nesta Marley, "One Love, One Heart, let's get together and feel alright."

The Caribbean Diaspora- What are we?

" For we are one people, one destination, so let us move on without hesitation." - Dennis Williams Franklyn (Merchant)


Greetings! This is Caribbean Girl.
As a Caribbean national living abroad I can proudly say I am a part of the Caribbean Diaspora. But, what is the CD? How does it affect me, you or the world in general? Who are we?

The formal definition of the word diaspora is:

a. A dispersion of a people from their original homeland.

b. The community formed by such a people:

The word, “diaspora” looms large in Caribbean history. It is entwined among the variegated roots of our origins, wraps itself like a liana around the solid if somewhat gnarled trunk of our common growth, and as some of our people branch off to a multiplicity of destinations, it blossoms, fructifies, and plants the seeds of our culture in whatever new lands they choose to inhabit.

So basically, the Caribbean Diaspora is made up of nationals from all parts of the Caribbean region who have migrated all over the world, taking their talents, skills, education, music, culture and passions to the countries in which they have settled while making outstanding positive contributions to the communities in which we chose to live.

How does that affect you? Caribbean culture is a part of everyday life for people in most parts of the world. Our food, our dialects, our culture and our influence in our adopted lands are prevalent. 

The next few blog entries will focus on the the Diaspora and highlighting some prominent figures within it.


Remember,The Caribbean Returning Nationals Foundation, Inc. (CRNF) was created to inspire the Caribbean community living abroad to reinvest in and contribute to the land they love through community outreach programs, local investment opportunities, and other methods of philanthropy.

Our motto is:

"Giving back because we care"

 For more information feel free to contact us: 

Caribbean Returning Nationals Foundation, Inc.
9103 Woodmore Centre Drive, #304
Lanham, Maryland 20706
Email:  info@caribbeanreturningnationals.org
Phone:  301-256-7908

Website: www.caribbeanreturningnationals.org

Until next time, this is Caribbean Girl saying to all my Diaspora Massive: "All ah we is one family!!!!!!!"( Fade to Lord Nelson in background)...