From acorn-sized beginnings to its towering oak tree proportions today, the concept of Citizenship by Investment (CIP) in the Caribbean has developed into a dependable source of foreign capital for countries.
Creating economic diversity for the region’s tourism-dependent nations, CIP initiatives have grown since St. Kitts and Nevis first adopted the income-producing practice in 1984.
Following St. Kitts and Nevis in the mid-1980s, several other nations have established CIP programs: Dominica (1993), Grenada (2013), Antigua and Barbuda (2013), and St. Lucia (2015).
“Comparing Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Programs: A 2025 Guide” from the Invest Caribbean Now! private sector agency — examines the requirements and benefits of programs which “continue to attract global investors in 2025, offering a blend of visa-free travel, tax advantages, and family security.”
The guide details the minimum investment required for CIP, the processing time, visa access to other nations, residency requirement and other pertinent information.
2025 Black Authors Festival
A vibrant, generations-old tradition of Black and Caribbean American literature and writers on Long Island will be honored again this year when the third annual National Black Authors Festival is held at the scenic Breakwater Yacht Club, 51 Bay St, in Sag Harbor, L.I. on Aug. 2, starting at 5 p.m.
Veteran and aspiring authors, educators, students, community leaders and everyday folks who respect the power of the published word will be among the festival’s attendees, said festival co-founder Darlene Williams, an award-winning businesswoman and civic leader.
Caribbean-rooted Amaryllis Greene (who penned “Poets are Children Too”) and veteran writer Sunny Hostin, longtime contributor on ABC’s “The View” talk show are among the author-honorees for the event, which includes panel discussions, author autographing sessions, informational workshops, and film screenings, in addition to a tribute to Native Americans of Long Island and a ceremony recognizing historical Black fraternal organizations with a “D-Nine (Divine Nine) toast.”
Literacy — valued as a pathway to liberation and independence that was once legally denied to enslaved Africans in America — will be addressed through the festival’s “Power of Literacy” theme. The festival will also feature a “Paddle Raise Fundraiser” benefiting the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center and the A Father’s Love Personal Development and Community Services organization.
Maurice Williams — A Father’s Love’s executive director and Darlene Williams’ husband — conceived the Power of Literacy and is a living testament to the 2025 festival theme. As a young man, he taught himself to read and later attained master’s degrees from Columbia University and the College of New Rochelle and founded the not-for-profit organization.
Black illiteracy in marginalized communities, the threat of book banning and other issues will be addressed at the festival.
“One of the main tenets of slavery was not being able to read. If they’re banning Black books and they’re taking books out of schools, they’re erasing us,” charged Darlene Williams.
The relatively new event has already made an impact nationally. USA Today’s ranked the National Black Authors Festival in the top 10 of its “Best New Festival” events of 2024.
Movie maker makes strides
Haitian American filmmaker Wanly Florexile — who’s been flexing his cinematic muscles over the years by creating works that reveal the complexities of humans — has directed “Joseph,” a film that tackles “themes of faith, moral ambiguity, and identity through the story of a first-generation Christian man battling gambling addiction.”
The film, which was screened last month in Brooklyn has gotten the interest of the Tubi and Apple TV streaming channels.
“Wanly not only directed and wrote the film but also stars in the lead role, marking a powerful evolution in his storytelling,” said spokeswoman Marie Driven of Playbook MG.
