Discovering Emerging Transformative Leaders from the CaribbeanThe Cowardice of Conviction: Self Image as Friend or Foe - Kwamé Ryan - Global Frontier Advisory and Development Services

1/14/2021

Discovering Emerging Transformative Leaders from the CaribbeanThe Cowardice of Conviction: Self Image as Friend or Foe - Kwamé Ryan

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This week we crave the indulgence of our readers and provide a diversion from our normal blog which would have followed the path of analysing the outcome of the impeachment of Donald Trump, yesterday by the US Congress.

In 2019, GOFAD introduced a track on Caribbean Heroes in which it has so far highlighted Sir George Alleyne, the late Sir Alister McIntyre, the late Leo Edwards, the late Honourable Owen Arthur, and most recently, The Most Honourable P.J Patterson.

This week we introduce a new track to our blog, Discovering Emerging Transformative New World Leaders from the Caribbean. It features a podcast by Kwamé Ryan in a different genre, a haunting audio rendition of what he refers to as “an eight-minute idea”. It is also intended to introduce you to Season 1 of his weekly podcast, launched on December 28, 2020 and released every Wednesday.

Kwamé explains the catalyst for his new venture:

“When the first lockdown happened, I was determined not to let any notion of lost opportunities take hold of me, and since the world was moving online even more than it had been prior, I resolved to boost my own presence there. What is far more important, however, was a feeling that I wanted to show some sides of myself I had previously hidden - my writing and my enthusiasm as a communicator in particular. I don’t know what I was waiting for, but everything has it’s time! All the more energising to get support from close family friends as I step out.”

The topic to which this blog refers, The Cowardice of Conviction: Self Image as Friend or Foe was carried on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, the same day as the amplified crisis of democracy in the USA through the ‘attempted coup’ at the US Capitol.  It resulted in the unprecedented second impeachment of an America President yesterday (Wednesday, January 13, 2021) by the US Congress. That podcast recorded before the insurrection by Trump’s mob and the desecration of the US Capitol is indeed the triumph of an idea and the prescience of Kwamé. Please listen to the (January 6th) podcast via the link which also provides access to all currently released episodes:    https://anchor.fm/eightminuteidea

For those of you who do not know who Kwamé Ryan is: He is the son of Professor Selwyn Ryan and Joya Gomez of Trinidad and Tobago; an internationally renowned conductor who has held symphonic and operatic Artistic Directorships in Germany and France and is regularly invited to lead many of the world’s finest professional ensembles as a guest. Among his professional attachments, Kwamé is Professor and Director of the University of Trinidad and Tobago’s Academy for the Performing Arts and Founding Chairman of the Youth Art NGO Searchlight International, which has, since 2015, provided opportunities for young Caribbean musicians to network and perform with their peers worldwide via the organisation’s Youth Music Exchange (YMX) platform.

A passionate educator, he has been Music Director of the National Youth Orchestra of France, for which work he was made an Officer in the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Ministry of Culture and is currently an Associate Conductor of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. He is also a laureate of the prestigious Sabga Award for Caribbean Excellence (2017) and conducted the 2019 BBC Children’s Prom at the Royal Albert Hall.  You will find an extensive interview with Kwamé entitled Perfect Circle in the Brunswick Review (September 17, 2020), and further information on his website, links for which are provided below. It is suggested that you first listen to the podcast.

I am sure Kwame would appreciate your feedback via the contact form on his website.

Eddie Greene

Perfect Circle - Interview with Carlton Wilkinson for Brunswick Review:

https://www.brunswickgroup.com/conductor-inspiration-interview-i16679/

Website:

www.kwameryan.com

5 Comments

Joseph Singh

1/15/2021 04:38:27 am

Dear Eddie and Auriol,
Thank you for this inspired initiative by Global One Frontier to acknowledge, celebrate and promote as worthy exemplars, young transformative leaders from our Caribbean community, such as this brilliant recipient of the A N Sabga Caribbean Award for Excellence in Arts & Letters, Laureate Kwame Ryan.
Warmest regards
Joe

Rosina Wiltshire

1/15/2021 04:42:41 am

Dear Eddie,
Fascinating. Thank you. I am a great supporter of Kwame and his music. He is truly an inspiration. His piece on language is interesting. My thoughts went to those who are unable to communicate verbally and the power and vibes of nonverbal communication even when we use language. Perhaps he explores that at another time.

I could not help noticing the absence of women in your list of transformational Caribbean leaders. While the men honored are undoubtedly worthy of the acclaim, I thought immediately of outstanding women like Dame Nita and Claudia Jones, who was a path breaker globally in defending the rights of the poor, promoting peace and the culture of the Caribbean. She is buried next to Karl Marx because of her work on behalf of the working class. She was also recently recognized as having organised early beauty pageants in England to promote black beauty as well as being the forerunner of the Notting Hill Carnival which she saw as a way of showcasing Caribbean culture.
There are many young Caribbean Women making waves in literature and music whom you may wish to consider.
Thanks very much for your blog.

Global One Frontier link

1/15/2021 06:12:29 am

Dear Rosina

Thank you for your comment which I shall pass on to Kwame. The comment has spurred my latent thoughts on the matter and the omission of prominent women from the series is well taken . However have no doubt of GOFAD’s and my personal highest regards for the contribution of women to Caribbean and Global Development. I thank you for nudging me to initiate a track celebrating Caribbean women as a continuation of the 3/12/2020 Blog, “2020 World Women’s Day Prompts Reflections and Recollections on Women and Development in the Caribbean“ This blog was essentially a recognition of the book, The UWI Gender Journey: Recollections and Reflections coedited by three of the Caribbean's foremost scholars, Professors Jocelyn Massiah, Elsa Leo Rhynie and Barbara Bailey. It celebrated the advocacy of a series of Caribbean “New World” Women Leaders including pioneers under the banner Woman and Development (WAND): Peggy Antrobus, Dame Neita Barrow, Lucille Mair, Kathleen Drayton,and Magna Pollard; followed by the impressive role of UWI’s Institute of Gender Studies under the leadership of the Rhoda Reddock, Eudine Barriteau, Patricia Mohamed, Verene Sheppard and Lieth Dunn. It also highlighted the CARICOM Triennial Award for Women and the appointment of Dr Rosina Wiltshire as CARICOM’s inaugural Gender Justice Advocate for the Caribbean.

Maybe, Kwame offers a model for using podcast to feature the Legacy of Transformative Female Leaders . Thanks for planting a seed for remedial action. Let’s discuss and make this happen

1/15/2021 06:29:26 am

From a reader who wishes to remain anonymous

What an enormous Platform you have extended to Kwame Ryan on this GOFAD segment!

I was blown away by your generosity and willingness to so spontaneously nurture his fledgling foray into expressing his deepest ideas Online on The 8~Minute Idea.
As educator/editor, I believe that at a time when our Schools' curricula leave so little room for critical thinking, this beautifully conceived jewel, has the power to be, at the very least, an instrument of encouragement to Critical Listening.

I hope that with your magnanimous gesture, serves to inspire and nudge Listeners to actions that help to Grow our Caribbean region to its fullest and best potential.

Elsie LeFranc

1/15/2021 09:35:37 am

I liked the piece on Kwame. What I get from it is the cultural and racial barriers of any kind should not be allowed to interfere with your exploration and benefit from the large variety of experiences in the Universe . Once in London I went to a ballet performance at the Royal Opera House [I think - or somewhere similar]; The performers were the English National Ballet; the choreographers were all Nigerian. It was fabulous!!

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Discovering Emerging Transformative Leaders from the CaribbeanThe Cowardice of Conviction: Self Image as Friend or Foe - Kwamé Ryan

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