Indo-Caribbeans Share Their Journeys to the Creative Arts [PHOTO SERIES]

Indo-Caribbeans are creative, we’re artists, life coaches, models, Instagram influencers, singers, actors, comedians, poets, activists, authors and so much more, and to honor all of the creatives within our community we’ve launched the first-ever West Indian creative career photo series to showcase the women and men who are actively pursuing their creative passion.

Visit this page as we add more Indo-Caribbeans on the rise, and take a moment to read their words about pursuing art and learn where they got the gumption to do it in the first place.

Elizabeth Jaikaran – Author

What inspired me to write:

This is why the juxtaposition of corporate law is important to me because in many ways, writing is a way for me to stay grounded and to process thoughts while I navigate spaces where I’m underrepresented as a woman of color, as a Muslim, and as the child of immigrants. I wanted to write the books I didn’t have but wanted to read, as I grew up.

The most intriguing thing about indo-Caribbean culture:

Its resilient existence. More than a century after indentureship, it’s a wonder how so many traditions (religious, culinary, etc.) still exist without interaction with South Asia in any meaningful social ways outside of popular media. Sure, we’ve lost a lot. But for a people that are more than 100 years out of pre-partition India, it’s incredible how much we still have.

How would I describe my look:

As a lawyer, I am a professional and clean cut. As a writer, I like to look tender and approachable. Navigating two different worlds requires two different personas. But being both a lawyer and an author taught me that about myself: I have so many worlds within me.

Shanita Liu – Life Coach

After checking all the boxes to becoming successful, learning how to cook and clean, obtaining degrees, securing a full-time job, finding a nice man to marry, I still found myself struggling to be happy.

I grew up observing that speaking up and displeasing anyone who gave you opportunity was a big no-no. Eventually, I felt so overworked, underpaid, and taken advantage of that I had had enough. That’s when I turned to a life coach.

My coach helped me become aware of the limiting beliefs that I inherited from matriarchs so that I could get clear on the goals I truly valued without the guilt and shame. Coaching taught me that how to ask for support, integrate self-care (I didn’t even know what that was!), and stand up for my beliefs. Most importantly, coaching helped me stand in my fearless Durga Maa sup[reme warrior goddess energy so that I could courageously and powerfully voice my concerns the next time someone disrespected me.

Not only did I gain more confidence, but I became clear on my passion to build Coach Shanita, Inc. Now as a transformational coach, healer, and business owner, I teach hardworking women how to stop neglecting their personal needs and start understanding the importance of their self-worth so that they can crush their goals AND demonstrate better self-care behaviors to the next generation.

I chose this nontraditional professional path by speaking to other women of color who embarked on the life coaching journey because realistically, there are not a lot of Indo-Caribbeans in this space. So, if you want to empower others through coaching, talk to other people who have pursued certification programs. The more you learn, the more you’ll get a better sense of whether the skills are something you want to integrate into your existing practice or if you want to go all in like I did. Trust your gut, no matter what the naysayers say.

All photos are courtesy of Sharifa Khan, @shayshotz. Please contact Kamini.Ramdeen@BrownGirlMagazine.com if you’re interested in taking part or know an artist or creative that belongs on this page.