HERS 2025: Honoring Exceptionally Regal Sisters — A Crown-Worthy Celebration of Caribbean Womanhood
- CHOOSE954
- Jul 17
- 5 min read
Nestled at the heart of Tamarac’s Colony West Golf Club on July 20, 2025, HERS 2025 transformed into more than just a celebration—it became a majestic assertion of Caribbean womanhood, heritage, and collective empowerment. Presented by Island SPACE Caribbean Museum, and blessed by sponsors like Commissioner Morey Wright, Community Foundation of Broward, and the Broward County Cultural Division, the third‑annual HERS honored 12 phenomenal women from across the Caribbean diaspora—spanning The Bahamas, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela, Barbados, and the USVI—with the promise of reaching 300+ guests, up from 250 last year.
Setting the Stage: Island SPACE’s Mission & HERS Origins
Plantation’s Broward Mall conceals a cultural gem: the Island SPACE Caribbean Museum, America’s first brick‑and‑mortar pan‑Caribbean heritage museum. Launched in 2020 amid pandemic shutdowns, its mission is to preserve history, uplift Caribbean voices, and create a dynamic home for art, education, and celebration.
In 2023, educator and advocate Dr. Camille E. Edwards introduced HERS (Honoring Exceptionally Regal Sisters) to spotlight Caribbean women’s achievements in arts, business, community advocacy, wellness, and beyond. From fashion-runway showcases to soulful spoken word performances and beauty/wellness workshops, HERS has surged as an annual celebration of women’s power and grace.
Immersive Multisensory Experience
Guest arrival felt like stepping into a Caribbean oasis infused with rhythm and style. Ethno‑chic fashion installations, artisanal booths (soaps, island‑inspired beauty products, local goods), and aromas of authentic cuisine greeted attendees who embraced the “Island Chic” dress code.
A powerful lineup of musical interludes, live poetry, and spoken word carried the audience through each segment. Performances by local talents—many Caribbean-born—articulated identity, resilience, and pride, setting an emotionally resonant tone for the day.
Celebrating the Honorees: Faces of Caribbean Excellence
Twelve women of unshakable determination and impact were honored:
Yolanda Cash‑Jackson (The Bahamas)
Shedly Casseus Parnther (Haiti)
Andrea Hall (Jamaica)
Kathy Wint (Antigua)
Maisie McNaught (Jamaica)
Tamara Beliard Rodriguez (Haiti, The Fatima Group)
Guithele Ruiz‑Nicolas (Haiti)
Alicia Couri (Trinidad & Tobago)
Mary Sol Gonzalez (Venezuela, Hispanic Heritage Chamber of Commerce)
Sharon Wiles (Jamaica)
Dr. Monefe Young (Barbados)
Dr. Patricia Morris (US Virgin Islands)
Their honoree profiles underscored diverse strengths—from legal leadership, entrepreneurship, and academic achievement to wellness advocacy, cultural preservation, and public service.
Empowerment Through Workshops & Wellness
Beyond a ceremony, HERS 2025 invested in participant enrichment:
Dr. Lydia Malcolm led a self-care seminar, offering mindfulness techniques, stress resilience, and emotional well-being strategies.
Peggy Nisbett‑Riggs illuminated the world of natural Caribbean hair care, sharing techniques and cultural significance.
Rory Lee guided a makeup workshop, blending aesthetic artistry with Caribbean-inspired beauty.
Additional sessions on skin, nails, nutrition, and wellness transformed the event space into an interactive sanctuary of personal care and empowerment.
Fashion, Flair & Island Pride
The fashion show, central to HERS since its debut, showcased a mosaic of Caribbean heritage through style. Attendees witnessed a runway adorned in traditionally inspired prints, vibrant silhouettes, and artisanal craftsmanship that spanned the region’s cultural palette.
Local vendors enhanced the aesthetic allure with handmade jewelry, skincare products, and Caribbean-designed apparel. This curated marketplace encouraged guests to take a tangible piece of culture home.
Cultural Performances & Community Connection
Between award moments, the stage came alive with music and poetry reflective of diaspora experiences:
Frankie “Red Rosso” (Dominican-American performer and previous HERS MC) joined the festivities, driving engagement and cultural continuity.
Caribbean-born poets, singers, and spoken-word artists shared narratives of migration, ancestry, resilience, and hope—celebrating culture as a source of belonging.
The ambiance—a blend of upbeat grooves, storytelling, and wellness rituals—ensured there was never just one way to “experience” Caribbean womanhood: it was lived, felt, seen, and heard.
Community Building & Cross-Cultural Inclusion
HERS 2025 didn’t just spotlight Caribbean women—it invited all allies, diaspora members, and culture-lovers to unite. Organized largely by Caribbean women (many volunteers led by Dr. Camille Edwards), it tapped into a strong volunteer network .
Commissioner Morey Wright’s support reinforced civic recognition of the event’s regional impact. Transparency around ticket pricing ($25 early-bird, $30 pre-sale, $35 door) allowed diverse attendance, with many engaging as event vendors and exhibitors.
Legacy & Forward Vision
Attendance Growth: After starting with ~100 attendees in 2023, the event drew 250 in 2024—and aimed for 300+ this year.
Deeper Engagement: Adding expert-led workshops and self-care salons demonstrated audience desire for tangible lessons—not just symbols.
Regional Honor Roll: Expanding finalists across 7 countries amplified representation and diaspora range—an intentional pivot for inclusivity.
Next Frontiers: Future goals include deeper ties with sponsors, expanded programming, and a Four‑county footprint across Broward, Palm Beach, Miami‑Dade, and the Treasure Coast.
What HERS Means for South Florida
Caribbean Heritage Platform: Island SPACE leverages the museum’s cultural authenticity and local presence to make Caribbean history matter. HERS positions the museum as a leader in women-focused cultural programming.
Civic and Diaspora Engagement: The event brought together policymakers, community influencers, and grassroots participants—inclusive and community-centered.
Wellness Meets Culture: Self-care programming bridged cultural pride with mental/emotional wellness—an innovative template for similar diaspora communities.
Female Economic Empowerment: Through vendor showcases, NAB-funded workshops, and honoree recognition, HERS spotlighted women-led enterprises and professional excellence.
Heritage and Beauty Redefined: By celebrating Caribbean hair traditions, ethnic fashion, and natural beauty, HERS challenged standard Western beauty tropes—celebrating ancestral legacies.
Scalable Impact: With growing audience, partner interest, and sponsorship opportunity, HERS is on track for major community-unifying growth in 2026.
Voices from HERS
Dr. Camille Edwards (HERS Founder):
“Our volunteer base is mostly women. We needed something to honor Caribbean leaders, and HERS was born.”
Frankie Red Rosso (MC & Literary Voice):
“I’m Dominican, and hosting HERS is a full-circle moment. I’m proud of every brave voice in the Caribbean diaspora.”
Veronique M. Pierre (Mental Health Advocate & Entrepreneur):
“Caribbean women shape families, industries, communities. Their stories deserve light and celebration.”
Planning for 2026 & How You Can Be Part of It
HERS is calling on:
Individuals: Join as attendees, volunteers, or inspiration—your presence is power.
Organizations & Sponsors: Amplify impact through financial support, resource partnerships, or venue flexibility.
Vendors & Artists: Showcase your work, story, or beauty at the intersection of culture and commerce.
Wellness & Culture Facilitators: Lead workshops that marry ancestral knowledge with modern well-being.
Media & Advocates: Help shape HERS into a cultural moment—not just an event.
Island SPACE’s mission is clear: "Elevate Caribbean art, history, and culture throughout South Florida and the broader diaspora". HERS exemplifies that mission—moving beyond education into embodied empowerment.
Event Logistics
What: HERS 2025 – Honoring Exceptionally Regal Sisters
When: Sunday, July 20, 2025, 12 p.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Colony West Golf Club, 6850 NW 88th Ave., Tamarac, FL 33321
Tickets: $25 Early-Bird | $30 Pre-Sale | $35 Door
Vendors/Inquiries: Contact Island SPACE at 954‑999‑0989 or visit islandspacefl.org/hers2025
HERS is where pride, power, and sisterhood converge under a radiant Caribbean sky in South Florida. It’s more than an event—it’s a vibrant movement—one that shapes futures, uplifts voices, and carves space for Caribbean women across communities. For anyone who believes in heritage, healing, and equity, HERS 2025 was an invitation—and HERS 2026 promises to build on its regal legacy in ways that matter deeply.
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