Two ways to Donate: Here via GoFundME.

Also, a tax-free option is available via our generous fiscal sponsor Beacon Gallery Consulting.
Make payment payable to Beacon Gallery Consulting with “JamojiPLAY” in memo. 

ALL Donations are welcome! Should you require any additional information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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1. Reads: For your holiday getaway, if you’re not already a friend of Jamoji—Essays of Life and Play in Jamaica, now is the time to share in the love of island life ahead of one of the most sought out Spring break destinations. Also, in the new year, Jamoji will be visiting classrooms and two of my favorites along for the ride are Facing the Sun & “Daddy, Tell Me A Story.” I’m so happy to be surrounded by female authors doing extraordinary things. The tales of the Caribbean diaspora will not be possible without the fight of the Black American story. This Jamaican, Bahamian and Southern special curated trio setting captures the journey of childhood, family bonds, home and the coming of age tales in the face of adversity. 

2. Sleep: Slip Silk Turban is perfect for any hair type. If you have an early morning and are not in the mood for full glam at the crack of dawn, the silk turban will allow for a good night’s rest and keep your blowout/do intact. What I especially love about it is that it is not overly tight, fits any hair length and doesn’t leave elastic dents on your forehead in the morning. The Sleep Mask is equally terrific and comfortable. I stumbled upon the secret of a good night’s rest is a silk mask after my turban slipped over my eyes one night. I woke up that morning with the most peaceful deep rest that I hadn’t known existed. I ordered my first pair the next day and never looked back. 

3. DIY: This year I convinced myself that running is fun, but what is not so fun is soreness. I welcomed baths again with 365 Epsom Salt Muscle Soak and it has been a game changer. A 20-30 mins soak is all you need to feel restored and ready for the week. A perfect gift to layer on for some personal time and individual experience. 

4. LUX: I love the very impractical mini petite bag trend and if I cannot find the excuse to buy another one, someone should and please let it be the Gucci GG Marmont mini quilted leather shoulder bag.

5. Wear: I get excited when the L.L. Bean catalog arrives in the mail, I am the first to order yet another sweatshirt in its new release color. This Sherpa Fleece Jacket is one of my favorites for so many reasons; colors, style, price and seasonal versatility. It’s the perfect gift at any age. 

6. Home: I don’t usually wear cologne in the house, but I like my home to be all encompassing of a familiar scent. Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia Room Spray is the go to for a personal fragrant, especially when I don’t want to be preoccupied with whether I left a candle burning. 

7. Beach: I purchased my first FOUTA back in 2008 and I still use it on almost every beach and park outing today. The compliments never get old, it’s the throw of all throws. It’s durable, playful, lite, absorbent and washes well. And No, “one just isn’t enough!” One for each family member is just about right. You can even personalize them.

8. Skin: I’m very much a (no scent) white bar person, but this AFOKOSKIN Black Soap Body Wash is so soft, tender and natural to the skin that it is my mini lux for the day. It’s also mild enough for the entire family to enjoy. 

9. Lounge: A jumpsuit?! Yes, please! Sometimes thinking of what to wear on top and bottom is just too much. Vuori Lux Jumpsuit makes it very comfortable and easy. Not to mention versatile: home, latte run, light yoga, errands, brunch… you name it! With a blazer, motor leather jacket, cardigan or fleece jacket, your options are limitless. 
   
   
10. GIVE: After you’ve enjoyed your holiday island getaway and want to relinquish its memories, consider giving to #JamojiPLAY! Visitors and admirers of the Caribbean Islands looking to give back in a visually and impactful way, can donate to the building of the first playground at Bridgeport Primary School in Portmore, St. Catherine—Jamaica.

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It brings me great joy to not only share this experience with you all, but it is a true honor to give back and celebrate with the Jamaican community. 

I know I’ve always wanted to give back to Jamaica, but I wasn’t always sure how. In writing Jamoji—Essays of Life and Play in Jamaica, reliving my childhood memories and exploring working partnerships opened the opportunity that I would give back to the very core of Jamoji, preserving childhood and innocence. After one playground is successfully built, we can build another and another, but we have to get the first one right, first. (The Jamaican Ministry of Education is onboard to facilitate the needs of the playground installation.)

To kick things off, we’ll be taking over the gardens of Pegasus hotel on Dec. 17th with fun activities and a silent auction. (Great prizes to come!) The event tickets for the Jamoji launch party and fundraiser are available via eventbrite. I would love to have you join us on Saturday, Dec. 17th at Pegasus Hotel, in Kingston Jamaica.

If you have any questions or would be interested in supporting #JamojiPLAY, I am all ears!

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Date: Saturday, December 17, 2022
Place: Pegasus Hotel (Kingston, Jamaica)
Time: 4PM -9PM
Dress: Garden Cocktail
Serving: Island style hors d’euvres & open bar

I shared in the book cover dedication that a part of Jamoji book proceeds will go to the school my sisters and I attended while living in Jamaica, Bridgeport Primary in St. Catherine. Specifically, building a playground for the school. In addition, I will be hosting a fundraiser for this book launch (incld. book signing) on Dec 17, 2022 at Pegasus Hotel Jamaica to further meet this effort. 

And if you can’t make it to Jamaica, you won’t miss out on the fun because we have an online silent auction filled with great prizes that includes Apple iPad, Spa for 2 at Halfmoon Resort and more! 

The option to donate directly to building the playground is open here. 

You won’t want to miss out when tickets go on sale in the coming weeks. A LIMITED number of early-bird discount tickets will be available…Get them before they go!

Lastly, if you haven’t already, please remember to pick up, share, invite, and leave a review for Jamoji. (For signed copies go here.) It is your continued support that helps us grow.

See you there!

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The background on the Jamoji official book cover: 
The mural resembles the playful, creative community found in Jamaica’s capital, Kingston. The dusty sand at the foot of the playing children (clothed black, green and gold, the colors of the Jamaican flag) provides the backdrop for Jamaica’s tourism and its reach to the city—near, yet far.

The subtitle text presents as a phone keyboard, keeping in-line with the Jamoji App. It’s as if you’re texting, both hands on the screen. 

The image itself derives from a Jamoji emoticon, depicting a game of Chinese skip. It’s a game I grew up playing and the holder of many fond, childhood memories. Much of the essays in Jamoji are that of my childhood growing up in Jamaica and it was only fitting that the focus of my cover reflected this nostalgia. A reminder of what we continue to fight for; the future. 

This collection of nonfiction essays explores my childhood and adulthood as a Jamaican, growing up on the island and migrating to the US. And also how the culture, teachings, habits, rituals, and media culminated in a better understanding and appreciation for our multifaceted identity.

Special thanks to the Jamoji author community for their continued kindness and support throughout this journey. My deepest gratitude to author Janice Lynn Mather and the offices at Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, for your time, energy and sharing your presence in this pertinent debut—thank you!

ebook goes live Tuesday, December 21th 2021!

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Jamaica is home to everyone that crosses its borders, it’s our greeting to tourists and natives alike, “Welcome home.” While I am expecting these words to reach me upon each entry, I fight the tears as the words will meet me when I need them the most. Home provides us with a different type of feeling — warmth, comfort and permission to let go. Home is where the heart is and have you heard? Jamaica is “the heartbeat of the world.” (Visit Jamaica 2020 campaign slogan) I must admit, I wasn’t the biggest fan the first time I heard the saying. Even today, I still haven’t fully grasped how this small island, population 2.9 mil, in the middle of the Caribbean sea could so boldly claim the heartbeat of the world; population 7.6 billion. But if you’re lucky, that’s the security and confidence that home provides us, the courage to be bold and to do so proudly. It’s a feeling. For you, the feeling of relaxation and restoration; for me, it provides an opportunity to be embraced and be seen, be loved. That’s my Jamaica, my home. 

My preferences are of course biased, but to give some perspective, I’ve visited quite a number of other countries and haven’t met a place that feels as good as Jamaica. There is the saying Sweet, sweet, Jamaica because it’s true. Jamaica is sweet like ripen summer fruits, hot sex, good wine and decadent dessert all in one. The one thing that makes my time in Jamaica unenjoyable are the mosquitoes. They too are special and well known. They’re the useless spineless pests that sucks the life out of your stay. A Jamaica without crime and mosquitoes; ahh I would never leave. 

The excitement on the journey home stretches far beyond packing bikinis, cover-ups and toiletries. Loved ones eagerly anticipate your arrival with the preparation of accommodations and one’s favorite culinary dishes. No visit would be remiss without the foreigner’s cries about the sun’s heat. Then there are the requests to fulfill; a cousin’s favorite makeup compact or the time I traveled with a toaster oven as a carryon and thought nothing of it. Not forgetting the juicer I packed just in time for my dad’s Father’s day gift while on baecation. All normal. One thing about Jamaicans, we love Jamaica, but most of us, if not all, want the conveniences of life in North America. This stay however, I promise to pack the basics; insect repellant being at the top of the list and my laptop. The order is to work from home. 

Jamaica, soon come!

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We bar every entrance to our homes, even the skylight above the second floor bathroom isn’t spared. Double, triple check the locks on our doors. Clutch our purses and hold our children tightly as we walk through our streets. Women transport currency in their bosoms. One must remain vigilant of their surroundings because letting your guard down could lead to severe consequences. This is life during daylight, come dawn there are a new set of rules to add. There is nothing out there for you. If you must, don’t go alone, stop for no one and say your prayers. Trust is scarce and remains a challenge to our well-being. Fear consumes the most innocent and religious of them all. Rich, poor, old, young, none is free of this threat. 

Crime is not unique to Jamaica. High crime is generally the trademark of most poverty stricken developing countries. However unlawful and unforgivable, it’s a means and way of life for some. Sadly, the punishment is felt by us law-abiding citizens and seems rarely ever felt by the criminals. Jamaica wasn’t always ridden with high crime. My parents tell a tale of a hard, but carefree childhood growing up in Jamaica. A time when a padlock wasn’t required to secure the free water, captured by the night’s rainfall, stored in the outdoor tank. The punishment is the fear, which lives long after the threat of imminent danger has passed. Today my mother, who now resides in New York and has for decades, lives behind an embarrassing number of locks on her apartment door that act as her guard in exchange for a night’s rest. This is what she knows. Having, thankfully, never been a victim of a violent crime and out of the threat barriers, the trauma remains. In all that we do and the beauty we encompass, how much further could we be in our brightness light?  

This is our punishment, lifelong trauma and an impermeable shell of being. It’s the seed of impatience, lack of empathy and understanding, and the inability to give and receive love. The barriers we require to protect our physical being rob us of the right to live whole and free lives. I long for a Jamaica like the one behind the resort gates, unencumbered and protected.

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Jamaica was once known as the world’s largest coffee producer in the late 1700’s — today, tea takes precedence. Something about British colonialism influence is the reason for this preference. Imagine that, we live amongst some of the world’s best, yet the very culture that deprived us of its access is responsible for our discerning taste buds and has created a lasting impression centuries later. As a result, many of us did not grow up with coffee in the household. At most, there is an instant packet in the pantry for company, but I can’t name one family member or relative with a coffee maker in the kitchen. Much the same can be said of my friends and neighbors. 

It was a trip to Spain after college where my love of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee began. Over the years I have come to enjoy the smoothness and comfort of having an espresso drink, but coffee was always labeled as “bitter” in my house and amongst most Jamaicans. This was one of the main reasons why I hadn’t been inclined to try the popular drink until I was in uncharted terrority. Also, there is a great lack of information, education and not much interest beyond “we’re the best” amongst Jamaicans with regard to Blue Mountain coffee. 

With much of the labor intensive production focused on exports, it will be unfruitful to campaign for every Jamaican to try a cup of Blue Mountain coffee, but wouldn’t that be nice? 

January 9th is World Blue Mountain Coffee Day, for all intents and purposes, to celebrate its worldly presence, its long growing history and increase in market visibility. And I should add, giving back to Jamaica what has been stolen from Jamaicans, the pleasures of our land, should be commemorated on this day. I too intend to be more mindful about my coffee bean sources and more knowledgeable about its roasting methods. I’d love to get lost on a bike ride along the Blue Mountain trails and fields, while meeting coffee experts along the way. If you have yet to be bestowed with the love of coffee, know that there is so much to explore along the Blue Mountains. If anything, remember to cast a glance at the mountains on your drive through the hills. Please don’t allow this magic to slip further away.

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The idea of “fast food” restaurants is lost on Jamaica and a complete oxymoron to be honest. Yes, you’ll find the well known and a few local brands operating in this arena, but waiting and waiting for extremely long periods is not uncommon at these franchises. In fact, if it is a Friday or a Saturday night, good luck. Take it as a sign that it is time to start dieting and sit this one out because they will either not have what you wanted due to high demand and/or you’re eating well past 10pm. It’s baffling because these incidents are weekly occurrences and almost accepted as a part of the dining-out experience. This is partly due to the meticulous character and nature of Jamaicans. We are thorough in all that we do and so the natural process of fast food to precook and then reheat will not stand with Jamaican consumers. I remember when the popular golden arches arrived in Jamaica, only to close its doors ten years later. Whatever the reasons, one was largely due to lack of research of how Jamaicans enjoy food. I believe my family might have visited a handful of times during its tenure. That’s a lot of Friday nights spent eating elsewhere. It is quite comforting though, to be known and be of value, and uphold high standards even when the rest of the world falls at their feet. Also, the burgers were simply too small for the oftentimes insatiable Jamaican appetite. 

Now eat-in, server, and reservations-required dining is becoming more popular, but mostly in resort towns and on resort properties. Lets just say, all things are possible here. I can’t say I have had much experience outside the resorts to fully provide an honest and current critique. The resorts of course, hands down, are where top notch service and accommodations are to be expected. Outside the resorts it is likely a hit or miss. Dining out is not one of our strong points, at least not as it should be. However, things are changing and I’m not giving up just yet and neither should you. One thing for sure that Jamaica is never short on, and that is a good meal.

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Hellshire was a place for us, close to home, full of life, great food (home of the Jamaican festival) and one of the most beautiful beaches you’d ever seen. Mounds of white sand dunes that gave you a workout to the shore. Before I ever saw snow, I would pretend to ski down the slopes and at times, with friends, sled in tube sleighs between the shore and where we were parked on the sand. Today, all that is left is the parking lot as the shore has been eaten away by the sea and the sand used to mitigate its changes. They say it’s climate change. I say it is mismanagement and lack of care. Hellshire simply wasn’t a Jamaican tourism priority. 

I find it ironic how today we often find ourselves fighting with the amount of time we spend on our phones, taking pictures and recording the experience instead of living it, but I must say, I wish we had such access back then to preserve the image that once was. I just thought it would always be there when I needed it. Now it is gone. I haven’t visited Hellshire in over a decade because selfishly, I want it to remain as I remembered — nostalgia works best with distance.

As much as it was a place of adventure and refuge, Hellshire was also a place of fear and, although I didn’t have the word for it then, anxiety. We didn’t know how to swim and thus, the fear of drowning took precedence over pleasure. Then there was the ritual of being “baptized,” in the ocean, emulating our elders in the church. One would be dragged waist to shoulder deep into the ocean and dipped backwards, all the while crying for it to be over. It was meant to be fun or funny, but it was traumatic and still is. We didn’t know any better. Needless to say the experience didn’t create a community of olympic swimmers. There is a lot we didn’t know and that I can accept, but today what is it we’re choosing not to know? What else are we willing to lose? 

I’ll accept the mismanagement of Hellshire beach as “we didn’t know better.” In turn, we must accept and commit to investing in us, especially the places and things the tourists will not see. I’m grateful for the beach that kept my 2020 sane, but it was no Hellshire. It’s funny to witness how much private beaches on the island imitate what once came so naturally.

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