Back in 2022, my word for the year was community. I felt like it was something I had once taken for granted but now deeply valued in its absence. As children, community is something we were automatically integrated into whether that be school or attending places of worship. As we continue to grow, so does the opportunity to be intentional about the communities we choose to be a part of and feed into. One thing that always felt vital to me was connecting with the Caribbean community. I love the way we tell stories, the things we create and the joy and purpose we put into it. However, sometimes there appears to be a limited view of Caribbean culture, both by people within and outside of this community. I’ve personally been making more of an effort to learn about the richness of our culture, our history, our creativity and it has filled me with an abundance of appreciation and inspiration. And while it is important to look into the past to learn about the present and prepare for the future, it’s not just our predecessors who are the innovators and creators, we are too. 

From this Cold Islanders came to life, a platform celebrating creativity and fostering connection between Caribbean people on the hotter islands, and those of us spread out across this colder one we call home. Cold Islanders hosts events for and by the Caribbean community, some just for us, and others open for all to learn and enjoy.

Cold Islanders curate a variety of events in partnership with local organisations and individuals to present a plethora of ways that we can further connect and explore, from panel talks and storytelling sessions to dinner parties and group theatre trips. Cold Islanders encourage people of all ages, genders and faiths to engage with Cold Islanders, there is no singular experience of being of Caribbean heritage and there’s plenty to learn from one another.

At the core of Cold Islanders is promoting a culture of care, rest and wellbeing. As people whose ancestors were used as means to set up the capitalist society we now live in, Cold Islanders wants to resist through rest and ensure that we break ties to a culture of overworking and rather embed collective care and practises of wellbeing into our work. Therefore I may not have a constant programme of work or always be on your feeds because rest and care is priority, and I’m proud of that!

Cold Islanders is here to explore, play and daydream. I’m learning along the way and invite you to join us all on this journey.