Caribbean Buzz
Aisha Manrique is The Voice of the Caribbean Music Awards.
The stage is being prepared for what is ultimately the most anticipated staging of the Caribbean Music Awards on September 19th, 2026. For the very first time since its inception three years ago, the event moves from New York, to Trinidad and Tobago where superstars from across the Caribbean region and internationally, will gather. It’s a meaningful moment for many people, but one person in particular, feels immensely excited and proud to be at the centre of it all.
Aisha Manrique is the voice of the Caribbean Music Awards. Her tone, expression, sound and articulation, which has narrated the entire show for the past three years, aligns seamlessly with brand Caribbean along with the overall delivery of this powerful celebration of Caribbean creativity and beauty. “I am extremely excited that the Caribbean Music Awards is being held at home in Trinidad and Tobago this year,” said the South, Trinidad native.
Three years ago, Aisha landed the opportunity of a lifetime to become the Voice of God for the Caribbean Music Awards. The former Marketing Officer was essentially screened after a series of meetings and panel interviews, The Caribbean Music Awards would eventually agree to welcoming Trinidad born, Aisha Manrique into the organization. Added to that, the team, after doing their research on Manrique, offered her the opportunity to be the Head Writer for the production. Now in its fourth year, Aisha is the person who writes and narrates the entire production for show night, inclusive of nomination packages, host and presenter scripts and all else. “It’s a lot of work but I am tremendously grateful to be doing what I love,” she expressed.
The 2026 staging of the CMA’S in T&T is a welcomed experience for Aisha. “Having my team with me to be able to prepare in terms of making this moment at home, memorable, is something I’m looking forward to. Every year despite efforts to glam up and be a part of the show with makeup and everything else, I would announce behind the scenes in sneakers and jeans because of the rush as a result of the rigorous production schedule in addition to the intense traffic amid the excitement of Labour Day weekend.”
Manrique says this year she’s looking forward to wearing a gown and getting some photos taken while doing the work that she has dedicatedly done for the past three years, behind the scenes. “I can at least be a part of the glamorous side of things this year,” she laughed.
From San Fernando to the world, Aisha’s journey has been one filled with lessons and testimonies. An entrepreneur now, having answered her life’s calling a few years ago, Aisha says her mother’s insistence on key things, has shaped her path. “As a young child I would envision myself standing in front of thousands and thousands of people and using my voice. My first audience was made up of my uncles and grandmother. I remember my mother waking me up at 5am every morning to work on pronunciation, breathing and posture. Of course, as a child I wasn’t happy about that but now, I appreciate it so much.”
Her mother has since passed away, however Aisha Manrique is inspiring many these days, having been taught the principles of life, focus and dedication, by the woman who was her tower of strength throughout her life.
A Communications and Confidence Strategist, Public Speaking Coach, Copywriter, International Voiceover Talent and Live Announcer, Vocal Health Instructor, Master Storyteller, Aisha Manrique is moving onward with a distinct level of pride in how she serves. Her company, Voicey Versa Productions Ltd. is a Caribbean-based production and training company transforming how individuals and organizations use their voice, communication and stories to make an impact. She trains and coaches professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives, public figures, and performers to express and create compelling messages that resonate, convert, and inspire, equipping them with the skills to speak with confidence, clarity and authority. Her mother would be proud.
“My plan for my business is to better position the company as a safe space for persons to use their voices. If there’s someone who just wants to preach a sermon with a message, or if a person wants to post a video on social media and they need more confidence to engage broader audiences, Voicey Versa will be that safe space to learn,” she said, adding, “There are many people walking around with struggles internally and they are being silenced because of self-sabotage, imposter syndrome and negative thinking. I know what that feels like,” she noted.
Crediting several experiences throughout her life for her present success, Aisha says there is immense power in pushing past fear. At 15-years-old she attended the Rotary Leadership Awards Conference, where Secondary schools from across the Caribbean were represented by students. It was during that experience that her fear would be counteracted, having stood up when others did not, having been called upon to respond by one of the event’s sponsors, Percy Parker Williams. “He gave me a challenge to come up with a concept for an ad- a men’s cologne. He said he would give me 15 minutes. I said I just needed 1 minute and the whole auditorium erupted,” she recalls. “I created an ad and delivered in a seductive, female voice right there on the spot. The crowd cheered me on and Mr. Parker said I had something special. He awarded me a scholarship to pursue broadcasting and I’ve never looked back,” said Aisha.
There are many testimonies of her journey’s alignment to her gift and natural calling, but for Aisha Manrique, her life’s work is enshrined in God’s grace, having continued to use her gift to the service of others in her life. On September 19th, as Caribbean artistes and other creatives enjoy the fruit of their hard work and creativity in Port-of-Spain, her voice will tell the world at large, just how special they are.
Caribbean Buzz
Collabr: Born in the Caribbean, Built for Creators Everywhere.
For yet another year, cricket and entertainment are collaborating with intention. Superstar cricketer, Dwayne Bravo’s love and passion for both cricket and creativity bring live entertainment to matches across the Caribbean at this year’s Caribbean Premiere League (CPL) Tournament and it’s all thanks to Bravo’s Collabr app.
The idea behind Collabr began with a challenge that exists across the Caribbean: extraordinary creative talent is everywhere, but there has never been a formal structure to identify it, connect it or create a clear pathway from talent to opportunity. For the international cricket icon, recording artist and entrepreneur, that challenge became increasingly apparent through his work developing emerging artistes at 47 Productions.
The talent was there. What was missing was the infrastructure.
Bravo and his team asked key questions: How do you find the right singer, songwriter, producer, dancer, filmmaker or other creative talent particularly when that person may be outside the traditional industry circles? How does a talented young artist in Trinidad, Guyana, St. Lucia, Jamaica or elsewhere in the Caribbean become visible to someone who can provide the next opportunity? And once discovered, how can those creators connect, collaborate, develop their work and ultimately build sustainable careers?
Recognising the need for something bigger than a studio or traditional talent search, Bravo reached out to entrepreneur Joshua Strone to expand the idea. That conversation became the foundation for Collabr – a technology platform designed to make creative talent discoverable and give creators the tools, connections and opportunities they need to move forward.
While its roots are distinctly Caribbean, the problem Collabr addresses is universal. Around the world, millions of talented creators remain disconnected from the people, resources and opportunities that could help them advance. At the same time, the modern creative process has become increasingly fragmented. Creators use one platform to network, another to communicate, another to edit, another to generate content with AI, and still others to distribute and monetize their work. Collabr brings that journey together.
Today, Collabr is evolving into an all-in-one creative ecosystem where artists, musicians, dancers, filmmakers, photographers, designers, producers, content creators and other creative professionals can create, connect, collaborate, get discovered and earn, all within one platform.
It’s a platform born from a Caribbean challenge, but built around a global belief: Talent can exist anywhere. Opportunity should be able to find it.
Caribbean Buzz
Le Brunch, The Most Stylish Event Takes Place in East Trinidad, This Independence Weekend.
The stage is set for the Independence Day weekend in Trinidad and Tobago, and one of the most anticipated events is going down in East Trinidad. Phenomenal Events Studio’s Natasha Noreiga tells Ebuzztt, the Centre of Excellence in Macoya is the place to be on Sunday, August 30th for Le Brunch. This year’s theme is Pastel Luxè and she’s encouraging attendees to come out as stylishly as they can, in hues of pastel, perfectly suited to the experience they’re guaranteed.
In 2026, Noreiga is delivering the fifth installment of the event, and according to the masterful event coordinator and director, she’s all about the theme. “This all started in 2019. I wanted to create a space that people could come out, stylishly dressed and have a great time together,” she explained, highlighting that initially, the event encouraged attendees to bring their favorite bottle of liquor. In this year’s staging of the event however, Natasha said everyone will enjoy a Premium drinks-inclusive bar at Le Brunch. “Bottles are not allowed this time around. Premium drinks will be available to everyone,” she assured, adding that two chefs will be on hand serving up sumptuous brunch cuisine. “We’re having food catered this year by Chef Akim, with grilling being done by Rustic House.”
Le Brunch has presented amazing experiences to loyal patrons over the past few years. “The event was initially hosted at Jenny’s Ranch in Arima, and then I hosted it at a private residence in Cunupia. In 2025, we hosted a boat ride,” said Noreiga. She said the themes have gone from shades of pink to a Safari theme and last year aboard the boat, attendees came out in shades of blue.
This year’s pastel theme will likely be a vision at The Centre of Excellence in Macoya, and coupled with the decor this event coordinator is preparing, those who’ve already purchased tickets are certainly in for a treat. “Every year people are eager about the theme. They are always excited to find out what the theme of the event is, and I consider myself a theme specialist so I go all the way out,” said Natasha. Her experience in coordinating and hosting weddings, anniversary parties, birthdays and other events, offer the assurance to patrons that they’re in good hands.
Early bird tickets which were $350, now sold out, Natasha told Ebuzztt that a few $400 Golden Petal tickets are still available. “The event starts at 4pm and ends at 9pm with a cast of amazing DJs inclusive of Sensational Sammy, Ken Simmons and Jon Boi, DJ Five Star, Whitney Husbands and DJ Charlotte, brothers DJ Brendan and Christian and hosted by Mr. Voice. We’re gonna have a great time,” said the event expert who stands on 25 years experience.
How She Catered to Customers.
In what some have described as a tough economy, Natasha Noreiga took no chances and began promoting her event back in March. “Tickets were available from April because I knew the July/August months would be dedicated to back to school shopping. I wanted to give people enough time to plan,” she explained, noting that in the East, promoters work together to ensure dates are free and accessible to each other. “The Independence weekend is also my birthday so this year Le Brunch will be very special,” she said.
Fans of the event who’ve been loyal annually, look forward to the rich and vibrant atmosphere, coupled with the comfort of familiarity. “A lot of people often say it’s like a reunion – they get to see people they haven’t seen in a long time and they mingle freely and comfortably,” said Noreiga. She prides herself on being able to create such an atmosphere, encouraging younger patrons to be a part of the community as well. “The demographic is mature but we do have pockets of younger people coming into the fold,” she said.
This year, the Brix Hotel will sponsor prizes for the Best Dressed Male and Female patrons. “This is definitely a dress-up event. People should come out as stylish as they can for a chance to win the prizes.”
With big teams inclusive of hospital and fire services staff, already having purchased their tickets, Natasha says a limited number of tickets are still available. “Persons can check out islandeticket.com, Sammy’s Rest Bar, Sa Lounge Fashions at East Gates Mall, Rustic House and Grill in Curepe, 212 Locations and Richard’s West Mall, for tickets. It’s going to be an event you don’t want to miss,” said Noreiga.
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