Ebuzz News
Autistic Golf Star, Carter Bonas Represents His Caribbean Ancestry Well, Showing Resilience Every Step of the Way.
There is exceptional beauty and resilience in Autism. Thirteen-year-old Carter Bonas has taught this to many, and he’s far from finished. Born to a Tobagonian father and Jamaican mother, the young golfer, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker, is intentionally proving that life gives back to us, exactly what we put in.
Carter will be visiting Montego Bay, Jamaica in October to host a golf tournament on the island. Proceeds from the event will be donated to a school in the area that lacks proper plumbing infrastructure. This is what he does, and he hopes to do the same in Trinidad and Tobago, soon.
Diagnosed with ASD at the age of one, Carter’s journey has been tremendously inspiring. His mother, Dr. Thelma Tennie explains that Carter is high-functioning and is capable of doing pretty much everything a child without autism can. She does however admit that he is sometimes socially awkward and, in the past, had been bullied at school. As a result, at home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Carter is now enrolled in online school, which still allows him to interact with teachers and other classmates while being educated. “He is a straight A student. He does very well in school,” she shared, noting however that his entrepreneurial spirit has led to him questioning the need for school, considering all that he has already accomplished.
From being named Sports Illustrated’s ‘Sports Kid of the Year’ in 2022, to being invited to speak to employees at major companies like 3M and DOW, this young boy of Caribbean ancestry is blazing a trail many would never have imagined he could. It all started at the age of nine when Carter was introduced to the game of golf. “He immediately loved it because of the natural elements,” said his mother. She highlighted that Carter had very little appreciation for contact sports and further to that, he did not like being yelled at. Golf was the last-ditch effort by his family to find him an activity that he could enjoy; And enjoy he did!
The COVID19 pandemic led to major social adjustments in 2020. Tennie said her son became anxious and questioned his future, should anything happen to his family. “He wanted to start a business that would allow him to be able to take care of himself,” she said. “During the pandemic he started a golf line. He sells golf clothes and accessories,” she explained, adding that the material used for the clothing was created to facilitate Carter’s skin sensitivity. “It’s a soft, pajama-type material and the line was debuted at the PGA show as a new product then.”
Since launching Spectrum Golf, Carter Bonas has had a whirlwind adventure. Pro golfer, Ernie Els, whose son is also autistic, learnt of Carter’s ambitious strides and subsequently invited him to walk with him, at his events. Carter Bonas’ name and story soon made it to news channels and sport media outlets around the US. He got the opportunity to meet basketball star, Steph Curry in 2022 when Sports Illustrated named him Sports Kid of the year and beyond that, UPS subsequently coined Bonas their ‘Unstoppable CEO.’ He was flown out to the Golf Masters by the company- an experience that while exhilarating for the young athlete, would be inspiring to children with autism, much like Carter.
On April 25th, Carter Bonas Day was commemorated in Lauderhill, and on that day, Carter hosted the First Annual Autism Awareness Golf Tournament at the Country Club of Coral Springs. He is also working on his autobiography, detailing his journey thus far.
Proud of his Caribbean ancestry, the young, autistic athlete shows off his heritage whenever he can, sharing both the T&T and Jamaican flags on his golf bag. “Carter wanted to write his book to inspire other people to never give up on whatever they are passionate about,” said his mom. Both she and Carter’s father, Bolvin Bonas, are extremely proud of their son. “Carter is very determined, brave and outspoken, said the elder Bonas who hails from Argyle, Tobago. “He is a lot of fun to be around, and he has a great head on his shoulders,” he added.
As April, the month that highlights Autism comes to a close, the Bonas family is encouraging parents of both autistic children and children without the health challenge, to hone into whatever they see, makes their child happy, and encourage that. “See what their passions are and what they’re good at. Get a good team behind you, share your story and don’t be afraid to foster your child’s strengths,” said Tennie.
Ebuzz News
Miami Broward Carnival Host Committee Elects New Officers.
The Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee is pleased to announce the election of its new officers for the 2024–2026 term. These dedicated leaders are committed to preserving and enhancing the vibrant traditions of Miami Carnival, further solidifying its status as one of South Florida’s most highly anticipated cultural events. The newly elected officers for the 2024–2026 term are:
Board members include: Carl DeCruise, Nicholas Jack, Anthony Joseph,Raymond Luke, Jeanette Haynes, Marlene Gregoire, Gilda Swasey, Larson Phipps, Ruthven Williams, Sydney Roberts, Dallas Michael.
About Miami Carnival
Miami Carnival is the ultimate cultural experience, blending the vibrant elements of Caribbean Carnival with the beauty of South Florida. Held annually over Columbus Day Weekend in October, the festival features four signature events: Junior Carnival, Panorama, J’ouvert, and the iconic Costumed Parade & Concert. Each year, Miami Carnival attracts thousands of visitors and participants from around the world, celebrating Caribbean culture through music, art, and community.
The Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to hosting a safe, family-friendly festival that fosters community pride, civic engagement, and cultural exchange. It provides a platform for Caribbean people in South Florida to share their culture, promote multiculturalism, and drive economic cooperation in the region.
This year, Miami Carnival proudly celebrated its 40th anniversary with a spectacular display of Caribbean culture, creative self-expression, and entrepreneurial spirit. Named one of the Top 100 Events in South Florida, Miami Carnival is a thoughtfully curated celebration featuring pageantry, music, food, arts and crafts, and cultural experiences. Miami Carnival brought the vibrancy of Caribbean culture to life, capturing the essence of community, unity, and joy.
The newly elected officers aim to strengthen the legacy of Miami Carnival, fostering cultural appreciation and community connection while continuing to drive significant economic impact for the region. With their guidance, Miami Carnival will remain a celebration of heritage and a symbol of the unity and vibrancy of the Caribbean diaspora.
“As Chair of the Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee, I am deeply honored to lead a talented and dedicated team in continuing the rich legacy of Miami Carnival. This celebration is more than a festival—it is a dynamic showcase of Caribbean culture, community pride, and artistic excellence.Over the years, Miami Carnival has evolved into a globally recognized event highlighting our heritage’s vibrancy and the unifying power of music, art, and culture. Our 40th-anniversary celebration exemplified our community’s resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. “Looking ahead, our new leadership team is focused on elevating this cherished tradition, ensuring it thrives as a symbol of cultural pride and an engine of economic growth for South Florida. I am excited to build on this legacy, foster cultural exchange, and uphold Miami Carnival as a dynamic platform that unites people while driving cultural and economic impact for our region.” — Joan Hinkson-Justin
About the Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee:
The Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee is a non-profit organization dedicated to organizing safe, family-friendly festivals that highlight the beauty and diversity of Caribbean culture. Its mission includes fostering community pride, promoting cultural exchange, and building economic cooperation in South Florida’s multi-ethnic and multicultural environment.
Miami Carnival 2025 takes place from October 10th-12th, 2025. For more information about Miami Carnival, visit: MiamiCarnival.org.
Ebuzz News
New Soca Monarch- Like Show Coming. Organisers to Look At Calendar of Events in Preparation for The Way Forward.
A competition or similar type cultural showcase in carnival, is set to be unveiled in the weeks ahead. Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism, revealed the appointment of Star Global Productions Limited, to organize and deliver the large-scale carnival 2025 event. The new event will take the place of the International Soca Monarch – a competition which started in T&T in 1993 but dwindled by 2020.
The Production team consists of The Lollabee Group, businessman, Adrian Chandler and media personality and artiste, Jerome Priscilla. “We are excited to partner with the consortium led by Star Global Productions Limited in reimagining the Soca competition for Carnival 2025,” said Minister Randal Mitchell. “This competition will, not only showcase the best in Soca music but will also play a vital role in enhancing Trinidad and Tobago’s standing as a premier cultural and tourist destination,” he added. The Minister went on to articulate the ministry’s anticipation, saying, “We are eager to bring this vibrant aspect of our Carnival to the forefront, furthering the growth of our creative industries and promoting the rich cultural heritage of our nation.”
Via media release, the Ministry noted that on July 29, 2024, an Expression of Interest (EOl) was issued, inviting individuals and organisations to submit proposals for the development and management of a Soca competition. The EOl closed on August 23, 2024, with eight (8) submissions received. Following the receipt of those submissions, the Ministry issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to the interested parties on October 29, 2024, which closed on November 19th 2024. It said a rigorous evaluation process was conducted to select a partner for revitalising the competition and advancing the country’s Tourism, Culture, and Arts industries. “It is to be noted that out of the three (3) submissions received following the issuance of the RFP, Star Global Productions Limited’s proposal stood out as the most comprehensive and strategically aligned with the Ministry’s vision for the Carnival 2025 Soca competition,” stated the media release. It added, “Star Global Productions Limited brings expertise in managing large-scale events and producing culturally significant programming, making them an ideal partner to bring this vibrant competition to life.”
The media release explained that Star Global Productions Limited will now plan, organise and implement its proposal, taking into consideration the calendar of events confirmed for the Carnival 2025 period. “The consortium will enter into discussions with the Ministry to finalize arrangements for the competition,” the statement ended.
For the past four years, many have lamented the decline of the International Soca Monarch. Once owned by Caribbean Prestige Foundation founder, William Munroe, the event was subsequently passed around to other major players in Arts and Culture, Media and Business. The pandemic’s sudden strike in 2019 led to a digitally formatted effort by organizers and now, it is left to be seen whether patronage of the once mammoth Carnival competition, will return to its glory days.
At its inception, soca stars like Machel Montano, Iwer George, Mr. Killa, Fay Ann Lyons, Bunji Garlin, Iwer George, Shurwayne Winchester, SuperBlue, Shal Marshall, Voice, Farmer Nappy, Benjai, Blaxx and countless others, delivered spectacular artistry, complete with props and dancers, fireworks and thrilling showmanship, to insatiable audiences who showed their support from the Semi Final showcase at the Arima Velodrome in East Trinidad to the finals on Fantastic Friday at the National Stadium. The memories of those incredible years of high momentum carnival fever, remain etched in the hearts of many.
