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
Trinidad and Tobago’s Voice Will Rep for Soca at Best of the Best 2026. Artiste’s Inclusion Shows Soca’s Global Reach.
He had one of the most memorable Carnival seasons with a Soca track that stole the hearts of Soca lovers in 2026 and now Aaron ‘Voice’ St. Louis is set to represent hard for the Soca music genre at the upcoming ‘Best of the Best’ Music Festival in Miami on May 26th. His appearance will be his debut to the highly anticipated festival and already, the energy is high.
Voice represents the bridge between Millennial Soca and GenZ vibes. ‘Cyah Behave Mehself’ was lapped up like good Caribbean food at Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago back in February, and it is expected to do the same as the international summer season approaches.
Set to take place on May 26th at Museum Park, Downtown Miami, Voice’s inclusion on the cast underscores the Soca genre’s continued global reach within a predominantly reggae and dancehall showcase. Known for his high energy performances and melodic songwriting, the Trinidad and Tobago three -time Soca Monarch King has built an extensive catalogue of hits that that has proven to resonate with a global audience.
Organizers say anticipation for Voice’s performance at Best of the Best, is high. “Fans are looking forward to a dynamic set that brings soca’s signature energy to the festival stage.”
Best of the Best Music Fest remains one of North America’s premiere Caribbean music events, drawing fans from across the region and Diaspora for a full day of live performances. This year’s lineup includes, Sizzla Kalonji, Beenie Man, Tarrus Riley, Capleton, Rajah Wild, Skeng, Vanessa Bling, among others.
Reggae
New ‘Jamrock’ Documentary Celebrates Unforgettable Moments. Cruise Returns to Jamaica After Hurricane Melissa, This Year.
Ahead of its 11th annual voyage in November, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise shares its story through a new film. VIBE premiered All in the Same Boat, a documentary directed by acclaimed filmmaker, Reshma B and produced by Boomshots TV that traces Marley and his manager Dan Dalton’s brainchild from a bold, outsider idea into one of the most culturally significant movements in reggae and dancehall today.
With over a decade’s worth of unforgettable moments pulled from the last 10 voyages, this 30+ minute documentary captures the spirit of a global reggae community built on shared identity, resilience, and reverence for Jamaican culture. It features iconic performances, real conversations with the artistes and DJs, and the heartbeat of it all: the “Jamrockers.” These are die-hard reggae lovers from over 40 countries who pull up every year for one reason – to feel that irreplaceable connection to Jamaican culture and keep the Marley message of “One Love” alive.
Having successfully navigated challenges including extreme weather and a global pandemic, the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise continues to thrive. Its 11th staging will return for its annual voyage from November 11th to the 16th, sailing from Miami aboard Norwegian Joy.
Stacked from foundation to future, this year’s lineup brings together reggae and dancehall’s most influential voices: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Stephen Marley (Traffic Jam Set), Burning Spear, Sizzla, Capleton, Beenie Man, Protoje, Barrington Levy, Elephant Man, Junior Reid, Lila Iké, Ding Dong & the Ravers Clavers, Tony Matterhorn “Man on the Moon”, Gyptian, 450, Richie Spice, Ghost, Mr. Lexx, Professor Nuts, L.U.S.T., Sister Carol, Sevana, Flourgon, Johnny P, and Jemere Morgan are confirmed.
The cruise’s famed Sound Clash at Sea will return alongside powerhouse sound systems including Stone Love (Geefus), King Jammy, Silverhawk Sound, Rory Stone Love, Renaissance Sound, Federation Sound, Warrior Sound, Rampage Sound, Kingston12 HiFi and Souljah1 Muzik, preserving a cornerstone of Jamaican music culture in its most authentic form.
Jamrock is a Premiere Reggae Event
The Jamrock experience has evolved into the premier reggae event at sea—one that continues to redefine how the culture is celebrated on a global stage. The five-day experience continues to immerse guests in the full spectrum of Jamaican life—from Nyabinghi sunrise sessions and sound bath meditations to dancehall workshops, fitness programming, and curated culinary offerings led by acclaimed Chef Lumley. A new addition this year includes a live theatrical production by legendary playwright Oliver Samuels, adding yet another layer to the cruise’s ever-expanding cultural canvas.
Following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in 2025, the cruise will return to Jamaica with renewed purpose, maintaining its distinction as the only chartered cruise with two Jamaican port stops. That commitment translates into tangible impact, generating millions annually for the island’s tourism and cultural economy while reinforcing a direct connection between the music, the people, and the place that birthed it.
As All in the Same Boat makes clear, Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise is a movement with its own rhythm, one that continues to bring the diaspora home, while inviting the world in. Since its inception in 2014, the mission remains the same: to create a space where reggae lives, breathes, and connects us all.
The documentary made its debut during the 10th annual cruise and later screened at Art Basel in support of hurricane relief efforts led by the Marley family’s Ghetto Youths Foundation. Damian Marley and Dan Dalton were executive producers of the film.
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