Ebuzz News
T&T’s DJ Charlotte, Others Join Campaign to End “Period” Stigma.
U by Kotex will launch a campaign aimed at addressing period stigma on International Women’s Day, Wednesday 8th March 2023.
This latest public awareness initiative includes a powerful cast and crew that includes well-known Trinidad and Tobago personalities, including music aficionado DJ Charlotte, former beauty queen and media personality Yia-Loren Gomez, marketing professional Laura Narain, radio personality Virmala ‘Shala’ Balkaran and regional culinary consultant, Chef Brigette Joseph.
The national campaign is in line with the brand’s goal to provide products that meet women’s health needs and ensure that all women have access to period products across Trinidad and Tobago.
Designed to call out Period Stigma, the campaign tackles the social taboo and gender stereotypes that stigmatize menstruation as ‘unclean’ and ‘dirty’, something that has caused several women to experience menstruation under a cloak of secrecy and shame. The stigma has leaving many without access to the resources needed to manage their menstrual health safely. “Being a part of this campaign lets me highlight both the stigma of having a period and period poverty – both topics being very important to me, all while working with a women-led team; from photographer and videographer to content creators and other accomplished women in their fields was nothing short of fulfilling,” said Chef Brigette Joseph.
This influencer marketing campaign, developed and managed by award-winning advertising agency 10 Caribbean Marketing, will encourage people to engage in open discussions about women’s menstrual cycle, while advocating for improved access to sanitation products through its critical messaging on period perceptions.
Together with its brand ambassadors, U by Kotex is working to bring awareness to challenges faced in menstrual health, by sharing messages that encourage conversations among adolescents to normalize menstruation and to view women as the capable, competent period-having people they are. As the founding sponsor of the Alliance for Period Supplies, the company has already donated more than 53.1 million period products globally to help women in need.
U by Kotex’s Brand Manager, Samantha Chandool said, “U by Kotex created the feminine category 100 years ago and believes nothing should get in the way of a woman’s progress – not her period or the negative perception around periods.”
The launch date of the campaign, International Women’s Day, is in direct alignment with this year’s global theme of #EmbraceEquity. U by Kotex’s mission is clear: nothing should get in the way of a woman’s progress, especially not her period or the negative perceptions around periods.
Ebuzz News
Patrice Roberts Pulls 10K Plus Crowd At Flava Village in Port-of-Spain.
The national Carnival Commission says more than 10,000 patrons came out to Flava Village at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Thursday night to see female Soca artiste, Patrice Roberts.
An event dubbed, ‘Always Us,’ held as a free showcase for Carnival lovers, delivered a number of truly entertaining soca stars, among them, Shal Marshall, Shurwayne Winchester, Nadia Batson, Farmer Nappy and Mical Teja. The NCC, in a media statement said, “an estimated 8,000 people filled the popular Carnival venue, with an additional 2,000patrons enjoying the show from viewing screens along The Drag, creating an electric Carnival atmosphere despite heavy rainfall earlier in the day.”
With her usual high energy performances, Patrice held the attention of fans throughout the night.The concert was described by the artiste as a heartfelt “thank you” to her fans and
supporters. NCC’s Chief Executive Officer, Keiba Jacob-Mottley, said the organisation welcomed the opportunity to partner with Roberts. “We commend Patrice for her decision to give back in this meaningful way and applaud her commitment to ensuring that high-quality local entertainment remains accessible to everyone during the Carnival season, Mottley said, adding, “Our collaboration reinforces the NCC’s focus on creating memorable Carnival experiences that celebrate our artistes while removing financial barriers for the public,” she added.
The NCC CEO noted that the Flava Food Village, one of two signature Carnival villages at the
Savannah, alongside the John Cupid Carnival Village, is offered as a vibrant, inclusive space
where patrons can enjoy food, culture, and nightly performances free of charge. She added
that other NCC events, such as “Welcome to the Gayelle” represent the continuing work at
delivering a successful Carnival 2026.
David Baptiste, President of the Carnival Entrepreneurs Association, described the night as a milestone for vendors at the Savannah. “Last night was truly beautiful and something I have never seen before – an event of this magnitude in terms of crowd size, and people supporting the vendors. Many vendors sold out last night. We need more of this, and I am looking forward to the next event. Events like these boost business for our vendors at the Savannah and make them truly feel like they are a part of the Carnival festival,” Baptiste said.
Ebuzz News
Squeezy Rankin’s Pivot. Artiste Goes Hard into Calypso to Change Mindsets.
From dancehall music with rough lyrical content to social commentary that aims at changing mindsets, East Trinidad native, Squeezy Rankin says he has found his true calling in Calypso music. The entertainer is on the road to the preliminary round of the Calypso Monarch Competition later this month, with a single called ‘Rat Race’ – this, one year after ‘Justice’ influenced younger audiences to take a stronger look at the Calypso genre, something that he hopes he can continue to do as his journey in music continues.
In a recent radio interview, the reigning Young King, whose real name is Anthony La Fleur, said prior to 2025, he had not done music professionally in 13 years. Jumping back into the spotlight, he said, was a bit intimidating, but the exposure last year has prepared him for 2026 and the artiste is expected to confidently claim his space in the Calypso Monarch competition this year.
As real as it gets, Squeezy Rankin- a man on the ground, has always fought for his place in the music industry locally. Now, as Calypso music embraces him even more, he says he believes he’s found his place. “I plan on releasing two songs during the year because I want to change the narrative that Calypso music is old people music,” he said, adding that his hope is that urban radio stations see the value in sharing topics of social commentary, such as ‘Justice’ and ‘Rat Race’- songs deep in meaning and valuable beyond measure, in the greater scheme of things.
Determined to change mindsets one song at a time, Squeezy Rankin says his strong suit is certainly social commentary and he will not, at any time, delve into political commentary. “I was advised by someone who is deep in politics to stay out of it and I literally listened. You know sometimes we hear people, but we aren’t listening. I thought about what he said, and it made sense. I literally listened, even though they say I don’t listen,” he said with a laugh.
‘Rat Race’ was written by Squeezy and Angelo Pantin with production by Q-Ban Production.
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