Decided to commit to the habit of doing an annual audit. And after 2020, a year which felt 50 years long, it was crucial to remember the things that went right, so you can set your focus and energy to attract and do more of what worked. So I did a quick review of what happened in the wake of a soft launch of Rebel Grrl Media in October. Here are RGM’s Top Moments of 2020.
1. I was named Caribbean Future Proofer by UK, Magazine Pitch COOL. A great way to re-enter tech and business and tell my story about why I went on a year-long sabbatical (ended December 2019) after 12 years of going almost nonstop in the Caribbean Tech Industry with SiliconCaribe and why my expanding vision about what’s next for me has evolved into Rebel Grrl Media. It was also covered in the Jamaica Observer, the newspaper where I started my career in media and started my love affair with tech.
2. Brought back the Silicon Caribe brand out of sabbatical by producing a virtual event. It was called “Digital Caribbean – How to use who and where you are to innovate.” We had 10 Speakers. 196 registrants from 22 countries. The intent was to spark conversations ar0ound the Digital realities and possibilities of the Covid-disrupted times.
3. Launched the SiliconCaribe Insider Weekly Newsletter focused on Caribbean Tech News and Digital Economy Insights. It’s now read by over 10,000 from 45 countries thanks to our loyal readers and that the blog is Dow Jones syndicated. I write it and send it out every Tuesday. It’s a way to answer the questions I get regularly and to curate and share more of the data, news, and insights about people and business driving the future of technology in Caribbean business.
4. Released The SiliconCaribe Podcast Special Edition across 9 platforms. I had 5 Candid and illuminating conversations with some of the Caribbean’s best forward-thinkers around the Future of Caribbean Content, Travel, Music and Djs, Digital Identity, and eSports. Season two is being recorded right now. Excited about these conversations coming.
6. Launched the inaugural annual SiliconCaribe Top 50 Caribbean Women In Tech List, which is meant to identify and amplify the stories of the Mavens, Mavericks Millenial, and Misfit Women In Tech in the Caribbean and Diaspora. We can’t wait for the world to know their names and their stories. We’re publishing that list by end of January 2021.
I’m pretty happy with how things have started. So much was learned last year and Covid retreat created clarity, amazing connections, and clear opportunities. The fact that the world craves digital content and virtual events more so than before, means that what we want to put out in the world is aligned with that. I look forward to executing on the full 12-month growth plan.
7. I spoke to over 2000 young people, tech entrepreneurs executives, and professionals across 1 international Summit and 5 webinars with attendees from over 40 countries. I spoke at the Caribbean Future Summit about why I’m bullish on the Caribbean Tech Entrepreneurs and Caribbean Digital Economy. See Fireside Chat. I did a series of Masterclasses for Kgn Creative and Talk Up Youth Organisations in Jamaica to speak to young people about the Trends and Career, Business Possibilities in this Digital Age.
I have so much to be grateful for. And in 2021, it’s about moving forward, fearlessly.
The Rebel Grrl Media Mission remains the same:
To create content and events reflective of the New Caribbean emerging – that’s going digital, becoming more inclusive, embracing its fringes like Cannabis, and falling in love with itself again.
Producing media brands, podcasts, videos, and immersive events for a modern, curious Caribbean, Diaspora, and Global audience.
Continuing to disrupting old narratives and amplifying the riches in our Caribbean niches as we show to ourselves and the world, the Caribbean, that’s Beyond the Beach.
Rebel Grrl Media – Where Digital Media Meets Caribbean Culture.