1 week ago
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by Mell P
Nicole Grimes, Founder, CaribBiz NetworkUnder the warm glow of The Arches BK, the Caribbean diaspora gathered on Thursday, November 6, to celebrate brilliance, innovation, and community at the Island Icons Honors 2025. The annual celebration, founded by Nicole Grimes of CaribBiz Network, shone a well-deserved spotlight on visionaries whose work embodies the creativity, resilience, and cultural pride of the Caribbean spirit.
This year’s honorees represented a dynamic range of leadership and impact, from entrepreneurship and mental health to technology, childhood development, and creative enterprise.
The 2025 honorees included:
- Marc Farrell, CEO and Founder of Ten to One Rum, recipient of the Diaspora Trailblazer Award
- Dr. Judith Joseph, MD MBA, psychiatrist, researcher, and content creator, honored with the Wellness and Resilience Vanguard Award
- Marlon Nichols, Managing Partner at Mac Venture Capital, recognized with the Founders of the Future Award
- Atiba Edwards, President of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, recipient of the Legacy of Leadership Award
In heartfelt remarks, Marc Farrell reflected on the meaning of being celebrated by his own community.
It means an incredible amount to have your work and efforts recognized — especially when it comes from within your community,” he said. “So much of the Ten to One story has been about putting Caribbean excellence on the global stage. I’m just proud to be a part of it.
The evening also honored other standout contributors shaping Caribbean identity across industries.
Tiffany Deville of the Caribbean Fashion Collective, who won Fashion Industry Ambassador of the Year, shared why this recognition means so much:
It’s exciting. Our goal is to showcase Caribbean designers and bring them to New York Fashion Week. They deserve the global recognition that’s often missing back home, and we’re making sure they get it here.
Tiffany Jade MunroeSocial justice leader Tiffany Jade Munroe, Trans Justice Coordinator of the Caribbean Equality Project and recipient of the NYC Activist + Social Enterprise of the Year Award, described the night as deeply affirming:
It shows that the work we’ve been doing in New York City is seen and valued. It reminds us that our fight for gender liberation, trans equity, and inclusivity must continue.
Adding to the evening’s prestige were a few distinguished guests and honorees whose work continues to shape culture, business, and philanthropy. Among them were Andrea Pitter-Campbell, CEO and Founder of Pantora Bridal and a beacon for diversity in fashion; Steve Canal, Co-Founder of One Venture Group and community investment leader; and Ann Marie Grant, Chair of AFUWI (American Foundation for The University of the West Indies), a key figure in advancing Caribbean education and advocacy.
Their presence underscored the collective mission of Island Icons: to celebrate impact, inspire connection, and strengthen the bridge between the Caribbean and its global diaspora.
While the night was celebratory, it also carried a reflective tone, with many attendees sharing concern and solidarity for Jamaica, still on everyone’s mind in the aftermath of hurricane Melissa.
Dr. Judith Joseph
Board-certified psychiatrist and honoree Dr. Judith Joseph, brought warmth and wisdom to the room with her message on mental health and cultural healing.
A lot of the things in our culture are mental health,” she said. “We just call them something else, but they already belong to us.
She introduced her CARIB Wellness Method — a framework rooted in community and culture:
Community – forget the labels and link with each other
Attitude – change how we think about mental health and stigma
Ritual – embrace traditions and vibrant self-expression
Intention – lead your life with purpose
Body – nourish yourself with movement and good food
Grimes delivered one of the evening’s most memorable lines:
When you’re born, you look like your parents. When you die, you look like your decisions.
She looked across the room, filled with entrepreneurs, artists, activists, and dreamers, and celebrated the “great decision-making” that had brought so many change-makers together. “You are the blueprint for someone else’s belief.” she told them.
This second installment of Island Icons Honors was more than an awards show, it was a family reunion, a cultural affirmation, and a reminder of what it means to rise, build, and lead as a Caribbean person in the world.
As the music played and conversations flowed on Thursday night, one truth echoed throughout The Arches BK – the Caribbean spirit is unstoppable, grounded in heritage, fueled by purpose, and always ready to shine.
For a full list of 2025 winners, visit the CaribBiz Network website.
See a snapshot of photos below. Captured by Shatimah.
English (US) ·