Two young ladies, one born in Dominica and the other with Dominican parents, have been named “Caribbean Persons of the Year” by the newspaper, One Love Caribbean, in Houston in recognition of their significant contributions to the Caribbean community in that US city.
Kelly St. Rose and Shamah Lloyd were chosen from a long list of individuals who have “cross over to work not only on the behalf of their community, but for the advancement of the entire Caribbean Diaspora as a body,” the newspaper said.
The passion of the two for working with young ladies led them to the vision of hosting the first ever Houston Caribbean Queen Pageant, which had the goal of celebrating the talent and intellectual ability of young women with Caribbean heritage.
Before the pageant took place the two did extensive research on pageant hosting and later engage community leaders, entrepreneurs and business professionals to fund and promote the event.
The pageant itself took place in June 2014 at the Stafford Civic Center in Houston and the Caribbean community turned out in large numbers to support it.
It was described as a “cultural, educational and festive event that sought to celebrate young women of Caribbean heritage, while seeking to encourage and empower them to play their respective roles in their communities.”
The pageant was won by the contestant from Belize.
One Love Caribbean said St. Rose and Lloyd filled a void in the Houston Caribbean community by coming up with the idea that culminated in the pageant.
Shamah Lloyd was born in Castle Bruce to Hulet Lloyd and Veronique Roberts. She graduated from the Convent High School in 2002 and migrated to Houston in 2003 and is a holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. She is now pursuing a Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering.
Kelly St. Rose was born in Houston to Dominican parents, Bernard and Roseline St. Rose, who are from Castle Bruce. She considers herself a Dominican, has maintained the Dominican culture and keeps abreast of her roots. She is presently attending the Texas Southern University where she is pursuing a graduate degree in Pharmacology.
Congratulations young ladies. Thanks for promoting our culture.
Nuff respect to my two beautiful cousins, keep up the good work. you guys continue to make your parents, castle Bruce and Dominica proud.
Congrats to my girls Shamah and Kelly, so proud of you all. keep moving forward. i know you all could do it. looking forward to the next pageant this year. keep making us proud. i will continue to support.
Amazing job ladies!!
Congratulations to the young ladies and also to Castle Bruce village. That’s the kind of news I like. May the Lord richly bless the ladies. Keep going.
Congrats to the young ladies especially Shamah of the Castle Bruce area making their big names in Texas (second Castle Bruce) . The parents of the two ladies and the entire community of Castle Bruce must be proud. keep up the good work.
Castle Bruce people doing it again. It’s not always gloom and doom for us. Congratulations Sharma, Kelly and also others like Lazo, Estelle, Austelle, Kayo just to name a few. Continue to make us proud. However we need you guys to give back to the community.
Keep up the good work. Alway a nice to hear about Dominicans or Caribbean people as a whole making a positive contribution to society.
Congratulations Shamah and Kelly, you have made Castle Bruce proud keep the good work. I wish you both success in your studies.
Someone who always love you Shama
Great job girls!!
Congratulations to lady shamah, you made your country proud. Keep up the good work
Hey shams Congrats Sweetie….We met in december at the wedding..God’s Blesssings. Muahhh
Well done young ladies. Pity the news paper has a relatively low circulation of only 18,000/month. Hope people like you can help to boost that and spread some Caribbean feel-good sunshine.
Congratulations young ladies. You make us proud. Keep leading the way. Others will follow. Wish you much success in your future endeavors.
well done ladies……………………. representing east central cb
Go girls well done. I noticed that the box was empty that is because there is no maypwee