Madam Wob Dwiyet North America on this weekend

The Madam Wob Dwiyet North America will be held on Saturday, October 20th at the Italian American Hall, 1976 Valley Avenue, Scotch Plains New Jersey.

Alex Bruno returns for the 4th time to be the Master of Ceremonies.  Tasha P. will be performing at the show for the first time and there will be performances by King Ency, Prezi and the Know Your Culture Dance Group.

The show is organized by Emerald Organization of New Jersey (DEONJ) which for more than 14 years has been active in keeping the culture alive and maintaining the identity of Dominicans in the Diaspora.  Among its signature events is the annual Mother’s Day event and the Madam Wob Dwiyet pageant.

The show begins at 6:00 pm.

Below are photos and profiles of the contestants.

Justina Henderson – Bronx New York/ Grandbay

Justina Henderson, 2009 Madam Wob Dwiyet USA, is a former member of one of Dominica’s leading cultural dance troupes,Tradibelle, Grandbay.

Today she is an active member of her church choir, called the New Life Music Ministry, and a member of the black History Committee.

Her love for music, her country and culture has her promoting her country wherever she goes to perform in places such as Canada, Boston, New Jersey and New York. She is also a member of the NAACP. She has her own motion of praise and cultural dance group where she helps to educate the young people on Dominica’s culture.

Liz-Ann Howe – Houston Texas/ Mahaut
Liz-Ann Howe is a Houston-based Dominican who originates from the village of Mahaut. She has an MBA and undergraduate degrees in Business and Latin American Studies. Currently, she is pursuing studies in music business. Her love for the arts has directed her to launch a career as a solo artist who fuses reggae and neo-soul genres.

Since the tender age of 7, Liz-Ann has been heavily involved in the arts. She has participated in many cultural events; danced with the Junior dance group of the Waitikubuli dance group, as well as the Latin and Ballroom Dance Society in Dominica; assisted in theater productions; sang with the esteemed Sisserou Singers; developed her poetry writing in the Dominica Writer’s Guild Association; and is currently a dance member of Kubuli Productions based in Houston. She has also participated in many community events and hopes to continue doing so. Liz-Ann participates in competitions such as this to establish platforms where she can share her cultural heritage, speak on social issues, support the environment and be an advocate for educating the youth.

Kelly Thomas – New Jersey/ St. Joseph
Winner of last year’s Madame Wob Dwiyet 2011, Kelly Thomas is so proud to be representing her family’s village of Saint Joseph again in this year’s Madam of Madams competition.  In the past year, Kelly has been performing, discussing and organizing to promote our Nature Isle and represent the Dominican-American community throughout the U.S. and on Dominica.

As a cultural ambassador, theater artist, activist and educator, Kelly’s primary focus is the use of art and culture as tools for freedom and empowerment.  Kelly currently works as a Teaching Artist for The Continuum Project, serves as Assistant Artistic Director to the Body Ecology Performance Ensemble, and is Founder of HelloBeautiful Healing Ministry. Kelly gives utmost thanks to the most high God, her mother: the late Knolma Thomas, her grand parents Rosetta “Ma’Ca” Steven Romain and Avondale “Papa Chal” Charles, and all her friends and family for their love and support.

Lovelle Beaupierre Nelson – New Jersey/ Salisbury-Laplaine
Lovelle’s parents are from the villages of Salisbury and La Plaine.  A graduate of the Convent High School and later the Dominica State College (formerly known as the Clifton Dupigny Community College), she became a teacher at the Dominica Grammar School.   On migrating to the U.S in 2001, she graduated with a degree in Hospitality Management and is currently employed at the Newark Liberty International Airport.

She won the title of Madam Wob Dwiyet in 2005; she has been actively involved in helping other contestants in their preparations for this pageant.

She has a passion for languages, enjoys traveling, cooking, public speaking and working with people.  She hopes to go back home one day where she would like to dedicate her time to help children with learning disabilities overcome their challenges.

Revelyn Robin St John – Toronto Canada/ Wesley
Revelyn is ambitious, artistic, gifted and talented. She was born in the beautiful agricultural and innovative village of Wesley, famed for its black sandy beaches and fringed bays. She is motivated by her daughters, helping others and being a positive role model in Canada and Dominica. Revelyn enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

She is a certified joint and safety inspector employed as a personal support worker at Leisure World in Toronto. A native Dominican, she holds dear to her heart the wonderful memories of her childhood growing up in the village of Wesley. Her motto is to always have a smile because it makes the world a happier place. Ms Robin St John is currently involved in the Wesley Toronto Community group as the public relations officer. She was the organizer for the Wesley West Fest 2008 and Wesley Market Day with a difference.   Revelyn was crowned Madam Wob Dwiyet Canada on September 23rd 2012.

Carol Telemaque – New Jersey/ Wesley
She was a Christmas day present from the lord given to Cecelia and the deceased Terry Telemaque of one of the most progressive Villages on the North – Wesley and they called her Carol. She is a caring and loving individual whose  first and foremost job is being a Mom. She is blessed with two beautiful children.   She currently works as a Nursing assistant doing  what she does best – caring for others.  Carol loves her people, her culture and her country.  Since she was crowned Madam Wob USA 2004 she has continued to be part of the cultural activities in New Jersey.