AGP Executive Report

Culture & Beauty: Colombia’s Josseidy Escalona won Miss Global International 2026 in Jamaica, celebrating her San Andrés roots and highlighting Caribbean ties; Martinique’s Sephora Saint-Rose took first runner-up. Reparations & Heritage: Barbados hosted the Third Caribbean Reparations Conference, with cultural performances and major regional voices discussing reparatory justice and pan-African heritage. Arts & Identity: A Paris congress that shaped pan-African thought—featuring Cheikh Anta Diop, Aimé Césaire and Richard Wright—marks its 70th anniversary. Lifestyle & Learning: “In the Journals” spotlights new research on early vibrators, reframing them as medical and consumer technologies tied to therapeutic practice. Martinique in the Spotlight: The Toronto Biennial of Art is expanding with projects across North America and Martinique, using art to tackle food insecurity and climate-linked access to healthy food. Community & Youth Sports: Carriacou and Petite Martinique launched a 2026 primary schools sports quiz competition to build confidence, teamwork, and sports knowledge.

Caribbean Beauty & Identity: Colombia’s Josseidy Escalona won Miss Global International 2026 in Jamaica, celebrating her San Andrés roots; Martinique’s Sephora Saint-Rose took first runner-up. Reparations & Pan-African Culture: Barbados hosted the Third Caribbean Reparations Conference, with cultural performances and speeches from CARICOM and African Union leaders as the region pushes reparatory justice. Research & Gendered Health History: “In the Journals” spotlights a new study reframing early vibrators as medical and cosmetic tools rather than purely sexual objects. Pan-African Legacy in Paris: A look back at the 1956 Paris congress that helped shape pan-African thought, featuring Cheikh Anta Diop, Aimé Césaire and Richard Wright. Public Art for Everyday Life: A roundup of free fall public art across the US, from interactive installations to migration-themed performances. Martinique in the Arts & Climate: The Toronto Biennial expands with projects grown on farms and canal gardens, including on Martinique, tackling food insecurity and climate-linked art. Caribbean Events for Families & Youth: Carriacou and Petite Martinique launch a 2026 primary schools sports quiz competition to build confidence, teamwork and sports knowledge.

Beauty & Identity: Colombia’s Josseidy Escalona won Miss Global International 2026 in Jamaica, celebrating her San Andrés roots and highlighting Caribbean cultural ties; Regional Culture & Justice: Barbados hosted the Third Caribbean Reparations Conference (Sept 17–19), bringing together CARICOM, the African Union and international delegates for discussions on reparatory justice and heritage; Arts & History: A Paris congress that helped shape pan-African thought (1956) marked its 70th anniversary, spotlighting figures including Cheikh Anta Diop, Aimé Césaire and Richard Wright; Caribbean Tourism via Carnival: Grenada’s Spicemas delivered a 20% jump in visitor arrivals (Aug 2–11, 2026), with non-national tourism up 24%, reinforcing the festival as both cultural showcase and economic engine; Martinique in the Arts: The Toronto Biennial’s 2026 “Things Fall Apart” expands to include Martinique-based projects exploring art, climate change and food sustainability; Education & Youth Sports: Carriacou and Petite Martinique students will compete in a new 2026 Primary Schools Sports Quiz Competition, blending sports history, Olympic values and teamwork.

Reparations & Pan-African Culture: Barbados hosted the Third Caribbean Reparations Conference (Sept 17–19), bringing CARICOM, the African Union and cultural performers into a wider conversation on slavery, Indigenous genocide, and what reparatory justice should look like next. Local Education & Sport: Carriacou and Petite Martinique students will compete in a new Primary Schools Sports Quiz Competition 2026, mixing sports history, Olympic values, teamwork and school pride. Art & Climate on Martinique’s Doorstep: The Toronto Biennial “Things Fall Apart” is expanding across North America and includes Martinique, with artists tackling food insecurity and climate-linked solutions through farm and garden projects. Women’s Arts & Dance: At The Gund, Oxana Chi and Layla Zami staged a Frida Kahlo Boléro performance, spotlighting femininity and creative exchange with a Martinique connection. Caribbean Film Spotlight: Conch Shell International Film Fest returns to New York (Oct 9–11) with 47 films from 14 countries, centering Caribbean identity, migration and resilience. Community News (Obituary): The passing of Nigel Ronald Sanford (Pumpy/Page) of St. Cyr, Kalinago Territory, was announced.

Culture & Memory: A Paris congress held 19–22 September 1956—helping shape pan-African thought—marked its 70th anniversary, bringing together Cheikh Anta Diop, Aimé Césaire, Léopold Sédar Senghor and Richard Wright, with support from figures like Jean-Paul Sartre and André Gide. Arts for Everyone: This fall, public art across the US is leaning into free, accessible experiences—from interactive installations and outdoor performances to site-specific works that invite reflection on migration and everyday life. Caribbean Carnival Impact: Grenada’s Spicemas 2026 delivered a clear tourism boost, with visitor arrivals up 20% (11,299 vs 9,448 in 2025), driven especially by non-national arrivals (+24%). Education & Sport (Sister Isles): Carriacou and Petite Martinique students will compete in a new 2026 primary schools sports quiz, mixing sports knowledge with teamwork, leadership and school pride. Art & Women’s Expression: The Gund museum hosted a Frida Kahlo boléro performance, spotlighting interdisciplinary artists Oxana Chi and Layla Zami and linking the event to the museum’s focus on women-centered art.

Culture & Heritage: A Paris congress held 19–22 September 1956—helping shape pan-African thought—brought together thinkers including Cheikh Anta Diop, Aimé Césaire, Léopold Sédar Senghor and Richard Wright, with support from figures like Jean-Paul Sartre and André Gide, and it was designed to spotlight Africa and its diaspora’s overlooked contribution to human heritage. Arts & Community: The Gund museum hosted “Wings to Fly: Frida Kahlo Boléro Performance,” featuring interdisciplinary artists Oxana Chi and Layla Zami, linking the boléro to femininity and the museum’s mission through a French-American cultural partnership. Education & Youth Sport: Carriacou and Petite Martinique’s Parish Sports Council launched a 2026 Primary Schools Sports Quiz Competition, bringing students from six schools together to build confidence, teamwork and sports knowledge. Regional Travel & Carnival Impact: Grenada’s Spicemas 2026 delivered a tourism boost, with visitor arrivals up 20% (11,299 vs 9,448 in 2025), driven especially by non-national arrivals (+24%). Public Art Inspiration: A roundup highlights free public artworks across the US this fall, including interactive and site-specific installations meant to make art feel accessible in everyday spaces.

EU Sanctions Watch: EU ambassadors are set to discuss a new package targeting Russia’s military industry, with plans likely to be finalized at foreign ministers’ talks in October. Caribbean Culture & Travel: Grenada’s Spicemas 2026 is credited with a 20% jump in visitor arrivals (11,299 vs 9,448 in 2025), driven especially by non-national tourists (+24%). Arts & Climate: The Toronto Biennial is expanding its reach with projects across Canada, Detroit, and Martinique, using art to tackle food insecurity and climate-linked sustainability. Film & Diaspora: The Conch Shell International Film Fest returns to New York (Oct 9–11) with Caribbean and diaspora stories under “Our Culture Lives in Our Stories,” including films from Martinique. Education & Sport: Carriacou and Petite Martinique students will compete in a new Primary Schools Sports Quiz Competition 2026, mixing sports knowledge with teamwork and leadership. Local Arts Spotlight: The Gund museum hosted a Frida Kahlo boléro performance by Chi and Zami, linking femininity, dance, and international artistic exchange.

Tourism & Culture Marketing: Grenada’s Tourism Authority is partnering again with Greydoor Publishing for the second edition of the “Pure Grenada Destination Magazine,” aiming to spotlight Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique through local craftsmanship, food, heritage and community-led stories. Carnival Impact: Spicemas 2026 delivered a tourism boost, with total visitor arrivals up 20% (11,299 vs 9,448 in 2025) and non-national arrivals rising 24%, reinforcing the festival’s role as both cultural showcase and economic driver. Arts & Climate: The Toronto Biennial is expanding its reach with projects across Canada, the U.S. and Martinique, using art to tackle food insecurity and sustainability under the theme “Things Fall Apart.” Education & Youth Sport (Region): Carriacou and Petite Martinique are launching a 2026 Primary Schools Sports Quiz Competition to build confidence, teamwork and sports knowledge among students from six schools. Arts Performance (Diaspora): The Gund museum hosted “Wings to Fly: Frida Kahlo Boléro Performance,” featuring interdisciplinary artists Oxana Chi and Layla Zami and highlighting women-centered creativity.

Caribbean Island-Hopping Deals: Twin-centre bookings are up 20% this winter, with popular pairings like Grenada–St Lucia and Antigua–St Kitts, as travellers chase easy hops between islands for culture, beaches and food. Spicemas Tourism Boost (Grenada): Grenada’s Spicemas 2026 delivered a clear win for the creative economy, with visitor arrivals rising 20% year over year (11,299 vs 9,448), especially among non-nationals. Dive & Conservation Week (Grenada): From Oct. 26 to Nov. 1, Grenada hosts its fifth Dive and Conservation Festival, spotlighting wrecks, reefs and hands-on learning like coral restoration and habitat protection. Martinique in the Arts (Toronto Biennial): The Toronto Biennial is expanding its reach with projects across Canada, Detroit and Martinique, using art to tackle food insecurity and climate change. Caribbean Film Spotlight (New York): The Conch Shell International Film Fest returns Oct. 9–11 in NYC with 47 films from 14 countries, centering Caribbean identity, migration and resilience. Local Education & Sport (Carriacou/Petite Martinique): A new primary schools sports quiz competition launches to build confidence, teamwork and sports knowledge for students across the sister isles. Arts & Women’s Expression (The Gund): A boléro performance by Oxana Chi and Layla Zami at The Gund highlights women-focused art partnerships tied to Martinique connections. Literary Win (Dominican writer in Martinique): Zephrine Royer, based in Martinique, won the 2026 BCLF Elizabeth Nunez Award for “River Mouth.” Travel Inspiration (Nature Island): A travel feature makes the case for Dominica, praising its rainforests, waterfalls and volcanic hot springs as a more active, explorer-friendly Caribbean escape. Obituary: Nigel Ronald Sanford (St. Cyr, Kalinago Territory) has been announced as having passed away at age 60.

Caribbean Nature Getaway: A travel writer finally “gets” Dominica after earlier trips to the Dominican Republic and other islands, praising Roseau’s dramatic drives, rainforests, rivers, waterfalls and volcanic hot springs. Obituary: Nigel Ronald Sanford, 60, of St. Cyr in the Kalinago Territory, is remembered by a large family network across Dominica, Martinique, Guadeloupe and beyond. Dive & Conservation: Grenada’s 5th annual Dive and Conservation Festival runs Oct. 26–Nov. 1, spotlighting wrecks and reefs like the Bianca C and pairing dives with coral restoration and habitat protection. Spicemas Momentum: Grenada reports a 20% jump in 2026 Spicemas visitor arrivals (2–11 Aug), with non-national arrivals up 24%, reinforcing the festival’s pull for culture-led tourism. Art & Climate in the Caribbean: The Toronto Biennial expands its reach with projects on the Erie Canal, in Detroit, and on Martinique, using art to tackle food insecurity and sustainability. Boléro in Martinique’s orbit: At The Gund, artists Oxana Chi and Layla Zami perform boléro for a Frida Kahlo-inspired reception tied to Martinique connections. Sports for Kids (Carriacou & Petite Martinique): A new primary schools sports quiz competition launches, aiming to build confidence, teamwork and sports knowledge. Culture in the diaspora: The Conch Shell International Film Fest returns to New York Oct. 9–11 with Caribbean stories on migration, belonging and resilience. Open Letter (Dominica): Gregor Nassief responds to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s Sept. 9 remarks, pressing for answers on citizenship-by-investment discounting. Literary Win: Dominican writer Zephrine Royer, based in Martinique, wins the 2026 BCLF Elizabeth Nunez Award for “River Mouth.” Travel for First-Time Internationalers: A guide focuses on how older first-timers weigh safety and welcome over checklists when planning their first passport trip.

Local Notices: The community mourns the passing of Nigel Ronald Sanford, “Pumpy” or “Page,” of St. Cyr (Kalinaigo Territory), aged 60. Culture & Travel: The Toronto Biennial returns with watery, climate-linked themes, including projects across Detroit and Martinique, tackling food insecurity and sustainability through art. Arts in Focus: The Gund museum hosted “Wings to Fly: Frida Kahlo Boléro Performance,” pairing interdisciplinary artists Oxana Chi and Layla Zami with a boléro tribute tied to women-centered storytelling. Regional Festivals: Grenada’s Spicemas 2026 drew a 20% jump in visitor arrivals (10-day period around Aug. 2–11), with non-national arrivals up 24%, highlighting culture as a tourism engine. Education & Youth: Carriacou and Petite Martinique’s Primary Schools Sports Quiz Competition 2026 launches, bringing students together to build confidence, teamwork, and sports knowledge. Literature: Martinique-based Dominican writer Zephrine Royer won the 2026 BCLF Elizabeth Nunez Award for “River Mouth.” Community & Learning: A new self-guided look at the Panthéon explains how the landmark shifted between church and secular monument through France’s political turns.

Arts & Culture: The Gund museum hosted “Wings to Fly: Frida Kahlo Boléro Performance,” with interdisciplinary artists Oxana Chi and Layla Zami bringing the Cuban boléro to life as part of the museum’s fall exhibitions and its mission to center women. Regional Tourism & Festivities: Grenada reported a 20% jump in visitor arrivals for Spicemas 2026 (Aug. 2–11), rising from 9,448 in 2025 to 11,299 in 2026, with non-national arrivals up 24%—a reminder of how Caribbean culture keeps pulling travelers in. Education & Youth Sports: Carriacou and Petite Martinique Parish Sports Council launched the 2026 Primary Schools Sports Quiz Competition, bringing students from six schools together to build confidence, teamwork, and sports knowledge. Literature: Dominican writer Zephrine Royer (based in Martinique) won the 2026 BCLF Elizabeth Nunez Award for “River Mouth,” highlighting strong short-fiction momentum from Dominica. Travel Inspiration: A guide on taking your first passport trip later in life spotlights Caribbean options like Barbados and Curaçao, with safety and welcome atmosphere as key decision factors. Community Notice: Nigel Ronald Sanford (age 60) of St. Cyr, Kalinago Territory, has passed away.

Arts & Climate: The Toronto Biennial is expanding its reach with “Things Fall Apart,” linking art to climate action and food sustainability through gardens and farms across the Erie Canal, Detroit, and Martinique. Film & Caribbean Identity: The Conch Shell International Film Festival returns to New York (Oct 9–11) with 47 films from 14 countries, including Martinique, spotlighting migration, belonging, and resilience. Local Education & Sport: Carriacou and Petite Martinique students will compete in a new Primary Schools Sports Quiz Competition 2026, mixing sports history, Olympic values, teamwork, and school pride. Culture Tourism (Regional): Grenada’s Spicemas 2026 drew a 20% jump in visitor arrivals (2–11 Aug), with non-national arrivals up 24%, reinforcing culture as a tourism engine. Art Performance: At The Gund, Chi and Zami celebrated boléro in a Frida Kahlo–inspired performance tied to women-centered art and international partnerships. Travel Lifestyle: A guide to taking your first passport later in life highlights Caribbean options like Barbados and Curaçao, with safety and welcome as top priorities. Obituary: Nigel Ronald Sanford (St. Cyr, Kalinago Territory) has passed away at age 60.

Arts & Climate: The Toronto Biennial is expanding its reach with a theme on climate and food insecurity, linking gardens and farms across the U.S., Detroit and even Martinique through artist-led projects. Film & Identity: The Conch Shell International Film Festival returns to New York (Oct. 9–11) with 47 films from 14 countries, including Martinique, spotlighting Caribbean identity, migration, belonging and resilience. Education & Sport: Carriacou and Petite Martinique students will compete in a new Primary Schools Sports Quiz Competition 2026, mixing sports knowledge with teamwork, leadership and wellness. Culture Tourism: Grenada’s Spicemas 2026 drew a 20% jump in visitor arrivals (Aug. 2–11), with non-nationals up 24%, reinforcing the festival’s role in the region’s creative economy. Art Performance: At The Gund, Chi and Zami celebrated boléro with a Frida Kahlo-inspired performance tied to women-centered art and international cultural exchange. Community & Learning: A new Grenada Dive and Conservation Festival (Oct. 26–Nov. 1) pairs wreck-and-reef diving with hands-on coral restoration and marine habitat protection.

Caribbean School Sports & Learning: Carriacou and Petite Martinique’s Parish Sports Council has launched the 2026 Primary Schools Sports Quiz Competition, bringing together students from six schools to mix sports knowledge, teamwork, health and wellness, and Olympic values. Arts & Women’s Culture: At The Gund, interdisciplinary artists Chi and Zami celebrated boléro with “Wings to Fly: Frida Kahlo Boléro Performance,” linking French-Caribbean creative exchange and a focus on femininity. Tourism Through Carnival: Grenada reports a 20% jump in visitor arrivals for Spicemas 2026 (Aug 2–11), rising from 9,448 in 2025 to 11,299 in 2026, with non-national arrivals up 24%. Local Voices & Politics: An open letter from Gregor Nassief responds to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s Sept. 9 remarks, arguing key questions remain unanswered and citing past correspondence on citizenship by investment discounting. Regional Education & Cooperation: PM Browne and the new French ambassador discussed climate action, visa-free travel, and closer ties with universities and transport links across the region, including Guadeloupe and Martinique. Literature Spotlight: Dominican writer Zephrine Royer, based in Martinique, won the 2026 BCLF Elizabeth Nunez Award for “River Mouth.”

Open Letter & Politics: Gregor Nassief responds to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s Sept. 9 press conference, saying key questions about citizenship-by-investment discounting remain unanswered and urging action on alleged non-compliance. Arts & Women’s Culture: At The Gund, interdisciplinary artists Oxana Chi and Layla Zami celebrated boléro with “Wings to Fly: Frida Kahlo Boléro Performance,” linking the show to a French-American arts partnership and a mission centered on women. Regional Tourism & Carnival Energy: Grenada reports a 20% jump in Spicemas 2026 visitor arrivals (2–11 Aug), with non-national arrivals up 24%, reinforcing culture as a driver for the creative economy. Regional Cooperation & Mobility: PM Browne and the new French ambassador discussed climate action, visa-free travel and closer ties between universities, including stronger links with Guadeloupe and Martinique. Literature & Caribbean Voices: Dominican writer Zephrine Royer (based in Martinique) wins the 2026 BCLF Elizabeth Nunez Award for “River Mouth,” highlighting Dominica’s strong showing in short fiction. EU Outer Regions: The European Commission unveils a new strategy for outermost regions including Martinique, aiming to adapt rules to local realities and boost resilience, culture and opportunity.