It is Caribbean American Heritage month and throughout June, I will be featuring amazing Caribbean moms on Socamom.com. I am really excited to include one of my favorite bloggers, Kerry-Ann from Carry on Friends in this year’s Caribbean American Heritage Month Celebration. I have worked with her on various projects on the site, and shared a lot of her content on Twitter, so many of you know her already. Check out this interview and find out a few things about Kerry-Ann that you may not have known.
SocaMom: Tell us about yourself!
Kerry-Ann: My name is Kerry-Ann, founder of the Carry On Friends Podcast and Blog. I was born in Jamaica and came to the states when I was 14 years old.
SocaMom: What is it about being a Caribbean mom that makes you different from parents from America?
Kerry-Ann: I will say things and give punishments that won’t make sense to an American parent.
SocaMom: Tell us about a time that your children realized that their mom was different from other moms.
Kerry-Ann: My daughter realizes that I’m different depending on the situation and how I handled it.
SocaMom: Is there something about being from the Caribbean that has shaped who you are personally and or professionally? What is it?
Kerry-Ann: I’m Un-apologetically Caribbean. My culture/heritage shapes everything about me. How I parent, see the world – were shaped by a well rounded education not only on my country of birth’s history but a regional and global sense. My drive, hustle, hard work, achievements are instilled as a child because Ambition is the stuff we’re made of.
SocaMom: How do others (co-workers, friends, family) benefit from you being of Caribbean descent?
Kerry-Ann: I’m always bringing a different perspective and way of life. In my current job some of my co-workers didn’t understand what it meant to have rolling blackouts or periodic water outage. Or what it’s like to have to one pair of shoes for the entire school year or going to the shoemaker to have your book bag sown up. They realized that despite those experiences that you’re still successful and it’s humbling.
SocaMom: How do you keep your children connected to Caribbean culture?
Kerry-Ann: I think language is how they’re most connected because we talk Patois around the house all the time. It’s amazing the 3 year old answers and understands and when it’s convenient to him corrects me to say – Mommy it’s three not tree. The tree is outside (oh bother). The other way they keep connected is through food and music.
SocaMom: What is your favorite Caribbean Mom Quote?
Kerry-Ann: I’m the Queen of Old sayings and it’s hard to pick one. The one that comes to mind is “Puss an’ Dawg nuh have the same luck”. I use it when my children and by extension nieces and nephew attempt to use a friend as an example of why they should or shouldn’t get the privilege of doing something or going somewhere. Even in that last statement times have changed. When I was growing up I wouldn’t dare open my mouth and attempt nutten.
SocaMom: What are your favorite 3 Caribbean dishes? Do your kids like them?
Kerry-Ann: Boiled bananas and kidney (nope); Rice,Peas and fried chicken w/Caribbean style veg of shredded cabbage & carrots (yes they like); Curry Chicken and White Rice (yes yes yes)
SocaMom: If you could move to any Caribbean country, which one would you move to and why?
Kerry-Ann: I’m open to traveling to all of them before deciding on one.
Blog – http://www.carryonfriends.com
Carry On Friends is where Career, Entrepreneurship and Caribbean Culture intersect. As a career and entrepreneur strategist I drive people to be their best, put their best ideas to use and provide the resources to assist them. I’m passionate and committed to equipping my Caribbean American community with the resources and content that informs, inspires, and empowers them to build meaningful careers, build strong brands and businesses that will have a positive impact on their immediate communities, the diaspora, the Caribbean region and the world.
The Ambition Collection
President Obama said “Caribbean Americans have prospered in every sector of our society…Their achievements are borne of hard work and ambition”
The Ambition Collection T-Shirts was created to celebrate the Ambitious attribute of the Caribbean and the Diaspora. The article about the collection can be found here: http://www.carryonfriends.com/ambition-stuff-made/
The direct link to purchase is here: http://www.carryonfriends.com/product-category/apparel/
Social Media
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/carryonfriendsofficial
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/carryonfriends
Instagram – http://www.instagram.com/carryonfriends
Did you enjoy getting to know Kerry-Ann? Well now, we want to get to know you! We are featuring Caribbean moms and people who were raised by Caribbean moms on the blog all month for Caribbean American Heritage Month. Please fill out the form that applies to you, and send 3 photos per the instructions on the form if you would like to be featured. You don’t have to be born, living, or raising kids in America. Modify your answers to apply to YOU. Can’t wait to meet you!
“I AM a Caribbean Mom!”
http://goo.gl/forms/Hh3WCs8TsirJDlit1
“I HAVE a Caribbean Mom!”
http://goo.gl/forms/ae2QzXxTO28CpsW12
Section 1 asks for your short bio and 8 questions. Section 2 is for any social media or promotion that you want to do. If you ARE a Caribbean Mom, use this form http://goo.gl/forms/Hh3WCs8TsirJDlit1. If you HAVE a Caribbean mom, use this form http://goo.gl/forms/ae2QzXxTO28CpsW12. If you have questions, ask us in the comments!
We look forward to hearing your story 🙂
