Best Moments from 2015 to Remember
1. 195 countries adopt the Paris Agreement at the Paris Climate Conference (COP21), legally binding each of those countries to reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases in order to keep the hazardous effects of climate change at bay. Among other groups, the Caribbean Tourism Organization welcomes the news as concerns about rising sea levels, an increasing number of natural disasters, and extended dry seasons grow. Unchecked climate change is projected to increasingly wreak havoc on the region, threatening the lives and livelihoods of Caribbeans.
2. Pope Francis becomes the 5th pope to address the United Nations. In his speech, he reaffirms the great value of the UN, while also making clear his belief that there is a great amount of work to be done to relieve the suffering of the poor, the disenfranchised, and the natural environment.
3. Viola Davis becomes the first black woman to win an Emmy for best actress in a drama. In her inspirational acceptance speech she states: “The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there.” She goes on to thank those writers who have created leading roles, roles of substance for black women.
4. Marvel introduces Moon Girl, a young black girl genius with unpredictable alien DNA, giving young black girls, in particular, a superhero to relate to and be inspired by.
5. Acclaimed filmmaker, Spike Lee, receives honorary Oscar for his lifetime achievements. The award was presented to him by Samuel L. Jackson, Wesley Snipes, and Denzel Washington who states that: “Spike Lee has put more African Americans to work in this business than anyone else in the history of this business.” In his acceptance speech, Lee frankly calls for more diversity in Hollywood.
6. Lingerie brand Aerie launches the #aerieREAL campaign, promoting natural beauty by using images of models that have not been retouched to sell their product.
7. ‘Glory', from the movie Selma, wins Oscar for Best Original Song. Like the movie, the song’s writers and performers, Common and John Legend, were inspired by the real-life civil rights march that took place from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama for voting rights. Their live performance of ‘Glory’ at the Academy Awards show receives a standing ovation and brings some audience members to tears.
8. Model Stafania Ferrario, fed up with the term 'plus-size’ model—a term she experiences as a disempowering label--creates the #DROPTHEPLUS campaign. Many support her cause, including top modeling agency, Models 1.
9- The first Haitian Comic book launched for our Haitian kids. "Djatawo" written and illustred by a young talented artist Anthony Louis Jeune
10. Actress Jamie Brewer becomes the first person with Down Syndrome to walk the runway at New York Fashion Week for designer Carrie Hammer.
11. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s unlikely and widely acclaimed hip-hop musical Hamilton hits the stage. The son of Caribbean immigrants, Miranda was drawn to the life of Alexander Hamilton, a ‘founding father’ of the United States who spent his early years in The Caribbean. Interpreting the lives of the white, elder statesmen who formed a fledgling nation, the cast of Hamilton is made up entirely of black and Latino actors who breathe life into centuries old history-in-the-making.
12- For the first time Haitians and Dominicans came together to fight against oppression, tyranny and fear that keep our fellow brothers and sisters in the Dominican Republic under pressure. They used their talents and gifts to demonstrate that we are one. Artits and singers like " Los plenemos de la 21", the poet Black Angel, Congo Haitian roots music, Peniel Guerrier dance, the legacy women and of course, our songstress Emeline Michel. We realized how much music, rythm and dance bring us all together, we are all draw from one source, the Haitian roots.
