A range of Caribbean women entrepreneurs and changemakers were celebrated in Brooklyn.
Wi Bold + Beautiful Legacy 2026 brought together a dynamic cross-section of Caribbean women leaders, entrepreneurs and creatives for an afternoon centered on visibility, ownership and collective impact. Held on March 22 at The Arches BK, the event highlighted the contributions of Caribbean women across industries while reinforcing their growing influence in North America.
Produced by Dr. Nicole K. Grimes, founder and chief executive officer of Carib Biz Network, the gathering served as both a live experience and an extension of the organization’s annual digital campaign. That campaign spotlights more than 250 Caribbean women identified as “Boss Ladies” and “Ones to Watch,” recognizing excellence across business, leadership and culture in New York City and throughout the diaspora.
Photo: Supplied/ Carib Biz Network
The event unfolded as a multi-layered experience, blending conversation, commerce and community. Two Leadership Power Hour panels anchored the program, offering insight into entrepreneurship, personal growth and industry leadership. Speakers included visual artist and educator Reyna Noriega, whose work explores identity and healing; designer and author Shari Winchester, known for creating tools that encourage reflection and storytelling; and media entrepreneur Lexi Chow, founder of a Caribbean-focused streaming platform.
Also featured were Suezette Yasmin Robotham, a former technology executive turned leadership coach, and Aka Ali-Kerr, a human resources director and certified coach whose work emphasizes people-centered leadership. Together, the panelists offered perspectives on navigating corporate spaces, building independent ventures and sustaining purpose-driven careers.
Beyond the stage, the event included seven curated activations and a marketplace of small business pop-ups, creating space for attendees to directly engage with Caribbean-owned brands. More than 200 guests attended, contributing to an atmosphere that balanced professional networking with cultural celebration. Over 250 women were formally recognized during the program, reinforcing the scale and diversity of Caribbean women’s contributions.
Photo: Supplied/ Carib Biz Network
The event also underscored broader economic realities. Caribbean-led businesses generate an estimated $12 billion annually across the United States and Canada, while women own roughly one in three businesses in smaller Caribbean economies. Despite this level of activity, Caribbean women remain underrepresented in mainstream narratives around entrepreneurship and leadership.
“Brooklyn is one of the most culturally rich Caribbean hubs in the world and I am proud to call it home for the past 27 years. However our contributions are still undervalued in mainstream business and leadership spaces. Our annual event Wi Bold Legacy was about shifting that narrative. It was about creating a room where Caribbean women are not the exception, but the standard, and doing that at scale, with intention and excellence,” said Dr. Grimes.