2025-26 Captains of Industry Nominations 
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With an acclaimed career spanning over four decades, Emmy, Critics Choice, and Independent Spirit Award winner Sheryl Lee Ralph has become a staple in the entertainment industry. 

Ralph can currently be seen starring on ABC’s hit comedy series “Abbott Elementary” opposite creator Quinta Brunson. In 2024, she received her third Emmy nomination for her portrayal of “Barbara Howard,” Abbott’s veteran Kindergarten teacher. In its freshman season, the show earned a total of seven Emmy nominations from the Television Academy, including Outstanding Comedy Series, and Ralph won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She also won the Critics’ Choice award for Best Supporting Actor in A Comedy Series and landed the Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by An Actress in A Supporting Role in A Musical-Comedy or Drama Television Series, and the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards. READ MORE

Born in Barbados in 1988, Rihanna is a singer, fashion icon, and entrepreneur. She's known for her distinctive voice, versatile style, and Caribbean-infused pop that blends R&B, hip-hop, and club music. Her 2005 debut album, Music of the Sun, included the hit single "Pon de Replay". She's had multiple number one albums and singles, including "ANTI", "Unapologetic", "Rude Boy", "Umbrella", and "Work". 

Dijon Isaiah McFarlane, known professionally as DJ Mustard, is a Los Angeles-born DJ and record producer who has left a lasting mark on hip-hop and R&B. His signature West Coast sound, characterized by heavy basslines, sharp snares, and catchy melodies, became the template for radio rap in the early 2010s. Mustard's first major breakthrough came in 2011 with "Rack City", which reached number 7 on Billboard's Hot 100. READ MORE

Oliver Samuels, affectionately known as the “King of Jamaican Comedy,” has been a beloved figure in the world of entertainment for over four decades. Born on November 4, 1948, in the parish of St. Mary, Oliver’s unmatched wit and ability to portray everyday Jamaican life have made him a household name across the Caribbean and beyond. His iconic TV series, Oliver at Large, catapulted him to fame, cementing his place as one of Jamaica’s most talented and cherished comedians. READ MORE

Lorraine Toussaint is a Trinidadian–born actress based in the United States. She is the recipient of various accolades, including a Black Reel Award, a Critics' Choice Television Award, and a Screen Actors Guild AwardToussaint began her career in theatre, before supporting performances in films such as Breaking In (1989), Hudson Hawk (1991), and Dangerous Minds (1995). As a lead actress, she is best known for her role as Rene Jackson in the critically acclaimed Lifetime television drama series Any Day Now, from 1998 to 2002, and her recurring role as defense attorney Shambala Green in the NBC legal drama Law & Order. She later appeared as a regular cast member in the NBC police procedural Crossing Jordan (2002–03) and the TNT crime drama Saving Grace (2007–10). Read more

The Most Honourable Andrew Michael Holness, born on July 22, 1972, in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, is Jamaica’s 9th Prime Minister and is the youngest Jamaican to serve in this position. His early leadership was evident at St. Catherine High School, where he served as Head Boy, President of the Chess Club, and Valedictorian. The Prime Minister holds a Doctor of Law and Policy from Northeastern University and is an alumnus of the University of the West Indies, where he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Studies and a Master of Science degree in Development Studies. READ MORE 

Delyno Brown, better known as Pressure or Pressure Busspipe, is a reggae musician from Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. He gained his early experience working on the Star Lion sound system in the late 1990s. Dean Pond produced his debut album, The Pressure Is On, and released in 2005. READ MORE

The beginnings of Diaz Foods can be traced back to 1969, when Domingo Diaz and Julio Rene Diaz, a father and son team, opened their first grocery store called Diaz Market in Midtown Atlanta. When their business quickly grew to five stores, Domingo and Julio recognized the need for a distribution center, thus Diaz Foods was formed in 1980. READ MORE

Arthur E. Ferdinand is a former IBM executive with 25 years of experience in advanced technology, product development, and business operations. Trained extensively in IBM management, he retired from IBM as Director of New Account Development.  He earned a B.Sc. degree in Mathematics with First Class Honors and a Ph.D. in Mathematical Physics from London University, England. Post-Doctoral study was performed at Cornell University. READ MORE

Frank Fernandez joined the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta in August 2020, where he leads one of America’s top 20 largest community foundations. The united power of his prior experience and the anchor institution’s 70 plus years of regional leadership combine as a force for good, championing equity and shared prosperity for all who call the Atlanta region home. READ MORE

Sporting a personality as vibrant as his native Virgin Islands, Benny-Demus is globally known as an entertainer extraordinaire. Acknowledged as a first-class DJ, Actor, Writer, Producer, and Manager, he has stamped his own ticket to success. He has thousands of fans in over 180 countries and has a clear passion for using his celebrity status and resources to enrich the lives of others. Having grown up knowing what a struggle it could be to recognize your dreams first-hand, Benny-D. has vowed to give opportunities to youth he could only dream about at their ages. READ MORE

TK Petersen, a 27-year-old Virgin Islander from St. Croix living in Atlanta, Georgia, is the co-founder of The Gathering Spot, a near 30,000-foot invite-only membership club that facilitates an array of activities — from events, to hearing parties, conferences, concerts and more much. It took Mr. Petersen and his partner two years from business plan to the point of funding (they managed to raise $3 million) to get to where they currently are. .

Lisa Cupid is the Chairwoman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners. She has served on the Cobb Board of Commissioners since 2013 and in 2020 was elected as Cobb’s first black and first female Chair. Cupid helps set policy for Georgia’s 3rd most populous county boasting a highly intelligent and diverse population of 800,000 residents, multiple Fortune 500 companies, strong K-12 schools, top higher educational institutions, natural and historic amenities, attractive communities and robust tourist attractions. Under her leadership, Cobb maintained its triple AAA distinction for financial management for 27 years, expanded services and response times for businesses, and improved funding and services for its more vulnerable citizens.. READ MORE

Wanda Tima is an award-winning Haitian-Turks Islander media maven raised in South Florida. Excited about her heritage and with a passion to give back; In October 2011, Wanda started “L’union Suite”, a personal project aimed to help other Haitian-Diasporas who wanted to learn more about Haiti and its culture, who often felt disconnected from the experience.

A Professional Haitian-American Content Creator / Founder of an Influential Multicultural Blog & Social Media platform that reaches 20Mil+ visitors a week.. READ MORE

I am native of Guyana, South America. I migrated to America at the age of fourteen and lived in New York throughout my high school years. Dr. Samantha Samuels is a Minister, Certified Life & Purpose Coach, and the visionary founder of Young Dreamers International. She is deeply committed to empowering youth and communities through healing, leadership, and purpose-driven living. Dr. Samuels holds a Master’s in Mental Health and Wellness from Grand Canyon University and a Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. She is a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award and an Honorary Doctorate from Shielding Her Empire University. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Samantha is a devoted wife and mother who leads with faith, love, and authenticity.. READ MORE 

Founder, Chairman and CEO of Blue Mahoe Holdings Inc., a private investment firm that has ownership interests in a collection of diversified businesses operating in sectors including real estate, asset management, private credit, sports, media and apparel, mainly connected to the Caribbean. Our main company Blue Mahoe Capital, Inc, an impact firm focused on affordable housing and asset management with a strong Caribbean focus received SEC qualification for their public offering to raise to US$5 Million at US$10 per share, READ MORE

Nicole Grimes Ph.D. is an award-winning author, educator, consultant and Founder of Carib Biz Network in 2019. She remains a passionate education, business development, and branding+marketing consultant with over 25 years of professional experience in K-university learning environments. Her love of Caribbean culture served as the seedbed to start CBN - a community dedicated to amplifying Caribbean talent and entrepreneurs.-READ MORE

Nikki Clifton leads UPS’s global philanthropy, social impact, and international community affairs, leveraging the company’s partnerships and logistical acumen to respond to the world’s most pressing social, humanitarian, and environmental needs. Bringing nearly three decades of litigation, legislative affairs, and philanthropic expertise to her role, Nikki oversees The UPS Foundation’s work delivering health and humanitarian aid, eliminating systemic barriers to economic opportunity, building local capacity, and advancing sustainability around the world. Read More

Judge Ana María Martinez received her J.D., cum laude and with Pro Bono distinction, from the Georgia State University College of Law in 2009. Her litigation experience includes the areas of consumer warranty law, premises liability, professional liability, product liability, general personal injury defense, and employment law. She has served as the staff attorney for the Hon. Dax E. López in the State Court of DeKalb County. Originally from Colombia, South America, Ms. Martinez is fluent in English and Spanish. She received her B.B.A., cum laude, in Marketing from The University of Georgia in 2004. While at UGA, she was Vice-President of Professional Development and Public Relations of Alpha Kappa Psi, Professional Business Fraternity.-READ MORE

Frederick Morton, Jr. is the visionary behind TEMPO Networks, a dynamic celebration of all things Caribbean.  Morton, the consummate creative thinker, has a laser-beam ability to execute and impeccable credentials to back him up. He is emphatic that TEMPO can deliver the full scope of the Caribbean lifestyle to the entire world.

Born and raised in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, to Nevisian parents, Morton was aware – even as a boy – that the Caribbean held an irresistible magnetism.    

Eslene Richmond-Shockley is a special person. The Guyanese-born humanitarian, founder and CEO of Caring for Others, Inc. whose goal is to eradicate food insecurity globally, on May 15, officially opened a 25,000-sq ft. facility to increase daily distribution, to more than 80,000 pounds of food.

Richmond-Shockley, who grew up in the small village of Nabaclis on the East Bank of Demerara, said the opening of the 3501 Browns Mill Rd. South Atlanta Food Bank, is a culmination of her lifelong passion for helping others.

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Camille Joseph Varlack is the Deputy Mayor for Administration, Chief of Staff and Special Counsel for the City of New York. Among her other responsibilities, she has led the administration’s response to the ongoing migrant crisis, coordinates citywide natural disaster and storm management, and oversees a portfolio of 20 offices, agencies, and commissions. She previously served as senior advisor for operations to the Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, where she worked on a variety of matters, including advising the administration on COVID-19 operations within New York’s public schools and the successful execution of the Summer Rising program.

Ms. Varlack earned her Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School, where she served as a Senior Editor for the Brooklyn Journal of International Law and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She is a former Assistant District Attorney in Kings County. Ms. Varlack serves as a Trustee for the State University of New York, which is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States.

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R. City (short for Rock City; and formerly Planet VI and 2Ekwip) is an American hip-hop recording and production duo, formed in 2003 by the brothers Theron "Uptown AP" Thomas and Timothy "A.I." Thomas. Primarily known as a songwriting and record production team, the duo amassed numerous credits for prominent music industry acts prior to signing with Kemosabe Records, an imprint of RCA Records in 2014 as recording artists. The following year, their single "Locked Away" (featuring Adam Levine), peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and preceded the release of their debut album, What Dreams Are Made Of (2015).