C15 Studios

Ok, we’re excited! Our General Manager, Lorraine O’Connor @lorio_tt , has been selected to join the CARIBEquity Early Stage Investment Training Program, an initiative to strengthen early-stage investing across the Caribbean. Over the coming months, she'll be working alongside a cohort of investors, corporates, and ecosystem partners from across the Caribbean and beyond, deepening her knowledge of early-stage investment frameworks and the CARIBEquity Investor Toolkit. C15 is always seeking more, more learning, more connections, more contributions to a stronger investment ecosystem in the Caribbean region. 🌍 Program brought by CARIBEquity - a Facility co-funded by the European Union and IDB Lab . Implemented by @seedsta.rs and EOG - Entrepreneurs Of Greatness #C15 — Amplifying Caribbean voices for the world. #CaribbeanFinance #CaribbeanCreatives #CaribbeanConnections

What does it take to turn your novel into a compelling audiobook, and what are the necessary creative and technical choices? In 'Writers First: Listening In', authors Celeste Mohammed and Stuart W. Ramon-Fortuné, and producers Lorraine O’Connor and Ayesha Gibson-Gill share advice from their recent audiobook projects. In conversation with Georgia Popplewell. @bocaslitfest ’s Writers First series is designed for budding, emerging, and established writers. More photos on Facebook (link in @bocaslitfest 's bio) Photography by Shaun Rambaran and Sataish Rampersad of Forge Business Imagery, official 2026 Bocas Lit Fest photographers. The 16th edition of the Bocas Lit Fest concluded on Sunday 3 May after four days of discussions and readings, workshops, performances, open mics, and music, featuring close to 150 writers, speakers, and performers. 🙏The JB Fernandes Memorial Trust, @onecaribbeanmedia , and the Ministry of Culture and Community Development @mccdtt are main sponsors of the 2026 Bocas Lit Fest; the festival is also sponsored by @MassyGroup , the @britishcouncil , @ansamcalgroup , and @UWI_staugustine . @ampliatt is the festival’s official livestream partner and AVIT Support Ltd is the official technology partner. #bocas2026 #alltogethernow @celestemohammed @fromibadantohellyard @c15studios @246ayeshareads @georgiap #caribbeanwriters #readcaribbean

This will make you think of a person. Someone who’s been saying this, or someone who needs to be reminded of it. So, send it to them. — #C15 exists to amplify Caribbean voices for the world because of an insight, not just from the creatives but from investment executives who analyse markets, and identify potential. Specifically we exist because of minds like @kerwynvalley of KCL Capital Market Brokers Limited. While others in financial industries only see risk… #CaribbeanFinance #CaribbeanCreatives #CaribbeanConnections

Now that click-bait content has calmed down, time to get introspective on how Caribbean designers are PRIMED for the Met Gala. The 2026 theme of “Costume Art” is not what has us jumping out, it’s more that Carnival design has them so practiced at interpretation. They constantly meet the challenge to subtly represent a theme while satisfying the wearers’ needs to feel beautiful. In a Caribbean sea of possibilities, we tapped Mel Gabriel of @caribbeanlookbook to select her top 5 Met-Gala-Ready designers: ✄ Shawn Dhanraj (TT) - "more is more" aesthetic, characterized by opulent embellishments, meticulous beadwork & high-glamour silhouettes. A staple designer for ‘The Lost Tribe’ with original passion for gowns & pageantry, he also advocates for diverse body types – perfect for particular celebrities ✄ Melissa Simon-Hartman (TT/UK) - "wearable art", she tells complex stories through intricate textures & bold silhouettes drawing from her Trini/Ghanaian heritage. Her label, Simon-Hartman London, was initially recognised for avant-garde footwear & accessories. She’s behind the carnival label, Legion Mas & having designed custom pieces for Beyoncé’s visual album ‘Black Is King’, she is practically overqualified! ✄ AnnaiXe (JA) - exploded onto timelines with her "unconventional material" series, transforming objects like rope, phone books & bars of soap into couture-level garments. She’s the youngest designer to mass-produce for Jamaica carnival, she’s collabed with Adidas & Apple Music & worked with artists like Shenseea & Vybz Kartel ✄ DéNalli (JA) - "modern-meets-masquerade", his work is often features structural precision, bold cut-outs & a sophisticated use of colour. His lifestyle label offers seasonal ready-to-wear collections, repeatedly translating the carnival energy into wearable fashion ✄ SoKa (St. Vincent) - a leading voice in the "New Caribbean" fashion movement. SoKa works within a ‘resort chic’ space & lands on our list due to vibrant palettes, clean lines & luxurious fabrics. Certain celebs that will deeply appreciate the SoKa approach #C15 Amplifying Caribbean voices for the world #CaribbeanFinance #CaribbeanCreatives #CaribbeanConnections

You’ve heard of the “Soca Switch” happening at a particular time of year but maybe not of the “Soca Spread”. Well, it is happening right now. May has become a month where soca practitioners really start travelling the globe to perform, write and record, or promote in some other way. Regionally Skinny Fabulous and Full Blown were in Grenada, Machel Montano passed through Sint Maarten, and will also hit up Guyana and Guadeloupe this month. Out OUT dey, Kes The Band took the stage in Amsterdam on May 1st, and they will perform on the NPR Tiny Desk Concert series on May 8th in the USA. Nailah Blackman headlines “Born A Diamond” (featuring Destra and Lady Lava) on May 17th In Canada. Ravi B and Karma are also headlining a show in Canada in May. Berlin Carnival (Carnival of Cultures) is at the end of the month, Carnival in Shoreditch, England is mid-month, and even the film “Queen of Soca” gets its British premiere on May 8th in Hertford. So regionally and internationally, we have multiple ambassadors across the globe doing exactly what C15 strives to do - amplify Caribbean voices for the world! Where else in the world are you seeing Soca spreading? #C15 #CaribbeanFinance #CaribbeanCreatives #CaribbeanConnections

I loved sharing the stage with like minded winners and forward thinking dreamers such as @celestemohammed Ayesha Gibson-Gill of @storyshyft Lorraine O’Connor of @c15studios and @georgiap Great conversation on audiobook production. Thanks for having me @bocaslitfest 🙇🏻 #bocas2026 #alltogethernow #fromibadantohellyard #authorlife

Get insider info on how to turn your novel into a compelling audiobook from the people who have done it, right here in the Caribbean. Find out where our local resources are hiding (are they though?), and learn the creative and technical mistakes you NEED to avoid. @bocaslitfest has it all set up for you with ‘Writers First: Listening In’, where authors Cel@celestemohammed and Stuart fortune W. Ramon-Fortuné, and producers Lorraine O’Connor @lorio_tt (also our General Manager) and Ayesha Gibson-Gill lay it out for you. Hosted by Georgia Popplewell. 🗓 Sun 3 May 🕒 3–4 pm 📍AV Room, NALIS, Port of Spain 🆓️ FREE and open to all 📖Bocas Lit Fest — now in its 16th year — is T&T’s annual festival of books and writers (and the Anglophone Caribbean’s biggest annual literary event) includes discussions and readings, workshops, performances, open mics, music, and films — 50 events over four days — featuring close to 150 writers, speakers, and performers. 🙏The JB Fernandes Memorial Trust, One Caribbean Media Limited, and the Ministry of Culture and Community Development are main sponsors of The 2026 Bocas Lit Fest; the festival is also sponsored by the MASSY Foundation, the British Council, The ANSA McAL Foundation, and The University of the West Indies. Amplia is the festival’s official livestream partner and AVIT Support Ltd is the official technology partner. #bocas2026 #alltogethernow #caribbeanwriters #readcaribbean

Don’t compare carnivals, as if they compete. Instead, recognize each for what they are and what they could be. And importantly, how they can benefit the Caribbean, where this style of festival originated, most specifically T&T’s “pretty mas” parade and concentrated calendar of fetes that is being most directly adopted/adapted. You might say that some of the Carnivals do compete for tourist attendance. And there is some validity in that argument within the region (which realistically incorporates Florida), but we still believe that supporting each other benefits all to market effectively to the millions across the world. We must stop seeking our piece of the one pie, and start collaborating to access the entire picnic table of pies. At C15, we see the spread to Ghana as proof of what we have been saying for decades, that Caribbean culture could be our greatest export. It is how we influence the world, make our mark, and ensure cash flows back to the region. So we aren’t here to tell you that Jamaica had this while Ghana had that, and which one needs what. No. Various carnivals are in different stages of development, in different parts of the world. Every single one can be developed further, including the “OG” T&T. Caribbean practitioners should absolutely be employed all over the world, from wire benders to dancers, DJs to logistics specialists. Pan sticks up! Ghana has us optimistic, the festival may take more effort and leadership to promote, but has mind-boggling potential in numbers, and as a gateway to all of Africa. Wow. Ghana image 📸 @achsahhenry Jamaica image 📸 @j.jzheng with @genxsjamaica #C15 — Amplifying Caribbean voices for the world. #CaribbeanFinance #CaribbeanCreatives #CaribbeanConnections

No, this could NOT have been an email. Our KCL/Aspire Funds group gathered for a team building session last week, and today we are thinking about the fantastic (but sometimes taken for granted) settings available to us in the Caribbean. These events are designed to enhance social bonds, improve collaboration, and foster trust among employees to boost productivity and morale. So, why not also enhance our bonds with the nature around us, improve awareness of the value of our land, foster appreciation for all the shades of blue of the Caribbean sea… so glad we have the opportunity to visit special places, and that we work with a visionary company that recognises that opportunity. #C15 — Amplifying Caribbean voices for the world. #CaribbeanFinance #CaribbeanCreatives #CaribbeanConnections @lorio_tt @kerwynvalley @carlana_360

GO ALL IN! That was the theme for World Book Day (yesterday, April 23rd) and while we liked lots of book-related posts, we want to highlight that audiobooks need to be a bigger part of the conversation. The U.S. audiobook market has seen consistent double-digit growth for nearly a decade, Caribbean authors and publishers NEED to take note! Our slang, turn-of-phrase and accent(s) only elevate a reader’s experience when using this medium, especially for non-Caribbean readers, making it ripe with opportunity. We know what we are talking about here, as the driver of production and distribution of @celestemohammed ‘s audiobook of her award-winning novel-in-stories Pleasantview. In fact, even @BocasLitFest took note and is giving everyone an opportunity to learn about the steps to create an audiobook, down to the necessary creative and technical choices. It’s a MUST-attend event: 🎫 ‘Writers First: Listening In’ 👥 authors Celeste Mohammed and Stuart W. Ramon-Fortuné, 👥 producers Lorraine O’Connor and Ayesha Gibson-Gill 🎤 host Georgia Popplewell. 🗓 Sun 3 May 🕒 3–4 pm 📍AV Room, NALIS, Port of Spain 🆓️ FREE and open to all #C15 — Amplifying Caribbean voices for the world. #CaribbeanFinance #CaribbeanCreatives #CaribbeanConnections

This Earth Day, the theme is “Our Power, Our Planet” and the power of local action. We see clearly that for the Caribbean, natural resources are our powerhouse and we need to value it all, from volcanic hills to crystalline shores, and not just as background scenery for sun-starved tourists (though the beauty is amazing). Our lands yield an array of resources like practical pitch, potent botanicals, healing aloe vera, mineral-rich sea moss and cold-pressed coconut oil, which is the main ingredient in the glorious soaps made by our client @mycocobody (and pictured here). There is also a profound, ancestral connection to the “bush” and the sea. Nature is where we go to reset, find peace, and remember who we are. Remember who you are with your wallet too, by supporting local businesses, we build a circular economy that respects the land while providing for our people. #C15 — Amplifying Caribbean voices (and products) for the world. #CaribbeanFinance #CaribbeanCreatives #EarthDay #CaribbeanMade

What does it take to turn your novel into a compelling audiobook, and what are the necessary creative and technical choices? In ‘Writers First: Listening In’, authors Celeste Mohammed and Stuart W. Ramon-Fortuné, and producers Lorraine O’Connor, and Ayesha Gibson-Gill share advice from their recent audiobook projects. Hosted by Georgia Popplewell. 🗓 Sun 3 May 🕒 3–4 pm 📍AV Room, @nalis868 Port of Spain 🆓️ FREE and open to all ✍️Writers First, our series of FREE seminars for early-career and self-published authors returns, with an expanded programme covering diverse topics in publishing and professional development, from talks by international publishers to sessions on translation, audiobooks, and publishing plays. 🗓️Running from Thursday 30 April to Sunday 3 May, the Bocas Lit Fest — now in its 16th year — is Trinidad and Tobago’s annual festival of books and writers (and the Anglophone Caribbean’s biggest annual literary event) includes discussions and readings, workshops, performances, open mics, music, and films — 50 events over four days — featuring close to 150 writers, speakers, and performers. ✅We look forward to seeing you at the Festival! 🙏The JB Fernandes Memorial Trust, One Caribbean Media Limited, and the Ministry of Culture and Community Development are main sponsors of the 2026 Bocas Lit Fest; the festival is also sponsored by the Massy Foundation, the British Council, the ANSA McAL Foundation, and The University of the West Indies. Amplia is the festival’s official livestream partner and AVIT Support Ltd is the official technology partner. #bocas2026 #alltogethernow #caribbeanwriters #readcaribbean @celestemohammed @fromibadantohellyard @c15studios @246ayeshareads @georgiap #JBFernandesMemorialTrust1 @onecaribbeanmedia @mccdtt @MassyGroup @britishcouncil @ansamcalgroup @UWI_staugustine @ampliatt