Meet the master of Ceremonies, Asa P. Sealy.
Age: 37
Place of Birth: St. Clair, Trinidad & Tobago
Profession: CEO at Aifos Agency and Co-founder of Miami40 and The Nelson Foundation
The Caribbean Diaspora loves to tell a particular story of themselves – as a people united, loving, and carefree – decked in feathers, arm in arm, smiling for the camera at Carnival. But the reality behind this story is complicated; it takes hard work and the genuine belief that no man is an island – even among islanders.
Event impresario Asa. P. Sealy has such conviction in spades, as Director of the Colors of the Caribbean concert, Miami Broward Carnival One, the Callaloo Film Festival and Carib Style Week – some of the very few platforms in South Florida – and arguably the world – where all members of the Caribbean Diaspora can equally share and create as a community.
“I’ve learned so much from planning and executing these events,” says Asa. “These projects have opened my eyes to the different cultures throughout the region and the subtle differences that make each island unique.”
Honoring these unique differences while providing an innovative space for true collaboration has been “the biggest challenge in my career.”
“As a community we are very divided,” notes Asa. “We operate against one another, while appearing to fully support each other. Our projects instead move to bring the cultures together while introducing it to those longing for a true and authentic taste of our Caribbean.”
An in Asa’s hands, our community has never looked so good, whether marching in our islands’ mas bands, or watching our shared stories light up the screen. The Diaspora’s economic future also seems bright, as young Caribbean entrepreneurs are learning and collaborating through Asa’ jointly-founded Miami Under40 and the Nelson Foundation.
As for Asa, this is his ultimate “Trini-American dream” – “The opportunity to live, learn and love in a land that I am not from.”
