Interview with Eva Greene Wilson – Blogger and Author

Thursday, March 13, 2014

T

he C.A.B Sharlisa sat down with Editor in chief and blogger of SocaMom.com, Eva Greene Wilson to learn more about what she does.

Learn more about this fascinating blogger below!

 

Here at THE C.A.B we clearly love a good 'play on words' and amongst other things, that's what draws our attention to you, SOCAMOM! What inspired that name?
Ever since my dad brought a Byron Lee and the Dragonaires cassette tape (that’s how long ago it was) home from a trip to Trinidad, I have loved Soca music. One of the great things about Soca music, is that just about every island (and non-island) in the Caribbean has embraced it, and found a way to make Soca its own.  It is a sound that brings us all together.  I wanted SocaMom.com to be a place where Caribbean families, from all over the Caribbean could find events, stories, and content that highlights the things that unify us, but also makes each country unique

Where are you originally from, your island origin?

My family is from Trinidad and Tobago.  I was born here in the US when my parents came here for college.

How do you as the SOCAMOM keep your Caribbean culture prevalent in your kids’ lives here in America?
We are lucky that we live nearby family that cooks, so they are very familiar with the food.  My husband and I keep a kid friendly Calypso and Soca playlist readily available, and mix it in with the other music that we listen to when we are in the car or relaxing on a weekend at home. They just came back from a trip to St. Vincent, Trinidad, and Tobago to visit family.  Going there and letting them see and hear everything for themselves is really the best route, but that isn’t possible for a lot of families. That’s why I feel like the content that we provide on SocaMom.com is important.

THE C.A.B, it’s a Vlog site, where STARLISA goes and checks out the best lime in the NYC area. As the SOCAMOM, how would you describe your blog site and you yourself as a blogger?
SocaMom.com is a blog and community for Caribbean parents.  I am the editor in chief, and I describe myself as a Caribbean American parenting blogger.  I cover anything that relates to Caribbean parenting using videos, interviews, educational downloads, and events.  I host two offline groups in Brooklyn, NY and Washington, DC so that we can take their relationships offline and socialize with like-minded families.

In honor of women’s month as we feature you, who would you say are your favorite women figures in our culture?
There are so many wonderful women with Caribbean heritage, it is so hard to choose just a few.  Since I have started blogging, I have met many who are not necessarily famous, but are doing great things for the diaspora.  In blogging, I would say Patrice Yursick of Afrobella.com and Karen Walrond of Chookooloonks.com, and Claire Sulmers because of their longevity in what has proven to be a very difficult line of work, as well as their continued connection to their Caribbean heritage. Actresses; Cecily Tyson, Nia Long, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.  I grew up watching Cecily Tyson, and I remember my parents being so proud of her Caribbean heritage, even though she was born here. It made me understand that being Caribbean is about what is in your blood, not necessarily where your cord was cut.

What is your favorite subject to blog about?

I love adding new educational downloads to the blog.  I feel that it is one of the places that I can do the most good for the most people.  I also like to blog about books for children by Caribbean authors.  Since I wrote my own children’s book, Anancy’s Family Reunion, I have gotten to talk to so many wonderful authors who are working to make sure that kids learn about Caribbean culture, and see themselves in the books that they read.

What can we look forward to in 2014 from the SOCAMOM?
In January, I started co-hosting the Caribbean Mom Chat on the second Tuesday of each month with three other Caribbean bloggers on Google Hangout and Twitter.  I have also been hosting Google Hangouts with Caribbean authors to discuss their writing process and books.  I have started filming my first documentary on Caribbean parenting, so hopefully that will be complete before the end of the year.  In 2014, you can look forward to more offline family events, guest posts, and educational materials as well.  This is our third year, so we want to continue to produce fresh new content in the most innovative ways possible.

At #teamcab most of us have grown up here and in the Caribbean so we have gone to school, lived and have not only family but good friends too. Tell us about your kids, and then give our mothers out there raising 1st and 2nd generation Caribbean children in the United States advice on how to appropriately keep them connected to the culture.

I have three children, two eight year olds (not twins) and a 14 year old.  I have four pieces of advice for moms raising Caribbean children outside of the Caribbean. One, tell them how they ended up living outside of the Caribbean and why.  They need to know the story of their family. Two, find restaurants that serve Caribbean dishes and take them there. Find Caribbean recipes, and learn to make them alongside your children.  Research where the different ingredients came from, and how they ended up in the dishes that they are eating.  Three, make sure they know all about the countries that their family comes from.  They should be able to recognize the flags, speak at least some of the language (including patois), and be able to find the countries on a map, at the very least.  It is hard to stay connected to a place that you cannot see, so find videos on YouTube that highlight the wildlife, music, and culture of their country of origin.  Find local events that highlight the culture.  This isn’t always easy, but on SocaMom.com we try to gather as much information as we can and add it to our calendar. We also have recipes, downloads, and videos that can help.

Eva Greene Wilson Bio

Eva Greene Wilson is the editor in chief and blogger at SocaMom.com, a website for Caribbean parents.  The blog has won two Black Weblog Awards - Best New Blog and Best Parenting Blog.  Her blog posts have been featured on BlogHer.com, and she has been a contributor to b3 Caribbean Magazine (print and online) and Outlish Magazine (online).

She has interviewed former Essence Editor in chief and Jamaican mom, Constance White, Trinidadian fashion trailblazer  and winner of Project Runway Anya Ayoung-Chee, and Trinidadian stage and screen actress Hazelle Goodman, Jamaican TV personality and beauty queen, Kamila McDonald Alcock, writer and director of the feature film on Caribbean immigration, Home Again, Sudz Sutherland,  American comiedian and actor Craig Robinson, as well as the most recent American Idol winner, singer and performer Candice Glover have all talked about career and family with Eva.  She has provided sponsored content from a Caribbean perspective for companies like WeTV, Dodge, Warner Bros., Disney, HP, and Gaylord Hotels.

Eva runs two offline meetup groups for Caribbean parents, one in Washington DC and one in Brooklyn, NY. She published a children’s book, Anancy’s Family Reunion, in 2013.

Her family is from Trinidad and Tobago.


Social Media:
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/socamomdotcom
Amazon - http://amazon.com/author/evawilson
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/socamomdc
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/socamom
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/socamom/
LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/in/socamom
Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/user/socamomusa

Contact:
Eva Greene Wilson (no hyphen)
202-643-SOCA (7622)

 

By;SharLisa Peterson

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Copyright 2014 Caribbean E-Magazine All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without credit..
www.ShiekhShoes.com

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Caribbean Newest VLOG- The C.A.B, Your Automobile to the Best Places to LIME

Sunday, January 19, 2014

I had the pleasure of speaking to Sharlisa Petterson the host of a new web series called The C.A.B.

Host Sharlisa

Tell us about C.A.B

The C.A.B is an acronym for the CARIBBEAN AMERICAN BUZZ (like NYC TAXI CABS) is your online automobile to the best places to LIME "hang out" and behind the scenes interviews with the best known and upcoming artists in the NYC Caribbean Entertainment scene.

How did the idea come about?

The idea came about when I was working for Tempo Networks and my boss at the time, although she lived in New Jersey, realized that NYC is the mecca of all Caribbean American Hangouts and we needed an outlet, not only a "Black and White" internet outlet (i.e. Irieone, Island mix) but a show that would allow people in the lifestyle -- those living in NYC and visiting to visually check out the venue/artist, feel the vibe and decide if it's for them.

How did C.A.B go from an idea to a reality?

I met Khloe (C.A.B supervisor) at an event, it was at an event at S.O.B'S in the City to network and we shared each other’s goals in the industry and I had shared with her the idea that my boss (by that time had resigned) and she shared with me how she was looking for a personality for a Caribbean vlog that she wanted to manage for people trying to practice their pre/during and post production skills. I was nervous because I only had a background in programming and scheduling, but she was immediately convinced that I was going to be great at it.

How long have you two known each other?

Khloe and I have known each other for 5 years, but it’s one of those "Feels like forever" situations

Is this going to be a web series?

It's more going to be a VLOG - "VISUAL BLOG" rather than what most would consider a Full on lengthy, episode series. However, it will be airing on a consistent weekly basis like a web series. 

How often will it be aired?

A new episode of the C.A.B VLOG will come out every Wednesday starting March 19th, 2014, just in time for when we Caribbean people like to come back out from hibernation and LIME -- SPRING

What marketing strategy are you utilizing to garner interest?

Well, in these days, social media is KEY! So we are going to be sure to use the promo episodes that we have out now along with teasers through online  Caribbean entertainment sites such as Jayblessed.com, of course caribbeanemagazine.com and as mentioned a ove irieone.com and islandmix.com and other popular online and printed magazine and newspapers & of course this is NYC so a lot of street promotion this upcoming spring and summer!

What were some of the biggest obstacles you encountered getting this venture started?

The biggest obstacles that we have encountered have been actually breaking into this Caribbean American Market as a team who isn’t from the "MAIN" Caribbean Islands, such as Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti etc. I know speaking for myself, I am from the Dutch & the Spanish Caribbean (ST. Maarten, Aruba, Domician Republic and Cuba) as have my co-workers and Khloe are from islands such as: Anguilla, Tortola, St. Vincent, Puerto Rico, generally islands that don't get grouped as being "West Indian" or the "Popular Caribbean"

What are your core goals for the series?

Our goals are to spread the Caribbean Culture in all its entirety (Dutch, Spanish, British, French, Independent, and Amercian) to all who not only live in New York, but the world who visits NYC which is looking at the "MECCA OF AMERICAN" Caribbean life and Culture

Who have been your influences in the industry?

My personal influences have been the other jobs and internships, co-workers and friends that I have worked with that are MAJOR fixutres in this Caribbean Entertainment Scene in New York City, Such as: Bobby and Syntiche Clarke, Dub Master Chris, Felisha Loud and Louie of Irie Jam Radio (93.5 FM), Personality Nikki Z, DJ Roy, DJ Oxtail, RJ, Scientst, DJ Crump, Stretch and all of the Road Internatonal Sound System, Internationally Renknowed Soca and Reggae DJ’s Young Chow and Spin Citi,of course Jabba abd Bobby Konders from Massive B Sound System, Prezzi  and Steelie Bashment and Dane from Internationally known, acknowledged and  VP Records -- These people have shown immense professionalism, leadership, incredible poise during hectic and intense production situations and warm welcoming and care and interest in newcomers such as myself ad are the most highly respected in my craft.

How do you decide which is the best “hangout spot” to feature?

Well, all of us in #teamcab are heavily in our "down time" into our Caribbean Culture but also, whatever family and friends have referred to us, we have a few people outside of our company that 'secret shop' venues/artist and activities' to see the honest and un-bias opinion to see if it’s an interview worth the C.A.B following up on. 

What I love about the series is that you are focusing on the cultural diversity of the Caribbean in the City. What are some of the places and entertainment that will be featured?

It’s important that we capture all of the diverse regions of the CARIBBEAN as mentioned, in our promotion episodes we have PUERTO RICAN restaurants such as SOFFRITOS, Trinidadian Restaurants such as SUGARCANE & a host of JAMAICAN restaurants and lounges such as  UPPER DECK LOUNGE, ISLAND TASTE (Queens, New York) and MAGENT SPORTS LOUNGE (Elmont, Long Island) but in our official season you will see an array of artist interviews from GYPTIAN, I-OCTANE AND CHRISTOPHER MARTIN as well as new restaurants and activities such as BALMIR SPANISH DANCING, PUERTO VIEJO (Dominican Cuisine), MOJITOS (Cuban Cuisine, featured on VH1 "LOVE AND HIP HOP) ARCANE (French Caribbean/Creole Cuisine) and plenty LABOR DAY EVENTS and more CELEBRITY INTERVIEWS.

If this venture is successful, do you think about branching out to other Caribbean diverse cities?

OF COURSE! You know we just have to start small as far as our community and neighborhood (NEW YORK CITY) and see how it goes, then we definitely want to venture out to other major cities and even the actual islands and more specifically their carnivals.

So which city has the best Caribbean Flex outside of NYC?

Oh girl! It’s so many cities that you wouldn’t even imagine such as Connecticut, Atlanta, Las Vegas and of course the best US.A Carnival City -- MIAMI

Are you pitching to all media outlets, such as television, or do you think you’ll stick to web content?

As mentioned before, it's good to start small, then of course we will venture to local and Caribbean and Travel interest television and radio stations.

Name me one place you are dying to feature?

Oh, I am dying for #teamcab to feature a real good Spanish flex like, Copacabana or Latin Quarters (I’m a real Dominican and Antillean girl at heart) as well as SOB's for CARIBBEAN SATURDAYS with featured artist or promotional group Upscale Entertainment and THE premiere Soca DJ -- DJ YOUNG CHOW or POWER 105.1 DJ NORIE

Also the one person you are hoping to interview?

Ugh, even harder question!! Ok, Can I give a top 10?  LOL -- Here it goes (not in any order): Beres Hammond (Jamaica/ Lovers Rock), Beenie Man (Jamaica/Dancehall), Aventura (Dominican Republic), OREO BAND (Tumba Band from Aruba) & Allison Hinds (Bajan Soca Queen) The Garlins Fay-Ann and Bunji (Trinidad Soca Royalty), Destra Garcia (Trinidadian Soca Princess), Don Omar (Puerto RICAN Singer of Smash hit DANZA KUDURO), Machel Montano (THE International SOCA KING) and Wyclef Jean (Haitian Grammy award winning artist producer and political activist)

Since releasing the series, what has been the biggest surprise?

Haha! When dealing with production its EVERYTHING!! But the most with everything I must say is the positive reaction to what we have to share about the Caribbean Scene in New York

Where can we watch your web series?

You can officially log on to our website of as this month: www.718cab.com and view the Videos, News and our Food Blog and more from there or you can go onto YOUTUBE and type KHLOE FULGENCIO or DI718CAB in your search engine and enjoy!

Do you have any tips for creating a web series?

I believe that writing is truly the key to everything, whether it is your professional and personal life. So to have that initial draft and re-draft of your dream, ideas or thoughts were definitely a crucial part for EVERYONE on #teamcab -- whatever part they play in making C.A.B -- CARIBBEAN AMERICAN BUZZ a process of reality.

What are your plans for 2014?

Our plans for 2014 are to successfully put out a 1st and 2nd season of action packed venues, artist, concert and interviews, upcoming artists and models, DJs and Music that captivates everyone from every region of our eclectic CARIBBEAN CULTURE and to have a lot of NYC and international promotion because whether you live in New York or you are a visitor. Everyone can #jumping.

By;SharLisa Peterson

.....................................................................................................................................................
Copyright 2014 Caribbean E-Magazine All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without credit..
www.ShiekhShoes.com

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