Episode 13: Davon Carty

Explicit content warning

07/14/20 • 53 min

Davon Carty is a thinker. Davon Carty is a doer. He is sometimes controversial. However he is always willing to teach and assist anyone in need. These days, Davon has rekindled his passion for restoring vintage cars, trucks and SUVs. The brands range from Britain’s Land Rover and Italy’s Alfa Romeo to Sweden’s Saab. He says that the process brings him joy.

Just as these cars migrated and ended up in junk yards on the Caribbean island of Anguilla, Davon too has left the island’s shores to as he puts it “find wisdom.”

Fifteen years ago Davon saw the need to improve the music industry on Anguilla. Like many others he saw an abundance of raw talent but there was no real structure. With a group of friends and business partners, Davon went to work. In time he would create the band “British Dependency” that would tour internationally and organize for artists to perform at New York’s Radio City Music hall, Washington D.C.’s Warner Theatre and at venues in Morocco, San Andreas Colombia, Guadeloupe and venues in 31 Cities across the United States. He also assisted in getting Anguillian artist Deanna Mussington in position to launch her international career on the British version of X-Factor.

You see, Davon by nature is a restorer. Not unlike the cars, he has taken time, patience and has paid strict attention to detail in recrafting not only artists, but by extension an entire industry. Perhaps his ability to encourage people comes from his days as a social worker. In addition to his cars, Davon along with business partners are now headed toward revolutionizing everyone’s perception of what a beach bar is. Seemingly the best is yet to come.

This is the story... thus far... Of Davon Carty.

Just as these cars migrated and ended up in junk yards on the Caribbean island of Anguilla, Davon too has left the island’s shores to as he puts it “find wisdom.”

This is the story... thus far... Of Davon Carty.

Previous Episode

Episode 12: Nisha Dupuis

Nisha Dupuis experienced a joyous childhood in a rural village on the Caribbean island of Dominica. The lush green forests of Dominica produce just about every tropical fruit and flower that one can think of. Perhaps what the village did not know, is that along with the trees and flowers, it was producing one of the Caribbean’s future media prodigies.

Later in her childhood, Nisha moved to Anguilla, where she immersed herself in debating and academic competitions. By the peak of her teen years, her unique look and style allowed her to grace magazine pages and billboards on the island. She had become one of Anguilla’s “it girls” in the local fashion industry and every photographer was clamoring to place her in front of their shutters.

Being a sought after model was awesome, however Nisha had alternate plans. She wanted to not only pose for the camera, but she wanted to write, produce and market her own projects. After trying unsuccessfully to gain employment at one of the island’s top radio stations, her ambition led her to offer herself as an unpaid intern at said station. That decision led her to a world of experience in media. Experiences that she never expected and will likely never forget. This is the story... thus far... Of Nisha Dupuis. Complete with action packed details of how hurricane Irma shifted the trajectory of her career.

Next Episode

Episode 14: Kris Dawkins

The year is 2002. Kris Dawkins and I are de-stressing in our favorite place on Howard University’s campus. The Office of the Caribbean Students Association. Amid verbal reviews of the day’s dancehall artists’ latest offerings... Sean Paul, Elephant Man, Wayne Marshall, Wayne Wonder... Kris and I arrive at a discussion about our futures post University. We discuss business ideas and financial goals. Jokingly I say to him “Kris, do you want to be rich one day?” In his distinct Jamaican accent, he swiftly responds “Hmph.. It’s not option my yute.”

For as long as I have known him, this is how Kris Dawkins has governed his life. He sets definitive goals and maps out a plan. Sometimes the task seems impossible. Even he admits that at times he isn’t sure how he will reach certain goals; however, he never gives up.

Kris is not immune to faltering. But he makes the decision to get back on his feet and keep trying. One foot in front of the other, with his eyes trained on the ultimate purpose of whatever journey he may be on.

As an entrepreneur Kris has been an artist manager, he’s started online stores, a food delivery service, a concert promotion company and he’s also sold handbags. The latter proving to be one of his most lucrative ventures. Just about all of his adventures in entrepreneurship have been lived while working as a consultant for some of the world’s top financial entities.

The Caribbean Student's Association office was for us a place of healing, inspiration and learning. Kris Dawkins was many times the chief healer, motivator and teacher while holding court with as many students as the walls of the tiny office would allow. Many years have passed since we would frequent our favorite place on our college campus, however Kris’ ability to heal, motivate and teach has only been enhanced by time. Now a motivational speaker and an author, he shares a bevy of life and business lessons. When Kris Dawkins told me that he would be rich, he was not lying. But years on, his richness has come from much more than financial gain.

This is the story... thus far... Of Kris Dawkins