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Where Love Meets Magic: Beautiful Weddings Grenada Transforming the Island into the Caribbean’s Premier Wedding Paradise

NEW YORK CARIB NEWS — Picture this: a British couple in full wedding regalia, standing against a wooden banister in Grenada’s lush rainforest. Between them, completely unbothered and munching contentedly, sits a wild Mona monkey — one of Grenada’s most iconic creatures. The bride is actually touching the friendly primate while photographer Terel Moore captures what would become some of the most extraordinary wedding photos ever taken.

Published

8 months ago

October 11, 2025

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By Mell P
New York Carib News

There are moments in life when the universe conspires to create pure magic, and Wedding Specialist Khadine Francis has spent the last decade orchestrating them for local and international couples. She is Sandals Grenada’s first Wedding Manager, having trained under the illustrious resort brand. As the founder of Beautiful Weddings Grenada, she’s not just planning weddings; she’s crafting once-in-a-lifetime experiences that could only happen on this enchanting Caribbean island. Her website even says it:

All you have to do is say… ‘I do!’ We do the rest.

Picture this: a British couple in full wedding regalia, standing against a wooden banister in Grenada’s lush rainforest. Between them, completely unbothered and munching contentedly, sits a wild Mona monkey — one of Grenada’s most iconic creatures. The bride is actually touching the friendly primate while photographer Terel Moore captures what would become some of the most extraordinary wedding photos ever taken.

“There is no way to stage something like that,” Francis recalls of BWG’s second wedding in December 2014. “That was pure magic that could have only happened in Grenada, in our protected rainforest with our iconic Mona Monkeys. After that moment, I knew I wanted to recreate authentic experiences and unplanned moments that live on for all the right reasons.”

This serendipitous encounter didn’t just create unforgettable memories, it crystallized Francis’s mission to showcase Grenada as the Caribbean’s most unique wedding destination, where nature itself becomes a willing participant in love stories.

While Grenada calls itself the “Spice Isle, Francis takes this identity far beyond the obvious. Yes, couples can expect welcome gifts filled with aromatic spice packs and wedding cakes made from rich local chocolate. But it’s the unexpected touches that truly set Grenadian weddings apart.

“I’ve had couples use upcycled burlap cocoa bags as aisle runners for rustic themes,” Francis explains. “We’ve hosted ceremonies within actual spice gardens, had couples ‘dance the cocoa’ as their first dance, and I’ve even had an eccentric bride wear a burlap-accented wedding dress.”

Her preferred vendors’ creativity extends to using cut cocoa pods as serving dishes and incorporating fresh fruits, florals, and spices into décor that fills venues with intoxicating natural aromatics. One couple even chose Pure Grenada — the island’s original spiced perfume—as their signature wedding scent.

Not every wedding day unfolds like a fairy tale, but Francis has learned that Grenada’s magic often shines brightest during challenges. Her most triumphant moment came just two days after Hurricane Beryl devastated parts of the Caribbean in July 2024.

Kersee and Keron, a Guyanese couple living in Grenada, watched their wedding dreams crumble as flights were cancelled and Grenada was declared a state of emergency. Most family members couldn’t attend, including Keron’s brother who was to be his best man—particularly heartbreaking since he was going to be his closest family member in attendance.

“They were in tears and wanted to cancel,” Francis remembers. “I calmly replied, ‘Ahhh, absolutely not! Not an option! Nothing, not even Beryl, is going to deter your perfect wedding day.’”

What followed was a masterclass in resilience and community spirit. The venue owner and all vendors rallied together, refusing to let the hurricane win. When the couple’s wedding rings were stuck with the best man in Guyana, Francis suggested temporary gemstone rings that became so meaningful the couple still wears them today.

“July 3rd came, and despite the overcast skies that eventually cleared, Kersee walked down that aisle with her father. When Keron saw her, his tears flowed unashamedly. It was one of the most emotional and romantic weddings I’ve ever witnessed. Not even a hurricane could stop love that day.”

While couples might initially choose Grenada expecting significantly lower costs than home, Francis quickly educates them about what they’re really investing in—an experience impossible to replicate anywhere else in the Caribbean.

“It’s us, the people, our personalities, our willingness to go above and beyond at the drop of a hat for strangers, simply because we can and want to do the right thing,” she explains passionately. “Our untapped beauty and hidden treasures, our intentionally slower pace that forces you to be in the moment.”

Safety plays a crucial role too. Grenada holds the distinction of being rated one of the safest islands in the Caribbean—a factor that allows couples and their guests to truly relax and immerse themselves in the experience.

“We don’t just have one or two highlights,” Francis emphasizes. “It’s not just the people or the food or the natural sites or beaches or rivers—it’s all of those things and so much more.”

Francis has mastered the art of balancing couples’ Pinterest-perfect dreams with authentic Grenadian culture. She actively incorporates local musicians and vocalists, world-class artisans, and encourages couples to venture into villages for genuine cultural experiences.

Her most logistically complex triumph remains the post-hurricane wedding, but she’s also orchestrated sunrise ceremonies where couples exchange vows as dawn breaks behind them, and intimate private island celebrations on Sugar Loaf Island, where teamwork literally meant lifting the bride from the fishing boat to keep her dress dry.

Looking ahead, Francis envisions Grenada finally claiming its rightful place as the Caribbean’s premier wedding destination. Her vision includes streamlined marriage licensing processes, premier venue complexes with full accessibility, and upgraded historical sites that can properly host celebrations.

“Grenada finally gets and understands that the global wedding industry is a billion-dollar one, and it’s time we tap more aggressively into that,” she declares. “We have all the right ingredients to make the best international destination!”

For couples considering Grenada, Francis offers simple but powerful advice: “Don’t just consider—reach out, ask questions, get more information, and then make the best decision ever for you and your guests by booking us.”

In a world where destination weddings can feel manufactured or generic, Grenada offers something increasingly rare: authentic magic. Whether it’s a curious monkey joining your ceremony, sunrise vows with rainbows blessing your union, or a community that rallies to ensure your special day happens against all odds, Grenada doesn’t just host weddings—it becomes part of your love story.

Through Khadine Francis’s expertise and passion, couples aren’t just getting married in paradise—they’re becoming part of the island’s living tapestry, creating memories that could only exist in this special corner of the Caribbean where spices perfume the air and love stories unfold with their own unique Grenadian magic.

Looking for a destination for your wedding? Learn more about Beautiful Weddings Grenada at beautifulweddingsgrenada.com and contact Khadine Francis to start planning your own Spice Isle celebration and discover why Grenada is quickly becoming the Caribbean’s most sought-after wedding destination.

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Study: Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled

BLACKPRESS USA NEWSWIRE — “Since the expiration of tens of billions of dollars in federal child care funding in 2023 and 2024, an already fragile child care system has been pushed even closer to the brink.”
The post Study: Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 days ago

June 8, 2026

Oakland Post

By National Women’s Law Center

The National Women’s Law Center released its annual State Child Care Assistance Policies report, finding that the number of children placed on waiting lists for federally funded child care assistance nearly doubled between 2024 and 2025 — and that number has only continued to grow.

The report serves as a key resource for state lawmakers, advocates, and policymakers by tracking state child care assistance policies and identifying where states are strengthening support for families and early educators — or falling behind.

“This deeply troubling increase in the number of children on child care waiting lists is the result of a failure to invest in this crucial sector,” said Karen Schulman, senior director of state child care policy and author of the report. “Since the expiration of tens of billions of dollars in federal child care funding in 2023 and 2024, an already fragile child care system has been pushed even closer to the brink.”

Key findings in the report related to waiting lists for child care assistance include:

• 17 states had waiting lists or a freeze on intake for child care assistance in February 2025, up from 13 states in February 2024.

• Approximately 106,700 children nationwide were added to waiting lists between February 2024 and February 2025, bringing the total to 225,500 children in February 2025 — a 90 percent increase compared to February 2024.

• The numbers climbed even further between February 2025 and summer/fall 2025, with more than 175,000 additional children added to state waiting lists in just a few months — a 78 percent increase.

• At least seven states newly began placing families on waiting lists or freezing intake, while at least 10 additional states saw their waiting lists grow, after February 2025.

The report also includes state-by-state data on key child care assistance policies, including income eligibility limits, parent copayments, provider payment rates, and eligibility policies for parents searching for work.

Click the link to learn more: Warning Signs: State Child Care Assistance Policies 2025.

The post Study: Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Venus Williams Calls a Sabalenka Exit a Tragedy

ROLLING OUT — Crucially, Williams did not read the comment as a real farewell. She said she did not believe Sabalenka truly wanted to leave, calling such an outcome a loss for both the player and the sport.
The post Venus Williams Calls a Sabalenka Exit a Tragedy appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

4 days ago

June 7, 2026

Oakland Post

The seven-time major champion read frustration, not a real goodbye, in the world No. 1’s words

By David Kesiena | Rolling Out

When the world’s top-ranked player said she wanted to walk away from the sport, Venus Williams chose empathy over alarm.

Aryna Sabalenka’s blunt remark after her French Open quarterfinal collapse rattled plenty of fans, but Williams heard something different in it. The seven-time Grand Slam champion treated the comment as the raw reaction of a hurting athlete rather than a serious signal about her future.

The collapse that triggered the comment

Sabalenka looked headed for a routine win over Diana Shnaider. She took the opening set 6-3 and built a commanding lead in the second, climbing to 4-1 and later serving for the match at 5-4 while sitting just two points from victory.

Then everything unraveled. Shnaider stormed back to steal the second set 7-5 and bageled the world No. 1 in the third, with Sabalenka dropping 12 of the final 13 games in gusty conditions that reached around 26 mph. The 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 result sent Shnaider into her first Grand Slam semifinal and extended Sabalenka’s long wait for a maiden Roland Garros title.

In the aftermath, Sabalenka did not soften her feelings. She told reporters she had no thoughts and no emotions left and felt like quitting on the spot. She described being stuck in a deep, dark mental hole during the match, unable to find her way back.

What Venus Williams said about Sabalenka

Williams reacted with understanding. She admitted the moment made her sad and said she had been swept up in Sabalenka’s emotions, feeling a surge of empathy for her. She praised the Belarusian for laying everything bare on court, where every feeling shows.

Crucially, Williams did not read the comment as a real farewell. She said she did not believe Sabalenka truly wanted to leave, calling such an outcome a loss for both the player and the sport. Rather than scold her, Williams offered a gentle observation about the rhythm of professional tennis. She suggested players might benefit from a little more time to gather themselves before stepping in front of the cameras, a quiet acknowledgment that athletes are routinely asked to dissect painful defeats before the sting has faded.

Sabalenka walks it back

The story did not end on that bleak note. Within days, Sabalenka signaled she was not actually quitting, framing the press-conference outburst as heat-of-the-moment honesty rather than a plan. At the time of the loss she had also left the door open, saying she would see how she felt in a few days and hoped to get back on track mentally. The walk-back lined up with how Williams had read the situation from the start.

It is not the first time a Paris quarterfinal has pushed Sabalenka to her limit. In 2024 she exited at the same stage and skipped her press conference entirely because of illness, with the tour later releasing her quotes on her behalf. The pattern underscores how heavily this particular tournament has weighed on her despite deep runs in recent years.

For now, attention shifts to the grass. Wimbledon offers Sabalenka a quick chance to reset, and a strong showing there would turn this French Open meltdown into a footnote rather than a turning point.

Originally published by Rolling Out — https://rollingout.com.

The post Venus Williams Calls a Sabalenka Exit a Tragedy appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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COMMENTARY: Using Art, Healing, And Community to Transform Mental Health Dialogue

THE CAROLINIAN — Operating at the intersection of the arts and mental health, Darkness RISING uses music, storytelling, wellness programming, and community engagement to inspire healing while addressing barriers that have historically prevented many Black Americans from accessing mental health support.
The post COMMENTARY: Using Art, Healing, And Community to Transform Mental Health Dialogue appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

4 days ago

June 7, 2026

Oakland Post

By Judaea Ingram | Special to The Carolinian

RALEIGH, N.C. – Music filled the air as families danced through the crowd, children gathered around activity stations, and community members explored wellness resources from local organizations. Black-owned businesses lined the streets while people stopped for chair massages, conversations, and moments of connection inside the wellness suite.

At the center of the event stood a simple but powerful reminder:

“You Matter.”

For Darkness RISING, those words represent far more than a slogan. They reflect the organization’s mission to break the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community while creating spaces centered on healing, honesty, and hope.

Operating at the intersection of the arts and mental health, Darkness RISING uses music, storytelling, wellness programming, and community engagement to inspire healing while addressing barriers that have historically prevented many Black Americans from accessing mental health support.

The organization hosts a variety of programs and events throughout the year, including block parties, wellness workshops, mixers, kickoff events, community classes, and Darkness RISING: Live — a free annual arts and wellness festival now celebrating its ninth year.

The festival combines entertainment with healing-centered resources, featuring live music, dancing, singing, food trucks, Black vendors, children’s activities, mental health resources, wellness spaces, and opportunities for open conversations about mental health.

While the events may feel celebratory on the surface, organizers say the deeper purpose is creating safe spaces where people can feel comfortable discussing mental health without fear of judgment.

Darkness RISING also provides free nationwide resources, including a Black Mental Health Resource Packet, a Black Mental Health Provider Database, and its “Find Me a Therapist” initiative, which helps connect individuals with culturally competent care.

The organization’s work is rooted in addressing longstanding inequities that continue impacting mental health access within Black communities.

Historically, segregation, redlining, racial discrimination, incarceration, poverty, and unequal healthcare access have contributed to higher rates of behavioral health challenges while simultaneously limiting access to proper treatment and support. Darkness RISING approaches those issues through what organizers describe as a transformative justice lens, focusing on healing rather than punishment and creating equitable wellness opportunities for marginalized communities.

Its REBUILD program specifically supports justice-involved and formerly incarcerated people of color through free therapy and wellness support, while the REBUILD Youth program focuses on young people impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences, also known as ACEs.

For Rudolph, therapy became life-changing after decades of incarceration and years of rejection after returning home.

“Came home in 2015, started my own computer company, investing in real estate, did the normal thing and got some jobs here and there and was met with rejection after rejection and people telling me I am not a good person,” Rudolph shared. “Even had a rejection in church.”

He said one of the hardest battles became overcoming the mental barriers created during incarceration.

“I got in touch with a couple of friends, and they explained to me how I had to get over the mental hurdles and get rid of the way my prison mindset was in order to survive and become successful,” he said.

Rudolph later moved to North Carolina hoping for a fresh start, but the struggle continued.

“Things were looking bad,” he said. “Could not get a job. The struggle was real.”

Eventually, therapy and support through organizations like Darkness RISING helped begin his healing process. He said working alongside other justice-involved men through therapy gave him the ability to rebuild mentally while finding community with people who understood his experiences.

Stories like Rudolph’s reflect the foundation behind Darkness RISING’s mission: ensuring people feel seen, supported, and worthy of healing regardless of their background or circumstances.

Community members who attend the organization’s events often describe them as emotionally transformative.

Some participants say Darkness RISING encouraged them to seek therapy for the first time, while others say the organization gave them a safe space to openly discuss struggles they previously kept hidden.

“I have been encouraged by the beautiful, generous, brave and open individuals who come together and use their talents to create art, share personal experiences and provide hope to those who may be struggling with mental health,” one participant shared.

By combining art, wellness, education, and community outreach, Darkness RISING continues changing how mental health conversations happen within the Black community.

Not through silence.

But through healing, honesty, connection, and joy.

Originally published by The Carolinian — https://caro.news.

The post COMMENTARY: Using Art, Healing, And Community to Transform Mental Health Dialogue appeared first on BlackPressUSA.