The inaugural 2024 Posh Icon Woman Awards were presented on June 28, 2024, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The ceremony honoured the talented women whose work uplifts and empowers others in the region. The event focused on nominees from across the Caribbean region, highlighting their achievements and pioneering contributions in many industries.
Naomi Cowan : 2024 Music & Film Honouree
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Rising star Jamaican singer, song writer, and multi-instrumentalist Naomi Cowan hails from a long line of musicians. Naomi’s father Tommy Cowan, OD, is a recognised Reggae music producer, songwriter, and former road manager for Bob Marley, and her mother, Dr. Carlene Davis-Cowan, OD, is a renowned Reggae singer.
Naomi has accumulated an impressive roster of achievements, including the prestigious Breakthrough Reggae Artist Award at the 2019 Jamaica Reggae Industry Awards.
Ramone Reid : Science, Technology & Innovation Award Recipient
Nurse turned entrepreneur Ramone Reid, the founder, owner, and CEO of Cultured Naturals Body Care, received a POSH award in the Science, Technology & Innovation category. She attended the University of the Virgin Islands, received a BS in Biochemistry at the College of the Bahamas, earned a BSN in Nursing at Northern Caribbean University, and received an MBA at Nova Southeastern University.
She has volunteered with the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix and is an advocate for human rights, supporting victims and survivors of crime. In addition to serving as a registered nurse, Reid’s career experience includes serving as a clinical office assistant and MET test technician, a faith-based program liaison, and outreach worker to support education and public awareness in the areas of reducing gun violence and prevention of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Amashika Lorne : Cultural, Preservation & Promotion Award Recipient
Public relations and communications expert Amashika Lorne from Kingston specializes in operations management, project management, marketing, and communications. Lorne is a media personality and community leader in Jamaica. Her education includes studies in international relations, while her career work has involved media, corporate social responsibility, and event planning. She served as operations manager for WiPay Caribbean, marketing and public relations manager at the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica, and is the chief director at Amashika & Associates Limited.
She was the project manager of ENDS, the logistics coordinator of the Private Sector Vaccine Initiative (PSVI) in 2021, and a television host at CVM TV. She also taught at the iCreate Institute and is currently the trainer in the Project Management for Creatives course. Her marketing portfolio includes work for Campari, Hennesy, Moet, Magnum, Charley’s JB Rum, Sangster’s Rum Cream, and J Wray & Nephew. She has a BS in international relations and affairs from the University of the West Indies.
Trudian Dalley : Leadership & Empowerment Award Recipient
Dalley is an entrepreneur and pharmaceutical technologist who says she is “passionate about product formulation.” She is also an enthusiastic event planner, STEM ambassador, science and math educator, sales executive, marketing specialist, and wedding consultant who is “committed to creating a positive change!
Suana Callum : Young Achiever Award Recipient
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A freelance model since the age of 13, Suana Callum works as an etiquette coach and race car driver who aspires to a career as a medical doctor. Callum is the face of a cosmetics brand and perfume line and has always wanted to help people. At age nine, she saved the life of a car crash victim in her hometown, Montego Bay, by performing CPR using methods she had learned from watching medical dramas on television.
After she began modeling, she recognized her love for high heels and decided to turn it into a career. While she faced challenges at the beginning of her career, she succeeded by doing her own research and determining that freelancing was “a good way to go.” Her love of car racing can be traced to her parents, who enjoy the sport. She “fell in love with the speed” and began breaking records.
She is a member of the Jamaica Karting Association and is known in some circles as the “Queen of Speed.” Now in her early 20s, Callum understands that her passions fuel her ambition, and she hopes to help other women find their way among the many choices available to them. She founded the Suana Callum School of Modeling and Etiquette to train women to reach their goals and help aspiring models toward success “in the right way.”
The Inaugural Posh Awards A Success
The Posh Awards ceremony was punctuated by a live performance by the BVI Grammy-nominated musician and producer, Kamau Georges. The event’s Power Brunch brought together Caribbean region entrepreneurs, creatives, and working professionals who share their experiences and insights on empowerment, success, and the importance of creating a network of support.
The keynote speaker was Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, who shared her personal story.
The event was described as a success by the founder and CEO of Caribbean POSH Magazine, Janette Brin, who said it was a “transformative” gathering that brought together women from the Caribbean region in celebration of their achievements. She noted that the connections and “sisterhood” experienced at the Posh event can serve as a reminder that the Caribbean Posh Weekend represents a shared dream of nurturing and empowering the women of the Caribbean.
