AGP Executive Report

World Creole Music Festival: Ne-Yo headlines Dominica’s WCMF, running Oct. 23–25 at Windsor Park, with Machel Montano, Maxi Priest, Alkaline and more on the bill. Travel & Culture: Winair is offering 65% off flights to Dominica for festival travel (promo code WM65YRS). Arts & Community: WAA hosts a free Venezuelan–Dominican stop-motion animation movie night in Trafalgar on Aug. 30, part of the Cayapa/Koudmen residency exchange. Local Talent: Dominica-born vocalist Marie-Claire Giraud releases a genre-bending album blending jazz, opera, pop and world music. Education & Skills: Adult Education Division’s annual Skills Exhibition opens Aug. 28 in Roseau, showcasing hands-on training from massage therapy to carpentry. Scholarships: DOMLEC marks 40 years of support with four new secondary-school scholarship recipients. Agriculture & Resilience: Portsmouth’s Tissue Culture Laboratory is boosting plant production and disaster-ready seed storage. Nature & Heritage: A commentary spotlights the Dominica barn owl, including local names and its role as an endemic predator. Regional Links: Kalinago council members visit St. Kitts to advance a Kalinago craft centre proposal. UWI Leadership: Dr. Gaile Gray-Phillip is appointed Deputy Director of UWI Global Campus sites.

Kalinago Culture & Craft: Kalinago Chief Anette Sanford and Councilor Miranda are in St Kitts to push a new Kalinago craft centre, aiming to create economic opportunities for Kalinago people beyond Dominica, with plans also to take part in a remembrance ceremony for Chief Tegre. World Creole Music Festival Buzz: Dominica’s WCMF returns Oct. 23–25 at Windsor Park, with Grammy winner Ne-Yo leading a lineup that also includes Machel Montano, Maxi Priest, Alkaline and Skillibeng; Winair is offering 65% off flights with code WM65YRS. Local Arts Exchange: The Waitukubuli Artist Association hosts a free WAA movie night in Trafalgar on Aug. 30 (7pm) as part of a Dominica–Venezuela stop-motion animation residency. Adult Learning Showcase: The Adult Education Division’s annual Skills Exhibition runs Aug. 28 (10am–4pm) in Roseau, featuring hands-on work from massage therapy to carpentry. Education Support: DOMLEC marks 40 years of scholarships by awarding four secondary-school recipients, covering books, fees and transport for up to five years. Nature & Heritage: A commentary spotlights Dominica’s endemic barn owl, including local names and its role as a nocturnal predator. Agriculture & Resilience: Portsmouth’s Tissue Culture Laboratory is expanding plant production to support farmers and disaster recovery with secure seed storage. Youth Outreach: Police visited Chances emergency shelter to talk safe choices, peer pressure, and responsible decision-making.

Elections & Community Updates: Mahaut electors in the F01-Massacre polling district can now collect voter ID cards at the Massacre confirmation centre (cream building by the highway, opposite the Catholic church cemetery), with pickup running Friday Aug. 28 (10am–6pm) and Saturday (10am–6pm), and authorisation required for anyone collecting on another person’s behalf. UWI Leadership: Dr. Gaile Gray-Phillip has been appointed Deputy Director of UWI Global Campus sites, effective Aug. 1, 2026, bringing long experience in distance education and higher education leadership. World Creole Music Festival Buzz: Dominica’s WCMF returns Oct. 23–25 at Windsor Park Sports Stadium, with Grammy winner Ne-Yo headlining alongside Machel Montano, Maxi Priest, Alkaline, Skillibeng and more, plus a Winair 65% flight discount for festival travel. Adult Learning & Skills: The Adult Education Division’s annual Skills Exhibition is set for today (10am–4pm) at 22 Kennedy Avenue, showcasing hands-on work from massage therapy to pastry, sewing, hair braiding and carpentry. DOMLEC Scholarships: DOMLEC marked its 40-year scholarship programme by awarding four secondary-school scholarships to students from across the wider community, supporting up to five years with books, fees and transport. Arts Exchange: WAA hosts a free movie night in Trafalgar on Aug. 30 (7pm) as part of a Dominica–Venezuela stop-motion animation residency. Agriculture & Food Systems: FAO has named Dominican farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste a “Women Hero in Agrifood Systems,” recognising decades of sustainable farming and local market supply. Youth Safety Outreach: Police visited the Chances emergency shelter to talk with children about safe choices, peer pressure, and responsible decision-making. Culture Landmark: Dominica plans a 23-foot brass Sisserou Parrot statue at the cable car summit, aiming to make it the world’s tallest and largest parrot statue.

Mahaut Constituency: Voter ID cards are now available for electors in polling district F01 (Massacre), with pickup at the Massacre confirmation centre (cream building by the highway, opposite the Catholic cemetery) today (10am–6pm) and Saturday (10am–6pm), and anyone collecting for another person asked to bring a notarized authorization letter. UWI Global Campus Leadership: Dr. Gaile Gray-Phillip has been appointed Deputy Director of UWI Global Campus sites, while Dr. Roger Nesbeth was named Director of Human Resources, both effective August 1, 2026. World Creole Music Festival Buzz: Grammy winner Ne-Yo headlines WCMF in Dominica (Oct 23–25 at Windsor Park), with Machel Montano, Maxi Priest, Alkaline, Skillibeng and more; Winair also announced a 65% fare discount to Dominica using promo code WM65YRS. Adult Learning & Skills: The Adult Education Division holds its annual Skills Exhibition today (10am–4pm at 22 Kennedy Avenue, Roseau), showcasing hands-on work from massage therapy, pastry, sewing, hair braiding and carpentry. DOMLEC Scholarships: DOMLEC marked its 40-year scholarship programme by awarding four secondary school scholarships to students from across the wider community. Arts Exchange: Waitukubuli Artist Association hosts a free Venezuelan–Dominican stop-motion animation movie night in Trafalgar on Aug 30 (7pm), as part of the Cayapa/Koudmen residency. Agriculture & Food Systems: FAO named Dominican farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste among its inaugural 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems, and Dominica’s Tissue Culture Laboratory is set to boost plant production and disaster-ready seed storage. Culture & Community: Dominica-born vocalist Marie-Claire Giraud released a genre-bending album blending jazz, opera, pop and world music.

Education & Youth: DOMLEC marks 40 years of scholarships by awarding four secondary-school recipients—Merjhana Guiste (Portsmouth Secondary), Daville Alexander and Kira Bertrand (Dominica Grammar), and Kaley Fabien (Arthur Waldron SDA Academy)—with support for up to five years. Arts & Community: Waitukubuli Artist Association (WAA) hosts a free stop-motion animation Movie Night in Trafalgar on Aug 30, as part of a Dominica–Venezuela Cayapa/Koudmen residency exchange. Culture & Music: Winair offers a 65% flight discount to Dominica for the World Creole Music Festival (Oct 23–25), using promo code WM65YRS. Photography: EPIC’s Seas & Scenes: Love the Caribbean contest enters its final stretch, with entries due Aug 31 and prizes across four categories plus Audience Choice voting. Health & Regional Capacity: PAHO/WHO and partners train Eastern Caribbean clinicians to strengthen critical care skills for severe infections and pandemic preparedness. Agriculture & Resilience: Dominica’s Tissue Culture Laboratory boosts plant production and helps safeguard planting material for disaster recovery. Public Safety: Police youth outreach at Chances emergency shelter focuses on safe choices, peer pressure, and responsible decision-making.

Photography & Community Culture: EPIC’s second annual “Seas & Scenes: Love the Caribbean” photo contest is in its final stretch, with entries due Aug. 31 and more than US$3,000 in prizes across four categories plus an Audience Choice vote. Education & Youth Support: DOMLEC has awarded scholarships to four students heading into secondary school, backing local learners for the next five years. Arts Exchange: The Waitukubuli Artist Association (WAA) is hosting a free stop-motion animation movie night in Trafalgar on Aug. 30 as part of a Dominica–Venezuela residency. Music Spotlight: Dominica-born vocalist Marie-Claire Giraud has released a genre-bending new album blending jazz, opera, pop and world music. Festival Travel Boost: Winair is offering 65% off flights to Dominica for the World Creole Music Festival (Oct. 23–25), using promo code WM65YRS. Agriculture & Heritage: FAO has named Dominican farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste a “Women Hero in Agrifood Systems,” citing decades of sustainable, community-focused farming. Disaster Preparedness for Kids: ODM’s 2026 summer programme has wrapped up for 190 primary students, teaching practical emergency response and safety skills. Health & Community Care: ACSOM says it will expand medical outreach in Dominica through more health fairs and screenings, especially for hypertension and diabetes. Big Regional Culture Moment: Caribbean Music Awards is moving its 2026 celebration to Trinidad & Tobago’s NAPA on Sept. 19. Dominica Landmark Plans: Dominica’s cable car project is set to feature a massive 23-foot brass Sisserou Parrot statue as a new tourism icon.

US Visa Pause: The Trump administration has suspended new immigrant visa processing worldwide, with cancelled appointments tied to a State Department “global training” for consular screening. Child Safety Outreach: Dominica Police visited the Chances emergency shelter to talk with children about safe choices, peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, and responsible decision-making. Florida Missing-Child Sweep: Florida’s “Operation Statewide Shield” recovered 163 missing children aged 2 months to 17 across multiple US regions and abroad, with authorities warning more arrests are coming. Dominica Recognition in Agrifood: Capuchin farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste was named an FAO “Women Hero” for agrifood systems leadership. Education & Skills: Dominica’s Adult Education Division will host a skills exhibition, while 190 primary students recently completed an ODM disaster preparedness summer programme. Agriculture Boost: Portsmouth’s Tissue Culture Laboratory is set to produce over 500,000 plants yearly to strengthen farming resilience. Culture & Media: Dominica’s Stage 32 partnership aims to expand audio-visual training, and Black Island Girl launched a Caribbean-wide search for a red-carpet media correspondent. Travel Policy Ripple: A US federal judge struck down Trump’s visa ban affecting 75 countries, including Dominica, while Canada tightens document and identity checks for Dominica and other CBI-linked Caribbean states.

Agrifood Recognition: Dominican farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste of Capuchin has been named an inaugural FAO “100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems,” praised for decades of sustainable production and community impact. Arts & Media: Dominica is partnering with Stage 32 to boost local audio-visual training, helping filmmakers and industry professionals access international education and certification. Disaster Preparedness for Kids: 190 primary students have completed Dominica’s ODM 2026 Summer Programme, learning hazards and emergency response through hands-on activities and creative exercises. Health Outreach: ACSOM says it will deepen community healthcare engagement with more health fairs, screenings, and closer collaboration with local doctors and hospitals. Agriculture Capacity: Portsmouth’s Tissue Culture Laboratory is set to produce over 500,000 high-quality plants yearly, supporting farmers with planting material and disaster recovery storage. Adult Skills Showcase: The Adult Education Division will host its Annual Skills Exhibition on Aug. 28, featuring work from courses like massage therapy, pastry, sewing, hair braiding, and carpentry. Culture & Tourism Landmark: Dominica plans a 23-foot brass Sisserou Parrot statue for the cable car summit, aiming to make it a major visitor attraction. Education Leadership: UWI Global Campus Dominica will induct new student and alumni executives on Sept. 3, with “Leading with Empathy” as the theme.

US Visa Ruling: A federal judge in New York struck down Trump’s nationality-based ban that paused immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Dominica—immigration advocates say the case-by-case process is back, though other restrictions may still apply. Canada Travel Scrutiny: Canada is tightening identity checks and document verification for travellers from Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Lucia and St Kitts and Nevis, urging applicants to keep names, travel plans and supporting records accurate and consistent. Dominica Tourism & Culture: Dominica plans a 23-foot brass Sisserou Parrot statue at the top of a new cable car project, aiming to make it the world’s tallest and largest parrot landmark. Education & Youth: Dominica State College will welcome the Class of 2028 for Freshers’ Week (Sept 1–4), while UWI Global Campus Dominica inducts new student and alumni executives on Sept 3. Regional Health: CARPHA and CAOH signed a five-year partnership to strengthen cancer prevention, treatment and access to quality-assured medicines across the Caribbean. Community Spotlight: Voicez United’s “Ready to Rise” initiative is set to support Wotton Waven Primary School ahead of the new term.

Dominica Cable Car Culture: Dominica is planning a 23-foot brass Sisserou Parrot statue at the top of its cable car project, aiming to make it the world’s largest parrot landmark and link tourism to the island’s natural heritage. Regional Health & Care: CARPHA and CAOH have signed a five-year partnership to strengthen cancer prevention, training, research, and access to quality-assured medicines across the Caribbean. Visa Policy Ripple for Dominica: A US federal judge struck down a Trump administration ban that had paused immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, including Dominica—though other restrictions may still apply. Youth & Education Support: NBD recognized ten students with its Bright Future Scholarship and rolled out a revised version to expand support for academic success. Women’s Leadership & Safety: A Girls Leadership Summer Camp bootcamp praised for creating safe spaces for young women, while Dominica’s Protect Our Children and Women rally is planned to push for better protection and action on violence against children and women. Arts & Festival Buzz: Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival 2026 lineup is set to feature Ne-Yo, Machel Montano, Maxi Priest and more, with a Miami screening of “Women of Dominica” also announced.

US Visa Ruling: A New York federal judge struck down Trump’s immigrant-visa suspension affecting 75 countries, including Dominica, saying the nationality-based policy was “patently unlawful,” though other restrictions may still apply. Canada Scrutiny on CBI Passports: Canada is tightening visa verification for Dominica and other OECS CBI states, focusing on document accuracy, identity checks, and the credibility of travel plans rather than announcing a new country-specific ban. Indigenous Heritage Online: The OAS held a Virtual Heritage Expo during Inter-American Week of Indigenous Peoples, spotlighting Indigenous resilience and cultural contributions across member states including Dominica. Girls Leadership & Safety: A Girls Leadership Summer Camp bootcamp was praised for creating a respectful, safe space for young women, covering emotional intelligence, digital citizenship, and parent engagement. Education & Youth Opportunities: NBD recognized ten students with Bright Future scholarships and UWI Global Campus Dominica inducted new student and alumni executives; REACH also opened a youth orientation for adolescent health leadership. Culture on the Move: Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival 2026 lineup features Ne-Yo, Machel Montano, Maxi Priest and more, while “Women of Dominica” prepares for its first public screening at Miami’s Urban Film Festival.

Education & Youth Support: NBD recognized ten Dominica students with its Bright Future Scholarship and rolled out a revised version aimed at widening access and backing academic success. UWI Leadership: UWI Global Campus Dominica will induct new student and alumni executives at an induction and reconfirmation ceremony on Sept. 3, with “Leading with Empathy” as the theme. Community Learning Push: Voicez United’s “Ready to Rise” initiative is bringing school supplies to Wotton Waven Primary ahead of a Sept. 4 distribution event. Women’s Stories on Screen: “Women of Dominica,” a documentary by Farrah La Ronde-Hutchison, heads to its first public screening at Miami’s Urban Film Festival on Sept. 5. Festival Fever: Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival (Oct. 23–25) is set with big names like Ne-Yo, Machel Montano, Maxi Priest, Alkaline, Skillibeng, Uncle Waffles and Capleton. Safety & Advocacy: A Protect Our Children and Women rally is planned to spotlight violence and abuse concerns affecting children and women. Immigration Update (Regional Impact): Caribbean immigration advocates welcomed a US court ruling striking down a Trump-era immigrant visa freeze affecting 75 countries, including Dominica.

US Immigration Court Win for Caribbean Families: A Manhattan federal judge struck down Trump’s indefinite immigrant visa suspension for nationals of 75 countries, calling it “patently unlawful,” including Dominica—restoring case-by-case processing after a lawsuit by immigrant rights groups. Citizenship by Investment Warning: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley says “CBI as we know it is dead,” urging Caribbean leaders to diversify beyond CBI and rethink how immigration is being “weaponized” by major powers. WCMF 2026 Music Buzz: Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival (Oct 23–25) announced a star-studded lineup with NE-YO, Machel Montano, Maxi Priest, Alkaline, Skillibeng, Uncle Waffles, Buju Banton, and Fridayy, plus major local and regional acts. Women of Dominica Goes Public in Miami: Farrah La Ronde-Hutchison’s documentary on 10 Dominican women screens Sept 5 at the Urban Film Festival, spotlighting mentorship, identity, land, and legacy. Protect Our Children and Women Rally: A new WhatsApp-led campaign plans a peaceful protest in Dominica to push for stronger action against violence and abuse affecting children and women. Youth & Education Opportunities: Voicez United’s “Ready to Rise” brings back-to-school support to Wotton Waven Primary; REACH launches youth engagement webinars; and the Dominica Athletics Association opens applications for its 2026 Athletic Legacy Scholarship.

US Immigration Ruling: A Manhattan federal judge struck down a Trump administration policy that suspended immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, including Dominica, calling it “patently unlawful” and beyond the State Department’s authority—clearing a major legal roadblock for permanent residency applicants. WCMF 2026 Spotlight: Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival returns Oct 23–25 at Windsor Park with a star-studded lineup featuring NE-Yo, Machel Montano, Maxi Priest, Alkaline, Skillibeng, Uncle Waffles, Capleton and Fridayy, plus major regional and Dominican acts; tickets are on sale. Women & Film: “Women of Dominica,” a documentary following 10 Dominican women across generations, is set for its first public screening at Miami’s 2026 Urban Film Festival on Sept 5. Youth & Education: Voicez United’s “Ready to Rise: Dominica 2026” brings back-to-school support to Wotton Waven Primary, while the REACH Project invites 18–24-year-olds to a Sept 8 virtual orientation on adolescent health leadership. Community Safety: A Protect Our Children and Women rally is planned after the case of missing teen Jerbiah Paul, with organizers pushing for stronger child-protection action.

US Immigration Update: A US judge in Manhattan struck down a Trump administration policy that paused immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Dominica, calling it “patently unlawful” and beyond the State Department’s authority—clearing a major legal roadblock for affected applicants. World Creole Music Festival: Dominica’s WCMF 2026 lineup is locked in for Oct 23–25 at Windsor Park, featuring NE-YO, Machel Montano, Maxi Priest, Alkaline, Skillibeng, Uncle Waffles, Capleton, Fridayy and a strong homegrown roster. Women’s Stories on Screen: “Women of Dominica,” a documentary by Farrah La Ronde-Hutchison, heads to its first public screening at Miami’s 2026 Urban Film Festival on Sept 5. Child Protection Push: A new “Protect Our Children and Women” rally is planned in Dominica after the case of Jerbiah Paul, with organizers calling for stronger action when reports are made. Youth & Education: Dominica’s WISTLE education reform project rolls out a tech-supported lower-secondary curriculum, while the DAA opens applications for its 2026 Athletic Legacy Scholarship. Culture & Opportunity: Jael Joseph launches a Caribbean-wide search for a new media correspondent for the Caribbean Music Awards, and Dominica writer Zephrine Royer is shortlisted for the 2026 BCLF Elizabeth Nunez Award.

US Immigration Ruling: A US federal judge struck down a Trump-era immigrant visa suspension covering 75 countries, including Dominica, calling the nationality-based policy “patently unlawful” and ordering it vacated—potentially reopening permanent-residency visa paths for affected applicants. World Creole Music Festival Buzz: Dominica’s WCMF 2026 lineup is locked in for Oct 23–25 at Windsor Park, with NE-Yo, Machel Montano, Maxi Priest, Alkaline, Skillibeng, Uncle Waffles, Capleton and Fridayy joining a strong Creole and Dominican roster. Women’s Stories on Screen: “Women of Dominica,” a documentary following 10 Dominican women across generations, is set for its first public screening at Miami’s 2026 Urban Film Festival on Sept 5. Child Protection & Community Action: A Protect Our Children and Women rally is planned after the Jerbiah Paul case, with police charges including two officers remanded over the teen’s death. Youth & Health Opportunities: The REACH Project invites 18–24-year-olds from Dominica and other member states to a Sept 8 virtual orientation and upcoming adolescent health engagement activities. Education Reform: Dominica is moving ahead with the four-year WISTLE education reform, using technology-supported lower-secondary curriculum updates across participating islands. Sports Support: The Dominica Athletics Association opens applications for its 2026 Athletic Legacy Scholarship, offering EC$1,000 toward education costs. Culture, Media & Recognition: A Caribbean-wide search for a new media correspondent for the Caribbean Music Awards launches via Black Island Girl Multimedia, while Dominican writer Zephrine Royer is shortlisted for the 2026 BCLF Elizabeth Nunez Award.