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Creating Pathways for Our Youth In Dominica
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Roseau, Dominica Monday, 26 May 2025 CEO and founder of Zodiac Arts Charity, Laurence Carbon, was honored to meet with Her Excellency, President Sylvanie Burton, for a meaningful and inspiring conversation centred on national development, youth empowerment, and engaging the Dominican diaspora in inclusive social transformation.
Founded in 2003, Zodiac Arts has built a strong reputation for using sport, creative arts, and education to uplift both mainstream and differently abled individuals, including those with mild to complex mobility needs. This meeting offered an opportunity to explore shared values and consider how the charity’s inclusive expertise could support Dominica’s development agenda particularly in creating pathways for vulnerable and underrepresented groups. Laurence Carbon shared details of the charity’s impactful work in the UK and Trinidad, including a collaboration with Laura Denise Ramsay-Overall, Trinidad’s first female Olympic weightlifter, highlighting the power of sport in driving community transformation. Laurence also introduced Zodiac Arts’ CPD-accredited education and training programme, which is already live online. The programme builds capacity in health, care, and community leadership across all levels of ability with a strong focus on inclusion. The accompanying Body Additive Dynamics training manual is set to be published and made available online soon. The discussion also recognised the ongoing voluntary work of Roselyn Carbon, MPH, RN, whose contributions in Portsmouth and the Kalinago Territory have brought vital health services and community mobilisation to underserved areas. Her efforts, alongside those of Jasmine Carbon, Registered Dietitian, founder of Carbon Nutrition Limited, reflect a multigenerational commitment to public health, education, and diaspora-driven impact. Meeting Her Excellency, President Sylvanie Burton herself a lifelong champion of community service created space to explore mutual goals and future collaboration. We shared interests including youth mentorship, mental health, social inclusion, and accessible sport and recreation. Though still in its early stages, this dialogue marks a promising step toward partnership one that honours Dominican resilience, celebrates diverse talents, and seeks to empower all members of society to thrive, regardless of background or ability. |
