ON THE CALL Ozzie

Mrs. Tiona Laster, descendant of Bishop Rube and Alice Bethea in Albany, and grandparents, Reverend Zeddie and Jinette Mackie of Bethune, SC, also grew up in Albany. Tiona grew up in the church, a devout christian. She was married in Brooklyn and has lived there since, becoming a stay-at-home home-maker, raising 9 children: 6 girls – ages: 7,8,10,12,16/twins + 3 boys – ages: 4,13,24
At the age of 13, the twins, Zay’ani & Zay’ona began a YouTube channel to inspire their viewers through their singing, also in church., dancing, and poking fun at themselves.
They also loved doing people’s hair & nails, and going out to service customers. On one such service-visit to someone, in a home they knew, drugs and sexual assault by 4 men occurred. This begins the saga for Tiona into a world she had never dreamed of being in, and has since prompted her to create a nonprofit - A Mother's Undying Love - advocating for the mothers who find themselves in dire situations and need the support.

Curt Crane is a writer-producer-director, with
more than 30 years of experience in developing, creating and producing TV commercials, corporate communications, streaming media, and feature length
films. He created Curt Crane Productions, Inc., in New Jersey, where he grew up playing garage band rock-and-roll, hanging out around horses, and failing algebra several times. After high school, Curt survived seven years of banging around the professional rodeo circuit riding bulls, ultimately landing at Rutgers University where he earned an English degree. He then became a
freelance writer, and soon began writing for the ad business, eventually becoming an agency creative director before moving on to the film production
side of the business.

Curt has directed, produced, written and co-written projects for a wide variety of well known national, international and regional names, including DirecTV, Motorola, NY Life, AIG, BASF, Nascar, and Geisinger. He has also created notable pro bono work for MADD, The American Cancer Society, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and many others. Along the way he has worked with film, TV, music stars such as Taylor Swift, “we shot her first tv commercial, “Taylor, keep this singing/songwriting thing up and someday you're gonna be Time's Person of the Year”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv8XNeFZFQc and sports stars, as well as animals and children, along with directing and producing political initiative spots on national and statewide issues, such as healthcare reform
and gaming.

Under Coyote Pictures, Inc., Curt creates, develops and produces entertainment-based projects, including feature films and made-for-TV programming: “Postcards from Paradise Park” + “Drifting on the
Moon.”

CLIENT RECOMMENDATIONs INCLUDE DESCRIPTIONS SUCH AS:  Smart. Approachable. The real deal. He’s the most likeable curmudgeon with whom you’ll ever work……the consummate professional, delivering beyond expectations….The final result is always better than when I wrote it… He brings so much value, expertise, humor, creativity, enthusiasm, clarity, dedication, professionalism, and just plain fun to work with…. He always brings something to the table and
helps to make our ideas come to life while finding ways to make them better…..His sense of humor makes every project more fun, though he's very serious about
delivering.

He also belongs to a group which created a free mobile app, designed to help everyday people do our part in the fight against what’s become the most immediate existential threat to our existence. The app is on one’s smartphone! It’s easy to use, and continually updating, offering an innovative new way to raise funds for your organization — while getting everyone involved in helping to save our planet. The name of the app is called Greenie!  Follow them at: instagram.com/greenieapp.

Jan France was born in Chicago, to a mother who was an RN, a father who served in World War II, and a grandfather who served in World War I. She has devoted much of her life to GIVING AND SERVICE. In 1983, she conceived the idea for a wagon train in June 1983, organized, was the executive director, strategic planner, coordinator of a 3-year plan, and fund-raiser of $3 million dollars in sponsorships for the Texas Sesquicentennial Wagon Train, which covered 3,228 miles within the state, planned the route to 150 overnight stops in 150 communities to represent the 150 years since Texas’s independence, created the logo, did the marketing, and drove the first wagon herself. Soon she had assistant and wagon masters such as: Walt Garrison, fullback for the Dallas Cowboys, Tom Landry, head coach for the Dallas Cowboys, Gib Lewis, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives and other with Governor Mark White of Texas riding in the front wagon with Jan, sponsored by: Coca-Cola, Wrangler Jeans, Dairy Queen, Texas National Bank Dallas, Texas National Telephone Association, John Deere, American Honda Motor Co, Southwestern Bell Telephone and others. 

Later in 2002, in Texas, she taught English to Spanish speaking immigrants at night for free, and founded America's Disaster Relief, which aided various disaster-affected areas across the United States, she kicked into high gear, using her past marketing and organizational skills, bringing into play 5 vans with trailers, 10 drivers, supplies, donations and funds, She was instrumental in relocating 100 families [500 people] into homes completely furnished to victims of Forest Fires, Cedar Rapid, IA floods, Boulder Colorado floods and the locals of Western Colorado.                  

With the left-over donations, in 2006 she bought a 750 square foot thrift shop for $1,000.00 in Montrose, Colorado, which expanded to 10,000 square feet, where 100% of the profits went to disaster relief and in 2008 she built a food truck on a 16 ft flat-bed trailer, selling  tamales and other items with partner GUMER, volunteering 12 months a year for 7 years, with 100% of the net profits going to American Disaster Relief, from serving areas from Colorado to Florida, Alabama, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Missouri, Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, in August 29 2005, where she brought back to her home, now living in Colorado, people who had nothing but the clothes on their backs. She also served at Hurricane Sandy, NY in 2012 when I met her while I was volunteering at Midland Beach, Staten Island, one of the worst hit areas, and stayed in touch since.

In 2015 they progressed to a Mobile Kitchen where they no longer needed a commissary where they had to pay to prepare the Tamales and foods, or sleep in truck seats or motel rooms, they had a shower, bed and restroom and kitchen, all with the mission of aid to others. However, in the same year Jan was diagnosed with kidney disease at the age of 70. Despite that diagnosis, she continued to volunteer and fundraise for several years, until last year 2023, deciding to sell the Mobile Kitchen and cancel all events, still volunteering and fundraising remotely. Her tireless efforts over the years have been an inspiration to many.

She attended in her early days, New York Institute of Interior Design – New York, New York, Barbizon School of Modeling before heading off to Saint Petersburg College / University of South Florida. She became a Showroom & Runway model in New York City and Florida and a Ford Agency Model……

She was an Equestrian: riding, driving a team, riding instructor, endurance, cross country. She did Ranch work, managing 30,000 acres: branding cattle, showmanship horses and cattle, team penning…..She holds certifications as: Certified Radio Marketing Consultant – RAB – Dallas, Texas, Marketing and Promotions Event Professional as well as  Licensed Real Estate Agent – Texas

In the television/radio/film industry,

Natasha Reid is a Trinidadian-descendant entrepreneur, audio engineer, and cultural leader based in New York City. With over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry, she is the founder and CEO of DDN Productions, Inc., a full-service music entertainment and production boutique that offers a range of services, including program and content creation, advertising, brand consulting, videography, editing, marketing, and copywriting services. Natasha has a deep love and appreciation for Trinidadian culture, which she has nurtured throughout her career as a singer and music producer. With a background in audio engineering, she honed her skills working with top-tier artists like U2 and performing for over 28,000 people at the NYC Marathon. Natasha believes that "every person has a story to tell," and works to help people tell their stories in the most creative and effective ways possible through her work at DDN Productions. In addition to her work in the entertainment industry, Natasha has also devoted her time and energy to promoting Trinidadian culture and heritage in the diaspora. She created a cultural technology event for the Afro-Caribbean community, particularly the Trinidadian diaspora, that bridges the Caribbean love of art, music, food, and dance, with the functionality of business, technology, and management. She also leads efforts to build and enhance her grandmother's contribution to Caribbean culture and women's rights, in a 150-year-old building that celebrates Trinidadian heritage and culture. Natasha is a mentor, youth empowerment advocate, and public speaker who is passionate about supporting young people through creative development, leadership, and management. She has expertise in concert production, problem-solving, media planning, mentorship, sponsorship, and youth development. In 2020, Natasha took on a new role as a full-time caregiver for her parents, which has led her to focus more on the importance of wellness and health. In response to her experience as a caregiver, she created "Life With Us," a platform that provides support and resources for others navigating the challenges of caregiving. She is also the creator of The Period Project Documentary, which celebrates the beauty, essence of womanhood during their monthly cycle. Through her work at Delirium Fête TV, Natasha is helping to highlight, acknowledge, and celebrate everything Caribbean, from the famous currant rolls, rum-soaked fruit cakes from Allan’s Bakery in Brooklyn, to roti, coconut rolls, ox-tail, saltfish, and doubles. Her work showcases the essential elements of Trinidadian culture while promoting unity and understanding through #culture

Dr. David John is a distinguished Trinidadian healthcare professional based in Brooklyn, NY. He is currently serving as Director of Occupational Health and HIV Services at Gotham Health. He has been recognized for his outstanding achievements in Adult Preventive Medicine, contributing to defining the overall business strategy and direction of the organization’s eight main centers of operations. Dr. David John is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and has demonstrated leadership and inspiration to his medical colleagues throughout his career. His passion for providing the best medical care possible has led him to assist in the implementation of population health programs, including mental health and substance abuse screenings.
After arriving in New York in 1980, Dr. John completed his residency at Catholic Medical Center and has been rated an average of 5.0 stars by his patients. He obtained his Bachelor of Science from the City University of New York and earned his Medical Degree from Weill Medical College of Cornell University. He then completed an Internal Medicine Internship in Northshore University Long Island and a Family Medicine Residency in Brooklyn. Dr. John is board-certified in Family Medicine by the American Board of Family Physicians and is also a certified physician in his home country with the Medical Board of Trinidad and Tobago.
After working in New York for a few years, Dr. John decided to return to Trinidad in 1994 to contribute to his homeland. During his earlier years in Trinidad, his involvement as a faculty member in the Lutheran US-Caribbean HIV/AIDS Twinning Initiative, contributed to the success of this program. Dr. John volunteered as a medical professional at the Cyril Ross Nursery, a home and treatment center for HIV-infected babies who were neglected and abandoned by their parents. His focus at the Nursery was pain control and other comfort care, and he worked alongside fellow Trinidadian and Ms. Universe of 1998, Wendy Fitzwilliam, to bring anti-retroviral treatment to the children. Dr. John's dedication to providing care to HIV-infected children led him to become a board member of the Caribbean Women's Health Association, in 2009, working tirelessly to advocate, address: comprehensive education, healthcare disparities, improve healthcare access and promote better resources for women's health, in the Caribbean region, while continuing to assist patients with HIV screening, housing, and other social services.
Dr. John's commitment and advocacy to improving healthcare outcomes for underserved communities, particularly immigrants from impoverished backgrounds, such as the Dominican Republic and West Africa, has earned him recognition, praise and honor, with a special proclamation from the Mayor of New York City for his contributions to healthcare, for his dedication, leadership and impact in the medical arena, in Brooklyn AND for his dedication to addressing critical health issues, providing the highest level of medical care, and promoting the health and wellness of the community he serves, was recognized by Continental Who’s Who!

Anslem Douglas is a talented Grammy award winning musician, performer, composer, storyteller, songwriter and author. He gained widespread recognition for his hit single "Doggie," which later became popularized by the Bahamian junkanoo band Baha Men as "Who Let the Dogs Out." Born and raised in the vibrant village of La Romaine in southern Trinidad, Anslem developed a passion for music at a young age, honing his skills by singing in his local Pentecostal Church. Anslem has performed in front of receptive audiences worldwide such as: Canada, England, Israel, Sweden, The United States, Zimbabwe and Antigua.
At the age of 16, Anslem formed a band called Exodus with some of his church friends. However, his musical journey took a slight detour when he enlisted in the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard in 1984, serving for six years. During his time in the Coast Guard, Anslem had the opportunity to perform with the Coast Guard band, further deepening his musical abilities.
After leaving the Coast Guard, Anslem became acquainted with soca, Trinidad's native genre, and began performing with local bands such as Fire Flight and Atlantik. It was during this period that he composed several notable songs, as well as the Grammy-winning hit single "Who Let the Dogs Out?" while residing in Canada.
Throughout his career, Anslem has showcased his versatility by venturing into various genres. In 2012, he released his self-written album "Project A.D.," a fusion of Neo soul and Pop, produced by Eddie Bullen and his son Quincy Bullen. In 2013 “Stick Fight’, 2014 “Too Sweet”. He continued to release singles in subsequent years, including "Do You Think He Will Understand," a power Soca track, "Bacchanal," a neo-Calypso single, and "Dancing With You," a Classic 60s riddim collaboration with Lil Bitts. He’s been working on an album which fuses R&B, Soul, Smooth Jazz and Pop, with 9 of the 11 tracks written by himself and produced by renowned Brazilian-American guitarist, Sandro Albert in NYC. With a rich musical background and a passion for making a difference through his music, Anslem (Dexter) Douglas continues to captivate audiences with his soulful compositions and powerful performances.
Anslem's dedication to his craft has been recognized, with him winning the Best Caribbean Style Artist at the 2014 Black Canadian Awards. Importantly, he actively uses his music as a platform to raise awareness on social issues, exemplified by his single "Break That Cycle," which addresses the destructive impact of domestic violence on families and society as a whole. Anslem is constantly creating new music while writing. While working on his first children’s book, The Adventures of Spin & Scratch - The Relocation (Author House Publishing, 2019), with The Cat-astrophe as the sequel, he also has four ongoing literary projects.
Anslem is fusing R&B, Soul, Smooth Jazz and Pop with his music through -AD & The Band which begins touring the United States this year.
Follow Mr. Douglas at: https://wwwanslemmusic.com