Karibbean Girlz Vybe

September/October 2015 issue of KUOMagazine.com

Donna Morton-Morgan shares with KUOMagazine in #KaribbeanGirlzVybe that her Caribbean culture echo’s through all avenues of her life. “It flows through her businesses, her family, her friends and her lifestyle. Indeed it warms her soul and she mentions even though we may be thousands of miles from our homeland our culture stands firm and strong within us. She believes in preserving & protecting our heritage.”

KUOMagazine: Donna, where do you really feel your culture from within when it comes to your day to day life?

Donna: It comes whether it’s through the food, music, arts or slangs that we share – it keeps us connected – there is a bond that runs deep in our veins. There is the chuckle that comes to us when we over hear conversations from other Caribbean nationals while shopping in the grocery store or in the dressing rooms at the mall. The humor of eves dropping on the conversation until you just can’t take it anymore.

KUOMagazine: When it comes to our Caribbean people what are your thoughts to keep our culture alive and break down the barriers and embrace our true culture?

Donna: Caribbean people can have some very interesting interactions in public that could be considered a comedy show on wheels. Each island has its own uniqueness of individual culture. Most of us have an unbelievable drive that trail in our paths. Maybe it’s because we all came to a foreign country with a purpose of advancement for ourselves and our families. Maybe it’s realizing the sacrifice that was taken for some of us to even make it to this land safely. Maybe it’s the fact that we have to work 2x as hard because we need to overcome barriers. We carry with us strong character of hard work & party hard lol. Where ever that drive comes from its real and we love it, embrace it and celebrate it!! My lifestyle consists of wearing several hats so I am surrounded by numerous cultural events on a monthly basis. I am a Florida Realtor, Outreach Marketing Consultant, VP of the Caribbean American Chamber and active Community Advocate.

KUOMagazine: Donna, share with our readers where you were born and raised and how your family has instilled culture at a young age? Also, what type of Caribbean cuisine do you remember the most at family events?

Donna: I was born in Kingston Jamaica and grew up in the Virgin Islands before coming to the US as a teenager. My family instilled our culture on all levels. We have very frequent back yard cook outs where we cook with the big pots on the fire; not complete without jerk chicken/pork or some type of soup on Saturdays. Sunday dinners of course was brown stew chicken, curry goat or oxtail and rice & peas.  Every event for us, even a child’s birthday party can turn into a full blown cook out & dance vibes.  Our food & music is our comfort.  As a mother of 3 American born children they get to enjoy the food & culture and are truly spoiled.  They consider themselves Jamaican & proudly embrace the culture as 2nd generation Jamaican American.  As the wife of a Jamaican man I get to enjoy many more dishes than I should indulge in as he is a great cook.

KUOMagazine: How long have you been a member of the Caribbean-American Chamber and tell me about your position as VP? Also, how can we get involved with the Caribbean-American Chamber and what type of events you have regularly?
Donna: I was elected Secretary for 2013 & 2014 then on to VP of the Caribbean American Chamber in 2015. I am the Chair of Membership Development so my schedule overflows with numerous events such as monthly business networking, lunch & learn meetings & expos - always with a twist of Caribbean culture. We support our members in various ways including ribbon cutting celebrations, email blast, business. We have various committees that we would gladly welcome support from the community. Sponsorship support is always appreciated because we are a volunteer chamber. For more info please go to out website – http://www.caccfl.com or Facebook page -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/caccf

KUOMagazine: How is the Caribbean-American Chamber involved in the Caribbean and non-Caribbean community and how do you feel your giving back to your community?
Donna: We strive to educate & empower small businesses all with a twist of Caribbean culture. We also try to support our local associations through community events. We have formed alliances with Consul Generals, Diasporas and local chambers all in the effort to keep our community updated with local & international strategies and initiatives. Community is very important to the Chamber. Our Partnerships in the Caribbean American Heritage Month (CAHM) Festival, Annual Caribbean Health Summit and with  BBIF, SBA, The Florida Minority Supplier Diversity Trade Fair and others, all help our members to do business more effectively.  They also help us to educate and open doors through access to the many workshops and seminars and funding opportunities these partnerships provide.  Many of our Caribbean owned businesses have hosted our Monthly Business After-Hours networking events and new businesses can approach us to help organize their Grand Openings. We support our youth, elderly and disadvantaged residents through various fundraising sponsorships. I personally have a very active role as an advocate in the community. Through my personal life experience of living with an addict, I am an advocate for Treatment vs Incarceration for people struggling with addiction. I was just recently assigned as a Member of the Orange County Drug Treatment Committee and Sub-Committee Member of the Orange County Heroin Task Force – Orlando Fl.

KUOMagazine: When talking to various people within our community, they mention we have many issues with our Caribbean community like: #1 lack of unity, #2 lack supporting all cultural events, #3 lack of respect for one another. What three (3) things we as a community can help fix the gap that will help ensure our Caribbean culture in Central FL will stay alive in the years to come?
Donna: I believe we will never be able to please everyone but I do feel that anyone feeling that there is a lack of unity, support or respect should first take the steps to volunteer with either TIME, TREASURE or TALENT to help make a difference. It takes more than a few people to make a difference and instead of dwelling on the negatives about an organization we should contribute to being a part of the solution. So on whatever level we as a chamber may be lacking we welcome our community to become part of the solution. At the end of the day we all love our Caribbean culture so let’s work together to protect it.

KUOMagazine: Tell us about the business presentation you did in August regarding the Local 6 celebrates #BlackFamilyProud for Tom Joyner Family Reunion that held on Labor Day weekend?
Donna: I have an outreach marketing business – FCO Marketing - and one of the components to that business is Brand / Business Ambassador where I’m hired to represent businesses at events, etc. I was hired to promote the reunion with Channel 6 for their health fair, Marketing & Outreach Consultant / Brand Ambassador, website:www.FloridaCommunityOutreach.comand www.Facebook.com/FCOMarketing.com

KUOMagazine: As a Caribbean girl who vybez, how can we teach our young ladies to embrace UNITY more within themselves and others?

Donna: I believe that we are all blessed with different gifts and inspiration. Each of us contribute differently. Take the time to praise your fellow sisters in their accomplishments. You do not know how her struggle in life contributed to her now success. Don’t be envious of your sister – what she has to offer to this world is her gift. Find out what your gift is and embrace and develop it.

KUOMagazine: Tell me about your “Me Time” and how you find peaceful moments while staying fit and allowing the Caribbean music to soothe your soul?
Donna: My “me time” takes me always to the beach where I can look out at the ocean and think about growing up in the Caribbean, climbing trees & picking mangos and reflecting on how far I have come. As I take my daily 3 mile walks in the morning I usually listen to my dancehall, reggae and soca music to keep me motivated. It’s there where I reflect on all the precious gifts that I have in my life. I love my life. I am so thankful & grateful for my wonderful family, appreciative of my opportunities in this country and value my relationships with friends & supporters. YES, MY CARIBBEAN CULTURE IS MUSIC TO MY SOUL.

KUOMagazine: I notice a few months back you cut off your beauty locks of hair to go a more natural look. Long or short you still look beautiful. These days women are going natural, what was your reason for cutting your hair?
Donna: I was actually feeling a need for change in my life. Then I decided to go natural in Jan and was really trying to grow my hair out for the process but it was getting too big - but because I was looking for a change I decided to do the big chop and I love it. Love my curls and look forward to watching it grow.

KUOMagazine: Now here’s a game I like to play. If you had to break down the word #CULTURE, what would each letter stand for as it reflect to your Jamaican culture? Now here’s the hard part can you take those words and make a sentence?
Donna: My Jamaican culture represents C(Creativity), U(Unity), L(Legends), T(Togetherness), 

U(Uniqueness), R(Rhythm) and E(Excitement).

KUOMagazine: What is your MOTTO?
Donna: I have a hustle mentality so WORK HARD – PLAY HARD! I have spent the past 10 years of building a business as a Florida Realtor. If you are buying or selling in Florida I’m here to represent you. Donna M. Morton, Florida Realtor donnamorton22@gmail.com, my contact is 407-810-6520 (cell), website: www.DonnaMortonFloridaRealtor.com and facebook @DonnaMortonRealtor

KUOMagazine: Any final words you would like to share with our readers? And on behalf of KUOMagazine we want to thank you for being a Caribbean Girl who Vybez through her family, her business, her music, in her community and in her culture!!!!
Donna: Always strive for the best. Be a gift of hope & encouragement through your love, time or money to the less fortunate & disadvantaged. Begin your days with affirmations of prayer, love & prosperity and your life will transform before your eyes. One Love.

Karibbean Girls who stands in her Truth...her Dancing...her Music and their Culture!

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