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n 1982, at just 19 years old, Dr. Donna Barrett left Jamaica in search of greater opportunities. What followed was not an overnight success story, but decades of perseverance, faith, education, entrepreneurship, and an unwavering belief that a better future was possible.

In this episode Dr. Donna shares her remarkable journey from rural Jamaica to becoming a real estate entrepreneur, author, nonprofit founder, and educator. Along the way, she reflects on navigating immigration, overcoming personal loss, building generational wealth through homeownership, balancing entrepreneurship with family life, and the mindset that carried her through life's toughest seasons.

This conversation isn't simply about achieving success. It's about what happens in the years between the dream and the destination, and the resilience required to keep moving forward when life doesn't unfold as planned.

Connect with Dr. Donna - https://drdonnambarrett.com/

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A Breadfruit Media Production

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Jamaicans will slow wine to Michael Bolton, scream the words to Celine Dion, and two-step to old country ballads like it’s the most natural thing in the world. That “soulz” section in a dance is more than a playlist, it’s a cultural habit with rules, memories, and a sound that a lot of people outside the Caribbean still don’t understand.

We sit down with Jess, a Jamaican TV producer based in New York, to talk about her new film project, Roots Rock Reggae and Soulz. She shares the moment she realised the rest of the world doesn’t treat these songs the way we do, and why a Sunday-night party in Kingston made the idea feel urgent. From the way Jamaicans “pick their own singles” to the strange magic of hearing soft rock and R&B ballads played all night, we unpack what makes this tradition feel so specific to Jamaican life and diaspora parties.

We also get practical about filmmaking and cultural preservation: what pre-production really looks like, why Kickstarter crowdfunding matters when the industry is slow, and how a short campaign video can unlock a huge wave of community support. Along the way we talk Jamaican radio culture, Sunday programming, reggae covers, and the country-western outlaw thread that quietly connects to dancehall storytelling.

If you’ve ever had a favorite “soulz tune” that only Caribbean people seem to rate properly, you’ll feel seen here. Subscribe for more conversations like this, share the episode with a friend who loves a good slow jam set, and leave us a review with the one song Jamaica claimed as its own.

Links:

• Kickstarter Campaign
• Roots Rock Reggae Souls Instagram
• Biggie: I Got A Story To Tell

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Support How to Support Carry On Friends

1. Donate: If you believe in our mission and want to help amplify Caribbean voices, consider making a donation.
2. Get Merch: Support Carry On Friends by purchasing merchandise from our store.

Connect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
A Breadfruit Media Production

Send us Fan Mail

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Support How to Support Carry On Friends

1. Donate: If you believe in our mission and want to help amplify Caribbean voices, consider making a donation.
2. Get Merch: Support Carry On Friends by purchasing merchandise from our store.

Connect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
A Breadfruit Media Production