A Caribbean Woman Making a difference within Hollywood

As the President of the Caribbean Civilisation club it is with great pleasure I take the opportunity to highlight the continuous contribution of Racquel Marshal, who has certainly been the voice of Caribbean women both regionally as well as internationally. I am most proud to say that she has been an influential Figure in my life not only through music but aspiring for one’s dream. While residing in Trinidad Racquel skills as a drummer influence many young persons within her community and the wider populace of Trinidad through the most powerful art form there is music. Some that is always amplified in her speeches is “never let your experiences determine your future part. Born and raised in the foothills of the beautiful Northern Range, her stage-like antics familiar to all who resided in La Puerta Avenue Diego Martin, this young dramatis, at the tender age of six (6) knew Hollywood was calling. World meet Racquel Marshall, top Scholarship winner for a 2 year programme at the School of Film and Television in New York and one of the Trinidad & Tobago’s representatives in various categorizes at the World Championships of Performing Arts, Hollywood California, in August 2006. When one considers the Arts and more so the possibility of Hollywood most Trinbagonians would consider this a pie in the sky aspiration. Not Racquel, from a very early age this “Potential Oscar Winner” has had her sights fixed on the big screen and strongly believes that she is “Stage Ready and Hollywood Bound”. Racquel entered the Carivog International Talent search competition held at Cascadia Hotel in Trinidad and at Bishop’s High School in Tobago. This competition which promised to be an annual event, hosted over 600 competitors vying for the honors to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the World Championship of Performing Arts in Hollywood http://www.world-championships.tv . and to win a 2 year Scholarship to attend the prestigious School of Film and Television in New York. http://www.filmandtelevision.com The competition was a very intense, hard fought, nerve wrecking occasion, with every conceivable talent showcased, but at the end of the day several winners were announced and among them this 5ft 7” 117 pound multi-talented, dynamic individual called Racquel Marshall stood out. Racquel has been involved in the Arts for many years, starting out in church (as do numerous talents) at the La Puerta Pentecostal church. She became truly proficient in the areas of drama, singing, dance, modeling and amazingly drumming. Yes people, drumming! Racquel became known not just locally but internationally for her ability to play the drum kit, which earned her recognition as one of the premium female drummers in the region performing with bands like Asaphonics throughout North America on several occasions. Among her many talents, Racquel coordinated as well as performed in many plays holding lead as well as supporting roles, taught interpretive dance as well as drums at her own music school which she started at the tender age of 21. Having won most of the competitions she entered, Racquel excelled at mostly everything and anything she puts her mind to, this is no surprise since her watch words are “Passion and discipline”. This multi-talented individual indicates that she has three life passions, called the 3Ms of Life, they are Music, Modeling and Marketing. Having achieved honours in the first two areas, Racquel has also qualified herself as a Marketing and Communications Specialist, having earned her accreditations from the prestigious (CIM) Chartered Institute of Marketing London England as well as the (LCCI) London Chamber of Commerce & Industry examination body. She has also been accepted by a University in London to complete her Masters in 2006 that was before Hollywood came calling. Rax as she is affectionately called entered three categories at the Carivog talent competition and qualified in all three areas, but her most memorable performance was a 90 second scene taken from Tyler Perry’s “Diary of mad Black Woman” originally performed by actress Kimberly Ellis. This performance won her top acclaim by the panel of international judges out of Hollywood and New York. This positioned her, as well as, Patti-Ann Ali, daughter of former Ricki Ticki show host Ian Ali as one of the top winners of the night. Racquel beaming that amiable smile believes that she will do Trinidad and Tobago proud and attributes her many talents and skills to “God’s divine purpose and direction in her life”. She also states that her ultimate dream is to see the abundance of talent in Trinidad & Tobago recognized and showcased on the big screen with the eventuality of a Trinbagonian receiving the coveted Oscar or Academy Award. This she now believes is more than ever possible through efforts and initiatives from companies such as Carivog and the International Talent Search Competition. She urges all young talented artists to pursue their dreams and never give up – success is only a sunrise away!! She is now a major icon within the Hollywood arena and certainly has interacted and work among some of the most famous actors and Caribbean personnel of all times. I believe her humility and passion for the arts continue through the work of mykee tv/ Karibbean expression. Karibbean expression. They are an online Caribbean TV based in Los Angeles, California. Our primary role is to showcase Caribbean talent on a global platform. Visit www.myKEEtv.com to learn more about us. Please visit karibbeanexpressions.com.