Literary Lounge Delights with Poetry, Art & Creativity

Kingston Creative hosted the monthly Creative Meetup entitled “Literary Lounge”, a memorable evening of connection, creativity, and cultural dialogue at the Kingston Creative Coworking Space in Downtown Kingston. The panel discussion featured Christine Randle-Wray, Director of UWI Press and former head of Ian Randle Publishers; Dr. Lisa Tomlinson, Head of the Department of Literatures in English at UWI Mona; Reneé Wallace, author and content creator known as @rensbookishspace and Annie Paul, Editor-in-Chief of PREE magazine who has published extensively on art and Caribbean literature.

These leading voices in Jamaica’s literary space shared insights on their work and the current publishing landscape. They discussed the challenges around the accessibility and affordability of self-publishing tools, the importance of local support networks, and the growing opportunities for Jamaican authors to connect with international audiences. A notable example was Kwame McPherson, winner of the Commonwealth prize for Literature who was recently invited to speak at the Abu Dhabi Book Fair. The conversation also touched on the ethical concerns around Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the industry, and concluded with some practical recommendations for strengthening the literary ecosystem across the Caribbean.

The AI Effect

On the matter of responsible use of AI, Christine Randle-Wray commented, “The fact of the matter is that AI is indeed a useful tool, and while I am loath to recommend that people use it to create, it can certainly help you to become a better writer. You shouldn’t use AI to do the creative work that you are supposed to do, but AI can help your work to shine.”

The discussion highlighted self-publishing and the use of online communities for book marketing, noting that traditional publishing offers better distribution. Annie Paul cautioned against the risk of unsold inventory in self-publishing, emphasizing the affordability of modern options like Print On Demand. The panel concurred that despite the ease of self-publishing, authors should still invest in professional editing, proofreading, cover design, and layout services.

A standout of the evening was the exhibition by visual artist Yanque Yip, featuring works from his upcoming series and book “Your Infinite Progression”. These striking paintings explore cosmic and philosophical questions through geometry, design, and human expression, reflecting the idea that “Knowledge is Infinite, so is Power.” Each piece invites viewers into a layered visual journey, connecting mathematics, art, and the boundless nature of information.

The Literary Lounge evening was further energized by captivating performances from Britton Wright, whose spoken word poetry moved the audience with raw emotion and cultural insight with two pieces, Nuff Man and Black Woman.  Every first Friday of the month, the Kingston Creative Meetup brings together a powerhouse lineup of Jamaican creative voices, visual artists, and musicians, drawing a full house of creatives, book lovers, and cultural leaders. Music by DJ Fénix and DJ Wylyphe kept the vibe alive, transforming the space into a real Friday night place-to-be.

Literary Lounge Date

Literary Lounge was staged on the heels of World Book and Copyright Day (April 23) and World Intellectual Property Day (April 26), underscoring the essential role of literacy, cultural preservation, and innovation in building sustainable and inclusive societies.

“We are honoured to have created a space where Jamaica’s literary voices, artists, and cultural innovators could come together to inspire each other and the wider creative community,” said Andrea Dempster Chung, Kingston Creative Co-Founder. “We hope to see more creatives coming out to the Meetup and the Downtown Live Jazz night which is also held at F&B / Kamila’s Kitchen on Friday nights!”

Kingston Creative continues to strengthen its role as a catalyst for cultural transformation in Downtown Kingston, offering opportunities for artists and creatives to connect, share their work, and build a thriving creative economy.

Beyond the Beach Summit: “How Culture, Tech & Entrepreneurship Can Fuel the Caribbean’s New Economy.”

The third annual Beyond the Beach Summit, hosted by Silicon Caribe and Entrepreneurs Without Borders, opened with a bold plenary session titled, “How Culture, Tech & Entrepreneurship Can Fuel the Caribbean’s New Economy.” The Beyond the Beach Summit set the tone for the three-day summit and offered a compelling vision: transforming the Caribbean from a “sun, sea and sand” tourism haven into a globally respected hub for creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial excellence. Moderated by Silicon Caribe’s Ingrid Riley, the panel featured dynamic voices from across the creative and tech spectrum, including Andrea Dempster-Chung of Kingston Creative, cultural branding expert Nathan Haddad, Gregory Moore of NovaCore Labs and Virtual Reality Jamaica, and Alain Leroy of Fourth Strategiesoik8 NYC.

Cultural and creative industries (CCI) span everything from heritage and performing arts to music, design, animation, fashion, gaming, publishing, and multimedia. When you consider transversal sectors such as cultural tourism and advertising, the economic potential becomes undeniable. It is a sector teeming with untapped capital, just waiting for strategic investment.

Recent case studies illustrate the power of culture as capital: The 2024 Vybz Kartel Freedom Street Concert generated an estimated USD $14 million from ticket sales and streaming; Chris Brown’s “Under the Influence” concert grossed $8 million in one night; and Carnival 2024 brought in a massive $31.5 million—with expectations that 2025 will surpass this figure.

Music, Jamaica’s most potent creative export, plays a central role in this economy. In 2023, the global value of music copyright exceeded $45.5 billion, surpassing the global cinema box office. With over 713 million global streaming subscribers and BoomPlay—Africa’s leading digital platform—boasting 60 million users, the Caribbean must position itself to claim a larger share of the music market.

Unlocking capital in Jamaica’s creative economy hinges on protecting intellectual property (IP) and improving access to finance. Jamaican creatives must register their IP, which financial institutions should recognize as a valuable asset. Successful examples include David Bowie’s Bowie Bonds, which generated $55 million, and Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty, which raised $115 million by leveraging its IP portfolio. Jamaica’s growing music market can attract investment, scale globally, and boost sectors like tourism and e-commerce, independent of traditional assets. The country is also a signatory to various World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) protocols, and the Securities Interests in Personal Property Act (SIPPA) supports the use of IP as an asset.
Shorten with AI

The global creative and cultural industries (CCI) generate approximately USD $2.3 trillion annually, contributing 3.1% to global GDP and supporting 30 million jobs, while Latin America’s Orange Economy produces USD $124 billion and employs 1.9 million people. In 2022, creative goods exports from the region reached USD $8 billion. To capitalize on this potential, Jamaica needs to align its creative industry policies, enhance infrastructure, and improve financial access for entrepreneurs. A key investment would be the development of a world-class entertainment venue to support local festivals and concerts, which could significantly boost income for the creative sector and tourism, as evidenced by Jamaican artists’ success abroad.

Culture is capital. The Caribbean is rich with creative energy, heritage, and authenticity. What’s missing is a strategic framework that leverages technology and entrepreneurship to convert this cultural goldmine into sustainable economic value.  At Kingston Creative, we implemented a three-year programme called Createch, funded by the IDB and DBJ, to explore the intersection of creativity and technology. The initiative focused on improving market access, providing funding to the sector, and enabling creators to access free business and IP registration and training.

At Kingston Creative, we have consistently advocated for:

• IP education and protection
• Capital access via banks, investors and grants
• Key Infrastructure like a purpose-built festival venue
• Business and digital skills training for creative entrepreneurs

It’s not just about the money. Creative industries are also highly inclusive, offering entry points to women, youth, and informal workers. They empower marginalized voices from low-income communities, create jobs across skill levels, and build ownership and generational wealth through IP. For small-island developing states like Jamaica, the creative economy is more than an industry – it’s a pathway to resilience, identity, and economic renewal.

Beyond the Beach Summit

The call to action is clear: Lets develop a thriving creative ecosystem where local talent can succeed without emigrating, where culture is both preserved and monetized, and where festivals, concerts, and events bring the world to us. This is a future supported by smart infrastructure and aligned policy—a future where the brilliance and talent of our people defines our global edge.