T&T-born director honoured by Hard Rock Cafe

2026-03-22 - 00:25

Senior Multimedia Reporter peter.christopher@guardian.co.tt Trinidad-born director and film producer Janelle Abraham is eager to continue to push Caribbean culture after being recently recognised by international restaurant chain Hard Rock Cafe through its 2026 edition of the Global Women Empowerment initiative. The initiative placed a spotlight on women shaping the music and entertainment industries. Abraham, who is the daughter of deceased Calypso legend Samuel “Brigo” Abraham, was featured alongside singer and songwriter, Kat Luna; composer, dancer, and singer Minami Minami; guitar technician Claire Murphy; CEO and founder of Nevarez Communications, Mayna Nevarez; and Wendy Ong, co-president/CMO, TaP Music. Abraham was also praised for her resilience as she overcame homelessness and challenges as a single mother to forge her role in the industry. In an interview with Guardian Media, Abraham, who resides in New York, said she was surprised initially when contacted by the franchise. “First of all, I’m very grateful that Hard Rock contacted me to feature me on this month’s International Women’s Month ... I was just really grateful,” she said. “I was really also blown away that they chose me, and I was the only black woman, especially coming from Trinidad, and that they wanted on their platform. I’m like, ‘whoa!’ So I was just so grateful, and I think a little shocked at the same time.” Abraham said the recognition was heartening given her drive to push Caribbean culture through her work, which included her role in having the Caribbean Music Awards streamed on African music channel Trace TV last year. “For me, it means everything, because it’s bigger than just me being recognised as a Trinidadian woman representing a culture that’s so rich, so powerful, but not always given global visibility in that way that it deserves, it means everything. And for me, being in that position allows me to push that culture forward even more, the music, the energy, the storytelling, the people, the carnival ... on a platform that reaches the world. I mean, we’re on to something now, definitely,” said Abraham, who confirmed that Hard Rock Cafe has also named her as an ambassador for the brand, and she is planning to use that platform to push the Caribbean’s visibility even further. Abraham, who has done work with artistes such as Method Man, Wyclef Jean, Flavour N’abania, Shaggy and Voice, also stated she was working on a show called Promoters which would feature DJ Private Ryan, Nailah Blackman, Vybz Kartel and rising dancehall star Ayetian. “The show, The Promoters, is just pretty much what these promoters go through to bring the big stages, the big concerts. When they have the big show day, but people just see the show. People have no idea what these guys go through behind the scenes to get to the day of the show. So that’s what The Promoters is about. It shows the journey to get to that place,” said Abraham about the upcoming project, which she said is set to premiere later this year.