A new initiative aimed at connecting Caribbean leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals made its official debut during BET Awards Week in Los Angeles. The launch of the Global Caribbean Collective signals a long-term effort to build stronger relationships, create business opportunities, and encourage collaboration across the Caribbean diaspora.
The Global Caribbean Collective was introduced during an invitation-only dinner hosted by MOSAYIC on June 25 at Lucia restaurant. Rather than being a one-night celebration, organizers said the collective will focus on creating lasting partnerships, mentorship opportunities, investments, and cross-border collaborations that benefit Caribbean communities around the world.
Global Caribbean Collective launches during BET Awards Week
The launch came at a meaningful time, as BET Awards Week overlapped with Caribbean American Heritage Month. The event brought together influential executives, creatives, entrepreneurs, influencers, and community leaders whose work has helped expand Caribbean culture and business on the global stage.
Organizers described the Global Caribbean Collective as a growing community built around meaningful relationships and shared opportunities. The goal is to unite Caribbean changemakers across different industries while creating a stronger support system that continues long after cultural celebrations end.
Caribbean leaders focus on business, mentorship, and economic opportunities
The evening was hosted by Valeisha Butterfield, TravQue, and Rajanie Bhudeo, whose careers span business, media, culture, and community leadership. Their involvement reflected the collective’s mission to bridge industries while strengthening Caribbean representation worldwide.
Butterfield, a Caribbean-American executive and entrepreneur, has spent years promoting diversity across technology, entertainment, and business. Having served in leadership positions at major companies, including Google, she said the gathering highlighted the Caribbean’s growing global influence.
“The inaugural Global Caribbean Collective was a powerful reminder of the Caribbean’s extraordinary influence on global entertainment, business, and culture. It was an honor to be part of a celebration that recognized the innovation, leadership, and lasting impact of the Caribbean diaspora during BET Weekend,” Butterfield said.
Rajanie Bhudeo says the network will create lasting Caribbean connections
Global Caribbean Collective co-founder Rajanie Bhudeo explained that the organization is designed to become more than an annual gathering. Instead, it aims to serve as an ongoing network connecting Caribbean innovators across industries while encouraging collaboration throughout the year.
Bhudeo, a first-generation Guyanese-American based in Los Angeles, said launching the initiative during both Caribbean American Heritage Month and BET Awards Week carried personal meaning. She noted that after years of helping organize the BET Awards and BET Experience behind the scenes, creating a space dedicated to celebrating Caribbean excellence felt like a full-circle moment.
“For me, this feels incredibly full circle. I’m a first-generation Guyanese-American living in Los Angeles, and I’ve spent the last several years behind the scenes helping bring the BET Awards and BET Experience to life. To now create a space celebrating Caribbean excellence during Caribbean American Heritage Month and culture’s biggest week feels deeply personal.”
Caribbean culture continues shaping music and entertainment worldwide
Bhudeo also highlighted the Caribbean’s lasting impact on global music and culture. She pointed to internationally known artists whose work has helped influence generations of musicians across multiple genres.
“The Caribbean has always been at the heart of music and culture. Icons like Busta Rhymes, Rihanna, Sean Paul, Shaggy, and Super Cat helped shape the global sound. From reggae, dancehall, soca, calypso, and kompa to the rhythms that continue to influence hip-hop, R&B, Afrobeats, and pop, Caribbean influence is everywhere. It’s woven into the culture.”
Her remarks reinforced why organizers believe Caribbean voices deserve stronger collaboration beyond entertainment. They hope shared networks can also unlock business growth, leadership opportunities, and economic development.
Global Caribbean Collective looks beyond one-night celebrations
Organizers stressed that the launch represents the beginning of a long-term movement instead of a single networking event. The collective plans to connect Caribbean voices across countries, industries, and generations while encouraging continuous collaboration.
As the organization grows, it hopes to create new opportunities through mentorship, investment, cultural exchange, and strategic partnerships. Those efforts are expected to strengthen the Caribbean’s global influence while helping members build meaningful professional relationships that last well beyond BET Awards Week.
