Culture Is the Thread That Holds Us Together

As a board member, cultural enthusiast and someone who deeply believes that culture is essential to preserving the identity of both an individual and a nation, I experience cultural initiatives differently. I do not see them as isolated events or moments of entertainment. I see them as investments in memory, belonging and national development.

That is what made the Caribbean Afro-Beauty & Heritage Photography Expo, held on August 1 and 2, 2026, so meaningful to me.

Led by fashion creative, designer, photographer and creative director David Amauris Santos, the project brought photography, fashion, history and cultural storytelling together to celebrate Afro-Caribbean women. More importantly, it created space for important conversations about identity, beauty, representation and ancestral pride.

Culture Gives Us a Sense of Self

Culture shapes how we see ourselves and understand our place in the world. It is present in our language, music, food, hair, clothing, traditions and collective memories. It influences how we raise our children, celebrate milestones and connect with those who came before us.

For a small and culturally diverse nation such as St. Maarten, preserving these elements is especially important. Development cannot only be measured by buildings, infrastructure or economic progress. A nation must also protect the stories, traditions and values that give its people a sense of belonging.

Without culture, we risk becoming disconnected from ourselves.

The Caribbean Afro-Beauty & Heritage Photography Expo demonstrated how creative expression can help prevent that disconnection. It allowed our history to be presented through photography and fashion—two powerful mediums that can reach people emotionally, visually and intellectually.

Identity in the Fashion Industry

The two-day program opened at the Philipsburg Cultural and Community Center with an educational workshop titled “Identity in the Fashion Industry.”

International high-fashion model and creative professional Sasha Payton shared her journey from her Caribbean roots to the global fashion industry. Based in New York and having worked in major fashion markets, including Paris, Milan, London, Germany, Copenhagen, Norway and Sweden, Sasha brought an international perspective grounded in her St. Martin and Jamaican heritage.

Her discussion addressed representation, colorism, confidence, self-image and the importance of developing an authentic personal brand.

These conversations are necessary. Our young people must understand that their culture is not something they need to leave behind to succeed internationally. Their complexion, hair, accent, background and heritage are not limitations. When embraced with confidence, these qualities can become sources of strength and distinction.

Representation matters because people need to see themselves reflected in the spaces they dream of entering.

Preserving the Stories of Afro-Caribbean Women

The workshop was followed by the opening of the OurHairOurLegacy Slavery Photograph Exhibition, supported by the Slavery Memorial Committee, and the Colors of the Caribbean Fashion & Cultural Showcase.

These presentations encouraged us to look beyond the pain traditionally associated with slavery and to also recognize the resilience, creativity and strength of Afro-Caribbean women.

These women cultivated land, participated in trade, raised families, preserved traditions and contributed to the development of our communities. Yet their stories are often reduced to suffering or left out of the historical narrative altogether.

When we document their strength through our own cultural perspective, we do more than honor the past. We help future generations understand the foundation upon which they stand.

Cultural preservation is not about remaining trapped in history. It is about carrying the lessons, strength and wisdom of history forward.

A Cultural Experience Above Philipsburg

On August 2, the Expo continued at The Cave Rooftop Bar & Lounge, where photography, fashion, music, dance, poetry and public dialogue came together.

The evening featured the St. Maarten Song performed by Benjamin Bell, an African and Caribbean heritage performance by “les madanm o ka and co” from the French Side, a photography-exhibition reveal, an Afro-Caribbean heritage fashion presentation and a moderated conversation about beauty, culture and representation.

The featured portraits communicated dignity, resilience and ancestral pride. Afro-Caribbean women were not presented as background figures within someone else’s version of history. They stood at the center of the visual story.

The project’s preparation included culturally inspired styling, model development, location photography and behind-the-scenes documentation. The resulting photographs, videos, interviews and digital materials can now contribute to a cultural archive supporting future exhibitions, educational activities and community discussions.

That is how an event becomes a legacy.

Cultural Funding Is an Investment

From a board member’s perspective, it is rewarding to witness what becomes possible when cultural funding, a strong concept and committed partnerships come together.

Funding culture should never be viewed as an optional expense. It is an investment in education, talent development, community participation, historical preservation and national identity. It gives artists and cultural practitioners the resources to transform ideas into meaningful experiences that can reach audiences and inspire future generations.

The Caribbean Afro-Beauty & Heritage Photography Expo was developed in partnership with Santos Handmade and the Philipsburg Cultural and Community Center, with funding from Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied and support from other contributors.

The project also benefited from the collaboration of the Slavery Memorial Committee, Purrfect Party Props, Focus Forward Media, Eudoxie Sewing Factory, The Cave Rooftop Bar & Lounge, participating models, volunteers, performers and cultural partners.

The presence of representatives from UNESCO, the Department of Culture and Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied reinforced the importance of partnerships in strengthening our cultural sector.

Culture Must Be Lived and Shared

Cultural preservation is not only the responsibility of historians, artists or institutions. It belongs to all of us.

We preserve culture when we share our stories, teach our children, support our creatives, document our traditions and create space for meaningful cultural expression. We preserve it when we recognize that fashion, hair, photography, music and performance can all carry history.

The Caribbean Afro-Beauty & Heritage Photography Expo reminded me that identity must be protected, celebrated and passed on with intention.

Because when individuals know who they are, they stand with greater confidence.

When a nation knows who it is, it moves forward with purpose.

Culture is not simply what we inherit. It is what we protect, practice and pass on. It is the thread that holds an individual to their identity—and a nation to its soul.