AGP Executive Report

Route du Rhum Spotlight: Irish solo sailor Pamela Lee is training for the Route du Rhum, a brutal 20-day-at-sea challenge that ends in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe—starting Nov. 1 from Saint-Malo. Creole-French Tension in Guadeloupe: A viral clash over language use has ignited fresh anger on the island, with a prefect accused of disrespecting a Black fisherman for speaking Creole—reviving debates tied to colonialism and class. Caribbean Music & Culture: The World Creole Music Festival is framed as a celebration of heritage and community, while commentary also tackles the wider Creole-French divide. Global Black Pride Fallout: Organizers face accusations of financial misdeeds and mistreating LGBTQ+ activists, including claims of unpaid work and scholarship problems. Sports (Nations League): Guadeloupe drew 2-2 with Barbados after a late equalizer, while St Lucia thrashed Bermuda 5-2—keeping the regional race tight. Offshore Racing Buzz: The CIC Normandy Channel Race 2027 preview highlights the growing momentum of Class40 events leading into Route du Rhum—Destination Guadeloupe.

Creole-French Tensions in Guadeloupe: A viral clash after a white prefect accused a Black fisherman of “disrespect” for speaking Creole has reignited debate over colonialism, racism, and classism on the island. Music & Culture: Dennery Segment Song of the Year sparks backlash over a non-Saint Lucian artist winning for “Dansa,” with commentators pushing back on the idea that awards must match origin. Global Black Pride Scrutiny: Organizers face accusations of financial misdeeds and unpaid consultants, with activists saying they’re expected to “absorb the difference.” Arts & Identity: Multi-disciplinary artist Eddy Firmin explores colonization and slavery’s legacy through contemporary work. Language Roots Explained: A guide traces how French-based Creoles developed into distinct languages with their own grammar and communities. Sports (Regional): Guadeloupe and Barbados played to a 2-2 draw in the Concacaf Nations League, while St Lucia thrashed Bermuda 5-2. Entertainment Calendar: Worship collective Glorious announces the album “Abba” for Oct. 30, 2026.

LGBTQ+ Rights & Finance: Global Black Pride is facing fresh backlash after claims it didn’t pay consultants and offered scholarships it couldn’t fund, reigniting concerns about how activists are treated by under-resourced organizers. Guadeloupe Culture & Language: A language feud in Guadeloupe has gone viral after the island’s prefect accused a Black fisherman of being disrespectful for speaking Creole, sparking wider debate about colonialism, racism, and class. Arts & Identity: Multi-disciplinary artist Eddy Firmin is spotlighted for sculptures and works that interrogate colonization and the legacy of slavery, including Afro-Caribbean traditions like Gwoka. Music & Community: A new album, “Abba,” is set for release Oct. 30, 2026 by worship collective Glorious, with a recent hit video already drawing strong views. Sports (Regional): Barbados and Guadeloupe played out a 2-2 draw in the Nations League, while St Lucia bounced back with a 5-2 win over Bermuda. Tech & Connectivity: EllaLink announced the EllaLink Caribbean Gateway initiative, a new cable linking French Guiana to Martinique and Guadeloupe, targeting service by end of 2029.

Guadeloupe Culture & Identity: A language feud has erupted in Guadeloupe after the island’s prefect accused a Black fisherman of being disrespectful for speaking Creole, sparking outrage over colonialism, racism and classism; French is official, but Creole is widely spoken by most of the island’s Black population. Arts & Heritage: Multi-disciplinary artist Eddy Firmin is spotlighted for sculptures and works that interrogate colonization and identity, drawing on Caribbean history and traditions like Gwoka. Music & Faith: Worship collective Glorious announces its album “Abba” for Oct. 30, 2026, with the “Dance of King David” clip already topping 63,000 views. Streaming Picks: A roundup of new shows and movies added to Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu and more for Oct. 2 is out for tonight’s viewing. Local Food Scene: In the English Market, Cork’s ABC the Alternative Bread Company has sold its stall after nearly 40 years, marking a major handover in a beloved bakery spot. Caribbean Spotlight: EllaLink’s EllaLink Caribbean Gateway initiative launches a new fiber cable route linking Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe, targeting service by end of 2029.

Caribbean Travel Roundup: A new guide spotlights the best islands for every kind of getaway—couples, families, and solo travelers—highlighting everything from Anguilla’s “quiet luxury” to Grenada’s easy exploration. Creole Culture & Debate: A fresh commentary revisits the World Creole Music Festival’s governance and funding, while a separate report says a language feud in Guadeloupe has flared after a prefect accused a Black fisherman of disrespect for speaking Creole. Arts & Identity: Eddy Firmin’s provocative sculptures dig into colonization and the legacy of slavery, and a spotlight on Nina Simone and Langston Hughes traces their overlooked creative bond. Film & Community: Bermuda announces its inaugural Black Film Festival (Oct 15–18, 2026) with “Connecting Voices Across the Diaspora,” including submissions from Guadeloupe. Sports (Regional): In Concacaf Nations League action, Guadeloupe drew 2-2 with Barbados, while St Lucia thrashed Bermuda 5-2. Tech for the Region: EllaLink launches the Caribbean Gateway initiative to connect Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe (plus Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire), targeting service by end of 2029. Local Spotlight: European Day of Languages events include activities in Guadeloupe, celebrating “Languages unite!”

Creole Festival Governance: A commentary revisits the World Creole Music Festival’s 25-year funding and decision-making, stressing Cabinet authority and due process behind state support for the 1996 launch and tourism goals. Music & Legacy: A new look at Nina Simone’s “I Put a Spell on You” spotlights how Langston Hughes encouraged her to record it, tracing a largely overlooked creative friendship that fed into Black Power-era culture. Language & Identity: A language feud in Guadeloupe has flared after the island’s prefect accused a Black fisherman of disrespect for speaking Creole, reigniting debates over colonialism, racism, and class. Art & History: Multi-disciplinary artist Eddy Firmin’s provocative sculptures and ceramics interrogate colonizing forces and the transmission of knowledge shaped by slavery and resistance traditions like Gwoka. Sports (Regional): In Concacaf Nations League action, Guadeloupe drew 2-2 with Barbados after a late equaliser, while St Lucia thrashed Bermuda 5-2—keeping regional football drama front and center. Culture in Motion: EllaLink’s EllaLink Caribbean Gateway initiative officially launches, aiming to connect Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe (with a western segment for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire) and target service by end-2029. Spotlight on Guadeloupe: A feature on Carnival morning in Basse-Terre frames Mas a Kongo as both celebration and resistance, tying today’s street ritual to memories of slavery. International Sports Backlash: French prosecutors opened an investigation into racist abuse and cyberharassment targeting Guadeloupe-born judo star Teddy Riner after he spoke about the far-right.

Film & Culture: The inaugural Bermuda Black Film Festival is set for Oct 15–18, 2026, themed “Connecting Voices Across the Diaspora,” with 20+ films from 15+ countries/territories including submissions from Guadeloupe and Martinique. Language & Identity: A Creole-versus-French feud has erupted in Guadeloupe after the island’s prefect accused a Black fisherman of disrespect for speaking Creole, reigniting debates about colonialism and class. Art & History: Guadeloupe-based artist Eddy Firmin is spotlighted for sculptures probing colonization, identity, and Afro-Caribbean traditions like Gwoka. Sport (Regional): In the Concacaf Nations League, Guadeloupe and Barbados played out a 2-2 draw, with Guadeloupe equalizing late; earlier, St Lucia thrashed Bermuda 5-2. Local Arts/Media Moves: Travis Mitchell will leave Maryland Public Television, while former GBH CEO Jon Abbott takes the helm at MOCA Los Angeles. Music/Tribute: Caribbean calypso icon “The Mighty Sparrow” (Birdie) has died at 91, prompting major tributes. Sports Spotlight: French judo star Teddy Riner—born in Guadeloupe—faces a probe after racist online abuse following his comments about the far right.

Creole vs French Tension: A language feud on Guadeloupe has erupted after the island’s prefect accused a Black fisherman of disrespect for speaking Creole, sparking outrage over colonialism, racism, and classism. Provocative Art & History: Guadeloupe-born artist Eddy Firmin is spotlighted for sculptures that dig into colonizing forces, identity, and Afro-Caribbean traditions like Gwoka. Local Food Culture: Trinbagonian baker Karen Felix is bringing refined French pastry techniques to local palates with a mobile patisserie, blending “keto-friendly” trends with classic French methods. Nations League Football: Guadeloupe drew 2-2 with Barbados after a late equaliser, while Bermuda’s campaign hit a rough patch after a 2-1 loss to Guadeloupe. Caribbean Connectivity: EllaLink launched the EllaLink Caribbean Gateway initiative, planning a submarine cable route linking Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe (with a western segment serving Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire). Route du Rhum Build-Up: Pixel sur Mer and Damien Seguin announced a safety tech partnership for the solo ORMA trimaran campaign ahead of Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe 2026.

Concacaf Nations League: Bermuda’s Nahki Wells was named skipper after a 5-2 loss to St Lucia, while St Lucia bounced back with a ruthless first-half hat-trick from Keegan Caull; Guadeloupe football: Barbados and Guadeloupe played out a dramatic 2-2 draw as Djamalee Boisné scored twice, including a stoppage-time equaliser after Thierry Gale and Niall Reid-Stephen had put Barbados ahead; Caribbean connectivity: EllaLink officially launched the EllaLink Caribbean Gateway, a new fibre cable from Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe (with a western segment for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire), targeting service by end-2029; Route du Rhum build-up: Pixel sur Mer and Damien Seguin announced a safety tech partnership for the solo Route du Rhum 2026, aiming to reduce capsize risk on an ORMA trimaran; Sport & society: French prosecutors opened an investigation into racist abuse and cyber harassment of Guadeloupe-born judo star Teddy Riner after he spoke about the rise of the far right.

Caribbean Connectivity Boost: EllaLink officially launches the EllaLink Caribbean Gateway, a new submarine cable from Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe (with branches for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire), moving from design to committed investment with service targeted by end of 2029. Streaming Picks: A big “what to watch tonight” guide highlights new shows and movies added across Netflix, Paramount+, Peacock and more for Sept. 29, including “Lego One Piece” (2026). Nations League Football: Guadeloupe and Barbados played out a 2-2 draw after a late equaliser, with Djamalee Boisne scoring twice to secure the point for Guadeloupe. Guadeloupe Sports Focus: Bermuda coach John Barry Nusum says his side must bounce back after a 2-1 loss to Guadeloupe, as they face St Lucia next in the Nations League. Cultural Tribute: After the death of calypso legend “The Mighty Sparrow” (Slinger Francisco), Caribbean cultural figures shared tributes to “Birdie.” Route du Rhum Build-Up: Pixel sur Mer and Damien Seguin announce a safety tech partnership ahead of Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe 2026.

Concacaf Nations League: Guadeloupe’s late drama paid off as Barbados were held to a 2-2 draw at Darren Sammy Stadium in Saint Lucia. After a goalless first half, Djamalee Boisne put Guadeloupe ahead (49’), Thierry Gale equalised (76’), and Niall Reid-Stephen made it 2-1 for Barbados (78’). But Boisne struck again in stoppage time (91’) to seal the point. Local sport focus: Bermuda coach John Barry Nusum will look to bounce back after a 2-1 loss to Guadeloupe, with St Lucia next in Group B. Culture & music: Tributes poured in after calypso legend “The Mighty Sparrow” (Slinger Francisco) died at 91, with fellow artists recalling his impact on the Caribbean calypso scene. Guadeloupe in the spotlight: A feature on Guadeloupe’s Carnival morning in Basse-Terre highlights Mas a Kongo as both celebration and resistance. Route du Rhum build-up: Organisers keep the momentum going for the Nov. 1 Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre solo race, with skippers gathering for the official presentation.

Concacaf Nations League: Guadeloupe and Barbados played out a dramatic 2-2 draw in Saint Lucia. Djamalee Boisne put Guadeloupe ahead (49’), Thierry Gale equalised (76’), then Niall Reid-Stephen gave Barbados a 2-1 lead (78’). But Boisne struck again in stoppage time (91’) to snatch the point. Guadeloupe now head home for back-to-back League B matches against Bermuda (Oct 2 and Oct 5). Sport & Culture: Tributes poured in across the Caribbean after calypso legend “The Mighty Sparrow” (Slinger Francisco) died at 91, with fellow artists recalling his influence and stage legacy. Route du Rhum build-up: Offshore racing fans get more fuel as Pixel sur Mer and Damien Seguin announce a safety tech partnership ahead of Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe 2026, focused on capsize-risk monitoring for solo ORMA racing. Local identity & arts: A feature on Guadeloupe digs into Carnival morning in Basse-Terre and the Mas a Kongo tradition, linking celebration to memory, resistance, and the islands’ ongoing identity story. Language & learning: European Day of Languages events include activities in Guadeloupe, spotlighting “Languages Unite!” through schools and cultural groups.

Music & Tributes: The cultural fraternity is mourning the death of calypso legend “The Mighty Sparrow” (Slinger Francisco), with tributes pouring in for “Birdie,” including reflections from veteran calypsonian Cro Cro and former NCC chairman Kenny De Silva. Sports (Guadeloupe ties): Bermuda coach John Barry Nusum says his side must bounce back in the CONCACAF Nations League after a 2-1 loss to Guadeloupe, as they face St Lucia in Group B. Culture & Identity: A travel feature digs into Guadeloupe’s Carnival morning tradition, Mas a Kongo in Basse-Terre, linking celebration to memory, slavery, and resistance. Route du Rhum build-up: Organizers push the “home stretch” for Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe, with 118 skippers set to start Nov 1 from Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre. Tech & Sailing Safety: Pixel sur Mer and Damien Seguin announce a safety tech partnership for the solo Route du Rhum, aiming to reduce capsize risk on an ORMA trimaran. Local Spotlight (Guadeloupe-born star): French prosecutors open an investigation into racist abuse and cyber harassment targeting judo champion Teddy Riner, born in Guadeloupe. Travel (Caribbean): A cruise promotion highlights a one-off 14-day sailing from Bonaire that includes Guadeloupe among many Caribbean stops.

Route du Rhum build-up: With the start set for Nov. 1 from Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre, organizers say 118 skippers are in the “home stretch,” with fierce competition across Ultim, Ocean Fifty, IMOCA, Class40, Vintage Multi and Vintage Mono. Offshore tech & safety: Pixel sur Mer and Damien Seguin are partnering on safety upgrades for the ORMA trimaran Arkéa–Handicap International ahead of the 2026 solo sprint. Class40 spotlight: The CIC MED Channel Race is expanding for 2027 with the Sun Fast 30 OD (One Design), while the Globe40 2028-2029 interview highlights Sophie Faguet’s round-the-world ambitions. Guadeloupe culture: A travel feature dives into Guadeloupe’s identity and the Carnival morning tradition of Mas a Kongo, rooted in memory and resistance. Sports & society: French prosecutors opened an investigation into racist abuse and cyber harassment targeting judo star Teddy Riner after he spoke about the rise of the far right. Cruise buzz: Corendon is offering a one-off 14-day Caribbean cruise from Bonaire aboard the Renaissance, with Guadeloupe among the stops.

European Day of Languages: Schools, libraries, universities and cultural groups across Europe (including a Guadeloupe classroom) are marking “Languages Unite!” with fairs, workshops, performances and multilingual challenges. Guadeloupe Culture: A feature on Carnival morning in Basse-Terre spotlights Mas a Kongo—painted bodies, whip cracks, and a tradition tied to Congolese roots, slavery memory and resistance. Route du Rhum Build-Up: With the home stretch underway, Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe 2026 is officially presented in Paris, as 118 skippers gear up for the Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre solo sprint. Sport & Society: French prosecutors open an investigation into racist insults and online harassment aimed at Guadeloupe-born judo star Teddy Riner after he spoke about the far-right’s rise. Sailing Tech & Safety: Pixel sur Mer and Damien Seguin team up for Route du Rhum safety upgrades on an ORMA trimaran, focusing on capsize-risk response. Travel & Leisure: Corendon announces a one-off 14-day Caribbean cruise aboard the Renaissance, with Guadeloupe among the stops.

European Day of Languages: Schools, libraries, universities and cultural groups across Europe (including a Guadeloupe classroom) are marking “Languages Unite!” with fairs, workshops, performances and multilingual challenges. Guadeloupe Identity & Carnival: A vivid look at Basse-Terre’s Carnival morning and Mas a Kongo, linking whip-crack tradition and painted bodies to memories of slavery and resistance. Route du Rhum Build-Up: Pixel sur Mer and Damien Seguin team up with a safety tech partnership for the solo race toward Destination Guadeloupe, while organizers say the Route du Rhum home stretch is underway with 118 skippers set for Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre. Sport & Culture Spotlight: Teddy Riner’s comments on the far right have triggered racist abuse and a Paris prosecutor investigation; meanwhile, a new “Classic + Contemporary” program highlights rare all-male partnering in Cuban ballet. Travel & Leisure: Corendon launches a one-off 14-day Caribbean cruise aboard the Renaissance with Guadeloupe among the stops, plus more Caribbean island-hopping holiday ideas.