Board Members
The CARICON Board of Directors governs the organization, shaping its direction through mission, strategy, budgeting, and key policies. The Board ensures that CARICON’s leadership, resources, and finances align with its vision, fostering its growth and impact. Additionally, the Board monitors and enhances the organization’s performance to uphold its mission effectively.
The CARICON Board meets formally four times per year and convenes additional meetings as necessary to address organizational needs and conduct its business.
Steven O'Connor
Board President, CARICON
Steven O'Connor
Board President, CARICON
Steven O'Connor is a Los Angeles-based logo design professional with over 25 years of experience crafting iconic logos for national and global brands. Born in Chicago and raised in Inglewood, Steven is a passionate jazz, history, and cultural enthusiast. His love for these influences shines through in his work, which captures the spirit of our times and has been featured in design publications worldwide. Steven’s travels, connecting with his ancestral roots in the American South and the West Indies, enrich his creative process and commitment to meaningful storytelling through his logos.
V. Steve Russell
Founder and Executive Director
V. Steve Russell
Founder and Executive Director
V. Steve Russell is the Managing Director and author at Brer Anancy Press. An entrepreneur with a strong foundation in the hospitality industry, Russell has held senior management roles with a focus on corporate and product strategy. His extensive experience includes working in accounts and Human Resources at Proper Hospitality, Viceroy Hotel Group, and Gemstone Resorts, along with sales and public relations roles at Sandals Resorts International.
Russell holds a B.A. in Theatre and Media Arts from the University of South Carolina and a graduate certificate in The Business of Entertainment from UCLA. Passionate about storytelling and Jamaican culture, he brings these elements to his work and enjoys sharing his heritage through cooking and storytelling.One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because
Selena Morris-Lubell
Secretary
Selena Morris-Lubell
Secretary
Selena Lubell is a trained educator who is dedicated to serving those most in need, drawing strength from her deep faith and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including both vocal and revelatory abilities. Called to ministry as a Pastor and Spiritual Director, she founded The Resource Room and The Abeng Center for Spiritual Direction in Brooklyn, New York. Through these centers, Selena offers counseling, bereavement support, meditation, and spiritual direction.
A Chaplain trained through Miriam’s Mission Care for Clinical Pastoral Education, Selena has also completed additional studies in Aesthetic Theology at General Theological Seminary and Social Therapy at the Castillo Cultural Center. She is an active leader in her local church and passionately believes in the omnipresence and supremacy of God in all creation. Through both local ministry and her online presence, Selena is devoted to bringing healing and anointing as manifestations of the Holy Spirit, in alignment with biblical teachings.
Joan Chanman-Forbes
Treasurer
Joan Chanman-Forbes
Treasurer
Joan Chanman-Forbes, born in Trinidad and Tobago, serves as the Honorary Consul for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in Los Angeles, California. She is the Executive Director of OUR CHILDREN THE FUTURE INC., an organization dedicated to supporting children in both Los Angeles and Trinidad and Tobago. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration and an M.S. in Executive Management from the University of La Verne, California.
With a background in corporate work at RAND Corporation, Joan’s career took a heartfelt turn when she left to become an at-home caregiver for her brother. This experience deepened her commitment to community service and led to the founding of her own organization. For over nineteen years, Joan has dedicated herself to caregiving and community initiatives, making a significant impact on the Trinidad and Tobago diaspora in Los Angeles and on children in her home country. Her resilience and passion are central to her lifelong mission of service.
Aldonsa Alcantara
Board Member
Aldonsa Alcantara
Board Member
Aldonsa Alcantara is an accomplished professional with a deep commitment to cultural advocacy and community development. As a member of the CARICON Board, she brings valuable expertise and insight to initiatives that celebrate and promote Caribbean heritage. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from UTH Florida University and has studied journalism at the University of California, Los Angeles. Currently, Aldonsa serves as the Director of the Tourist Board of the Dominican Republic, where she plays a key role in promoting the country’s tourism industry on a global stage.
With years of experience in business and communications, Aldonsa has dedicated herself to supporting Caribbean communities and fostering cultural understanding. Her passion for service and her dedication to uplifting others make her a vital asset to CARICON's mission and to the promotion of Caribbean culture worldwide.
Russell holds a B.A. in Theatre and Media Arts from the University of South Carolina and a graduate certificate in The Business of Entertainment from UCLA. Passionate about storytelling and Jamaican culture, he brings these elements to his work and enjoys sharing his heritage through cooking and storytelling.One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because
