Capturing stories of those, who have helped to shape the island, and giving people their flowers while they are still here: This has been the vision of Charles Jeffrey Richardson, known as Jeffrey, with his interview programme Interact Livestream.
More than 90 figures, who had been interviewed throughout the years, gathered over the weekend to celebrate in style with a special gala held to honour them. Along with friends and family, they enjoyed live music, speeches, and an award ceremony, held at the JW Marriot in Dawn Beach. It was a momentous event for Richardson’s long-running project – an ode to the island’s movers and shakers across fields, and from all walks of life.
The evening was hosted by Alston Lourens and Jessenia Lazaro Cuevas, known for co-hosting TV15’s NewsDesk. Along with Richardson himself, they guided the audience through the journey of Interact. Several interviewees – or legends, as they were dubbed throughout the evening – shared inspirational words on topics such as leadership, humility, and discipline, while Tamillia & Giovanni, the trio Elysian, and Michael Maxwell also moved the crowd with song.
A highlight of the evening was the announcement of the best-rated interviews, where 20 legends were called onto the stage, introduced, and given their flowers and award. These were Louis Fortuno, Dino Arrundell, Melvin Hodge, William Marlin, Maria Chemont, Dennis Richardson, Elain Gumbs-Vlaun, Adolf Stanford, Angelique Roumou, Patricia Flanders, Tasheena Thomas, Chester York, Monique Gumbs, Nancy Hodge, Dr. Emiko Bird Lake, Etienne “Tochi” Meyers, Anthony Wilson, Louie Laveist, Mr. & Mrs. Rosemond Rombley, and the late Miss Ruby Bute, who was represented by her daughter Jacqueline Vrolijk and who was voted at the #1 interviewee. Glenderlin Holiday was voted most popular, and Lidia Lake was acknowledged as the top viewer.
In her acceptance speech on behalf of her mother, Vrolijk praised Richardson’s “wisdom, vision, courage and love”, that fuel what he is doing for the community, and called for more local history and culture to be taught in our schools. The sentiments were echoed by former political leader of decades, William Marlin, who has mostly been out of the public eye since his retirement in early 2024.
Marlin reflected on the centrality of oral traditions on the island and the importance of recording local history. Pointing out the wide range of attendees who made an impact across sectors, he added that “because of Interact Livestream, generations after us will know who the people were who built St. Maarten in this period.” Interviewees throughout the years have been part of every sector, from the arts to politics, and from business to education.
