December 28, 2025 • 29 mins
As a proud Jamaican-born woman, I’ve seen both the beauty and the hardship of our island home. Years ago, after losing everything in a storm, I experienced firsthand the pain of starting over with nothing but hope. That experience changed me — it taught me resilience, gratitude, and the power of helping hands.
Today, my husband and I are blessed to give back through The Sember Foundation, our new non-profit dedicated to health, healing, and human welfare. Together with our family businesses, Meobachi and OWLINC Transportation, we’ve come together to launch this first relief drive for the people of Jamaica affected by devastating storms and displacement.
This mission is deeply personal. I remember what it felt like to be in their shoes — to wonder if help would come. Now, I want to be that help for someone else.
Our goal is simple but powerful: to provide immediate relief, support rebuilding efforts, and promote long-term wellness for those most in need. This initiative marks the beginning of a movement — one built on faith, compassion, and community.
We may be a new foundation, but our heart is strong, and our purpose is clear. Together, we can turn pain into possibility and restore hope for families across Jamaica and beyond.
Every donation, every share, every act of kindness helps us move one step closer to healing our world — starting right here, right now.
Respectfully,
SEMONE
Today, my husband and I are blessed to give back through The Sember Foundation, our new non-profit dedicated to health, healing, and human welfare. Together with our family businesses, Meobachi and OWLINC Transportation, we’ve come together to launch this first relief drive for the people of Jamaica affected by devastating storms and displacement.
This mission is deeply personal. I remember what it felt like to be in their shoes — to wonder if help would come. Now, I want to be that help for someone else.
Our goal is simple but powerful: to provide immediate relief, support rebuilding efforts, and promote long-term wellness for those most in need. This initiative marks the beginning of a movement — one built on faith, compassion, and community.
We may be a new foundation, but our heart is strong, and our purpose is clear. Together, we can turn pain into possibility and restore hope for families across Jamaica and beyond.
Every donation, every share, every act of kindness helps us move one step closer to healing our world — starting right here, right now.
Respectfully,
SEMONE
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to community viewpoints and Shawnee feeling blessed and highly
favored on this Sunday morning, pouring into our global community.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Today, I have Simone Blair Walker.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
She is here to talk to us about being an entrepreneur,
but being a cistern as I am from the island
of Jamaica and the effect of the recent hurricane Melissa.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Good morning, Simone.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Good morning Shannie. How are you? Thank you, thank you
for having me on the show.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Simone.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
We have to stay steady, but we have to ensure
that every voice is lifted. And so today I am
lifting your voice so that the community can understand your why,
your drive and you know us here in America, but
we have family friends, our heart is in the island
of Jamaica. So if you will just talk to us
and tell us about you being an entrepreneur coming to
(00:51):
the United States and why.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
Oh wow, okay, Well let me just peel back a layer.
So I came to actually came to the United Saints
back in the nineties, and that was after I experienced
a catastrophic storm very similar to Melissa and Jamaica. And
this was a Category five where it totally just demolished
(01:15):
the Virgin Islands, and as you know, the size of
Saint Thomas, but it's a thirty two square mile island,
so it's thirty thirty miles one way and two miles
the other way. And we were in the eye of
the storm. And when that thing was over, Shannie, it
was nothing left. I mean, it felt like we were
in our armor gedden. So you know, with that, I
stayed there. I mean, actually it was very, very rough
(01:38):
because for eight months, every day I stood in line
for eight hours to get one gallon of water, another
day another eight hours to get maybe a pampa, the
next eight hours to get you know, five dollars worth
of guess. So it was so hard man and so
(01:59):
after a while I I could not do it anymore.
I needed to. I would say, go to higher grounds.
I wanted to go somewhere where I felt that opportunity
was there for me, and I felt that if I
went to the United States, then I would have a
broader market and I could go to school. I had
to come up with a plan beat because I thought
my life was doing well down there. I was doing
(02:20):
very well. As a teenager. I started working for myself
at the age of eighteen as a breeder on the beach.
I go to the business to the point where I
was making six figures and life was actually pretty good,
you know. And then after that I was in trouble.
You know, once that storm came, I just could not
function the way I did anymore. I had a baby,
(02:40):
my daughter, and you know, at the time, she was
eight months so it was very difficult for a mother
like myself to try to take care of chat in
that environment. So America was it for me. So I
took a chance and I came here. You know, I
got rid of everything that I had left and I
came here with my baby and I started. You know,
it wasn't easy. It wasn't easy. I actually ended up
(03:03):
in the shelter right here in Jacksonville, and you know,
it was a very tough time in my life. I
had to really that's I think that was one of
my one of my lowest points. But I you know,
I believe in myself. I really believe that if I
continue to persevere, I continue to work hard, I continue
to go in school, I continue to do what's right,
(03:26):
God would God would bless me. And you know they were.
Let me tell you, there were times where I was like, God,
you know, it's just ever going to end, you know,
I just kept on feeling as though, you know, I
just kept on hitting bottom all the time, Like I
was like, am I cursed? What's going on? What's going
on in my life? And I just kept on trying
(03:47):
and trying, and I wouldn't give up. And I'm not
gonna lie Shanni. There were times where I just felt
like giving up, but then there was always a silent
whispers say knows someone, just keep going, just keep going,
and I'm so happy. And I always tried to use
that as a reference when I meet someone who's actually
going through like a down downward spiral in their life,
(04:10):
because many times things can get so dark that you
allow yourself to keep going deeper and deeper. What the
truth is, you really have to hold on to any
glimpse of hope, you know, just I don't care how
small it is. You got to hold on to that
and try to be as positive as possible and count
your blessings no matter how small they are. But if
(04:32):
I worked hard, I sacrifice. I would drive around Jacksonville.
I went to hair school here and drove around. I
did here in the shelter, I did hear from the door,
and you know, whatever I had to do to stay
in school and take care of my daughter and saved.
I saved. But I could tell you this. One of
the things I learned in my life is that you know,
(04:55):
when you think you're having it bad, when you think
you're in a down the lowest point in your life,
that is when God is really working in you. He's
working on you from the inside out, and sometimes he
had to break you down. Sometimes your life had to
be shattered in order for you to be restructured. And
I can say that each time that my life actually
(05:18):
got into that darker space, when I found my life,
I came out stronger, more confident as a woman, more
confident even in business. You know, life is, I've always said,
is your best teacher. If you pay attention to the details,
you will hear how and you see how God is
(05:38):
teaching you through the small things. And so with me
paying attention to the details of the small things, then
I learned how to grow my business and how I
learned how to develop myself as a woman. I learned
how to develop myself as a mother, and a lot
of that it comes to meditation, spending time with yourself,
(06:00):
being honest with yourself, asking yourself, you know, what is
it that you want? What is it that can you
can do better? You know, what is it that you
have done that you you know, like you know, you
really have to just evaluate yourself and say what is
left for me to do, you know, and try to
show up being the best version of yourself. And so
(06:24):
you know, that's just a part of you know, the
growth process.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Community.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Shaannie speaking to Simone Blair Walker. She is here as
an entrepreneur, as a fellow Jamaican, and as a mother
and with a heart understanding that our hearts are with
Jamaica watching a Category five hurricane hit our island. Being
here in the United States, there are many hands helping.
(06:50):
Simone is one of those hands, and she is here
to talk to us about, you know, how she grew
and how she came to this level and how she
wants to give back as an entrepreneur. I remember Amiobachi,
your salon, and I understand you have the out in
transportation with your husband being in the military, your husband
(07:12):
is a retired military and how you want to serve
and give back because of how you came to this
place right now.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Community, you just heard her story.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
She came out of a storm, and she is ready
to help people come out of that same storm. Simon,
if you would tell the community how they can assist,
what they can do to drop off items, help you
empower your island, our island.
Speaker 3 (07:39):
Oh Lord, thank you so much. Yes, listen, I can
tell you right now, right now, you can help me
by just volunteering. You can help buy. I can let
me see where I can start, because Lizza's school is
so large, so I can just let me just share
with you what I've done so far. So when I
(07:59):
just decided that this was going to be a mission
for me, it happened because I just saw one too
many videos on social media. I at first when the
storm hit us, Oh my god, category five. Okay, wow, Okay,
let me see what's happened, because you know, I know
exactly what happened in the Virgin and there was like
not one leaf left. Cars were smashed to the ground,
(08:22):
homes were missing, people were dead. It was just like
a war zone. It just looked horrible. And so when
I saw those images on social media, and it just
took that one that just break me and I just
broke down in chairs and I went immediately on Live.
I said, I have to do something about this. There's
no way that I could be living the life I'm living,
(08:44):
knowing where I'm coming from, knowing that is my homeland,
and watch people suffer, and knowing that it's a third
world country where I understand, where aid is not always rapid.
I have to do something, and so I just came
up with this plan where I'm going to buy barrels,
you know, buy a container. I'm going to rally the
(09:07):
community to come and help me feel it. And I
didn't know how I was going to do it and
how it was going to get there. But one thing
my life has taught me, once you come up with
that dream and that vision or that goal and you
start walking towards it, you don't have to have all
the answers. God will put the people in your life
(09:29):
along the way. You just have to open your mouth
and act. But instead of accent, I just went online.
May I beg, May I beg? Noh no, please listen.
I'm not a person I really like to beg nobody
for nothing. I have pride, and that's how I ended
up in the shelter. But in this situation, you really
have to put away your pride because it's not about you.
It's about a great cause. It's about saving lives. People
(09:52):
in Jamaica right now are suffering. People are without homes,
people are dead, children are displaced, those are demolished. I mean,
if you just imagine communities are wiped out, there's nothing,
and think about somebody who has nothing, very little to
begin with, and now they have nothing, They've lost their family.
(10:14):
So I can only relate to that and remember how
I was able to up above my situation, no matter
how low it was, even if I like even standing
in line for eight hours for a graylen of water
is far better than their situation right now. And I'm
(10:34):
still grateful for that individual or the organizations that have
came to my aid. But I think for me, it
would be an insult to the Lord and an insult
to my existence if I do not turn around and
lend a help in hand and pave the way for
others to come and help and aid people in Jamaica.
So I'm begging the community to please if you have
(10:58):
anything that you would are able to donate. I'm also
reaching out to organizations. If you have any excess, any
access in essential supplies. There's roof and materials they need
to build back. Children need school supplies, mothers need supplies.
You have men that need tools to you have. I
(11:19):
mean it can go on and on and on. There's
whatever you think that your life needs to start over,
whatever your city needs to be rebuilt. This is what
the country needs. And there's so many pockets. So one
of the things that I would love to do is,
I don't know if you've heard of the situation where
you adopt the child, Well, I would like to adopt
(11:40):
a community. I would like for us to go in
and restructure community, revive the community, rebuild a community, restore
hope in the community, and just have them to feel
alive again and have a sense of hope. Because when
we help one person, we're not just impacting that individual.
We're creating in a sense of like a like a
(12:03):
like a vibe. It's not almost like is viral, just
like anything else, you know, if it's if it's becomes contagious,
it becomes contagious. And if we can be contagious in
a positive way, then we can help to change the
world and help to change these people situation. You know,
(12:24):
one gift at a time, So I'm gifting. We have
spent I want to say, thousands of dollars within the
last two weeks. I purchased a container. As we speak
right now, I just actually took a break from outside.
It is nighttime, sim for you, and we're out there
packing these barrels, packing these containers, putting these things on
(12:46):
on on the on the on the dock so that
we can get these goods to our people in Jamaica.
And I don't know how long it's going to take
to clear, but I will be unground to help distribute.
I have things the King. I'm I'm requesting from more
tid things for those children, these kids are displaced. I'm
requesting for medical supply the hospitals needed. I'm a requested
(13:09):
for things from mothers. They need it. They need food,
they need sheltered, they need community, they need they need
a lot. And this is one special request I'm asking
I when I made this pledge within myself to send
this container, and it's a forty foot container, build a
one hundred and some forty barrels and addition additional palettes
(13:34):
of goods. I did not realize that I was getting
myself into something long term. What I'm seeing now is
there is a need and then and there are people
that are still donating. So right now we're using our home.
Our home has has the container, our home is collecting everything.
It looks like a war zone here because I'm you know,
(13:55):
we have people coming in, you know, volunteering, which I
totally appreciate. I want to also say thank you for
everybody that has volunteered. I'm telling you people came from
the woodworks. I call them my angel does because they
just come from everywhere and shower us with the support,
and I thank you. But it would be great if
someone had a warehouse where we can actually operate and
(14:19):
just utilize that warehouse for temporary space of time where
we can store the donations that are coming in, so
that we can kind of relieve our home so it
can feel like a home and not like you know,
an industrial fight community.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Shane speaking to Simone here as an entrepreneur, here, as
a person that sees the bigger picture. She understands that
what we see on social media is just half of
what is existing in the island of Jamaica. Simone, I
understand you're working with someone on the island so that
(14:54):
when you send the goods, you'll be able to help
through that corporation.
Speaker 3 (15:01):
Yes, yes, so where we'll be working with master Mac Enterprises,
and so they are waiting for the shipment to come
in and once it comes, actually, once it's delivered on
the island, they will help us distribute it. Actually they
are already doing it now. So in Jamaica there every weekend.
(15:22):
What he has told me is that him and the
crew they go out to the different parts of Jamaica
and they distribute care packages. Last he said, last weekend
they went and distributed fifteen hundred care packages. And he
is basically a private business owner as myself. He's not
a nonprofit. He said. Everything is coming directly out of
(15:43):
his pocket. He said, he cannot sit there and just
watch people suffer. Likewise, there's no way I can sit
here in America and live how I'm living and know
where I'm coming from and not do something about it.
And of course I have to jump over hill and
waters to get there. Of course it's going to cost
me more to get there, but I'm going to do
(16:05):
what I can. But with support from our community, I
can do a lot more. I've set up a golf
on me so that anybody is interested in donating, please
meet I have. I think we have raised over I
think six thousand dollars in the goal on me right now,
and so I'm hoping to build more so that we
can build that community. The container that I'm sending down.
(16:30):
What I'd like to do is to restore or retrofit
that container as a tiny home and provide temporate home
housing for someone and then try to do another one
and another one until we can build larger structures. So
there's a big plan to try to make things happen.
But again I need support if there's someone here with
(16:51):
some ideas beyond my own. Again, this is not something
that I do for a living. You know, my business
is beauty and health and well being, and so you know,
I definitely have some construction experience. I built a house recently,
but I've never dealt with something like on this scale.
So if anyone has experience in doing that, I would
(17:15):
definitely appreciate if they reach out to me, because I
would love to hear their insights on that community.
Speaker 1 (17:19):
You have the opportunity to help, but not just help
to continue a country that has been devastated with a
hurricane five Category five wins. Hurricane Category five just demolished
a certain part of the island. You can help, Simone
(17:42):
and those that are boots on the ground in Jamaica. Simone,
how can the community get in touch with you and
or drop off items to help you pack the container
and to help the island of Jamaica.
Speaker 3 (17:56):
Well, there are several drop off sites currently. We have
many of the major Jamaican restaurants. There's YAsO Nice on
Old Kings Road and Bay Middles their Stars Caribbean restaurant
on the west side. There's Oh my goodness, I think
island what is it? Island Tropics on Main Street. Or
(18:18):
they can just call me. My number is nine zero
four five six eight zero eight threty seven and then
my email is Simone s E M O n E
at miobati MEO b z in boyac hi dot com.
They can email me and just you know, in the
(18:38):
subject line the state hurricane release, I would like to
help or something in that nature. Just mentioned Jamaican hurricane
relief and it would catch my attention and not get
onto my junk mail box.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
Community lifting every voice and trying to ensure that we
do our part to assist globally country that has been
devastated as we know Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, all we're in
the line of Hurricane Melissa. We are asking that you
do your part, not just with the Simone and her drive,
(19:13):
but with any anyone doing anything to help assist, to
care for the country that has been devastated. Simone and
I are from the island, so our heart is in
the island as well as.
Speaker 2 (19:28):
We have family there.
Speaker 1 (19:30):
I have family there, and I'm sure Simone has family
and friends there. We are just asking that you look
into your hearts and your pockets to see if you
can assist. Understand the whole world is in crisis, but
as if we can come together as a people and
understand the right things to do. Which is why I'm
speaking to Simone today, is because everyone is trying to help,
(19:54):
but Simone is diligent. You see her on Facebook, you
see her pouring into to her country, and you understand
her plight. She knows what this is all about. She
knows what it's like to stand in line just for
a gallon of water or just for something to eat.
She knows what it is like to be displaced, don't
even have a warm mattress, no roof over your head.
(20:17):
Please understand, the island of Jamaica is in need of
your assistance. So anything that you could do again, Simone,
your email.
Speaker 3 (20:26):
Simone that's s E m O n E at Miyobachi
me e O bacchi dot com.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
Span anything else you'd like to share about your drive
understanding this is one of many conversations I'll be having
with Simone because the drive is continuous. We're not going
to fix the island in one uh one drive. We're
gonna have to keep keep giving, keep going and so
(20:55):
that they can keep going.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
Because this is a restoration and here's the thing, you know,
so it's going to take years, years upon years. So
for me, God has blessed me to be able to give,
and I'm going to continue to give, and I'm going
to continue to do my part. With the support from
(21:18):
my community, I can do so much more. I can
have much much larger impact and we can grow this
thing and make a difference. You just never know when
you're going to for what you just given and how
that can help someone else and change their life and
(21:39):
also impact yours later. Au On Jamaica is a land
that many people love. It's one of the best Caribbean
countries in the world. And I'm biased, Yes i am biased,
but it is I have had the privilege to travel
to so many different countries, many islands, and this particular
island is rich in so many ways. We have the terrain,
(22:01):
we have the culture, we have the people, we have
the sauce, we have the ts. Everything nice about Jamaica.
You know, it was beautiful and so the people are
warm to Whenever Jamaican people just meet other people and
you come to them, they're just they're warm. But we
want to get those people warm right now because right
now they're not. They're in entire despair. There's disease that's
(22:23):
spreading amongst the islands. The economy is actually collapsing, so
they have things that they're really struggling to get back
on track. And if we can help them, then we
can have a beautiful Jamaica to go back to. And
that's leaving them in a worse situation than they are now.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
And the saying goes with Liqua, but with Taalawa.
Speaker 1 (22:42):
I'm also from the island of Jamaica.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
I was born there, and I understand.
Speaker 1 (22:49):
I was born there when I grew up in Canada,
but I do not forget where I was born. And
my father always told me never forget where you come from.
So there's a reason why I am trying to be
well rounded with our community here in Jacksonville. But understand
we are iHeartMedia, so we're global and everyone hears the
voices that are played on our show every Sunday, So Simone,
(23:13):
I just want to lift your voice up today because
we are from the same alan and I have their
meeting and I see it. They say that Jamaican people
are the nicest people. We give and we always want
to help.
Speaker 3 (23:26):
We are we are, we are, and I'm so grateful.
I'm very grateful to being in a community where we
really have Jamaicans in every pocket, but also people that
are non Jamaican. You know. I'm just grateful to have
them in my life and have their support. There's so
many people that came out and have been supporting me.
I have to make sure I say thank you. There's
(23:47):
so many I cannot even name their names on top
of my head. It will be unfair, but I have
to say Thank you to everybody from the bottom of
my heart. I couldn't have even done this without you. Milestone.
It's a milestone and I cannot continue to do it
without help either. So please continue to support the cause.
(24:07):
Please don't continue to pray for the people in Jamaica,
they really need it right now.
Speaker 1 (24:12):
And of course, community, if you can help, if you
can make this last month's easy, or for the people
on the island of Jamaica, please support Simon and everyone
that is pouring into the island by just giving.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
Is the season to give.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
We are in the last quarter of the year, and
if you have it, please give. And if you don't
have it, please pray. Amen anything else i'mon.
Speaker 4 (24:37):
No, I just want to say thank you Shawny. Thank
you for taking the time to speak with me. Thank
you for giving me a voice. Thank you again, thank
you for everything you know. One thing my grandma to
teach me say listens. Make sure you tell everybody thank
you and what you're doing tonight, what you're doing in
the community is a great thing said. Thank you God, Thank.
Speaker 1 (24:57):
You using every a go using this angle to ensure
that every voice is heard, lifting every voice so everybody
can be helped. That is my mission and I know
I have to. I have to dilly dally Simone. Now
I have to make sure local that local love is given,
(25:17):
and then we have to know that the global love
will be given as well. We understand that the giving
is continuous with Jamaica. The island is resilient, but it
needs to be rebuilt. And with your help, you can
rebuild a resilient country that doesn't ask, but as you
can see, they need help. So Simone, I want to
(25:41):
thank you for being boots on the ground here, ensuring
that you know, people understand your plight, what's in your
heart and your resilience.
Speaker 3 (25:50):
Thank you, Thank you so much, Shahannie. I really appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
You know I always say it no problem.
Speaker 3 (25:56):
Right, everything, Iri, everything, Iri.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
Just think positive, it will be well.
Speaker 3 (26:02):
I do absolutely absolutely. I trust, I trust the process.
I just have to keep that beacon of light. I
have to keep my hands high. Like here, I am, here,
I am. I've been going, going, going, going going. Listen,
I got these bags on to meet my eyes have
been I have been. I have this corny joke now
that I'm telling people, like Listen, I got some designer
bags that I'm selling. Then I really, I said, actually
you can't have them. Then I really. They get all
(26:24):
excited and when I when I look, when I go
close and show them the bags under my eyes like,
oh god, some moon, I said, But listen, these bags
are Okay, hard work. This came from hard work. But
you know, it's worth it. It is worth it. I probably
get books before hours sleeper night because I'm just constantly,
like you know, brainstorming what to do, and I have
(26:45):
all of these barrels that I want to get them
out and get that container into Jamaica before the holidays
because as you know, everyone is you know, in Jamaica,
the holidays is just like a very very busy time
of year. But with this, with this hard came and listen,
there's so many people that is also trying to aid.
There are families that are displaced as well, so it's
(27:06):
just congested as far as getting their things, and so
it's you know, time is of innescence, and then it's
about keeping it irrelevant in people and keep people's minds
because you know, there's the media just really captured the
storm and they washed it and washed it and you know, okay,
I mean every single day. You saw the hurricane on
the news, but shortly afterwards it's all forgotten. But the
(27:28):
people are still suffering. The people weren't suffering prior to it,
but they're still suffering, and it's going to get worse.
There's crime on a rampant. People are stealing, There's a
lot of things happen. There's no electricity, there's not clean
water in many areas. Some places haven't even had water
or electricity. Even the area that was not impacted by
the storm, they're still suffering from the storm. There's prices.
(27:52):
I heard that sardine prices have gone up five times.
Come on, think about it. So the whole island is
on an economical imbalance and it's only going to get
worse because people the farming areas, you know, on that
side of the island that goes devastated, they provide a
lot of the farming goods for the island. So they
have no food, no food to support the other side
(28:15):
of the island. So it's just a it's going to
be a tight, tight watch for a while. People are
going to be very very uncomfortable, and when people get desperate,
things bad happen. You know, I just want you to
you know, remember remember in America, like about five years
ago when we had COVID and people couldn't get toilet
paper or they were going crazy. This is beyond toilet paper.
(28:38):
This is about lives. This is about survival. This is
about am I going to you know, give up or
am I going to hold on? And you know, I
would love for us to represent the North Florida and
give them hope. So I am this accent and actions
in the community. Please stand by me, stay, please stand
with me, please join me to help the people of Jamaica.
Speaker 1 (29:01):
Understanding the island of Jamaica is resilient still, so we
just have to understand that with help, the island will
stand and it will be a greater island because of
the people who are from there, like Simon, like myself,
like many Jamaicans in the United States that are hearing
this conversation. You can assist, you can help, and you
(29:24):
can always be a light at the end of the day.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
For the island of Jamaica.
Speaker 3 (29:31):
So thank you, Simon, thank you, thank you, thank you.
Speaker 2 (29:34):
Community.
Speaker 1 (29:35):
Be sure to check out the local as well as
global events on our community calendar page and how you
can empower people. How you can empower those that are
in need. Thank you so much for listening to community viewpoints.
Have a blessed day.
Welcome to community viewpoints and Shawnee feeling blessed and highly
favored on this Sunday morning, pouring into our global community.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Today, I have Simone Blair Walker.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
She is here to talk to us about being an entrepreneur,
but being a cistern as I am from the island
of Jamaica and the effect of the recent hurricane Melissa.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Good morning, Simone.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Good morning Shannie. How are you? Thank you, thank you
for having me on the show.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Simone.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
We have to stay steady, but we have to ensure
that every voice is lifted. And so today I am
lifting your voice so that the community can understand your why,
your drive and you know us here in America, but
we have family friends, our heart is in the island
of Jamaica. So if you will just talk to us
and tell us about you being an entrepreneur coming to
(00:51):
the United States and why.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
Oh wow, okay, Well let me just peel back a layer.
So I came to actually came to the United Saints
back in the nineties, and that was after I experienced
a catastrophic storm very similar to Melissa and Jamaica. And
this was a Category five where it totally just demolished
(01:15):
the Virgin Islands, and as you know, the size of
Saint Thomas, but it's a thirty two square mile island,
so it's thirty thirty miles one way and two miles
the other way. And we were in the eye of
the storm. And when that thing was over, Shannie, it
was nothing left. I mean, it felt like we were
in our armor gedden. So you know, with that, I
stayed there. I mean, actually it was very, very rough
(01:38):
because for eight months, every day I stood in line
for eight hours to get one gallon of water, another
day another eight hours to get maybe a pampa, the
next eight hours to get you know, five dollars worth
of guess. So it was so hard man and so
(01:59):
after a while I I could not do it anymore.
I needed to. I would say, go to higher grounds.
I wanted to go somewhere where I felt that opportunity
was there for me, and I felt that if I
went to the United States, then I would have a
broader market and I could go to school. I had
to come up with a plan beat because I thought
my life was doing well down there. I was doing
(02:20):
very well. As a teenager. I started working for myself
at the age of eighteen as a breeder on the beach.
I go to the business to the point where I
was making six figures and life was actually pretty good,
you know. And then after that I was in trouble.
You know, once that storm came, I just could not
function the way I did anymore. I had a baby,
(02:40):
my daughter, and you know, at the time, she was
eight months so it was very difficult for a mother
like myself to try to take care of chat in
that environment. So America was it for me. So I
took a chance and I came here. You know, I
got rid of everything that I had left and I
came here with my baby and I started. You know,
it wasn't easy. It wasn't easy. I actually ended up
(03:03):
in the shelter right here in Jacksonville, and you know,
it was a very tough time in my life. I
had to really that's I think that was one of
my one of my lowest points. But I you know,
I believe in myself. I really believe that if I
continue to persevere, I continue to work hard, I continue
to go in school, I continue to do what's right,
(03:26):
God would God would bless me. And you know they were.
Let me tell you, there were times where I was like, God,
you know, it's just ever going to end, you know,
I just kept on feeling as though, you know, I
just kept on hitting bottom all the time, Like I
was like, am I cursed? What's going on? What's going
on in my life? And I just kept on trying
(03:47):
and trying, and I wouldn't give up. And I'm not
gonna lie Shanni. There were times where I just felt
like giving up, but then there was always a silent
whispers say knows someone, just keep going, just keep going,
and I'm so happy. And I always tried to use
that as a reference when I meet someone who's actually
going through like a down downward spiral in their life,
(04:10):
because many times things can get so dark that you
allow yourself to keep going deeper and deeper. What the
truth is, you really have to hold on to any
glimpse of hope, you know, just I don't care how
small it is. You got to hold on to that
and try to be as positive as possible and count
your blessings no matter how small they are. But if
(04:32):
I worked hard, I sacrifice. I would drive around Jacksonville.
I went to hair school here and drove around. I
did here in the shelter, I did hear from the door,
and you know, whatever I had to do to stay
in school and take care of my daughter and saved.
I saved. But I could tell you this. One of
the things I learned in my life is that you know,
(04:55):
when you think you're having it bad, when you think
you're in a down the lowest point in your life,
that is when God is really working in you. He's
working on you from the inside out, and sometimes he
had to break you down. Sometimes your life had to
be shattered in order for you to be restructured. And
I can say that each time that my life actually
(05:18):
got into that darker space, when I found my life,
I came out stronger, more confident as a woman, more
confident even in business. You know, life is, I've always said,
is your best teacher. If you pay attention to the details,
you will hear how and you see how God is
(05:38):
teaching you through the small things. And so with me
paying attention to the details of the small things, then
I learned how to grow my business and how I
learned how to develop myself as a woman. I learned
how to develop myself as a mother, and a lot
of that it comes to meditation, spending time with yourself,
(06:00):
being honest with yourself, asking yourself, you know, what is
it that you want? What is it that can you
can do better? You know, what is it that you
have done that you you know, like you know, you
really have to just evaluate yourself and say what is
left for me to do, you know, and try to
show up being the best version of yourself. And so
(06:24):
you know, that's just a part of you know, the
growth process.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Community.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Shaannie speaking to Simone Blair Walker. She is here as
an entrepreneur, as a fellow Jamaican, and as a mother
and with a heart understanding that our hearts are with
Jamaica watching a Category five hurricane hit our island. Being
here in the United States, there are many hands helping.
(06:50):
Simone is one of those hands, and she is here
to talk to us about, you know, how she grew
and how she came to this level and how she
wants to give back as an entrepreneur. I remember Amiobachi,
your salon, and I understand you have the out in
transportation with your husband being in the military, your husband
(07:12):
is a retired military and how you want to serve
and give back because of how you came to this
place right now.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Community, you just heard her story.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
She came out of a storm, and she is ready
to help people come out of that same storm. Simon,
if you would tell the community how they can assist,
what they can do to drop off items, help you
empower your island, our island.
Speaker 3 (07:39):
Oh Lord, thank you so much. Yes, listen, I can
tell you right now, right now, you can help me
by just volunteering. You can help buy. I can let
me see where I can start, because Lizza's school is
so large, so I can just let me just share
with you what I've done so far. So when I
(07:59):
just decided that this was going to be a mission
for me, it happened because I just saw one too
many videos on social media. I at first when the
storm hit us, Oh my god, category five. Okay, wow, Okay,
let me see what's happened, because you know, I know
exactly what happened in the Virgin and there was like
not one leaf left. Cars were smashed to the ground,
(08:22):
homes were missing, people were dead. It was just like
a war zone. It just looked horrible. And so when
I saw those images on social media, and it just
took that one that just break me and I just
broke down in chairs and I went immediately on Live.
I said, I have to do something about this. There's
no way that I could be living the life I'm living,
(08:44):
knowing where I'm coming from, knowing that is my homeland,
and watch people suffer, and knowing that it's a third
world country where I understand, where aid is not always rapid.
I have to do something, and so I just came
up with this plan where I'm going to buy barrels,
you know, buy a container. I'm going to rally the
(09:07):
community to come and help me feel it. And I
didn't know how I was going to do it and
how it was going to get there. But one thing
my life has taught me, once you come up with
that dream and that vision or that goal and you
start walking towards it, you don't have to have all
the answers. God will put the people in your life
(09:29):
along the way. You just have to open your mouth
and act. But instead of accent, I just went online.
May I beg, May I beg? Noh no, please listen.
I'm not a person I really like to beg nobody
for nothing. I have pride, and that's how I ended
up in the shelter. But in this situation, you really
have to put away your pride because it's not about you.
It's about a great cause. It's about saving lives. People
(09:52):
in Jamaica right now are suffering. People are without homes,
people are dead, children are displaced, those are demolished. I mean,
if you just imagine communities are wiped out, there's nothing,
and think about somebody who has nothing, very little to
begin with, and now they have nothing, They've lost their family.
(10:14):
So I can only relate to that and remember how
I was able to up above my situation, no matter
how low it was, even if I like even standing
in line for eight hours for a graylen of water
is far better than their situation right now. And I'm
(10:34):
still grateful for that individual or the organizations that have
came to my aid. But I think for me, it
would be an insult to the Lord and an insult
to my existence if I do not turn around and
lend a help in hand and pave the way for
others to come and help and aid people in Jamaica.
So I'm begging the community to please if you have
(10:58):
anything that you would are able to donate. I'm also
reaching out to organizations. If you have any excess, any
access in essential supplies. There's roof and materials they need
to build back. Children need school supplies, mothers need supplies.
You have men that need tools to you have. I
(11:19):
mean it can go on and on and on. There's
whatever you think that your life needs to start over,
whatever your city needs to be rebuilt. This is what
the country needs. And there's so many pockets. So one
of the things that I would love to do is,
I don't know if you've heard of the situation where
you adopt the child, Well, I would like to adopt
(11:40):
a community. I would like for us to go in
and restructure community, revive the community, rebuild a community, restore
hope in the community, and just have them to feel
alive again and have a sense of hope. Because when
we help one person, we're not just impacting that individual.
We're creating in a sense of like a like a
(12:03):
like a vibe. It's not almost like is viral, just
like anything else, you know, if it's if it's becomes contagious,
it becomes contagious. And if we can be contagious in
a positive way, then we can help to change the
world and help to change these people situation. You know,
(12:24):
one gift at a time, So I'm gifting. We have
spent I want to say, thousands of dollars within the
last two weeks. I purchased a container. As we speak
right now, I just actually took a break from outside.
It is nighttime, sim for you, and we're out there
packing these barrels, packing these containers, putting these things on
(12:46):
on on the on the on the dock so that
we can get these goods to our people in Jamaica.
And I don't know how long it's going to take
to clear, but I will be unground to help distribute.
I have things the King. I'm I'm requesting from more
tid things for those children, these kids are displaced. I'm
requesting for medical supply the hospitals needed. I'm a requested
(13:09):
for things from mothers. They need it. They need food,
they need sheltered, they need community, they need they need
a lot. And this is one special request I'm asking
I when I made this pledge within myself to send
this container, and it's a forty foot container, build a
one hundred and some forty barrels and addition additional palettes
(13:34):
of goods. I did not realize that I was getting
myself into something long term. What I'm seeing now is
there is a need and then and there are people
that are still donating. So right now we're using our home.
Our home has has the container, our home is collecting everything.
It looks like a war zone here because I'm you know,
(13:55):
we have people coming in, you know, volunteering, which I
totally appreciate. I want to also say thank you for
everybody that has volunteered. I'm telling you people came from
the woodworks. I call them my angel does because they
just come from everywhere and shower us with the support,
and I thank you. But it would be great if
someone had a warehouse where we can actually operate and
(14:19):
just utilize that warehouse for temporary space of time where
we can store the donations that are coming in, so
that we can kind of relieve our home so it
can feel like a home and not like you know,
an industrial fight community.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Shane speaking to Simone here as an entrepreneur, here, as
a person that sees the bigger picture. She understands that
what we see on social media is just half of
what is existing in the island of Jamaica. Simone, I
understand you're working with someone on the island so that
(14:54):
when you send the goods, you'll be able to help
through that corporation.
Speaker 3 (15:01):
Yes, yes, so where we'll be working with master Mac Enterprises,
and so they are waiting for the shipment to come
in and once it comes, actually, once it's delivered on
the island, they will help us distribute it. Actually they
are already doing it now. So in Jamaica there every weekend.
(15:22):
What he has told me is that him and the
crew they go out to the different parts of Jamaica
and they distribute care packages. Last he said, last weekend
they went and distributed fifteen hundred care packages. And he
is basically a private business owner as myself. He's not
a nonprofit. He said. Everything is coming directly out of
(15:43):
his pocket. He said, he cannot sit there and just
watch people suffer. Likewise, there's no way I can sit
here in America and live how I'm living and know
where I'm coming from and not do something about it.
And of course I have to jump over hill and
waters to get there. Of course it's going to cost
me more to get there, but I'm going to do
(16:05):
what I can. But with support from our community, I
can do a lot more. I've set up a golf
on me so that anybody is interested in donating, please
meet I have. I think we have raised over I
think six thousand dollars in the goal on me right now,
and so I'm hoping to build more so that we
can build that community. The container that I'm sending down.
(16:30):
What I'd like to do is to restore or retrofit
that container as a tiny home and provide temporate home
housing for someone and then try to do another one
and another one until we can build larger structures. So
there's a big plan to try to make things happen.
But again I need support if there's someone here with
(16:51):
some ideas beyond my own. Again, this is not something
that I do for a living. You know, my business
is beauty and health and well being, and so you know,
I definitely have some construction experience. I built a house recently,
but I've never dealt with something like on this scale.
So if anyone has experience in doing that, I would
(17:15):
definitely appreciate if they reach out to me, because I
would love to hear their insights on that community.
Speaker 1 (17:19):
You have the opportunity to help, but not just help
to continue a country that has been devastated with a
hurricane five Category five wins. Hurricane Category five just demolished
a certain part of the island. You can help, Simone
(17:42):
and those that are boots on the ground in Jamaica. Simone,
how can the community get in touch with you and
or drop off items to help you pack the container
and to help the island of Jamaica.
Speaker 3 (17:56):
Well, there are several drop off sites currently. We have
many of the major Jamaican restaurants. There's YAsO Nice on
Old Kings Road and Bay Middles their Stars Caribbean restaurant
on the west side. There's Oh my goodness, I think
island what is it? Island Tropics on Main Street. Or
(18:18):
they can just call me. My number is nine zero
four five six eight zero eight threty seven and then
my email is Simone s E M O n E
at miobati MEO b z in boyac hi dot com.
They can email me and just you know, in the
(18:38):
subject line the state hurricane release, I would like to
help or something in that nature. Just mentioned Jamaican hurricane
relief and it would catch my attention and not get
onto my junk mail box.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
Community lifting every voice and trying to ensure that we
do our part to assist globally country that has been
devastated as we know Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, all we're in
the line of Hurricane Melissa. We are asking that you
do your part, not just with the Simone and her drive,
(19:13):
but with any anyone doing anything to help assist, to
care for the country that has been devastated. Simone and
I are from the island, so our heart is in
the island as well as.
Speaker 2 (19:28):
We have family there.
Speaker 1 (19:30):
I have family there, and I'm sure Simone has family
and friends there. We are just asking that you look
into your hearts and your pockets to see if you
can assist. Understand the whole world is in crisis, but
as if we can come together as a people and
understand the right things to do. Which is why I'm
speaking to Simone today, is because everyone is trying to help,
(19:54):
but Simone is diligent. You see her on Facebook, you
see her pouring into to her country, and you understand
her plight. She knows what this is all about. She
knows what it's like to stand in line just for
a gallon of water or just for something to eat.
She knows what it is like to be displaced, don't
even have a warm mattress, no roof over your head.
(20:17):
Please understand, the island of Jamaica is in need of
your assistance. So anything that you could do again, Simone,
your email.
Speaker 3 (20:26):
Simone that's s E m O n E at Miyobachi
me e O bacchi dot com.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
Span anything else you'd like to share about your drive
understanding this is one of many conversations I'll be having
with Simone because the drive is continuous. We're not going
to fix the island in one uh one drive. We're
gonna have to keep keep giving, keep going and so
(20:55):
that they can keep going.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
Because this is a restoration and here's the thing, you know,
so it's going to take years, years upon years. So
for me, God has blessed me to be able to give,
and I'm going to continue to give, and I'm going
to continue to do my part. With the support from
(21:18):
my community, I can do so much more. I can
have much much larger impact and we can grow this
thing and make a difference. You just never know when
you're going to for what you just given and how
that can help someone else and change their life and
(21:39):
also impact yours later. Au On Jamaica is a land
that many people love. It's one of the best Caribbean
countries in the world. And I'm biased, Yes i am biased,
but it is I have had the privilege to travel
to so many different countries, many islands, and this particular
island is rich in so many ways. We have the terrain,
(22:01):
we have the culture, we have the people, we have
the sauce, we have the ts. Everything nice about Jamaica.
You know, it was beautiful and so the people are
warm to Whenever Jamaican people just meet other people and
you come to them, they're just they're warm. But we
want to get those people warm right now because right
now they're not. They're in entire despair. There's disease that's
(22:23):
spreading amongst the islands. The economy is actually collapsing, so
they have things that they're really struggling to get back
on track. And if we can help them, then we
can have a beautiful Jamaica to go back to. And
that's leaving them in a worse situation than they are now.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
And the saying goes with Liqua, but with Taalawa.
Speaker 1 (22:42):
I'm also from the island of Jamaica.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
I was born there, and I understand.
Speaker 1 (22:49):
I was born there when I grew up in Canada,
but I do not forget where I was born. And
my father always told me never forget where you come from.
So there's a reason why I am trying to be
well rounded with our community here in Jacksonville. But understand
we are iHeartMedia, so we're global and everyone hears the
voices that are played on our show every Sunday, So Simone,
(23:13):
I just want to lift your voice up today because
we are from the same alan and I have their
meeting and I see it. They say that Jamaican people
are the nicest people. We give and we always want
to help.
Speaker 3 (23:26):
We are we are, we are, and I'm so grateful.
I'm very grateful to being in a community where we
really have Jamaicans in every pocket, but also people that
are non Jamaican. You know. I'm just grateful to have
them in my life and have their support. There's so
many people that came out and have been supporting me.
I have to make sure I say thank you. There's
(23:47):
so many I cannot even name their names on top
of my head. It will be unfair, but I have
to say Thank you to everybody from the bottom of
my heart. I couldn't have even done this without you. Milestone.
It's a milestone and I cannot continue to do it
without help either. So please continue to support the cause.
(24:07):
Please don't continue to pray for the people in Jamaica,
they really need it right now.
Speaker 1 (24:12):
And of course, community, if you can help, if you
can make this last month's easy, or for the people
on the island of Jamaica, please support Simon and everyone
that is pouring into the island by just giving.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
Is the season to give.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
We are in the last quarter of the year, and
if you have it, please give. And if you don't
have it, please pray. Amen anything else i'mon.
Speaker 4 (24:37):
No, I just want to say thank you Shawny. Thank
you for taking the time to speak with me. Thank
you for giving me a voice. Thank you again, thank
you for everything you know. One thing my grandma to
teach me say listens. Make sure you tell everybody thank
you and what you're doing tonight, what you're doing in
the community is a great thing said. Thank you God, Thank.
Speaker 1 (24:57):
You using every a go using this angle to ensure
that every voice is heard, lifting every voice so everybody
can be helped. That is my mission and I know
I have to. I have to dilly dally Simone. Now
I have to make sure local that local love is given,
(25:17):
and then we have to know that the global love
will be given as well. We understand that the giving
is continuous with Jamaica. The island is resilient, but it
needs to be rebuilt. And with your help, you can
rebuild a resilient country that doesn't ask, but as you
can see, they need help. So Simone, I want to
(25:41):
thank you for being boots on the ground here, ensuring
that you know, people understand your plight, what's in your
heart and your resilience.
Speaker 3 (25:50):
Thank you, Thank you so much, Shahannie. I really appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
You know I always say it no problem.
Speaker 3 (25:56):
Right, everything, Iri, everything, Iri.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
Just think positive, it will be well.
Speaker 3 (26:02):
I do absolutely absolutely. I trust, I trust the process.
I just have to keep that beacon of light. I
have to keep my hands high. Like here, I am, here,
I am. I've been going, going, going, going going. Listen,
I got these bags on to meet my eyes have
been I have been. I have this corny joke now
that I'm telling people, like Listen, I got some designer
bags that I'm selling. Then I really, I said, actually
you can't have them. Then I really. They get all
(26:24):
excited and when I when I look, when I go
close and show them the bags under my eyes like,
oh god, some moon, I said, But listen, these bags
are Okay, hard work. This came from hard work. But
you know, it's worth it. It is worth it. I probably
get books before hours sleeper night because I'm just constantly,
like you know, brainstorming what to do, and I have
(26:45):
all of these barrels that I want to get them
out and get that container into Jamaica before the holidays
because as you know, everyone is you know, in Jamaica,
the holidays is just like a very very busy time
of year. But with this, with this hard came and listen,
there's so many people that is also trying to aid.
There are families that are displaced as well, so it's
(27:06):
just congested as far as getting their things, and so
it's you know, time is of innescence, and then it's
about keeping it irrelevant in people and keep people's minds
because you know, there's the media just really captured the
storm and they washed it and washed it and you know, okay,
I mean every single day. You saw the hurricane on
the news, but shortly afterwards it's all forgotten. But the
(27:28):
people are still suffering. The people weren't suffering prior to it,
but they're still suffering, and it's going to get worse.
There's crime on a rampant. People are stealing, There's a
lot of things happen. There's no electricity, there's not clean
water in many areas. Some places haven't even had water
or electricity. Even the area that was not impacted by
the storm, they're still suffering from the storm. There's prices.
(27:52):
I heard that sardine prices have gone up five times.
Come on, think about it. So the whole island is
on an economical imbalance and it's only going to get
worse because people the farming areas, you know, on that
side of the island that goes devastated, they provide a
lot of the farming goods for the island. So they
have no food, no food to support the other side
(28:15):
of the island. So it's just a it's going to
be a tight, tight watch for a while. People are
going to be very very uncomfortable, and when people get desperate,
things bad happen. You know, I just want you to
you know, remember remember in America, like about five years
ago when we had COVID and people couldn't get toilet
paper or they were going crazy. This is beyond toilet paper.
(28:38):
This is about lives. This is about survival. This is
about am I going to you know, give up or
am I going to hold on? And you know, I
would love for us to represent the North Florida and
give them hope. So I am this accent and actions
in the community. Please stand by me, stay, please stand
with me, please join me to help the people of Jamaica.
Speaker 1 (29:01):
Understanding the island of Jamaica is resilient still, so we
just have to understand that with help, the island will
stand and it will be a greater island because of
the people who are from there, like Simon, like myself,
like many Jamaicans in the United States that are hearing
this conversation. You can assist, you can help, and you
(29:24):
can always be a light at the end of the day.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
For the island of Jamaica.
Speaker 3 (29:31):
So thank you, Simon, thank you, thank you, thank you.
Speaker 2 (29:34):
Community.
Speaker 1 (29:35):
Be sure to check out the local as well as
global events on our community calendar page and how you
can empower people. How you can empower those that are
in need. Thank you so much for listening to community viewpoints.
Have a blessed day.
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