Our People

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Heritage Ties to Montserrat

Notable Montserratians and Their Enduring Contributions to Montserrat's History

FOUNDATION AND LEGACY

Honorable William Henry Bramble aka Willy B

Montserrat’s first Chief Minister and National Hero

immortalized on the new EC$10 banknote as part of a historic redesign of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union’s banknotes.

Ellen Dolly Peters

Afro-Montserratian teacher and trade unionist

An outspoken labor activist, she launched William Bramble's political career, earning the title "king maker." She received the British Empire Medal and the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice for her service.

Edgar Nkosi White

Montserratian playwright and author

Wrote more than 40 plays and novels, with works performed internationally. Moved to Harlem in 1952 and studied at City College of New York, New York University, and the Yale School of Drama, where he founded the Yale Black Players, before attending New York Theological Seminary.

Sir Howard Archibald Fergus KBE

Author and Historian

Born in Long Ground, Montserrat, he was educated in Montserrat and Barbados before earning a PhD from the University of the West Indies in 1978. He retired from the University of the West Indies in 2004 as Professor of Eastern Caribbean Studies.

Honorable John A. Osborne

Former Chief Minister

In his honor, the airport was renamed John A. Osborne Airport. Osborne first became Chief Minister in 1978 and later led his party to victory in the 2001 elections, serving as Chief Minister from 2001 to 2006.

James Alfred George Patrick Irish, gka Dr. George Irish

Academic, Musician, Composer of the national song, Community Leader and Social Engineer

While vacationing on Montserrat in 1977, Martin was inspired by its beauty and tranquility to create AIR Studios Montserrat (Associated Independent Recording), a world-class residential recording studio that attracted many of the era's biggest artists.

Charles Henry "Jim" Allen MBE

Montserrat Greatest sporting figure I First-class Cricketer

Debuted for the Montserrat cricket team in 1969, scoring his first century in 1971 against St Kitts. After making his first-class debut for the Leeward Islands in 1972, his aggressive right-handed batting and unconventional style established him as one of the region’s most exciting batsmen of his era.

Alphonsus “Arrow” Cassell

International soca-calypso performer, songwriter, and producer; Montserrat’s first soca superstar.

began performing at age 10 at Montserrat Secondary School and entered the calypso scene in 1967, winning the Junior Monarch title. Turning professional in 1969, he later won the Montserrat Calypso King title four times.

Sir George Henry Martin MBE

the legendary "Fifth Beatle" record producer, arranger, composer, conductor, and musician

Notable Entertainment Industry Professionals and Sports Figures Born in Montserrat or with at Least One Montserratian Parent.

Entertainment Industry Professionals

Billy Dee Williams

American actor, novelist, and painter

with more than 100 film and television credits spanning six decades, whose mother, Loretta Anne, was born on the Caribbean island of Montserrat before emigrating to New York City.

Vernon Alphonsus Reid

British-born American guitarist, producer, and songwriter

born in London, England, to Montserratian parents, best known as the founder of the band Living Colour, and was ranked No. 66 on Rolling Stone's 2003 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

Q-Tip (Jonathan Davis)

The influential rapper and producer, frontman of A Tribe Called Quest,

was born in Harlem to a mother from Alabama and a father, Jonathan Davis II, who emigrated from Montserrat.

Kadiff Kirwan

A recognized British actor

known for his roles in shows like Chewing Gum and This Is Going to Hurt, he was born on the island before moving to the United Kingdom.

Angela Yee

Entrepreneur

The popular radio host and media personality was born and raised in Brooklyn to a Chinese-American father and a mother from Montserrat.

Yaya DaCosta

Actress and Model

(born Camara DaCosta Johnson in New York City, New York) is of African-American, African-Montserratian, and African-Brazilian ancestry.

Dionne Audain

Actor / Creator / Entrepreneurs

Born on the island of Montserrat in the West Indies her parentage includes a rich heritage of African, Arawak Indian and Irish origins.

Stedroy Cabey

Actor I Creator

British-Montserratian actor Stedroy trained at Rose Bruford before earning an MA in Classical Acting from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2022. He quickly secured his first feature film lead in a psychological thriller.

Maizie Williams

The British model and singer

globally famous as a founding member of the 1970s disco and pop group Boney M., was born in Montserrat.

Mike Jarvis

Journalist I Author I Veteran broadcaster I former BBC World Service Anchor and Correspondentt

A veteran Caribbean broadcaster and multimedia journalist best known for his work with the BBC World Service, specifically as a senior producer and correspondent for the former BBC Caribbean unit.

Sports Figures

P.K. Subban

The charismatic former NHL defenseman

was born in Ontario to Caribbean parents; his mother, Maria, is originally from Montserrat, and his father is from Jamaica.

Ettore "Big E" Ewen

American Broadcaster I Retired Professional Wrestler I Former Powerlifter

Born in Tampa, Florida, to Margaret and Ettore Ewen, he is of Jamaican and Montserratian descent. He is signed to WWE, where he primarily serves as a panelist, analyst, and media spokesperson for the company.

Karimah Davis

Pro athlete I World Relay Silver Medalist

has represented the United States in international competition while proudly honoring her Montserratian heritage. She continues to excel on the track and inspire the next generation of athletes.