What began as a birthday gathering of just over 100 people has grown into a major platform for Trinidad and Tobago’s creative sector.
The founder of ‘Becoming’, Andre Sealy, says the third edition held over the weekend drew more than 1,500 patrons, showing the event has expanded well beyond its original purpose, developing from a small personal celebration into a platform for Trinidad and Tobago’s creative economy.
“This event started as a birthday party with 122 people outside of Residence, and it has evolved from a celebration of one man to the celebration of an entire industry, the Orange Economy.”
Among those honoured at the event was acclaimed Caribbean fashion designer Ecliffe Elie, whose career has spanned more than three decades. During his remarks, he recalled how an earlier act of generosity came back to him years later.
“Actually, it’s 14 years now. You have been… 14 years. You gifted me my suit for my graduation. So he pulled out this picture, and he showed me, and he said, ‘Ecliffe, you know, that was really impactful for me because, you know, today I’m a medical doctor in the UK. Thank you so much.'”
Mr Elie said the encounter reinforced a lesson he learnt from his mother: that the lasting value of his work is found in the people it reaches, rather than in public acclaim.
“Folks, you see, we do not know who life we might touch on our journey, and when we do these things, we do not look for recognition, and I want to tie it back to what’s happening here tonight. I want to thank Andre, Andre Sealy from the Make It Happen Committee and Becoming, and I truly want to say thank you so much for recognising me.”
Mr Sealy said Becoming’s growth has relied on support from across the creative and commercial sectors. He argued that the same collective backing is needed to sustain a business and develop the wider creative economy.
“They said if it takes a village to raise a child, then it takes a community to sustain a business and I want to thank that community that made this possible.”
The event founder said Becoming is intended to recognise the determination and creativity behind the country’s cultural industries.
From its beginnings in 2022, he now describes the event as a fixture on the national calendar — built by the community it celebrates.