Nicky’s a 10 on the Trini chart

By Tanya Ragbeer

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Although born in New York, Neki Mohan, television anchor/reporter at WPLG-Local 10 in South Florida, was raised by her grandparents in Trinidad and Tobago, the homeland of her parents. She has never lost touch with her Trinidadian roots.

Known for being outgoing and culturally- conscious, Mohan hosted the August 19 Independence Charity Ball, held by the Trinidad and Tobago Independence Ball Committee, to celebrate the country’s 55^thanniversary of Independence at the Signature Grand.

Lot of work still to do in TNT

Mohan reflected that the twin islands are “so young, and there is still a lot of work to do.”

She continued, “It’s for every year, not just because it’s 55 years, to return to why the country became independent, to the ideals and also to look into the future to see what we don’t like, and expand on what we do like with the country.”

Mohan hosts the event every year and observes that there is a new, refreshing trend towards involving younger members of the Diaspora. “That’s how you stay young,” she said.

The theme this year was “Bring Back Di Ole Time Days” so Mohan, who “grew up with the folklore of the post-slavery, post-colonial times and all the superstitions,” felt right at home with the performances ofSoucouyant and La Diablesse.

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Vibrant cultural history

“I know all of that, it’s nice to hear it acted out because a lot of people who are not Caribbean don’t realize that we have a very vibrant cultural history. So many people came from so many different places and brought their own culture from Africa, India and China. There were very unique things that came out of that, so it’s nice to see those plays.”

Grew up in theater

Mohan grew up in theater in Trinidad, acting in plays from Shakespeare to Errol Jones and other contemporary Caribbean writers. So she felt proud of the performances. “I like things that are unique to us because that’s what makes us different.”

Urges the youth to be involved

Looking to the future, she urges young people in the Diaspora to attend and get involved with events like the Independence Ball.

“It’s great to celebrate Carnival and go to all the fetes, but come to the Eric Williams Memorial Lecture, try to get involved with the Charity Independence Ball,” she says. “We live in South Florida because it’s sunny and it’s unique, but it’s not going to last if we don’t support it.”