CAFE’s own Soleila Harewood was the feature steelpannist for the Women’s Roundtable Action Platform of Trinidad and Tobago’s Annual Conference. 

Soleila Harewood, a 16-year-old Junior currently enrolled at Bishop MacNamara, started CAFE at 5 years old and hasn’t stopped playing the steelpan since.  When invited to offer a musical tribute for the Women’s Roundtable Action Platform of Trinidad and Tobago’s (WRAPTT) International Women’s Day Event, she took it upon herself to arrange a double tenor steelpan solo for Adele’s “Easy on Me”.  When asked about how she prepared she shared “I [had] been working on “Easy On Me” for about a week. I spent most of my time making sure I could play the song as close to the way Adele sang it.” Although the performance was pre-recorded Ms. Harewood was still a bit nervous. “In order to calm my nerves I decided not to look at the camera and to pretend as if it wasn’t recorded. My family was also there behind the camera to support me.”

This was actually Soleila’s second tribute after having played the national anthem in October 2021 for the organization’s International Day of the Girl Child Event.  WRAPPTT is a dynamic and continuous network of the Women of Trinidad and Tobago's Diaspora for the mentorship, education, advancement and meeting the needs of beneficiaries in the Caribbean and the United States.

Several women have inspired Soleila throughout her young life.   Her mother Astril Webb-Harewood, multi-talented entertainer Zendaya and actress China Ann McClain.  “They have all shown me what it's like to persevere through the struggle, and that your skin color doesn’t define who you are, or who you strive to be.”

Soleila actually strives to be an architect. When sharing how art and music will stay with her after she graduates she says, “Art will stick with me as I design buildings and come up with new ideas. Music will stay with me as a mental health break. Music definitely takes the stress off of me and helps me express my emotions.”

Women and girls can join WRAPTT by following them through their social media platforms and webinar events. All of their work is through their ISMENA activities @WRAPTT or @ISMENATT.

Congrats Soleila on an exceptional performance!