Brief Bio
Vans LeBlanc, MA, BBA(cum laude)
Born in Portsmouth, Dominica, the natural Island of the Caribbean, a high school student at the At St. Mary’s Academy, he was educated at Iona University, New Rochelle, New York (BBA(cum laude); and at McMaster University, Ontario, Canada
(MA(Economics).
He was the chief executive of the two major indigenous financial institutions, a director of several businesses, and government institutions in his homeland, Dominica; a loan Officer with the General Electric Company in Stamford, Conn., is a former teacher and banana farmer at home, and a mortgage Broker in Canada.
He is a published author, poet and a former volunteer small business counselor.
His musical composition of “The Dream of King’s” is the manifestation of his deep belief in the dream of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, a dream he believes transcends all countries, borders and races.
It is the universal dream of the entire human race, and though the dream first appeared in the USA, Dr King fully understood that his dream is not only America’s dream.
It is the ultimate human dream, with universal application and appeal, where we all want to be recognized for our character rather than our skin colour.
The music was specifically designed to motivate students at the high school level to celebrate Dr King’s birthday and commemorate his passing through their marching band parades every year.
They should never forget, and we should never forget.
Telling A Powerful Story with Bold Perspectives
EXPLORE CHAPTERS 1, 11 AND 15
These chapters explore the actual and potential impact of Caribbean politics on the region’s growth and future.
We welcome contributions, especially from other Caribbean authors on fresh intellectual perspectives that challenge the status quo and inspire peaceful political change in the region.
Living in Fear of Politicians in the Caribbean
STANDING UP TO BULLY POLITICIANS
(a Caribbean Playbook)
"Ask not what your country can do for you..."
It is said that one can never go back home.
Well, this book is about going back home to the Caribbean, to his small island nation of DOMINICA.
Once you say you are from the Caribbean, the question you get from most people in Canada, Europe, and the US is:
"Why would you want to leave there and come to this cold place?"
They continue to ask incredulously why anyone would want to leave behind such a blissful life with warm, blue water and sandy beaches all year round, where laissez-faire living is the norm rather than the exception. So, why was this young man so desperate to leave such a blissful existence?
This young man from the Caribbean left his home in Dominica as a student with a single purpose: to get an education and return home to help develop his homeland without regard to money, rewards or personal wealth.
When most people leave home for a foreign land, they invariably plan to work hard to achieve personal success and a better life, some striving to become wealthy, some to become famous, and others to become doctors, lawyers, engineers or other professionals, but not necessarily to return home. This can be said for 99% of young people who emigrate legally.
But not this guy.
He had a different plan. When he left home at 22 years old, his single-minded purpose was to study marketing so he could sell to the world all the crops he saw produced in abundance in his homeland, crops that he agonizingly also saw going to waste in equal abundance because there was no market for them.
That, to him, in his youthful innocence and naïveté, was a national tragedy.
With this seemingly narrow purpose in mind, in his early thirties in 1976, he made the life-changing decision to sacrifice and leave behind a sky-is-the-limit financial executive career with a US financial giant in Connecticut to return home to Dominica, his third-world motherland in the Caribbean.
He never expected, however, that on a bleak and stormy day in July, twelve years later, he would be desperately fleeing from the menacing political weaponizations against him.
In refugee style, he and his young family secretly boarded a private single-engine six-seater on a perilous journey in the middle of the hurricane season over the raging waters of the Caribbean channel, bound for the welcoming country of Canada via Antigua.
Why was he so desperate to leave?
Because he was fleeing political weaponization following his duly authorized executive decision to place principle and professionalism before partisan politics in the governance of financial institutions.
For refusing to concede to undue political influence, the political power of his own government was used as weapon against him in his search for alternative gainful employment.
One inspiration for this non-fiction work came from JFK's famous words:
"Ask not what your country can do for you; Ask what you can do for your country."
Millions of visitors worldwide travel to the Caribbean regularly to soak up the crystal-blue seawater and the warm sun. These tourists often cannot imagine why some of us would ever want to emigrate from the apparent blissful paradise that the islands portray externally.
When people emigrate from other parts of the world, including Asia, the Far East, the Middle East, Africa, South America, China, and India, everyone seems to assume they are invariably fleeing oppression, war, poverty or political persecution.
However, in the case of us emigrating from the Caribbean, we are rarely perceived to be fleeing oppressive regimes or political persecution. And quite rightly so; life can be a dream in the Caribbean. And it probably still is for many.
“So, why would you want to leave?” they ask. Alas! Little do they know that for many, it is a life full of undue political interference in one's personal affairs and bitter political weaponization that can impose a heavy toll on families.
Love of Country transcends all that.
Vans T. LeBlanc, MA (McMaster), BBA (Iona)
Discover the "Fear" in Caribbean Politics
Caribbean Futures
THE FEAR OF POLITICIANS
THE WEAPONIZATION OF GOVERNMENT
Caribbean politics has long silenced voices and hindered growth, but Standing Up to Bully Politicians is here to expose the truth and spark a consciousness for reform. If you’re passionate about unlocking the region’s potential, or want to learn how political choices affect lives, this book is your guide. Let’s start a conversation that drives real change. Contact us today to share your story, your thoughts and join our community. You may also or invite the author to a speaking event, virtually.
Remember:
It is fair to state that most politicians are not bullies (bully-proof), but the few who are, effectively overshadow the many who are not, with overwhelming aggression.
And, It is also fair to say that not all the politicians are corrupt, but those who are effectively overshadow those who are not with overpowering influence.