Mr. Halstead “Sooty” Byron is a dedicated cultural preservationist and public servant from Nevis, widely respected for his enduring contributions to education, community development, and the safeguarding of African-Caribbean heritage. A true patriot of the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis and a born and bred Nevisian, Mr. Byron is married to Caren Liburd-Byron and is the proud father of one son and two daughters. He has pledged to continue serving humanity, especially in promoting the awareness, appreciation, and preservation of the rich culture and history of Nevis and the wider Federation.
Mr. Byron proudly represents the ideal African-Caribbean identity. His work reflects a deep commitment to cultural pride, national development, and the empowerment of future generations through heritage and education. He advocates for a return to African traditions to counteract the erosion of cultural identity and address modern social challenges. He firmly believes in teaching African history and celebrating Nevisian cultural patrimony to inspire national and racial pride.
He began his educational journey at St. John’s Primary School and later attended the Charlestown Secondary School in Nevis. In 1979, he earned a Diploma in Social Work from the University of Guyana. He worked as a civil servant for 32 years, beginning in 1973. For 16 of those years, he served as a teacher at both the primary and secondary levels in Nevis and St. Kitts. Specializing in Mathematics and History at the secondary level, he was especially passionate about reaching low achievers and slow learners, using education as a tool to uplift and culturally enrich the youth.
Mr. Byron also served as a Community Development Officer for two years, coordinating the OAS/USAID Non-Formal Skills Training Program on Nevis. In this role, he partnered with local businesses to provide training and meaningful job placements for young people, significantly impacting youth empowerment across the island.
His love for local culture dates back to the 1960s when he followed masquerades and Christmas sports as a young boy. That earlyfascination evolved into decades of research, documentation, and performance. A passionate artist and cultural advocate, Mr. Byron is a poet, songwriter, dramatist, percussionist, and folklore practitioner. He has written extensively on Nevisian folk arts and played key roles in theatrical presentations during Culturama in the 1980s and 1990s.
One of his proudest accomplishments is the establishment of the Nelson Mandela Community Centre at Cole Hill through the St. John’s Community Improvement Club (SJCIC), which he founded. Built in the mid-1980s with the support of a USAID grant, it was the first community center on Nevis built through community self-help. It continues to serve as a hub for youth and adult programming.
Mr. Byron is the founder and director of two influential folk groups: the ESJAY Folk Ensemble known for the Jumping Clowns in the late 1990s and early 2000s and the I-Afrikana Drummers, established in the 1990s. These groups have showcased and preserved Nevisian traditions through music, movement, and storytelling.
His leadership and cultural diplomacy extended to the regional stage, where he organized and led delegations to CARIFESTA VI, VII, IX, and X. He played a transformative role in the development of the Culturama Festival, joining its administration in 1987 and serving as the chair of the first Mr. and Miss Talented Youth Pageant. He also mentored and wrote for contestants. Mr. Byron served two terms as Chairman of the Culturama Committee (1993–1998 and 2007–2013), making him the festival’s longest-serving chairman. Under his guidance, Culturama evolved from a grassroots celebration into a nationally and regionally recognized festival. Among his major contributions were the establishment of the Cultural Village and a reformed judging system for Kaiso competitions one that became a model for other festivals across the region.
As Nevis’ first Director of Culture (1993–2002), he was instrumental in the formation of the Department of Culture and in establishing the role of Grand Marshal for the Cultural Parade. He championed the recognition of Nevisian cultural icons among the youth, leading to the introduction of Culturama Patrons as annual honorees in 1998. His leadership also guided the Department’s evolution into the Nevis Cultural Development Foundation (NCDF), for which he served as thefirst Chairman of the Board (2008–2013), helping shape national cultural policy. Mr. Byron also served for five years as Education Officer for Culture and Heritage, facilitating the integration of folk traditions such as African drumming, steel pan, creative dancing, masquerade, cakewalk clowns, and quadrille into school programs across Nevis.
As Nevis’ representative on the National Commission for UNESCO, he implemented numerous programs across education, culture, and sustainable development. He also served as President of the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society (NHCS) 10 to 15 years ago and held leadership roles in the Nevis Football Association, Nevis Amateur Athletic Association, and Nevis Basketball Association. Additionally, he served as Secretary General of the Nevis Reformation Party and Vice Chairman of the St. Kitts & Nevis National Reparations Committee.
Even after retiring from public service in 2006, Mr. Byron continued to contribute as Special Advisor for Culture and Community Development in the Ministry of Social Transformation until 2013. During this time, he helped establish the Nevis Performing Arts Centre (NEPAC) and developed dynamic programs in community centers island-wide.
Currently, Mr. Byron teaches Mathematics at the Nevis International Secondary School (NISS) and provides private tutoring for CXC CSEC students. He is also an active member of the Black Circle Drummers with Ras Bhingi Parris and is notably the only person in Nevis skilled in drum repair and re-skinning. His technical mastery and cultural knowledge make him a vital bearer of Nevisian heritage.
On behalf of the Nevis Island Administration, the Ministry of Culture, the Nevis Cultural Development Foundation, and the Nevis Culturama Committee, we proudly salute Mr. Halstead “Sooty” Byron for his unwavering commitment to preserving the soul of Nevis that is second to none. As we reflect on his lifetime of service, let us celebrate his enduring legacy and honor his role as the Patron of Culturama 51.
