Jewels of the Virgin Isles is a feature series profiling Virgin Islanders in the diaspora who are excelling in their respective fields and/or positively representing the USVI abroad.
In Zaid Sewer’s line of work he has rubbed shoulders with entertainers such as John Legend, Destra and Morris Chestnut, and yet he remains a humble student of his craft, always ready to glean a nugget of wisdom from a veteran of the radio industry.
You see, although Sewer has recently launched his career as a digital video producer for V103 radio station in Atlanta, he is off to a great. This St. Johnian "Jewel" is a 2009 graduate of the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School who received his bachelor’s degree in audio production last year from the Art Institute of Atlanta and, since then, has been working alongside urban radio and television personality "Big Tigger."
"I learn a lot from working with him and he mentors me on the ins and outs of the business," Sewer said. As a digital video producer, Sewer produces a broadcast feed of Big Tigger’s radio show from inside the studio, which is streamed for his online audience.
"It’s sort of like television production for radio because we have cameras set up inside the studio," Sewer says. "We control the angles from which footage is taken, edit the video of Big Tigger’s celebrity interviews, and post them on You Tube," he continued.
Sewer said a career in music and entertainment had always been in his sights because he finds inspiration in the visual and performing arts and often questions the intent behind various works of art. Music has been an important component of his life since the age of 5, he said, when he was a member of the Love City Pan Dragons.
In addition to performing with the ensemble until his senior year of high school, Sewer took up piano and found an affinity for writing and producing musical beats. This passion continues today as he plays keyboard with a newly formed reggae band in Atlanta that plays back up for international reggae artists with shows in the city. They also play for emerging artists on the Atlanta music scene.
Sewer has been fortunate to be following his passion and owes his start to an opportunity to be part of a production team for CBS Radio during his college years. This experience led to his decision to intern there, and the rest is history.
In order to maintain his busy schedule, Sewer said he taps into the discipline he acquired as a member of the Honor Society and Boy Scouts to stay focused. He cites his keys to success as knowledge, persistence and vision, and said he believes that one can never learn too much.
"The more knowledgeable you are of a particular subject, the more useful you will be," he said. "I believe persistence will keep you closer to success because most people are rejected far more times than they are accepted."
It is this mindset that has provided Sewer with the courage to pursue exactly what he desires. A proud Virgin Islander who hails from Cruz Bay, Sewer said he is fortunate to come from a family that supports his ambitions.
Reflecting on the encouragement he has always received from his parents, Oswin and Laurel Sewer, and the multicultural aspect of being a U.S. territory in the Caribbean, he refers to the Virgin Islands as a "cultural hybrid and a village ready to raise its children."
Sewer has a very bright path ahead of him, and though his future may lie in Atlanta for the time being, Sewer keeps the Virgin Islands in his heart, and expresses his desire to expose Virgin Islands youth to artistic experiences just as he was.
"I would love to create a mentoring and arts program for the children of the territory because the arts have played a large part in my life," he says. Given his drive and tenacity, there is no doubt that this rising star will go far.
A Nugget for V.I. Youth: “Never give up. Follow your dreams and create your own path.”
Little Known Fact: Sewer is intrigued by history and nature.
Note: Zaid Sewer is the author’s cousin.
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Loán Sewer is a marketing and tourism consultant and proud Virgin Islander who resides in Washington, D.C. She is also a founding member of the USVI Alliance Inc., an organization focused on reconnecting the Virgin Islands diaspora with the local community and host of the USVI Economic Development Summit on the U.S. mainland. Follow her on Twitter @LoTalksTourism or e-mail her at info@Lotalkstourism.com.
