A Voice Bridging Cultures, Igniting Joy and Empowerment
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, and now rooted in Brooklyn, NY, Minna LaFortune is a singer-songwriter, cultural advocate, and late-blooming recording artist. Her music blends Caribbean soul with themes of love, resilience, and empowerment. After a 28-year career at New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Minna retired to pursue her lifelong passion for music.
From Corporate to Creative: A Journey of Reinvention
With a BA in Liberal Arts/Communication and a master’s in public administration, Minna’s early career was in civic service. Her Jamaican upbringing, filled with her mother’s lullabies and her father’s jukebox adventures, laid the foundation for her artistic spirit. She honed her soprano voice at Ardenne High School and earned a Bronze Medal at Jamaica’s 1975 National Music Competition for schools.
Champion of Caribbean Culture
Minna co-founded the Society for the Advancement of the Caribbean Diaspora (SACD) and the African American Caribbean Singers, amplifying Caribbean voices in the arts. She also contributes Caribbean recipes to publications and is a visual artist specializing in batik fabric art and landscape painting.
Music: A Second Act, A First Love
In 2022, a meeting with producer Lee Holness sparked Minna’s recording career. She released her debut EP “Dance with Me: Vol. I” in 2023, followed by the festive “Caribbean Christmas” album. And completed her third album “Dance with Me: Vol. II” (June 2025), featuring tracks like “Global Warming” and “Cease Fire.”

Influences & Vision
Minna’s sound is inspired by reggae legends like Bob Marley and Burning Spear, the operatic grandeur of Jessye Norman, Aretha Franklyn, Nancy Wilson and the soulful storytelling of Jennifer Hudson. Her goal is to unite the African diaspora through music, which she sees as spiritual medicine and a transformative force.

A Legacy in Motion

Minna LaFortune is more than an artist—she’s a force of cultural preservation and joyful empowerment. Through every note, recipe, and brushstroke, she invites the world to celebrate heritage, embrace reinvention, and dance toward a brighter tomorrow.
“Reggae music is love to me—both music and love are transformative.” – Minna LaFortune