Alannah is of Turks and Caicos, Bahamian and British heritage, a marine ecologist who spends most of her time in her office of choice ‘the sea’. Currently, Vellacott works as a Coral Farmer at Coral Vita in Freeport Bahamas having spent over 11 years dedicating time to marine research.
In the 2.38 minute story with Creme of Nature, a beauty brand, she shares the depths of her experience in her profession as a Coral Restoration Specialist. Vellacott immerses herself into the marine world, bringing human intimacy to keeping our oceans clean. She relays that frequently finds herself talking to about three thousand corals everyday.
Her connection to the ocean came at a young age, first learning about the ocean ‘through the lens of a fisherman‘. This is basically through observation – a key component of science.
As a woman of colour she says it is important to celebrate her intersectionality. As a result, she celebrates her multi-racial background and takes pride in the things that make her different. In the campaign we see unapologetically Alannah tosses her hair then dives in to explore the seafloor, steadily.
“I shine different because I am unapologetically myself everyday and I’ve chosen to hold this space as a woman of colour in Marine Conservation.”
Undoubtedly, she can be inspiration to other women who may relate to her story as well.
She says, “I want to be that woman of colour that a little girl looks at or that a woman who wants to change her career. I want them to look at me and feel confident. That they too can thrive in what ever it is their put their minds to.”
Alannah Vellacott has been seen recently as an actress, having on screen appearances in Enslaved: The Lost History of the Transatlantic Slave Trade hosted by Samuel L. Jackson and in Shark Week 2020 with the cast of Workaholics.
To help take care of our ocean, volunteer with the Turks and Caicos Reef Fund.
