Impacting Jamaica

The lived experiences and traditions of Nanny, were largely spent on activities outside of warfare, noted Dr. Leo R. Douglas, an Assistant Clinical Professor at New York University (NYU).In contrast, the lived experiences of maroon leaders of the day revolved around African spirituality, facilitating community wellness, and deepening their understanding of the Jamaican interior, the forests, and local flora and fauna that provided them with medicine, shelter, food, faith, ancestral memory, camouflage and escape.Within the current climate and biodiversity extinction crises, and concerns about the rapid degradation of Jamaican watersheds and water access, this project (Nanny: Her Sword – A Seed) aims to mainstream a discussion of Maroon traditional ecological knowledge, practices and beliefs with respect to their deep and existential relationships with the natural and the eco-spiritual worlds. Dr. Douglas noted that the project is seeking to retell the story of Nanny in keeping with her significant roles, both real and symbolic. This visual arts project thus situates Nanny as shaman of the forests, as healer, as priestess and protector of the springs and watersheds, and commander of the natural forces of the Blue and John Crow Mountain watersheds.In this episode of Impacting Jamaica, Dr. Douglas told host Zadie Neufville that the current international call for visual artists to submit entries aims to produce a gallery-type art piece in honour of National Hero Nanny for the 60th anniversary of independent of Jamaica.

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Ricardo Allen heads one of Jamaica’s top education digital service providers, One-on-One Educational Services Ltd. It has experienced exceptional growth since its start in 2013, expanding into several Caribbean countries.Today it stands ready to assist Jamaica and the region to tackle the gaps created in the system by the deadly COVID-19 pandemic that shut down schools across the region for in excess of one year.Allen says its recent acquisition will allow the digital business to expand its coaching and tutoring services to all levels of the education system. The courses that students take, he argues, “are personalised, and that’s what One-on-One is all about – a personalised education experience online.”The company wants “to empower more than 1,000,000 Caribbean nationals to bridge the digital divide and learn and take their exams online, laying the foundation for rapid skills acquisition for a number of subject areas and business skills”.Allen tells Impacting Jamaica host Zadie Neufville that he wants to see a greater level of investment in education in Jamaica to build an infrastructure to allow access to digital education for all. He floated the idea of a “technology bond” for Jamaica.

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Terri-Karelle Reid is the human ethernet-connector of people and dots. Having graced the stage at events across the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and North America, Terri-Karelle has built a brand that is synonymous with the word excellence in every way.She is an events and television host, speaker, content curator, online branding expert and storyteller. Recently, she stepped onto a huge stage – the TEDx stage.TEDx is a nonprofit organization that uses its events to help share ideas in communities around the world. Her topic was Untapped, but specifically focussing on parenting.Terri-Karelle told one of her best friends – Garfene Grandison – that her parenting style is part traditional, part modern. She told him too during this Impacting Jamaica interview that she was devastated when she first found out she was about to become a mother, and more recently astonished by the TEDx invitation. She joins us today as we explore her road to the TEDx stage, her role as a mother and as one of Jamaica’s more beloved gems.

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Egbert von Frankenberg moved to Jamaica from Germany 16 years ago. He entered the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector six years ago when he co-founded the software development firm, Knightfox Apps Design.He’s upbeat about the sector, arguing that it is a huge plus for the Jamaican economy and its people, as a key employer of labour.The chief executive officer of the business is a graduate of the European Business School in London, and his company has been leading the charge in bringing more attention to the potential of software outsourcing in the Caribbean.Knightfox Apps Design has the distinction of being the first in the Caribbean to be certified as an accredited technology partner of US-based online shopping platform Amazon, and focuses on e-commerce and block chain products, as well as, mobile phone and cloud applications.

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From an inner-city St Catherine community to a graduate of one of the top universities in the United States and the world, Tarick Walton has turned his sights on giving back to Jamaica.He, and others, are working with educators to transform the St Johns Road Primary School through the Walton and Friends, a non-profit organization that he co-founded while in college.Tarick, a graduate of Campion College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has also written a book with 10 mentorship lessons to guide persons, at any stage of life, to achieve their dreams. For him, a civil engineer, living is anchored by perseverance that focuses on the vision; reciprocity that encourages love; and humility that emphasises others over self.He tells Impacting Jamaica host Luke Douglas that for Jamaica to proper government, business and community must align around entertainment, spirituality and sports.

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The power of reduce waste, fraud and corruption in the public sector lies in the hands of Jamaicans, according to passionate civil society advocate for better public governance, Jeanette Calder. For the last several years, has been vocal on governance issues, in particular those relating to procurement, corruption and public sector reform. Jeanette is also the founder of JAMP – Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal. She joins Impacting Jamaica host Shelly-Ann Harris for an unusually inspiring conversation on accountability and corruption in Jamaica.

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Since the start of 2021, registered art therapist, Lesli-Ann Belnavis Elliott has seen an increase in the number of clients calling for mental health support. This, she believes, means more Jamaicans are crying out for help as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact people’s lives. Lesli-Ann, who is also a photographer, has conducted creative arts-based clinical assessments and art therapy sessions with clients of various ages, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds in a variety of locations including, schools and community centres as part of projects or her private practice.Currently, she offers services both in-person and via telehealth to persons dealing with grief, trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, and family and work-related concerns. Lesli-Ann sits down with Impacting Jamaica host Shelly-Ann Harris to chat about Art Therapy; and how it is helping Jamaicans to heal.

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Where does one find York Street in Jamaica? Ask Elaine Coleman and Elaine Chen. They will tell you: About three and a half miles from the town of Linstead, St Catherine. They are executive members of the York Street Past Students Association, New York chapter. The past students have fenced the school, paved the walkway; built a library and a computer lab, among several other projects. Their mission is to help students at the York Street Primary School and surrounding basic schools and communities.The association, started 25 years ago by Ms. Coleman, now vice-president, is headed by president Elaine Chen. Under the umbrella of Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations (USA), Inc., York Street has used the critical subsets of education and healthcare to bring much needed hope and assistance to school and community. Their story is the subject of this edition of Impacting Jamaica with host Aubrey Campbell.

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Employees at the Jamaica Customs Agency went into their pockets and came up with funds to purchase 61 tablets for students at two schools close to their offices.“It was done without hesitation,” declared Tameka Goulbourne, Director of Internal Affairs and chairperson of the customs agency’s Corporate Social Responsibility Committee.The tablets went to the Farm Primary and Infant School in Green Pond, St James, and the Edward Seaga Primary School in Denham Town, St Andrew.Tameka notes that the agency’s committee focuses its efforts in and around communities close to its offices. “We want to have a greater impact on our stakeholders beyond our current mandate, especially with everything that has been going on since the pandemic,” she said.She spoke with Impacting Jamaica host Luke Douglas about the commitment of the agency’s workers to corporate social responsibility initiatives and plans for the future.

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Levi Roots is an award-winning musician, broadcaster and entrepreneur, whose grandmother taught him how to cook in Jamaica. He is the founder of the Reggae Reggae Sauce. He appeared on BBC2’s Dragons Den in 2007 and won an investment on the TV show. Within a few weeks, his sauce was on supermarket shelves. His sauce was an instant hit with the British public and at one point Reggae Reggae Sauce was outselling other popular brands.Levi has written several cookbooks championing Caribbean food and has become a favourite on British TV. His brand has branched out into several foods; and is one of the most recognisable brands in the UK. Levi has announced he is having a multi-million-pound movie made about his life. He sits for a chat with Impacting Jamaica host Sinai Fleary.

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