Impacting Jamaica

The holiday season is over but throughout it, many people experience anxiety, sadness, and depression. Jamaican clergyman, Reverend Errol Bolt, a family life counselor who has been in ministry for 39 years, and Pastor of Kencot Christian Fellowship, has an abundance of advice and perspectives on dealing with depression. “Females know how to get out of the pothole of depression quicker and faster t...

Sadikie Williams, a Jamaica software developer living in the United States, has developed a crowdfunding platform specifically for Jamaicans and members of the Caribbean. Inspired by his innate desire to help wherever he can, and especially with the pandemic unearthing so many socio-economic needs, Williams decided to put his skills as a software developer into building a crowdfunding website. &nb...

The Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation is leading various transformational initiatives that are making a big impact in targeted areas. The foundation focuses on projects in multiple categories, but heavily on supporting partnerships in education for young people. “We are heavily invested in their development,” declares the entity’s Chief Executive Officer Sandrina Davis. She notes th...

Teshuva Wellness offers top class service to its customers to help them live their best selves. It’s boss oncologist Dr. Andre Williams emphasizes that his business is about “a return to the best possible version of yourself…and that’s what we seek to do for every person who comes through the door at Teshuva Wellness”. He said too that Jamaica “has the best chance…to influence the cancer landscape...

Chairman and founder of Manpower & Maintenance Services Limited Audrey Hinchcliffe is the 2022 John Maxwell Live2Lead Leadership awardee. The Live2Lead Leadership Award was designed to identify outstanding leaders in the Caribbean, who are providing exemplary leadership by positively impacting the lives of people and contributing to national change. These leaders possess exceptional leadership...

Close to 60 per cent of Jamaica’s population is overweight and in danger of developing diabetes. This is according to Professor Errol Morrison, an expert on the disease, who is appealing to Jamaicans to exercise lifestyle management and engage more in physical activities. The professor points out that the disease affects over 20 per cent of Jamaica’s adult population; and that many don’t even know...

Rachel Barrett Dolcine, a Jamaican living overseas, always wanted to give back to her country, a trait learnt from her grandparents. “One of the things I had on my list from I was very young was to give back to Jamaica,” she said. “I didn’t know how. I didn’t know when. I was in elementary school then. That seed of giving back was planted many years ago.” Today that dream is a reality. She is givi...

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 Accountabil...

Businesswoman Audrey Hinchcliffe is reminding those in business that they have a key role to play in helping to uplift people and their communities. In other words, shaping the caring economy, a just society. She said business “leaders must be aware of the environment in which they operate and be prepared to respond to the needs and imperatives, not just for economic gain”. Hinchcliffe, the founde...

The Association of Christian Communicators and Media (ACCM), launched in October this year, is ready to inject new energy into the voice of the Church. It’s President Jenni Campbell says the Church has been diminished because of its absence in the media space. “It does not have that amplified voice…that can compete with other voices in the space,” says the media practitioner of 30 years. In this e...

Close to 60 per cent of Jamaica’s population is overweight and in danger of developing diabetes. This is according to Professor Errol Morrison, an expert on the disease, who is appealing to Jamaicans to exercise lifestyle management and engage more in physical activities. November 14 is World Diabetes Day and the professor points out that the disease affects over 20 per cent of Jamaica’s adult pop...

Good leadership is about influence and what you do for the people, states official host for the Live2Lead initiative in Jamaica, Erica McKenzie. "A lot of times we think leadership is about the position that you hold. That does not make you a leader; it's the doorway to leadership. Leadership is about influence and people," asserts McKenzie, who revealed that the Live2Lead initiativ...

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) was established in 1996 as a component of the Government of Jamaica’s national poverty alleviation strategy. The Fund was designed primarily to channel resources to small-scaled community-based projects. Under the 10th cycle of the Basic Needs Trust Fund, JSIF has improved the social infrastructure of many communities across the length and breath of Jamaic...

Colin Gyles is from humble beginnings. He grew up in Orangefield, a rural community in St. Catherine. However, his parents instilled in him and his other seven siblings, the importance of humility and perseverance. Today, he is a renowned and acclaimed scientist, with over 30 years in academia in Jamaica. Professor Gyles is the Acting President of the University of Technology, Jamaica. On National...

Earlmont Williams grew up as a poor boy in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. “I didn’t plan to become a Christian,” he said, recalling that he went to a crusade with friends as a youngster to chat with girls. He however left surrendering his life to the Creator. Then he decided he wanted to attend the Bethel Bible College in Jamaica. “I can recall my father saying to me; are you sure you want to go...

As early as six years old, Garth Rattray knew he wanted to become a medical doctor. He saw his parents giving back to their community, and he wanted to do the same, but in a more substantial way. Today, his ‘no charge’ list is very long, and after 40 years in the medical profession he has been conferred with an Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander for his contribution to medicine, public...

Dr. Brandeis Denham Jolly wears many hats. He is a human rights activist, founder of Canada’s first Black-owned radio station – FLOW93.5 FM Toronto,   founder of the prestigious Harry Jerome Awards, founder of the Black Business and Professional Association, and co-founder and president of the Committee for Due Process. On Independence Day, August 6, the Government of Jamaica announ...

During the past two years, if you’ve listened to the Jamaican news cycle on a regular basis, you would have gotten used to hearing a few voices every day. Those voices provided information, updates, and guidance and how to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic in Jamaica. One of those familiar voices is none other than Jamaica’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie. Dr Bisasor-McKenzie...

While growing up in Mt Olivet in Manchester, Astor Carlyle attended the United Church in his community. When everyone was choosing career paths, he knew he wanted to serve the religious community. Today, he is the pastor of the Webster Memorial United Church in St Andrew. For his exceptional work, Rev. Carlyle has been conferred with an Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander for contributio...

Olive Parkins-Smith is the recipient of a Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service (BH/M) from the Government of Jamaica for her outstanding contribution to the Jamaica Diaspora in Canada. The National Honours and Awards were announced on Independence Day (August 6) and will be presented on National Heroes Day, Monday, October 17. Her commitment to community service is exceptional and she credits h...

Mark and Charmaine Simpson are the powerful husband and wife team that founded Black History Studies (BHS). BHS is a leading UK platform which offers a range of courses and events celebrating black history. The couple work extensively with corporate and community organisations providing diversity training, outreach, and educational programmes. Black History Studies provides courses, museum tours,...

Omar Sweeney thought it was a prank when he was informed that he would be conferred with an Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander for his contribution to the public sector. “My number one interest is Jamaica and the development of Jamaica,” the managing director of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) told Impacting Jamaica host Keisha Hill. He is an astute engineering professional wi...

LeRoy Graham is defending Jamaica’s music legacy and culture, especially throughout diaspora communities in North America. He wants to ensure that the truth and nothing, but the truth is told about the country’s music and its development. Graham founded the True Tribute Organization Foundation in 2014 to support this mission. It aims to be a key source of information on the accomplishments, invalu...

Esther Tyson, a respected former principal, and vice principal of notable high schools in Jamaica, author, advisor, coach, consultant, assessor, and board member will, in October, receive a national award – the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) – for her exemplary service to education.  Join Impacting Jamaica host Shelly-Ann Harris for an interesting conversation with Mrs. Tyson about her pro...

Giving up wasn’t an option for Nayana Williams despite the struggles to get business going 18 years ago. She had no money, and financial institutions were unwilling to help. Notwithstanding, she started a bottled water company – Lifespan – in Portland after returning home from abroad with her husband. Today she and her team – which moved from three to over 150 – are celebrating their achievement....