Impacting Jamaica

Are you curious about the decline in voter turnout during recent general elections in Jamaica? We certainly are! But fear not; we have an expert to break it down for you. Join us in this enlightening conversation as we sit down with Don Anderson, a seasoned professional pollster with over 52 years of experience in marketing and research. Have you ever wondered why Jamaicans are staying away from t...

Prepare to be inspired by a remarkable faith, determination, and leadership journey! Join us in this captivating episode of Impacting Jamaica as we track the life story of a man who rose from humble beginnings to become a true visionary and servant of God. Earlmont Williams, hailing from the picturesque but economically challenged St. Vincent and the Grenadines, never envisioned himself on the pat...

Today, as we pay tribute to the remarkable life and legacy of the Hon. R. Danny Williams, we remember a titan of Jamaican business, a visionary whose impact reverberated across all spheres of life in Jamaica. Mr. Williams, often called the Godfather of Jamaica's life insurance industry, left an indelible mark on the nation he loved so deeply. Mr. Williams died on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 8...

The Heart Institute of the Caribbean (HIC) is engaged in an ongoing battle against heart disease in Jamaica and throughout the Caribbean region. Situated in the vibrant city of Kingston, the Institute, under the visionary leadership of Dr. Ernest Madu, is spearheading a groundbreaking mission to ensure accessible and affordable cardiovascular care for all. Dr. Madu's exceptional expertise and qual...

Calling all education enthusiasts and parents seeking the best for their children's growth and development! Get ready to enter an illuminating conversation that sheds light on the vital role of teachers as beacons of hope, the magic of playtime for academic success, and innovative ways to nurture social bonds amidst challenging times. In this repeat episode of Impacting Jamaica, join us in welcomi...

Are you ready to break free from fear and unlock your full entrepreneurial potential? Join us in this empowering episode of Impacting Jamaica as we discuss the remarkable journey of Rashidi Thomas, the visionary behind Giftme. It's no secret that the fear of failure can paralyze even the most promising business ideas. Rashidi Thomas, the driving force behind Giftme, is here to challenge that notio...

This year, through its Brighter View Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Courts Optical provided 220 students with brand-new eyeglasses to help enhance their general education. Regional Chain Manager for Courts Optical, Geaton Porter, speaks with Impacting Jamaica host Keisha Hill about his company’s initiative which was launched in 2018. Brighter View is a significant corporate soci...

Krystal Tomlinson is a young Jamaican who transformed adversity into opportunity during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the pandemic hit, Krystal had only 500 Jamaican dollars in her bank account. With "no job, no income, no car, no house, only debt, and the responsibility of being the primary caregiver for my two-year-old daughter," she faced an uncertain future. However, Krystal possessed one invalu...

Captain Lesa Thomas, whose parents are from Jamaica, was born in London, England, has kept a close connection to Jamaica and generously supported several charity causes. She told Impacting Jamaica that one of the most crucial methods to create and preserve healthy communities is by helping others via charitable contributions. Lesa has partnered with the VM Group to open 70 save-only bank accounts...

Technology expert Adrian Dunkley says businesses at every level must embrace artificial intelligence (AI) tools to improve efficiency and better serve their customers. He says, too, that entrepreneurs should be willing to take risks in the journey to remain relevant in the 21st-century environment but “make sure you can absorb the downside of that.” At StarApple AI, the team utilizes data analytic...

Don Gittens is the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Manpower and Maintenance Services Limited, whose mission is “to provide solutions in facilities maintenance, workforce education and training, and outsourced services.” He takes over from Audrey Stewart-Hinchcliffe, who founded the company over 33 years ago. She remains chairman of the board of directors. When it comes to achieving his goals...

The SafeSpot Helpline is a toll-free number that provides counselling to children and adolescents needing assistance with their mental, emotional, and social well-being.    According to the Office of the Children’s Advocate, many Jamaican children need this kind of support and dozens of them are accessing the service. “The overwhelming number of children who reached out to us leave with...

Shanae Cooper Robinson, like many other females in her rural neighbourhood, did not wish to be associated with a negative stereotype. She desired change not only for herself but also for her family, notably her mother. She remained diligent and focussed, and now she is reaping the rewards of her dedication and labour. She currently undertakes multiple duties. She is a mentor, author, motivational...

Nutrition is a vital component of health and development. Better nutrition is associated with more robust immune systems, safer pregnancies and deliveries, reduced risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and extended life spans. Against this background, the Jamaica Council of Churches has launched a programme called "Faith-Based Spaces for Healthy Food Patter...

A Jamaican academic is enthused by artificial intelligence's potential for advancing society. Dr. Sheldon Campbell, a prominent scholar and author is excited about the prospective benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Dr. Campbell believes that many industries can benefit from the power of AI, particularly in terms of managing routine duties and increasing profitability, while taking precautio...

Ras Manga is of the opinion that music is an effective tool for swaying opinions. Because of this, he decided to start his own platform called Buss Dem Big in order to prevent the negative impacts that lude music or what he refers to as "noise" may have on young people who are easily influenced. Buss Dem Big is a programme that is now broadcast every week, and it has been instrumental in the proce...

Entrepreneurship provides Janal McLean with a means to put all of her ideas into practise, and she has a lot of them floating around in her head. McLean, who refers to themselves as a serial entrepreneur, places a strong emphasis on the value of conquering one's anxieties and taking a risk in order to pursue one's passion. She established her company, EZY Advertising Management, on the basis that...

Author, guidance counsellor, and motivational speaker Kemone Francis is a multi-talented individual. Her story is living proof that educators play a critical role in identifying potentially difficult students and in guiding young people towards attaining their full potential. “One day while coming from under the mango tree, a teacher saw me and she said, ‘Kemone, that is not who you are. There is...

Phyllis Thomas has spent over 45 years in the field of journalism. Her career allowed her a voice to help others and for this she is grateful. The lessons and guiding principles she gained over the years are contained in her book, ‘ I Dare You – A Climb to the Pinnacle of Journalism.’ Even though she is now retired, Phyllis continues to make contributions to the world of journalism since the book...

Errol Campbell's lifelong mission has been to encourage young people to realise their full potential. The top spelling bee instructor has produced more than 14 parish champions and five national champions in a row, making him the undisputed leader in the field. On the other hand, he maintains that "success is a process and not an event". He urges parents to encourage their children to be resilient...

The world looks up to Jamaica's Para-Olympic participants for their tenacity and zeal as they overcome challenges to represent Jamaica at the highest level on the world stage.   Under the direction of its President Christopher Samuda, the Jamaica Paralympic Association (JPA) has started the "I'm Phenomenal" campaign to celebrate the athletes; educate the public; and hunt resources for these a...

One of the greatest barriers to entrepreneurship is a fear of failing. However, Rashidi Thomas of Giftme implores anyone with a business idea to forego this strategy. You can't be worried about failure, he said. “I think the reason why people don’t take on the entrepreneurship route is through fear.” He also exhorts business owners to redefine their planned execution notion without fear. It's poss...

In communities across Jamaica, churches are having a profound impact on people's lives and strengthening families. But frequently, the church's work is not shared. Jenni Campbell, a career journalist who heads the recently founded Association of Christian Communicators and Media (ACCM), is collaborating with the Impacting Jamaica podcast series to highlight the work of churches in both urban and r...

Michelle Hamilton is a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. This branch of medicine, according to her, is focused on preventing illness and promoting self-healing. What does naturopathic medicine entail exactly? Herbs, massage, acupuncture, exercise, and nutritional counselling are just a few of the therapies it embraces. During a virtual masterclass for men, Dr. Hamilton emphasized that "we have a wi...

Kevin Coke, a motivating industrial technology instructor at Herbert Morrison Technical High School, maintains that by altering your thoughts, you can change your external circumstances. Coke claims that failure is a pattern of thinking that includes fear, doubt, and hesitation, but he is adamant that anyone can change their situation by adopting a mindset of bravery, independence, and choice. &nb...