Jolanda Charles
Jolanda Juliet Charles is an aspiring fiction writer from Trinidad and Tobago who works in the field of Administration and Corporate Communications. She holds a BA in Marketing Management and Certificate in Creative Writing, and has contributed articles to the T&T Express, T&T Guardian, and the Caribbean Moms online magazine. Longlisted for the Bocas Breakthrough […]
Ella Berthoud
Ella Berthoud is a passionate advocate for how reading fiction can change your life. She is co-author of The Novel Cure: an A-Z of Literary Remedies, and co-founder of the Bibliotherapy Service at The School of Life in London.
Dixie-Ann Belle
Since she started scribbling stories in her notebooks as a child, Dixie-Ann Belle has been indulging her love of the written word. She works as a freelance writer, editor, and proofreader and enjoys applying her creativity to storytelling and helping her clients get their messages out to the world. Among various projects, she is a […]
Heather Barker
Heather Barker is a dual national of the UK and Barbados. She writes fiction about girls and women from Barbados while exploring the legacies of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. She lives in Barbados and runs a boutique PR firm in between writing short stories and learning to swim. She is a 2024 Bocas Breakthrough Fellow.
Vaneisa Baksh
Nearly three decades ago, Vaneisa Baksh began writing about cricket and the West Indies. Since then, her work has appeared around the Caribbean and in international cricket websites such as ESPNcricinfo and in the Wisden Cricketers Almanac. Son of Grace, a biography of Frank Worrell, is her first book, shortlisted for The Cricket Society and […]
Shinie Antony
Shinie Antony is a writer and editor based in Bengaluru, India. Her novels include Eden Abandoned: The Story of Lilith, Can’t, and The Girl Who Couldn’t Love. Her anthologies include Boo, Why We Don’t Talk, and An Unsuitable Woman. She is co-founder of the Bangalore Literature Festival (community-funded), and director of the Bengaluru Poetry Festival. […]
Chinua Alleyne
Chinua Alleyne is the present Mayor of the City of Port of Spain, assuming the role in August 2023. Prior to becoming Mayor, he held the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors of East Port of Spain Development Company Limited, having been appointed to the position with effect from the 30th September 2022. […]
Robert Young
Robert Young is an artist and designer, hailing from the island republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Founding, ‘The Cloth’, a lifestyle and fashion design company, in 1986, Robert has utilised clothing as a medium for expression; capturing the social landscapes and emotions that hail from his immersive Afro-Caribbean upbringing, and working in communities to dress […]
Wayne Lee-Sing
Since 1988, Actor, Writer and Director Wayne Lee-Sing has been Involved in various aspects of local theatre. An experiential teacher, he has also established and managed 2 tent theatres – Téyat Toutafé in St. Lucia and The Brown Cotton Tent Theatre in Trinidad. He has worked closely with Ellen O’Malley Camps and her Camps Carnival […]
Scyllina Samuel
Scyllina Samuel is a blogger, journalist and literature and communications student at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, shortlisted for the 2023 NGC Bocas Youth Writer Award. She enjoys delving into art and culture in the Caribbean.
Kela Roberts
Kela Roberts is a writer, blogger, and aspiring editor from South Trinidad, shortlisted for the 2023 NGC Bocas Youth Writer Award. She writes: “I have always been inspired by and driven to work within the literary community. Writing is more of a vocation than a hobby for me. I one day hope to publish my […]
Thaddy Boom
Thaddy Boom is known for quite a few things. Founding member of the 2 Cents Movement. Harbinger of Vibes as a Host and Master of Ceremonies. Stand Up Comedian, performing in various night spots and television appearances. As well as “a layer of acrylic”… Yes, a nail technician, business owner of Boom’s World Nail Studio. […]
Valmiki Maharaj
Valmiki Maharaj is a Caribbean creative innovator. Since his debut as a designer with the TRIBE Group in 2009, Valmiki has grown with the entity, adopting different roles and responsibilities as required to develop its offering. His greatest impact has been felt in his role as co-founder, bandleader, and Creative Director of THE LOST TRIBE, […]
Kerlyssa De Verteuil
Kerlyssa De Verteuil is currently pursuing a BSc in Computer Science with a minor in International Relations at The University of the West Indies. She spends her time writing and performing spoken word poetry, and wishes to explore other forms of artistic and powerful speech, such as debating. Kerlyssa believes debating is a skill that […]
Sancha Lambert
Sancha Lambert is a second year student at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, where she is in the department of Geomatics and Land Management in the Faculty of Engineering. She is a proud member of the UWI Association of Debating and Public Speaking, and looks forward to learning and contributing to social […]
Mercedes Modeste
Mercerdes Modeste should not be confused with the car. However, like the brand, she brings great class to any discussion. She is a Banking and Finance student, but this undergrad isn’t only about the figures, but about how we can improve our society as youths today and in the future. This desire to garner greater […]
Nathan Nancoo
Nathan Nancoo is currently pursuing a BSc in International Relations with a minor in Film at The University of the West Indies. He is interested in debating as he has been very active in his former school (Hillview College) debate club, where he served as president of the club for four years. During that time, […]
Ishmael Jupiter
Ishmael Jupiter is pursuing a BSc in Computer Science at The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, and enjoys activities such as playing pool and building and programming robots in his free time. What captivates him the most about debates is the opportunity they offer to explore diverse opinions and perspectives on a wide […]
Jeremiah Mathura
Jeremiah Mathura is currently an MPhil Chemical Engineering student at The University of the West Indies, St Augustine. His hobbies include binge watching series and learning history. As it pertains to debating, he is not one to back away from competition. The wit that the opposing side brings helps to bring out the best in […]
Kirby Moses
Kirby Moses is a poet, multidisciplinary artist, and decolonial feminist. Her art and poetry are candid, imagery-laden, and explorative in their forms. She is a spoken word performer and teaching artist, and a number of her works have been published by local and international poetry magazines and anthologies. She enjoys baking, singing, dancing, and playing […]
Mickela Panday
Mickela Panday holds an LLB Hons in Law and is a qualified barrister in England and Wales. She is also a member of the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn and is currently a practicing attorney in Trinidad and Tobago and the political leader of the political party Patriotic Front. She first entered the Parliament of […]
Rajiv Rickhi
Rajiv Rickhi is an attorney at law, in private practice for over 13 years. He is also one of the founding members of Imperium Chambers. He has served as member of the Green Fund Advisory Committee, conducting guest lectures and contributing to publications such as The Lawyer magazine. He is a contributor to the anthology Tales […]
Dion La Foucade
Dion La Foucade has been coaching football for over 37 years. He is an international coach, clinician, lecturer, mentor, a former Trinidad and Tobago National Youth coach and Technical Director of the TTFA, as well as a motivational speaker and life enhancement coach.
Baidawi Assing
Cook and Creative Professional; Managing Director at EatAhFood
James Hackett
James Hackett is an illustrator/designer working out of Trinidad and Tobago. He has a career that spans across advertising, Carnival, print design, Illustration, Rapso, writing, fine art, and animation. An alumnus of the University of Trinidad and Tobago, Hackett has embraced a career combining several of his past experiences from all creative fields he has […]
Danielle Dieffenthaller
Danielle Dieffenthaller, with 20+ years in the television and film industry, is the owner/producer/director of Diefferent Style Flims Ltd. The company’s popular programmes include Iere Vibe and The Reef. Dieffenthaller was also the main force behind the televsion production company Earth TV Ltd, producer/director and co-writer of the acclaimed Ecowatch series and the long-running Westwood […]
Jimmy October
Jimmy October is a national-award-winning singer/songwriter/creative director from the Trinidad and Tobago. Born L’shun Emmanuel in East Trinidad, the young performer’s already inspiring career is proof of his rich talent and unique sound. He had his first international release in 2017 on Steve Aoki’s album KOLONY, with the single “No Time” Since then, Jimmy October […]
Carla Parris
Carla Parris is an entertainment and sports lawyer with a Master’s degree in Entertainment & Intellectual Property Law. She is a board member of the Inter-American Development Bank’s Next Gen Board, a web & TV series producer, and an Intellectual Property Law academic. She provides creative sector development consultancy to governments and business development advice […]
Britt McHugh
Britt McHugh is a poet and author of the collaborative book Tales of Root, Silk & Bone, which brings together the voices of 50+ Trinis on our local folklore, incorporating their personal experiences, art, poetry, photography, and short stories. She has a BA in English from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California, and a […]
Chelsea Cree
Chelsea Cree is a visionary psychologist (MSc.), mind-brain coach, and passionate educator, who isdedicated to empowering individuals to transcend their limitations, rewire their brains for success, andunlock their full potential. She is also deeply devoted to advocating for trauma-informed care, and theadvancing of trauma education and awareness within various organisations. She aims to empower individuals […]