Caribbean journalists are crucial in tracking energy transition developments across the region, informing the public, and holding decision-makers accountable. Despite this, there are critical gaps in media coverage and public awareness, underscoring the urgent need for the Caribbean to embrace an energy transition.
Following our Caribbean Energy Transition Media Workshop, all participants were invited to submit a pitch as an application to move to phase 2 –> the Caribbean Energy Transition Media Mentorship. From those applications, 9 journalists were selected!
We are thrilled to launch this transformative initiative designed to empower Caribbean journalists.
Over the next 3 months, 9 journalists from Belize, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago will embark on a journey of learning, publishing, and networking through our Caribbean Energy Transition Media Mentorship.
This programme will equip them with essential skills and set the stage for their insightful stories.
Congratulations to our selected journalists! Get to know them. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Benita Elizabeth Keme-Palacio, 📍 Belize
🇧🇿 Benita is a former laboratory scientist turned journalist, Benita has always recognised the reality of climate change and makes small efforts, such as recycling and using a reusable straw, to minimise environmental damage.
Carolina Pichardo, 📍 Dominican Republic
🇩🇴 Carolina award-winning investigative reporter from the Dominican Republic, and is currently an investigative editor at Listin Diario. She is a Chevening, Emerging Media Leaders Programme, and Climate Tracker Climate Justice alum with experience at the BBC, USA Today, and the Washington Post. Carolina enjoys travel, and reading, and is a fan of Taylor Swift.
Gabriela Tavera Ruiz, 📍 Dominican Republic
🇩🇴 Gabriela is an international development professional. She has worked with the United Nations, the European Union, the British Embassy, and the U.S. State Department, and is currently with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Gabriela has lived in the Dominican Republic, Switzerland, and the United States. She enjoys painting, writing, reading, travelling, and practising archery.
David Papannah, 📍 Guyana
🇬🇾 David is an award-winning journalist based in Guyana with a decade of experience in the field. He enjoys covering investigative stories on climate change, the environment, biodiversity conservation, Indigenous livelihoods, and agriculture. An avid adventure seeker, he loves travelling and exploring culinary cultures. His friends often describe him as a food “connoisseur.”
Edgar Lewis, 📍 Jamiaca
🇯🇲 Edgar is a veteran Jamaican journalist with nearly 30 years of experience. He has held roles as News Editor at Jamaica News Network (JNN) and CVM Television, and as a journalist/producer at TVJ and JIS. Edgar is renowned for his creative work and has won multiple awards, including Caribbean Broadcasting Union Special Mentions for Best Documentary and Press Association of Jamaica awards.
Delisa McLean, 📍 Jamiaca
🇯🇲 Driven by passion and curiosity, Delisa is a journalist from Jamaica who loves music and is committed to social change. While she has dedicated much of her career to corporate communications, she also feels a profound responsibility towards charity, education, and activism. This commitment motivates Delisa to seek new skills, development and training opportunities, enabling her to serve her community better.
Euritha Tjan A Way, 📍 Suriname
🇸🇷 Euritha, often called a late bloomer, is thrilled by the new things she continues to learn. With 15 years of experience in journalism and media, she is now focusing on climate change, having previously researched forestry and gold mining. The connections between these topics are becoming increasingly apparent in Suriname.
Princess Avianne Charles, 📍 Trinidad and Tobago
🇹🇹 Princess is a writer and workers’ rights activist based in Trinidad and Tobago. As the Project Lead for the Redefining Work Series with Caribbean Feminist, she advocates for the rights and safety of workers against occupational risks. With a degree in Occupational Safety and Health, she focuses on the links between worker justice and climate, environmental, political, and socioeconomic issues.
Kandace Jackson, 📍 Trinidad and Tobago
🇹🇹 For the past 12 years, Kandace has been diving into the world of journalism in Tobago, covering just about everything under the sun. However, her heart truly beats fastest for environmental and climate justice stories. With a fearless streak, she explores the bold and adventurous side of storytelling—uncovering angles others might miss and delivering a fresh perspective every time.
Stay in touch with us and the powerful stories our Fellows are ⬇️⬇️⬇️
