Social Impact with Emma » Latoya West-Blackwood : A Jamaica Gleaner Blog

Reading Kindles The Mind

March 13th, 2016

The Joyce Robinson Hall at the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) filled up steadily last Monday morning, as the 29th National Reading Competition got off the starting blocks. There were sponsors, students, educators, librarians, publishers, booksellers and representatives of the Kingston Book Festival – all ready to give the competition a good start. This year’s competition […]

The Kingston Book Festival is On The Horizon: March 5 – 12, 2016

February 26th, 2016

Does your brain need refreshing after all the politics? I know mine does. I am feeling weary. What better way to indulge in mental relaxation and pleasure, then, than to participate in the Kingston Book Festival? The first public event, a “Love Affair With Literature,” will be on Sunday, March 6 (11:00 a.m. to 1:00 […]

“Not a Poppy Show”: Activism and the Politics of Personal Conviction

October 15th, 2015

National Heroes Day is coming up. Perhaps it’s time to reflect on the inspiration that our heroes can infuse into our lives. At a recent Induction Ceremony and training session organized by the anti-corruption group National Integrity Action (NIA), members had a special treat: a personal insight into a period of youth activism at the […]

Literacy: More Than A Simple Sentence

September 11th, 2015

“Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope,” said Kofi Annan. Mr. Annan is Chair of The Elders, a group of thoughtful statesmen and women who have had much to contribute to the global dialogue on key issues affecting the world. I recommend you listen to what they have to say. For many Jamaicans, learning […]