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2025
Presenters
2025 Presenters Arranged Alphabetically
Marguerite C. Anderson is a poet, author, actress, entrepreneur, and educator from Kingston, Jamaica. She has published three books of poetry, along with other educational books for children. Her writing journey began in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic gave her the time to bring her ideas to life. As a child, she was not allowed to express her feelings, an experience that left her scarred by a culture of silence. Through poetry, she addresses a myriad of issues affecting children and women. She hopes her poems will be studied and analyzed by students worldwide and eventually become part of the works studied by Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) students.
Andrene Bonner
Award-Winning Author and Poet
Featured Book: "Long Walk to Cherry Gardens"
Author Website: andrenebonner.com
Andrene Bonner is an educator, strategic leader, workshop facilitator, and coach with over three decades of excellence in education, arts administration, learning and development, and non-profit management. She is also a playwright, award-winning author, and praise poet. An alumna of the Lincoln Center for the Arts in Education, she is a member of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and Phi Delta Kappa International (PDK), an association for professional educators. Andrene currently serves on the governing board of the Association of Caribbean Women Writers and Scholars (ACWWS). In her leisure time, she enjoys drawing, painting, writing poetry, playing the Nyabinghi and Djembe drums, and learning to play the guitar.
Nadine Brady-Taylor "Aunty Nadine"
Award-Winning Author
Featured Book: "Donkey Seh: A Performance Folktale"
Author Website: auntynads.com
Nadine Brady-Taylor (M.S., M.A., LLB.), fondly known as “Aunty Nadine,” is a cultural ambassador for Jamaica. She is an award-winning author and a multitalented performer who proudly represents her country in arts and entertainment. Whether performing virtually or on stage, she captivates her audience with her remarkable versatility. Nadine’s acting career took center stage in 1988, when she won the Best Actress award for the winning play performed by Immaculate Conception High School (ICHS) at the Secondary Schools’ Drama Festival. She was a member of the Jamaica Musical Theatre Company for seven years, excelling in drama, dance, and song. Nadine remains devoted to the pledge of her youth: to work diligently, favorably, and creatively.
Michael Brown & Judith Falloon-Reid
Award-Winning Filmakers
Featured Film: "Mirrors in Paradise"
Author Website: barrivision.com
The BarriVision Films team has produced four award-winning faith-based films, several short films, and numerous Caribbean television programs over the past sixteen years. Just Another Friday 1 & 2 and The Gift Everlasting were created in collaboration with Jamaica Youth for Christ, while 70 X Seven was produced in partnership with Church on the Rock, Ocho Rios. Their 2024 project, Mirrors in Paradise, a six-part drama series based on Judith's novel Are Mirrors Cleaner in Paradise?, was produced for PBC Jamaica. Judith serves as the writer and director of all their productions, while Michael is the cinematographer and editor. The couple currently resides in Panama.
Frances-Marie Coke
Award-Winning Author
Featured Book: "When Banana Stains Fade"
Author Website: francesmariecoke.com
Frances-Marie Coke is an educator originally from Jamaica, now residing in Florida. After spending a decade as a high school teacher, she transitioned into human resource management in Jamaica before joining the academic community at the University of the West Indies.
Creative writing has been an integral part of her life for decades. Her published works include two volumes of poetry and her memoir, The Spirit of Clovelly Park: Learning and Teaching at Kingston College. Her debut novel, When Banana Stains Fade: A Jamaican Family Saga of Adversity and Redemption, explores themes of resilience and hope.
An avid reader, Frances-Marie is an active member of book clubs and writers' groups, where she continues to nurture her passion for literature and storytelling.
Sharon Corinthian
Poet
Sharon Corinthian is a Jamaican woman who migrated to the US at the age of eight. Now residing in Boca Raton, Florida she’s a mother, a poet, an aspiring writing, blogger and an entrepreneur. Being an immigrant child with a heavy accent, she was picked on and made fun of by her peers. This left a lasting impression on her, causing her to realize the power of words. Often feeling lost and out of place she spent her days dissecting words and their effect on people.
Her years spent on the island of Jamaica gleamed memories that inspired the conception of her first poem, “The Cradle of Joy.” She then realized that she had a gift for word play. Over the years she has used her words to capture her thoughts and the thoughts of others in a positive way—turning her tragedies into triumph. She aspires to use her gift to encourage, uplift and inspire others.
Dr. Natalie Corthésy
Award-Winning Poet
Featured Book: "White Rum and Coconut Water"
Author Website: nataliecorthesy.com
Dr. Natalie Corthésy, a Jamaican poet and Senior Lecturer at The University of the West Indies, Mona, is the author of Fried Green Plantains (2017), Sky Juice (2021), and White Rum and Coconut Water (2023). Winner of the 2020 Marvin E. Williams Literary Prize, her work has appeared in The Caribbean Writer, Interviewing the Caribbean, and more. A Calabash International Literary Festival Poetry Workshop fellow, she contributed to So Much Things to Say: 100 Poets from the First Ten Years of the Calabash International Literary Festival, edited by Kwame Dawes and Colin Channer (2010). Her short story "Paradise Plum" was longlisted for the 2023 Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival Award.
Susan Lycett Davis "Dr Sue"
Award-Winning Poet and Festival MC
Featured Book: "I Am Jamaica"
Author Website: DrSueAndU.com
Known as Dr. Sue in the entertainment world, Susan brings a wealth of diverse experiences that make her material both rich and humorous. She hosted "Culture Corner with Dr. Sue," a weekly radio and online show that entertained and educated listeners on Jamaican and Caribbean cultural practices, folklore, and customs, helping preserve their heritage. Dr. Sue also facilitates "Write-In, Write-Out," a writing workshop designed to encourage writing as therapy. In 2015, she contributed to Broward County’s WE production, celebrating their 100-year extravaganza and Duende celebration.
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Lynda R. Edwards
Author
Featured Book: "Justice for Marcus Garvey"
Author Website: lyndaredwards.com
Lynda R. Edwards, acclaimed author of Redemption Songs and Friendship Estate, is celebrated for her vivid storytelling and deep exploration of Caribbean society and history. Her novels captivate readers with intricate narratives, rich imagery, and profound insights into human relationships and cultural identity. Praised for their literary excellence and cultural significance, her works transport readers to the heart of the Caribbean experience, offering a powerful and immersive journey through its complexities and beauty. Lynda was honored to contribute a chapter to Dr. Julius Garvey’s book, Justice for Marcus Garvey, dedicated to preserving the legacy of his father, Marcus Garvey.
Judith is an author, poet, spoken word artist, and filmmaker who has published several novels, children’s books, and inspirational works, including accounts of her journey as the first Jamaican woman to visit Antarctica. She is the writer and director of four award-winning faith-based films and multiple Caribbean television series produced by BarriVision Films, which she co-owns with her husband, Michael Brown. A member of the annual Jamaica Poets Nomadic School Tour, Judith is also a presenter at the Caricon Literary Conference, where, in 2022, she was honored by the City of Los Angeles for her lifelong contributions to the arts.
Dr. Julius W. Garvey, a distinguished surgeon and medical professor, was born on August 16, 1933, in Kingston, Jamaica, to Marcus Garvey and Amy Jacques Garvey. A McGill University graduate, he trained in surgery and cardiothoracic surgery at leading institutions, later serving as chief of thoracic and vascular surgery at Queens Hospital Center. In recent years, Dr. Garvey has lectured widely on the life and legacy of his father, The Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey, and edited Justice for Marcus Garvey, a collection of essays and personal narratives highlighting his father’s enduring impact on social justice movements, while advocating for his exoneration.
Kellie Magnus
Prize-Winning Author
Featured Story: "Chapter and Verse"
Kellie Magnus is a Jamaican writer passionate about Caribbean arts and culture. She is the Executive Director of the Caribbean Culture Fund, where she raises funds and distributes grants to support creatives and cultural organizations in the region. Kellie is the author of the popular Little Lion series and several children’s books used in Jamaican primary schools. Her nonfiction includes Street Food – Jamaica and features on Caribbean creatives in regional media. She also writes adult fiction, including short stories and romance.
Dale Mahfood, a founding member of Jamaica Brew Festival, was born in Kingston, Jamaica, to parents whose roots run deep into the island’s past. He has lived in London, England, and up and down the US Eastern Seaboard from New England to Florida, where he graduated from Florida International University with a master’s degree in English Education. He is currently an English instructor for both Broward County Schools and Florida International University. Dale writes poetry, song lyrics, short stories, and novels, and is particularly interested in writing about diverse peoples and places. He is also currently working on Up From Mountains, the second book in the Wood and Water Saga series.
Dr. Marva McClean
Poet and Author
Featured Book: "Bridges to Memory"
Author Website: marvasfriends.com
Marva McClean is a poet, author, and scholar-activist who explores the African Diaspora and the historical empowerment of Black people. She hosts Strong in the Broken Places: Poetics of the African Diaspora, a digital platform that highlights poetry as a tool for liberation and healing. In her upcoming book, Navigating Black Privilege Across the Globe (IGI Academic Publishers, 2025), Dr. McClean examines Black empowerment as a source of privilege, resilience, and creativity. Her work emphasizes Black cultural contributions, oral histories, and spiritual practices as foundations of resistance, healing, and global transformation.
Kwame McPherson
Award-winning Author
Featured Book: "Ocoee and Other Stories"
Kwame M.A. McPherson, winner of the 2023 Commonwealth Short Story Prize, is a distinguished author, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker of Jamaican descent. He is known for his impactful storytelling and thought-provoking narratives on cultural identity, resilience, and the human spirit. Drawing on his Caribbean heritage, McPherson blends rich cultural experiences with universal life lessons. Beyond his literary work, he advocates for mental well-being and personal growth, offering insights on overcoming challenges, finding purpose, and achieving one's potential. Through his writing, public speaking, and workshops, McPherson continues to inspire individuals and communities to embrace their stories and strive for excellence.
Kei Miller
Award Winning Author, Poet, and Essayist
Featured Book: "The Cartographer Tries to Map a Way to Zion"
Kei Miller, born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1978, is a distinguished essayist, poet, and fiction author renowned for his versatile contributions in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. With 11 acclaimed works to his name, he earned the Forward Prize for Poetry in 2014 for "The Cartographer Tries to Map A Way To Zion" and secured the Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature with his novel "Augustown." Miller's literary journey encompasses the exploration of identity and knowledge, seamlessly moving between creative writing and literary scholarship. As an English Professor at the University of Miami, he delves into themes that resonate with contemporary conversations. His collection of essays, "Things I Have Withheld," stands as a testament to his dedication to addressing the silences around race, sex, and gender. Acknowledged with prestigious awards like the Silver Musgrave medal and the Anthony Sabga medal for Arts & Letters, Kei Miller continues to make a profound impact on Caribbean literature.
Curtis Myrie
Poet
Featured Book: "Staring Into My Soul"
Curtis Myrie is a US-based Jamaican poet, journalist, and marketing executive. His literary journey began as a high school student at St. George’s College, inspired by Angela Morgan’s poem “Work.” Influenced by Maya Angelou, Oku Onuora, the late Mikey Smith, and Dr. Louise Bennett-Coverley, Curtis was encouraged by his teacher, Joseph Kijanski, to pursue journalism at age 16. He won the 1999 Caribbean Broadcasting Merit Award for Excellence for his documentary on “Jamaica’s 1998 Reggae Boyz World Cup campaign.” Curtis is a member of Malachi Smith’s Jamaican Poets Nomadic College and School Tour. His debut poetry collection is Staring Into My Soul.
Geoffrey Philp
Award-Winning Poet and Author
Featured Book: "My Name is Marcus"
Author Website: geoffreyphilp.com
Geoffrey Philp, author of My Name is Marcus, has received many awards for his work, including the Silver Musgrave Medal for Literature from the Institute of Jamaica, the Marcus Garvey Excellence Award in Education (2022), and the Marcus Garvey Award for Community Service. My Name is Marcus is the only graphic novel about Marcus Garvey, introduces children to his inspiring story and imparts lessons on pride, purpose, and perseverance. His poem "A Prayer for My Children" is featured on The Poetry Rail at The Betsy in Miami. Philp is currently working on Unstoppable You: 50 Quotes From Marcus Garvey to Inspire Greatness, a book aimed at motivating young readers with Garvey’s enduring wisdom and practical activities.
Ian Randle
Award-Winning Publisher
Featured Book: "My Name is Marcus"
Ian Randle Website: ianrandlepublishers.com
Ian Randle is the Doyen of Anglophone Caribbean publishing and its most decorated practitioner. He is the founder and current Executive Chairman of the Eponymous publishing house he founded 35 years ago, Ian Randle Publishers (IRP). IRP is the only independent scholarly and legal publisher in the Caribbean with over 450 titles on its list covering virtually all areas of Caribbean history and culture, literature and the law.
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Malachi D. Smith
Award-Winning Poet and Festival MC
Featured Book: "Nomadic Second Words"
Poet Website: malachismith.com
Malachi Smith, the author of two poetry collections and eight recorded CDs of poetry, writes plays, short stories, and songs. A fellow of the University of Miami’s Mitchner Caribbean Writers Institute, Malachi is a founding member of Poets in Unity and The Poetry Society of Jamaica. His poems are widely published and have appeared in Small Axe, The Caribbean Writer, Wheel and Come Again, Writers in Our Midst, 100 Plus Voices for Miss Lou, Poui, Caribbean Erotic: Poetry, Prose & Essays, Rhythms of Amadlozi, Carrier, Pidgin Journal, Revista de Poesia Prometeo, and others. Malachi was named Jamaica’s Best Adult Poet by the JCDC in 2014 and 2017, and Most Outstanding Writer in 2009.
Cameka "Ruth" Taylor
Publishing Services CEO
Featured Book: "Authorpreneur Secret$"
Author Website: extramileja.com
Jamaican authorpreneur Cameka “Ruth” Taylor, also known as 'The Rocket-Writer,' is the CEO and founder of Extra MILE Innovators Limited, operating under the brand BambuSparks. The author of 27 books, including five Amazon bestsellers, Ruth used her book Authorpreneur Secret$ to launch the Authorpreneur Secret$™ Academy, the Caribbean Authorpreneur Summit, and the Authorpreneur Secret$™ podcast. She collaborates with published and aspiring authors to help them write and publish books that fulfill their God-given missions while achieving financial success. Ruth is on a mission to empower 10,000 Caribbean Authorpreneurs by 2030, transforming lives and creating sustainable income streams for authors across the region.
Dr. Aza Weir-Soley
Award-Winning Poet, Essayist, Literary Critic
Featured Book: "First Rain"
Author Website: poetryfoundation.org
Dr. Aza Weir-Soley is an Associate Professor of English at FIU and Immediate Past President & current board member of the Association of Caribbean Women Writers and Scholars. Weir-Soley is a poet, literary critic, and fiction writer of four books including First Rain, The Woman Who Knew, and Eroticism, Spirituality and Resistance in Black Women's Writings. She is an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fellow and was the Butler Waugh Professor of English at FIU from 2021-2023. She is also the mother of three amazing boys and a mentor to ambitious young people who keep surprising her with their brilliance and vision. The world will not go to hell in a handbasket on their watch. Keep the faith!
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Colleen M. Wint Bond
Award-Winning Author
Featured Book: "Arthur Loves to... Series"
Author Website: cwintbond.com
Colleen Wint is a Jamaican author with a background in communications and social development. With a Master’s in Media and training in parenting and early childhood development, she has contributed to national, regional, and international publications. Her love for creative expression began in childhood, crafting stories, poems, and songs, which later inspired bedtime tales for her children. In 2014, after completing writing and storytelling courses, Colleen overcame her apprehensions to self-publish her debut book, Celebrating Me, marking a significant milestone in her author journey. She continues to champion creativity and personal growth through her work.
