Tag: Alette Liz Williams

Alette Liz Williams launches The Media-Ready Masterclass

For almost 20 years, communications strategist Alette Liz Williams has worked quietly behind the scenes helping organisations earn credible media exposure across Trinidad and Tobago and abroad. Her work has supported the visibility efforts of many well-known organisations like the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), PAHO/WHO, the Bocas Lit Fest, First Citizens and Conference Connection (Suriname).

A media release said, Williams, an adjunct lecturer at both COSTAATT and the UWI Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business, has steadily emerged as a trusted voice in visibility strategy. She is also the lead communications strategist for Iconiq Creative, a US-based agency. Her recent feature in Black Entrepreneur Magazine highlighted her growing influence in communications leadership.

Now, she is bringing her expertise directly to the public with the launch of The Media-Ready Masterclass, a virtual training designed to help executives, brands, NGOs and communications teams understand why earned media still matters, and why many organisations struggle to secure it, the release said.

The session takes place on November 20 from 9 am-12 pm via Zoom. Participants will receive downloadable templates, a one-week replay and access to a live Q&A.

Williams says the gap is widening between online content production and genuine visibility.

“I’ve realised that so many teams pour everything into social media and digital tactics, but they don’t actually understand what ‘earned media’ is,” she explains. “The return on investment is richer when a newsroom, station or journalist chooses to feature your work. That level of credibility cannot be replicated. It changes how the public sees you and how you see yourself.”

She adds that part of supporting the media landscape is recognising its value beyond editorial coverage.

“I also advocate for giving back to media through responsible advertising. Yes, it has a cost, and people assume it’s intangible. But it is measurable. It strengthens public trust, and that trust lifts the value of your brand far more than people realise.”

The masterclass walks participants through frameworks that help organisations identify the gaps that may be limiting their exposure. It highlights how journalists determine newsworthiness, why some organisations receive coverage consistently, and how to position stories in ways that align with editorial needs,. the release said.

“I’ve spent most of my career preparing other people for interviews, features and major announcements,” she says. “This masterclass is about giving people the tools to earn that kind of attention deliberately, not accidentally.”

Through Outright Concepts Ltd, Williams has helped clients secure more than US$1 million in earned media coverage across local, regional, and international campaigns.

“There are organisations doing exceptional work that the public never hears about,” she says. “I want to change that.”

To register, e-mail connect@ocl.agency.

Author Scarlet Ibis James to launch books in Trinidad and Tobago

Author Scarlet Ibis James will be promoting her books Scarlet Yearnings: Stories of Love and Desire and Scarlet Birthright: What They Left Behind during her upcoming month-long Scarlet Book Tour, beginning on October 11.

In a release on October 8, Outright Concepts Ltd communications strategist Alette Liz Williams said the award-winning author has been quietly building an international following for her books.

“Both explore love, longing and the legacy of family – subjects that sit close to the heart for anyone who has ever loved deeply, lost something, or tried to make sense of where they come from. Her writing is tender, layered and profoundly Caribbean. It captures the rhythm of speech, the weight of silence, and the quiet courage that binds generations.”

To mark her homecoming, James will release a limited-edition print of Scarlet Birthright: What They Left Behind, featuring exclusive art by Nick Low and printed locally by Print on Demand Ltd. The special edition will be available only at tour events.

The release said the tour begins on October 11 with a premium sip and read experience at Scribbles and Quills Bookstore in Chaguanas, hosted by literary curator Kevin George.

On October 12, James will join Arlene Holman, host of the popular podcast Sunbeam Chats and founder of Akari Hub, for the second edition of Chapters and Chats in collaboration with LiveStyle Books, at the Bird and Palm at The Normandie Hotel in St Ann’s.

“With its warm wood, sunlight filtering through tall windows and touches of greenery, it blends the charm of a book café with the ease of a creative salon. Guests are invited to bring their current read, settle in for quiet reading, then share reflections and connect with fellow book lovers before hearing from Scarlet herself. It promises to be a relaxed afternoon filled with food, conversation and the kind of intimacy that only good stories create,” said the release.

Her books will travel to Tobago on October 15, where they will be available at Heritage Haven Boutique and Shore Things Café and Craft.

The tour will conclude with an intimate author conversation on October 25 at Paper Based Bookshop in Port of Spain, where she will be joined by author and publishing professional Marsha Gomes-McKie.

The release said each stop promises more than a signing.

“It promises a genuine exchange between an author and the people whose voices echo in her stories. Readers can expect thoughtful conversation, meaningful connection and a reminder that storytelling remains one of the most powerful ways to preserve culture and community.”

Register or learn more at www.scarletibisjames.com. Follow @scarlet.ibis.james for updates.

Cedar Grove dominates schools’ dance festival

CEDAR Grove Primary School walked away with the lion’s share of prizes in the grand finale of Spark, the Schools Festival of Dance which took place at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (Sapa) on June 12.

The Palmiste-based school dominated the primary school category from among the five schools that qualified to participate in the finals.

Ten secondary schools from across the country also participated in the competition – Diego Martin Central; Holy Name Convent, Port of Spain; Bishop Anstey High School East; Moruga Secondary; Ste Madeline Secondary; Vishnu Boys Hindu College; San Juan South Secondary; St Joseph’s Convent, St Joseph; Pleasantville Secondary; and Bishop’s Centenary College.

It was the first time primary schools have been part of the festival.

The festival was organised by the National Dance Association of TT (NDATT) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Secondary Dance Educators Association of TT.

In her opening remarks, NDATT president Alette Liz Williams noted that Spark is a re-imagining of the former Secondary Schools Dance Festival, which was first introduced in 2009.

Moruga Secondary with a piece entitled La Diableses Night Out –

“This year, for the first time, primary school dancers are officially part of the festival, expanding the reach and potential of the platform to discover and nurture emerging talent from earlier stages of development.”

She explained there was a pause during and post covid, but when they decided to reintroduce the programme, “the MOE challenged us to expand, to include primary schools to give the young talent a space for their expression.”

The target, she said, was to discover their artistic abilities and the opportunity to perform before their peers.

“We did not know how many of them would have performed on a stage this size or before their peers and a large audience.”

But there was no need to worry as the children in the five to eight, and nine-plus categories boldly braved the stage capturing the admiration of the audience with their expressive moves and interpretation of the dances.

The categories included contemporary dances, classical, traditional folk, traditional Carnival or folklore character, and creative dances.

The stories ranged from school violence, a call to save the children, dealing with human trafficking, the journey of enslaved Africans, a battle with cancer, among others.

Cedar Grove students Mia Achat-Ali performing Cherub, and Maya Rubuz who performed HELP, both contemporary dances, captured first and second places in the five to eight solo category.

In the nine-plus solo category, Cedar Grove also won three of the top four prizes. Amaliya Bghagwandas who did a classical dance called Celebration, placed first with 76 points. Her peers, Aijah-Marie Williams, placed third with 69 points with a traditional folk dance called, African Pride, and Stephanie Sookbir, fourth. Santa Flora Government Primary School student Reneece Phillip placed second with a traditional folk dance called D’ Journey.

In the groups nine-plus category, Cedar Grove won three of the six prizes including first, fifth and sixth place.

The Athenian Pre Secondary School walked away with second and third places with a traditional and folk dance respectively. Monkey Town Government Primary secured fourth position with a classical dance called Des Rangila, while Arima Girls’ RC, also performing a classical dance called Subterfuge, placed fifth.

Williams thanked sponsors and supporters who came to witness this iteration of the festival, as the financial expectation from the MOE was not forthcoming.

“Pulling off the festival was essentially a labour of love,” she told Newsday, “Because we are a volunteer-led association. Many people, friends, family members, people in the network gave finances, resources, their time and energy for this programme to come off.

“I am grateful for the teachers, students and schools who answered the call and decided to come into the competition and pour their hearts out.”

She said hopefully, next year will be better.

Special guest judge was Marisa Benain, founder of Plié for the Arts in Jamaica. Benain’s involvement is part of an ongoing collaboration with the NDA to strengthen dance education and performance opportunities across the region.

Two dancers will be eligible for selection to travel to Jamaica for a workshop and attend the gala performance of the final stop of the Amalgamation Tour with Alvin Ailey II on August 30.

Benain will return in August with her company to lead an interactive seminar and workshop with Alvin Ailey II dancers on August 25, followed by two public performances on August 26.

The entrants were judged by a panel of adjudicators – Emelda Lynch-Griffith (head judge), Sonja Dumas, Dr Satnarine Balkaransingh, Aaron Charles, Jason Le Maitre, and Derreck Cassanova.

Celebrating International Dance Day

FROM THE NATIONAL DANCE ASSOCIATION

On International Dance Day, April 29, the National Dance Association of Trinidad and Tobago (NDATT) proudly joins the global community in recognising and celebrating the profound significance of dance – not just as an art form, but as a fundamental expression of life itself.

San Juan South Secondary performing during the preliminary round of Spark – The Schools Festival of Dance hosted by the National Dance Association. – courtesy Rayhaan Joseph

Established through Act No 28 of 1997 by the Parliament and guided by the Constitution, the NDA has long championed the vital role of dance in shaping national identity, strengthening community bonds, nurturing individual potential, and contributing to economic and social development. Dance is not merely a creative practice; it is life in motion – an affirmation that where there is movement, there is existence, resilience, and renewal. Movement is proof of life, and dance magnifies this human truth.

International Dance Day was established in 1982 by the International Dance Council, an official partner of Unesco, to promote the universal value of dance across cultures and societies. It serves as a global celebration for those who understand dance’s transformative power – and as a wake-up call for governments, institutions, and policymakers who have yet to fully recognise its impact on individuals, communities, and economies.

International Dance Day serves both as a celebration and a necessary reminder: dance must be seen, valued, and supported as an integral pillar of society. It is an art form that transcends cultural, social, and economic barriers, offering individuals and communities alike a medium through which they express identity, navigate challenges, preserve heritage, and imagine new futures.

As the recognised representative body for dance practitioners across TT, the NDA stands committed to advancing the visibility, legitimacy, and sustainability of dance in all its forms. We echo the International Dance Council’s call for our government, institutions, and policymakers to actively acknowledge the value of dance – not merely through symbolic gestures, but by creating tangible frameworks for its promotion, protection, and investment. Dance is not a luxury; it is a right and a necessity. It offers pathways for personal empowerment, collective well-being, and national development, including real, measurable contributions to economic growth through cultural industries.

Alette Liz Williams, president of the National Dance Association. –

Today, we honour the dancers, choreographers, educators, administrators, and advocates who continue to shape our nation’s dance ecosystem with passion, discipline, and innovation. We recommit ourselves to nurturing environments where dance is respected, where practitioners are empowered, and where future generations are inspired to move, to create, and to live fully.

The executive committee of the National Dance Association wishes everyone a meaningful International Dance Day. Let us continue to honour dance – because to honour dance, is to honour life itself.

First Citizens Poetry Slam returns

The First Citizens National Poetry Slam (FCNPS) returns on February 15.

In a news release on January 14, Bocas Lit Fest marketing and media manager Alette Liz Williams said, “The First Citizens National Poetry Slam (FCNPS) auditions are back, opening the door for poets across TT to step into the spotlight and leave their mark on the most anticipated spoken word stage in the Caribbean.”

She added, “As the closing event of the annual literary festival hosted by the Bocas Lit Fest, the Slam promises to bring down the curtain on the festival with its trademark mix of electrifying performances and fierce competition.”

The First Citizens National Poetry Slam is a flagship event of the Bocas Lit Fest and is sponsored by First Citizens.

The Bocas Lit Fest runs from May 1–4 and, will celebrate its 15th anniversary this year, highlighting 15 years of the OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature.

Registration is open on the Bocas Lit Fest website, giving aspiring wordsmiths a chance to take on the reigning champion, Shakira Burton, and vie for the coveted Slam title.

Audition dates for the 2025 Slam have been scheduled across TT on:

● Saturday, February 15 at the National Library, Abercromby Street, Port of Spain, 10 am to 4 pm

● Sunday, February 16 at Boba and Brew, Gopaul Lands, Marabella 10 am to 2 pm

● Friday, February 21 at East Yard, 27 Prince Street, Arima, 5.30 to 8 pm

● Sunday, February 23 at the Scarborough Public Library, Tobago 10 am to 2 pm

The release said, “The First Citizens National Poetry Slam has become a cultural phenomenon, offering a platform for powerful expression.

“Each year, poets captivate audiences with themes that resonate deeply, tackling everything from personal stories to urgent societal issues.

“Beyond the thrill of the competition, the Slam has become a welcoming stage for artistic excellence, inspiring emerging spoken word artists and engaging a diverse, intergenerational audience.”

Aspiring poets eager to share their voices, the release said, are invited to sign up for the auditions.

For more information and to register visit bocaslitfest.com/poetry-slam and follow @nationalslamtt on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.

The Bocas Academy is back

THE Bocas Lit Fest has launched Term II of its Bocas Academy.

In a news release on December 18, Bocas Lit Fest marketing and media manager Alette Liz Williams said the academy is “a multi-level curriculum of writing workshops and masterclasses designed to develop authors at every stage of their careers.”

It said the term begins in January with a vision board workshop for writers, led by writer and editor Neala Luna.

At an in-person session at The Writers Centre, 14 Alcazar Street, St Clair on 11 January, participants will be guided by Luna to generate tangible, actionable goals linked to their writing ambitions. Luna has led over 100 vision board participants to actualise their creative objectives in similar sessions.

Writers and creatives working in all genres and mediums are encouraged to attend this workshop.

There is a registration fee of $350 for the workshop.

Self-published writers, and those considering embarking on first-time publication, are in focus during February 2025 in the Write a Book, Get it Published! three-part series.

Three industry professionals will deliver focused seminars on key aspects of self-publishing and the publication journey.

On February 1, Troy Hadeed, author of My Name is Love, will candidly share his experiences and offer insights on the road to publication of his debut non-fiction work.

On February 8, award-winning graphic designer Melanie Archer will lead a session on the importance of book design to a publication’s success.

On February 15, Alice Besson, managing director of Paria Publishing, will outline the role of a publisher in guiding a book to its final, saleable form. All three parts of Write a Book, Get it Published! will take place virtually via Zoom. The fee per session is $300; participants attending all three sessions will pay a discounted fee of $800.

Award-winning novelist and short story writer Leone Ross will lead a fiction masterclass in March 2025 on writing desire. Ross, author of the 2022 Women’s Prize–longlisted novel This One Sky Day, will teach the masterclass virtually via Zoom across three sessions on March 8, 15, and 22.

Each session will focus on a unique aspect of writing desire: writing love, writing sex, writing darkness/taboo.

The registration fee is $900.

“The enthusiastic interest generated by Term I of the Bocas Academy was both encouraging, and a signifier of how much these courses are needed by our own Caribbean writers,” said Shivanee Ramlochan, Bocas Lit Fest’s festival and programme manager.

“In Term II, Bocas Lit Fest strengthens the foundations of the Bocas Academy by offering a wide range in course variety, catering to a matching range of skill and experience level. There’s something here for every writer, no matter their publication history or lack thereof. All are truly welcome.”

Participants in the Bocas Academy will also have access to free resource kits, alumni events and receive certificates of completion.

For more information and to register, visit www.academy.bocaslitfest.com or email workshops@bocaslitfest.com.