Kerlyn Brown — A passion powered by people

IN a world often dominated by sensationalism and heart-stopping breaking news headlines, there are those who rise above the noise, dedicating their lives to giving a voice to the voiceless and shining a light on the stories that truly matter. For more than 30 years, the face and voice of journalist and television news anchor Kerlyn Brown have become synonymous with professionalism and inspiration.

A career trajectory that can best be described as an accidental stroke of genius, the broadcast veteran had dreams of becoming an air hostess, inspired by the voices she heard on the now-defunct Air Jamaica. However, during a stint as a secretary at Jamaica Information Service Television during the late 1980s, Brown’s dedication and drive quickly caught the attention of her head of department and peers, which saw her being plunged into broadcast media roles. They provided her opportunities to voice, produce and present pre-recorded programmes, earning her a reputation for an uncompromising commitment to truth and integrity.

It was then she began discovering that her already ingrained passion for people, coupled with what others said was her eloquent and commanding voice, meant that a career in broadcast journalism might be on the horizon.

“I’ve always wanted to be hands-on with people and that’s why I initially wanted to be an air hostess, that way I would meet and attend to new people every day. However, my calling was elsewhere and I am so happy I found it when I did, enabling me to now do what I was called to do by God,” Brown said.

Brown’s journey as a journalist at CVM Television began in 1994 with a fierce passion for storytelling and a desire to amplify the voices of the marginalised. From a young age she recognised the power of words and their ability to bring about change.

Born in Jericho, Hanover, the former Rusea’s High School standout has always loved speaking, from reading out loud at school and church, to public speaking and performing in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission performing arts festival events, she accepted eventually that her voice held the power to change lives.

“My passion was always people, and working as a broadcast journalist was the perfect gateway to directly impact people’s lives. I’ve covered many, many news stories but my favourite reports were always the human interest stories that had the potential to inspire and positively impact the lives of the affected and those watching. I always write with my soul, and that’s how I discovered the real power of my voice and my heart,” she said.

With her unwavering commitment to people, particularly children, and her captivating storytelling, Kerlyn Brown has become a beacon of hope, compassion and change. It was in 2009, however, that she said she truly discovered the vehicle to propel her calling forward with the creation of her groundbreaking show, Inspire Jamaica on CVM.

Fuelled by her genuine passion and empathy for the struggles faced by children with health issues, Brown dedicated herself to shedding light on their stories. Each week she brought the trials and triumphs of these children to the forefront, providing a platform for their voices to be heard. Through Inspire Jamaica she not only highlighted the challenges they faced but rallied the community to stand in solidarity, igniting a powerful wave of empathy and support.

“When we created Inspire Jamaica there was no other show in Jamaica like it, and it still holds that envious position. Our children are facing so many health issues here in Jamaica and I knew they deserved their own space and platform. For more than a decade Inspire Jamaica has remained a lifeline for countless children and their families, building a community around them so they feel less alone in their struggles,” she said.

She added that the show’s unique and natural storytelling approach touches the hearts of viewers, fostering a sense of empathy that transcends the television screen, raising awareness about the various health issues affecting these children, and mobilising resources locally and even beyond the Diaspora to help improve their lives.

As CVM gears up for the relaunch of its refreshed brand in August, it was announced that Brown will return to the anchor chair, along with co-anchor Stephen McHugh.

“I must say I’m very excited for this new era. I do not take lightly my return to the nightly news anchor chair. My desire has always been to ensure that, as a team, we create a newscast that inspires and informs all viewers — and with a refreshed look and feel I know we will be able to do great work to answer the calls of our viewers and stakeholders at home and abroad,” she said.